I don't think anyone who looks at the current border situation objectively would disagree with the idea we can do better.
The question I've been asking is why we can't actually agree with that?
This recent exchange between two Christian leaders is fascinating to me.
Why is Jerry Falwell so upset that Russell Moore spoke out against conditions facing migrant children?
One might make the case Falwell is under some type of blackmail or influence from Trump. But I see other people who I don't believe are being blackmailed by anyone make similar claims.
Are we that tribal where "our side" can do no wrong?
Does the "other" side have any role in this?
I don't know. I just wish we could get right what we all objectively know needs to be right.
The question I've been asking is why we can't actually agree with that?
This recent exchange between two Christian leaders is fascinating to me.
Why is Jerry Falwell so upset that Russell Moore spoke out against conditions facing migrant children?
Dr. Russell Moore, the President of The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, is one of many Christian leaders speaking out on the conditions the children are facing. He tweeted, “The reports of the conditions for migrant children at the border should shock all of our consciences. Those created in the image of God should be treated with dignity and compassion, especially those seeking refuge from violence back home. We can do better than this.”
In his own tweet, Falwell wrote to Dr. Moore, “Who are you @drmoore ? Have you ever made a payroll? Have you ever built an organization of any type from scratch? What gives you authority to speak on any issue? I’m being serious. You’re nothing but an employee—a bureaucrat.”
There’s a lot to unpack here. First, it’s not clear what Falwell found so objectionable about Russell Moore’s tweet. Falwell is an outspoken supporter of President Trump, but these types of facilities have operated at different capacities over several presidential administrations.
Also, what point is Falwell even trying to make? Because Dr. Moore is employed by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (of which he is the president), that makes him unqualified to say children “created in the image of God should be treated with dignity and compassion”?
And, government lawyers have literally argued against providing this children with soap and toothbrushes. It hardly seems like a stretch to say, “We can do better than this.” In fact, four children have died in government custody in the last si months. Prior to that, it had been a decade since a child had died in similar government custody. Saying “we can do better than this” is an objective fact.
Also, Falwell Jr. said this: “Have you ever built an organization of any type from scratch?” It should be noted that Falwell Jr.’s father founded Liberty University, the school of which Falwell is currently president. Even the Liberty website says, “With the passing of the founder in 2007, his son, Jerry Falwell Jr., became chancellor and president of the university.”
Falwell Jr. seems to think that an influential Christian leader with a large platform and power to challenge fellow Christians to action shouldn’t speak out against injustice.
What other point is he possibly trying to make here?
One might make the case Falwell is under some type of blackmail or influence from Trump. But I see other people who I don't believe are being blackmailed by anyone make similar claims.
Are we that tribal where "our side" can do no wrong?
Does the "other" side have any role in this?
I don't know. I just wish we could get right what we all objectively know needs to be right.