Tag: christianity

Who Won the 2020 Election?

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

“A lie told once remains a lie, but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth.”

This quote has been attributed to Joseph Goebbels, Reich Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. There is little evidence that he ever said it or wrote it, but it doesn’t really matter. The quote feels accurate — like it would be a practice any good propagandist would adhere to, but never admit. The quote also rings true to our experience — accurately describing the power of deception and lies when repeated. I know too many people who believe a lie even when there is no evidence of its veracity. Yes, there are still people who believe that Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, eat dogs and cats. Lies repeated often enough DO replace the truth. It’s why conspiracy theories abound.

Two weeks ago, Donald J. Trump told us yet again how the 2020 presidential election was stolen. He claimed our elections are vulnerable to fraud and susceptible to error. The voting machines are unreliable. Mail-in ballots can be easily falsified. Results can be manipulated by unscrupulous poll workers or nefarious nations. Non-citizens vote in elections on a regular basis, skewing the results. Therefore, we must change election laws to prevent rampant election tampering. And all this was said without presenting a shred of evidence

We have heard the same lie about the insecurity of our elections for the past 6 plus years. It appears that the lie has become the truth for everyone in the ‘Trumposphere.” In his confirmation hearing as Director of National Intelligence on July 15, 2026, Jay Clayton was asked specifically under oath by Senator Jon Ossoff, “Did Joe Biden win the 2020 election?” Clayton refused to answer the question. Even after repeated attempts to get an “honest and forthright” answer, Clayton continued to refuse.

Others in the administration and those being considered for appointments have also refused to answer the question or have equivocated by saying that Biden was “certified” as president. What is more disturbing to me, however, is the number of regular people — including people of faith — who won’t (or can’t) answer the question definitively. The lie has been told often enough that there is uncertainty and a hesitancy to commit, and it has been told often enough to undermine confidence in election results in 2026 and beyond.

Liars and deceivers will tell lies and deceive. But as people of faith, we have an obligation to call them out and tell the truth. Scripture warns of false prophets and false teachers who lead people away from the truth. The Didache, one of the earliest Christian church instructional manuals also known as “The Teaching of the Twelve Disciples”, gave churches clear guidelines as to how to identify false teachers, and the letters from the apostle John, provided truth to counter their deceptions (see especially 2 John). The Psalmist prayed, “Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.” — Psalm 120:2 (NRSVUE) We cannot allow ourselves to be led astray by those seeking to control the narrative for their own agenda and benefit.

Who won the 2020 election? Each one of us needs to answer that question. And if your answer isn’t Joe Biden, I would ask you a second question: “Why do you believe he didn’t win?”

Not Christian Enough for Protection

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

On February 6, 2026, the President made a promise to those gathered for the National Prayer Breakfast. “While I’m in the White House, we will protect Christians in our schools, in our military, in our government, in our workplaces, hospitals and in our public squares.” The President repeated that commitment in a speech before the “Faith and Freedom Coalition” conference on June 26, 2026.

I guess some Christians just aren’t “Christian enough” to qualify for protection–specifically Iranian Christians.

Christianity is officially recognized by the Islamic Republic of Iran. However, it is against the law to conduct Christian worship in Farsi, and converting to Christianity from Islam or attempting to convert others is punishable by steep fines, lengthy prison sentences, interrogations and even execution. Because of the ongoing persecution of converts, many Iranian Christians have come to the United States, seeking asylum. One of them, Artemis Ghasemzadeh, was able escape on a multi-national journey that began in Dubai and ended at the US border in Tijuana, hoping to apply for asylum. Instead, she was detained at the border for entering the country illegally, and placed in a detention center despite her pleas for asylum. A DHS spokesperson insists that she never expressed fear of returning to her home country. Then she was put on a flight (supposedly to Texas) in March 2025, Upon disembarkation, she discovered that she was in Panama! She was placed in a detention center near the notorious Darian Gap in Panama. She was not alone. On the flight to Panama were other Iranian Christians — also converts from Islam — just like her. Fifteen months later, her condition and location are uncertain.

Since March 2025, more Iranians have been deported, some to Panama, and others to Costa Rica. Most recently, DHS sent 2 dozen people to the Central African Republic — including an Iranian woman who had converted to Christianity — on June 11, 2026. She should count herself lucky. Others have been sent back to Iran. Yes. BACK TO IRAN!

On September 29, 2025, 120 Iranians were flown from the US to Tehran, the capital of Iran, under a deal between the State Department and Iran. Included in the group were Christian converts, members of other minority religions and political dissidents. Evangelical pastor, Rev. Ara Torosian — an Iranian-born American — reported on his Facebook page that “when the plane landed in Tehran, Iranian state media was already waiting. Refugees were lined up, searched, and their belongings seized. Particularly alarming was the targeting of 10-15 Christian converts, who were forced to display their Bibles and crosses on camera while being interrogated.” The report continued, “They were then separated into individual rooms where they were coerced into making video confessions, statements discrediting their conversions, claiming they were misled by pastors, and admitting they had sought Christianity merely to gain asylum. These staged confessions are expected to be broadcast soon by Iranian state television as part of propaganda against both Christianity and the United States.”

