Congressman James Michael (Mike) Johnson (R-LA) was elected Speaker Of the House by his peers on 25 October 2023. Beginning in 2016, he has been repeatedly elected to the US House of Representatives by the legally registered voters in the Fourth Congressional District (Louisiana) he represents. One would hope that the results of these elections might be respected; at least until Congressman Johnson has had the opportunity to demonstrate his intent by his actions as Speaker. That has not been the case.
In his acceptance speech Speaker Johnson was open and honest about his Christian faith. He also pointed out that the Holy Bible says that those who govern are in positions of leadership because God causes (or allows) them to be. (Romans 13:1-7, 1Peter 2:14-17) He was not suggesting some sort of Christian theocracy. He did not exclude those in positions of governmental authority who follow other religious traditions. He was just being honest about his belief that our leaders need to work together in good faith to get the people’s business done; because that is what God put them there to do.
Almost immediately, the liberals in the media, the liberal thinktanks, and in politics went on the attack. There was an opening to throw a punch, and they threw it. There is a lot of anti-Christian bias in secular society, and the liberals could not resist an opportunity to tap into it.
There are other things about Speaker Johnson’s legal career and history of public service as a legislator that could have been the focus or their objections. Instead, they chose to focus on his Christianity.
For instance, he has only served in Congress for about six years, and he has less experience than other recent speakers. [1] As a lawyer, he represented groups that were against abortion and same-sex marriage. [2] He has opposed continued funding for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. He supports Donald Trump, and he helped to contest the results of the 2020 presidential election. [3]
While his public life is consistent his Christian worldview, it is also consistent with the views of the more conservative wing of the Republican party. Why has the primary focus been on his Christianity and not on his conservatism?
The Speaker’s belief in
Creationism has been a particular source of ridicule and derision. Hey, secular world! Lots of people believe that creation cannot
be explained without a Creator. We do
not think that Creationism has been debunked by Evolutionary Theory or the so-called
“Big Bang Theory.” The operative word
there is theory - which is an unproved speculation about reality. In fact, Creationists are
We do not hear the religious beliefs of Independents like Tulsi Gabbard (Gudiya Vishnu Hindu) , or Republicans like Nikki Haley (Methodist from a Sikh background) and Vivek Ramaswami (Monotheistic Hindu) called into question with regard to their possible influence on policy making.
The religious beliefs of Democrats Ilhan Omar (Muslim) and Rashida Talib (Muslim) have come under scrutiny, due to their support of the Palestinians and opposition to the Israelis. Rather than their religion, however, the focus of most of the criticism has been on their opposition to much of American domestic and foreign policy, their alignment with Wokeism, and their membership in a group of left-wing Congressional Representatives called “The Squad.”
The dust up over Speaker Johnson’s Christian beliefs begs the question, “Can a Christian who is candid about their faith hold a high office in today’s United States of America?” Government officials, businesspeople, and ordinary citizens who take a stand for their Savior are called homophobes, racists, Islamophobes, haters, and fascists. They are likened to the Ku Klux Klan and the theocratic rulers in Iran. Christian politicians who support parents that object to the Wokeist indoctrination of their children in the schools about critical race theory and gender transition are accused of supporting “domestic terrorism.”
The answer to the question is that the persecution of American Christians is not imminent. It is already happening. Be ready brothers and sisters in Christ. Be ready.
[2]
Ibid.
[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/who-is-mike-johnson-new-republican-us-house-speaker-2023-10-25/
[4]
See: the documentaries: Unlocking the Mystery of Life, The Privileged Planet,
and Darwin’s Dilemma offered as a DVD collection by Ilustra Media.
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