277 Comments
User's avatar
CH's avatar

My neighborhood church has a sign out front that says “We support the separation of church and hate.”

Wis's avatar

I love this, CH!!

Edie Sadowski's avatar

I love this comment ❤️ 🤣 😂 💕

Richard Waddell's avatar

Sounds Methodist - I might mention it to the one I belong to.

Cheryl Johnson's avatar

Or Episcopal or Unitarian Universalist.

I went to the Hands Off protest last year with a friend who goes to the UU church and we kept running into people she knew - all of them from her congregation.

Ms Jonington's avatar

There’s no doubt about who has the momentum right now.

Reader of Politics's avatar

I think that if a pastor specifically says things like you can only vote Republican. They should immediately get their charity exemption revoked.

Wendy's avatar

I think it's also time to find another church!

Richard Waddell's avatar

I can't figure out why the 'Love your neighbor as yourself' is missing

from the messaging of these ministers - but that's probably because it

conflicts with their messages...in which case, they may need to rethink

their calling.

Julie's avatar

Years ago, I read Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth. In it, he talks about how the more institutions (corporations, governments, religions) gain power, they become more rigid, egotistical, and dysfunctional. I think it might explain a lot with some of these churches and their leaders.

Sam Jones's avatar

Boom!💥 What a blast of good strong energy this morning. Just what the resistance needed!

Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

Onward “real” Christian soldiers! Not the fake ones!

Lois Barliant's avatar

thanks for "real" marching orders. I have the tune in my head!

Cherae Stone's avatar

RIGHT??!! DAMN, I needed that!!

Edie Sadowski's avatar

Thank you for this uplifting post! Re stacked and shared!🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸

Mike Hammer's avatar

Cannot say enough great things about Eric Swalwell. He really takes the fight to the bad guys.

Cherae Stone's avatar

In their faces!

Julie's avatar

He's great. And I love that so many Trump-appointed judges are pushing back on Trump. It truly gives me hope that we are slowly turning the ship around.

Jamesina Hamilton's avatar

He will make a great governor of CA!

Cindy's avatar

Pope Leo is right, And separation of church and state is fundamental

Wis's avatar

Cindy, you summed up my thoughts beautifully! 👏👏 I’d have rambled on for a paragraph or more to say exactly this! (I’m a rambler…)

Jan Bartlett's avatar

I love Pope Leo. What an incredible leader and man of God. And he speaks the truth. Period. Without fear. God bless him and let him lead the church for many decades to come.

patte ranney's avatar

i love pope leo too! i’m not catholic but feel he speaks to all of us regardless of our spiritual affinity. i totally understand why there is a surge in interest in and conversion to catholicism.

Edie Sadowski's avatar

Agree totally 👍

Julie's avatar

He truly embodies the teachings of Christ. One thing I saw on Bluesky yesterday that made me appreciate those who emulate Christ, were those who went to the Broadview IL detention facility to wash the feet of those detained, only after they had to fight ICE's refusal to allow them in. Hopeful and heartbreaking all at once but so important to let those detained know they are not forgotten.

Claire's avatar

I love Pope Leo and I’m not even Catholic!!!

Joy Marcus's avatar

Scott and team, I am staying sane in part due to your wonderful column. Thank you so much.

Sister Stan's avatar

You are in good company. I feel the same way

wises496@gmail.com's avatar

Churches that get involved in politics should lose their nonprofit status

Edie Sadowski's avatar

And pay taxes like the rest of us!

Wis's avatar

And perhaps be sued. Isn’t this illegal? I mean, church is supposed to offer haven for all, isn’t it? Not preach political rhetoric dressed up as Bible-speak.

I suspect I’m being naive.

P. Campbell's avatar

I applaud the Pope’s calling out the felon (I am not Catholic).

Wis's avatar

Nor am I, but I have great respect for any leader who calls for mercy and love for ALL - human, nonhuman, the health of the whole, not little bits who want to rule and crush everything that is not white, (male), two-legged, Christian, blindly obedient to trump/maga and psychologically disturbed.

Denise Hall's avatar

The word Grace appears 150-170 times in the Bible ( both Old and New testaments combined) and NO Our Heavenly Father God Almighty Himself Jesus Christ is Not answering kegsbreaths prayers for killing those who don't deserve mercy! ONLY One TRUE Judge and God Almighty and HE'S in charge of Grace and mercy!! And every single person needs Mercy including the clowns running our country! God bless your Easter weekend ❤️💖💯🙏🏼🙏🏽🙏🙏🏾🙏🏻🙏🏿

Edie Sadowski's avatar

The Old Testament also says Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord" What kind of a corrupt monster says prayer like that!😬😡😺🤡 there is no place in a church, synagogue mosque or temple for hate!

djw's avatar

My copy of the New Testament says, "Judge not". Doesn't leave much room for "those who don't deserve mercy".

Barbara Pflughaupt's avatar

I am Jewish, but I adore this Pope. I grew up in a neighborhood with many churches and often went to church with friends. This Pope is what I was taught loving Jesus was about.

I believe in the separation of Church and state, but the Church is supposed to speak for God - and I’m glad they are

Gloria Long's avatar

..and for humanity!

Brenda Doherty's avatar

Scott, as a practicing Catholic, I find Pope Leo to be a breath of fresh air in this weary world. He is not afraid to speak out against the many abuses of the Trump administration. The Johnson amendment has not been enforced by this DOJ and I don’t anticipate that will change under Blanche. He’s worse than Pammy Jo. Therefore, we in the congregation must loudly complain to the authorities to stop this propagandizing.

Wendy Feen's avatar

Just what we needed to hear today on this day of silence in the Church. HOPE!