Thousands of Christians have joined forces by signing a petition requesting the removal of a Lutheran pastor who has been charged with criminal offenses related to the 2020 United States presidential election.
Some Very Serious Charges
The pastor in question is Stephen Cliffgard Lee, who’s from Illinois and previously served as a police chaplain. He was indicted alongside former President Donald Trump and 17 others in Fulton County, Georgia, last week. The charges against Lee include allegations of involvement in a scheme to coerce Ruby Freeman, an election worker, into making false confessions about election fraud.
Combating Christian Nationalism
The online petition, directed towards Reverend Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, has garnered more than 10,000 signatures. It was initiated by Faithful America, an organization committed to combating Christian nationalism and advocating for social justice. This group views the accusations against Lee with great concern, perceiving them as an abuse of pastoral authority and a challenge to democratic values. They argue that these charges contradict the principles of justice and truth upheld by the church and, as such, render Lee unsuitable for his position as a spiritual and moral leader.
Upholding the Integrity of Democratic Ideals
The petition concludes with a call for swift action, urging the expulsion of Reverend Lee from his role. It’s framed as a request from both Christians and supporters of American democracy who believe that the accusations carry substantial weight. The initiative stems from a desire to uphold the integrity of both the Christian community and the democratic ideals that the nation holds dear.
Harassment of Election Workers
The harassment of Ruby Freeman reportedly followed false claims spread by former President Trump and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani regarding fraudulent ballots during the 2020 election. Freeman conveyed her distressing experience in a testimony, sharing that she and her daughter faced relentless targeting by supporters of Trump. She expressed that the situation significantly impacted their lives and sense of security.
Trump’s Lawyer’s False Claims
Trump’s lawyer – Giuliani – also faces indictment with 13 felony counts in Fulton County. Moreover, she’s been sued by Freeman for perpetuating the false claims. In a court filing associated with the lawsuit, the lawyer admitted to making inaccurate statements about the election worker.
Faithful America Has Launched Petitions Before
Before launching the campaign to have Lee expelled, Faithful America had previously initiated various online petitions aimed at Trump’s allies and supporters. Notably, a petition urging the former pastor of GOP Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene to denounce her call for a “national divorce” garnered more than 15,000 signatures.
The Reawaken America Tour
Furthermore, over 23,000 individuals signed a petition urging officials in North Las Vegas to cancel their plans to host the Reawaken America Tour on public property. The conference was set to feature speakers like Eric Trump and former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
The Internet Responded
News of the petition’s popularity was shared across the internet and thousands flocked to comment sections to share their thoughts. “You may call yourself a Christian. You may even believe that you really are a Christian. But if you’re a Trump supporter, you are kidding yourself,” one person wrote.
God and Christ Are Optional
A fair few people echoed the opinion of the aforementioned commenter. “For MAGA Christians, Trump is an indispensable part of their faith while God and Christ are just optional extras,” one person wrote. “No true Christian would vote for any Republican, let alone Trump,” another added.
The Middle Ground
Some commenters criticized both the left and the right. “There are two people still talking about Trump. The obsessed left who can’t believe their one true love is gone and the crazed right who believe the man is Jesus Christ on Earth. The rest of us are trying to survive the apocalypse that followed when he left,” one individual wrote. “So, we’re supposed to ignore the fact that he’s the likely GOP nominee?” another hit back.
Trump Speaks the Teaching of Jesus
Some Christians defended Trump. “Donald Trump speaks the true teachings of Jesus,” one person wrote. “Have you ever actually read the Bible? He speaks the teachings of Jesus’ enemies,” another hit back. “You either never read the Bible or have a serious reading comprehension issue,” another echoed.
Religion and Politics
Some commenters felt religious leaders should stay away from politics. One such individual wrote: “A religious leader should stick to religion and keep his nose out of politics. This so-called pastor went even further in attempting to coerce Ruby Freeman into admitting she committed election fraud. He’s not fit to lead a congregation and should be removed.”
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