High profile politicians from both parties were at a bipartisan annual breakfast, where the theme was the Biblical idea to "Love your enemies."
It is supposed to be about overcoming differences and coming together, recognizing that what binds us as a nation is supposed to be stronger than that which divides us.
Dr. Arthur Brooks spoke before President Trump did at the breakfast, calling on both sides to overcome the bitter political divide within the country presently:
Prefacing Trump's speech, Dr. Arthur Brooks, discussed the "crisis of contempt and polarization that's tearing our societies apart."
He called for those at the breakfast to do what was preached in the Bible: "Love your enemies."
Brooks spoke at length about how politicians from differing parties need to treat each other with love.
"Arthur, I don't know if I agree with you," Trump told the audience after approaching the dais. "I don't know if Arthur is going to like what I'm going to have to say."
Of course he does not agree with that. Trump's whole public persona thrives on his image as a divider, and not a unifier. He is the most polarizing public figure in modern American history, and he thrives on hatred. Repeatedly, he reasserts his stance that everyone who agrees with him is good, and people who do things that he likes are "winners," while those who disagree with him and criticize his conduct or his policies are "losers."
Can anyone remind me where it says that in the Bible?
Yet, many self-identified Christians view Trump as a man of God?
Laughable. And disgusting, frankly. This conduct is contrary to everything that Jesus ever said or stood for.
Just to be clear that his message was not about forgiveness or unity, Trump lashed out at those who displeased him:
"I don't like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong nor do I like people who say, 'I pray for you,' when they know that's not so. So many people have been hurt and we can't let that go on," Trump said.
"We have allies, we have enemies, sometimes the allies are enemies but we just don't know it. But we're changing all that."
Trump went on, making clear that he felt Christians in the United States are at war:
The President also underscored that religious Americans are "in a fight."
"Tell your congregation that ... we have 350 million people in our country. They're proud Americans, and they respect what we're doing, even those that you don't think so much, like us, respect us, want to be with us," Trump said. "They're respecting our fight. And we are in a fight. Religion in this country and religion all over the world, certain religions in particular, are under siege. We won't let that happen."
In his closing remarks, Trump praised the prayer group, but veered again into what appeared to be pushback on Brooks' call to love your enemies.
"They like people and sometimes they hate people. I'm sorry. I apologize. I'm trying to learn. It's not easy," Trump said, adding, "When they impeach you for nothing, then you're supposed to like them. It's not easy, folks. I do my best."
That last remark was the closest that I have ever heard of Trump showing any degree - even the most modest degree - of modesty or serious self-reflection. I guess that is to his credit, and that we should celebrate that, for once, he is not claiming to be perfect or to know everything, and that he may even be trying to learn.
Can we believe that he is being sincere?
Frankly, that would be hard to believe. After all, right after those few words alluding to moderation, to humility, and to serious self-examination, he returned to proclaiming himself a victim, even when he had just dedicated an entire speech to lashing out at anyone and everyone who displeased him in the least.
Donald Trump is a petty, immature, vindictive man. Quite simply, he does not have it in him to rise above the pettiness and to be a better man.
Can we believe that he is being sincere?
Frankly, that would be hard to believe. After all, right after those few words alluding to moderation, to humility, and to serious self-examination, he returned to proclaiming himself a victim, even when he had just dedicated an entire speech to lashing out at anyone and everyone who displeased him in the least.
Donald Trump is a petty, immature, vindictive man. Quite simply, he does not have it in him to rise above the pettiness and to be a better man.
Is anyone even surprised at this?
The question, then, is if we as a nation are better than this. A lot of people quickly claim that we are. Frankly, if that is true, we need to start proving it, because the jury is still out.
Trump slams Democrats and Romney at prayer breakfast as Pelosi looks on Sarah WestwoodMaegan Vazquez By Sarah Westwood and Maegan Vazquez, CNN Updated 11:49 AM ET, Thu February 6, 2020
https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/06/politics/donald-trump-national-prayer-breakfast-nancy-pelosi-impeachment/index.html
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