A pastor from Iowa – Joshua Graber – kicked off a Trump rally with a prayer calling for those against the criminal defendant to be “put to silence.”
Silencing Trump’s Enemies
Graber’s speech was caught on camera. He said: “We ask that those who stand against [Trump] would be put to silence. That those horrendous actions against him and his family would be exposed and struck down.”
Trump’s Odd Claims
Trump repeated bizarre claims that Democrats murder babies after they’ve been born. “If the mother doesn’t want the baby, we execute the baby,” he said. He also repeated his odd statement about people needing ID to buy bread: “If ya buy a loaf of bread, you gotta have your ID out – but not for voting.”
Better Body Than Biden
Trump’s most bizarre statement, though, came when he claimed to have a “better body” than President Joe Biden. He said that Biden spends “so much time at the beach” before adding: “I have a much better body than him.”
Hiring LGBTQ+ People
Pastor Graber is from the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Vinton, Iowa. Vinton is a small place, with a population of just under 5,000. Reportedly, residents have accused the local library of having a “liberal agenda” because they openly hired LGBTQ+ people.
A Man of Faith
Trump’s rallies always open with a prayer from a local pastor. Moreover, a poll indicated that more than 50% of Republicans see the criminal defendant as a man of faith. It’s an interesting result, especially when one considers that Trump generally advocates for things that contradict the teachings of Jesus.
Justice and Truth
Another pastor – Stephen Cliffgard Lee – was charged alongside Trump in Georgia. As such, plenty of Christians want him expelled from his denomination. “The credible charges against Lee are deeply troubling, expose an abuse of pastoral authority as well as a threat to American democracy, and contradict the Biblical values of justice and truth,” Faithful America said.
The Internet’s Response
News of Graber’s call for those against Trump to be “put to silence” was shared across the internet and people flocked to comment sections to give their views. For the most part, people condemned him, often citing vile remarks the pastor previously made about LGBTQ+ people.
Abandoning Organized Religion
One social media commenter said: “This is one of the reasons people are turning away from organized religion. A pastor supporting a man who couldn’t recall one verse from the Bible. One thing they have in common is grifting.”
An Atheist Opinion
Another individual wrote: “I’m not really qualified to comment on religion as I’m an atheist but this all seems to check out from my point of view. Asking a fantasy guy to do stuff for a guy who is living in his own fantasy world makes complete sense to me.”
A Delusional Monster
Others discussed Graber’s previous remarks. “Isn’t that the same pastor who said teachers should be beheaded? Yeah, I wouldn’t worry about anything he says. He’s a delusional monster,” one person said. “That was Jason Graber. Different guy, similar name. Still, this guy probably agrees,” another replied.
The Far-Right Hatred
Another commenter said: “I hope that the FBI are at least logging these creeps. I want them to take responsibility for the hate they spread. Nobody seems to challenge them when they spout this stuff.”
The History of Christianity
Plenty of people weren’t particularly surprised by Graber’s words. “Nothing says Christian values like threatening violence against those with differing opinions,” one person said. “Ah, Christians killing people they don’t like. What’s new?” another echoed.
Trump’s Religious Beliefs
Others discussed Trump’s alleged religious beliefs. One person said: “I can’t believe that Trump is still pretending to be Christian without even pretending to be Christian. He literally never talks about it but people still think he’s religious. That man is an atheist, I’m telling you. He just happens to hold similar political opinions to Christian nationalists.”
A Real Christian Perspective
Plenty of Christians gave their opinions on the matter. One said: “At this point, I don’t think we can even say the radical right is even trying to appear Christian. Jesus taught love and compassion. He said to share resources so there’s enough for everyone. He taught acceptance. As a Christian, a real Christian, these people disgust me.”
A Christian Apology
Another Christian wrote: “As a Christian, I’d like to apologize for what our religion has become. I’m beginning to think about dropping the label and just calling myself ‘a follower of Jesus’ or something like that. I’m so, so sorry for all of this hatred. It is not Christian. They are not Christian.”
Asking God to Kill
“Wait, is he asking God to kill everyone who doesn’t support Trump? He knows that’s the majority of the country, right? Or am I being dramatic and is that not what he’s implying?” one person asked. “I’m pretty sure that’s what he’s implying,” another individual replied.
Graber’s No Pastor
Some people even went as far as saying that Graber is no pastor. One such person wrote: “This man is no pastor. He is a criminal. The police are afraid to arrest him. They only arrest and murder unarmed Black people. Everyone else is free.”
A MAGA Opinion
While most people criticized Graber, Trump’s fans popped up every now and then to express their support for the criminal defendant. One said: “When President Trump returns to the White House in January 2025, with help from God, we will immediately begin to see a change for the better in our wonderful country that God has provided for us.”
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