A second flight in December 2025 returned 54 Iranians to Tehran, and a third flight on January 26, 2026, returned 14 more.

About 200 Iranians remain in detention awaiting deportation. Ironically, the only thing delaying their deportation to Iran is a war. But flights to other countries will likely continue and ICE will target more of our Iranian brothers and sisters in Christ. Obviously, they just aren’t Christian enough to protect.

A Disturbing Message

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

“Racism has always been a part of America’s DNA, and this week it has raised its head boldly and loudly.” — Father Michael Pfleger, St. Sabina Catholic Church, Chicago

On Tuesday, June 9, at 2:27 pm, Chicago firefighters responded to reports of a fire at the intersection of Columbus Drive and Balbo Dr. in Grant Park, downtown Chicago’s front yard. When they arrived, they found a burning cross leaning against one of the park’s trees.

A burning cross. Leaning on a tree. Let that sink in for a minute. A burning cross has long been associated with the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) who regularly used the symbol to send a message to African Americans, Jews, and other non-white and non-Christian groups. A burning cross is a powerful symbol of white supremacy and racist intimidation. A tree has it’s own symbolism as the place of lynching. Put the two images together, and there is no question about the intention of the person who placed it there and set it ablaze.

The discovery of a burning cross in Grant Park in broad daylight is a disturbing reminder that race-based hatred and violence has been emboldened by the resurgence of White Christian nationalism and this administration’s efforts to marginalize the victims, disenfranchise the votes and silence the voices of of those who threaten the hierarchy of race, class and religion.

If you think I’m over-reacting, consider that in the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decision (Virginia v. Black), Justice Sandra Day O’Conner, wrote that cross burning “is a particularly virulent form of intimidation” and “a State, consistent with the First Amendment, may ban cross burning carried out with the intent to intimidate.”

While “intent” can be difficult to prove, the very act of setting a cross on fire in public should give us all pause–especially in the context of a growing number of violent acts targeting racial, ethnic, sexual and religious minorities across the country.

Whether it is a burning cross, a noose, a swastika, or a “rebel flag”, symbols of domination and intimidation set communities on edge — especially those communities who have experienced harm historically and carry the memories of those experiences in their bodies. As followers of Jesus, we must boldly and explicitly condemn both the symbol and the hatred that hides behind the symbol.

“Love does no harm to a neighbor.” Romans 13:10 “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:6-7

If racism has raised its head boldly and loudly in the past week, God’s people must arise even more boldly and loudly. Love living loud must prevail.

“Mixed Message”

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” James 3:10-11 (NIV)

I have been trying to wrap my head around what I witnessed while watching the funeral service for Charlie Kirk. It’s taken me all week to process; and, honestly, it has distressed me. The more than 6-hour service included Scripture, prayer, songs of faith, fond memories of the deceased, eulogies, pronouncements of God’s love for the world and even an invitation to receive Christ. I’ve conducted funerals that include all those things, but this one also included a lot of vitriol, anger and a bitter flavor of retribution–spoken not by the spiritual leaders, not by the grieving widow, but by politicians–including a 41-minute rant delivered by Donald Trump.

I first started feeling unsettled though when conservative political commentator Benny Johnson stood at the podium and referred to the Apostle Paul’s definition of the purpose of government in Romans 13:1-5.. He then pointed to the members of the current administration who were present, declaring, “God has given them power over our nation and our land” to “wield the sword for the protection of good men and the terror of evil men.” He then charged the audience, “May we pray that our rulers here–rightfully instituted by God and given power by our God–wield the sword for the terror of evil men in our day in Charlie’s memory.” He finished by thanking the administration for “carrying out that godly mission of wielding the sword against evil.” The audience roared its approval.

It was the emphasis on “wielding the sword” on God’s behalf to punish those who do evil that deeply disturbed me. The initial message of God’s love, grace and Christ’s sacrifice suddenly turned into a message of God’s wrath and hate of evil-doers. While Johnson never identified the “evil-doers” by name or their behaviors, his implication was clear: those who oppose this administration which has the blessing of God are the evil-doers. This was confirmed by the parade of former and current cabinet members, media influencers, White House staff, and Vice-President JD Vance, who condemned the Marxist-leftists, labor unions, public educators, democrats, Hollywood elites, Antifa and even progressive pastors–those Deputy WH Chief of Staff Stephen Miller defined as “our enemies” and the “forces of wickedness and evil” who are “against us.” Interspersed with the drum-beat against evil were hymns, Scripture quotes, prayers and crowd-led chants of “USA! USA!” that turned the funeral into a White Christian Nationalist political rally–complete with fireworks. Talk about mixed messages!

What bothered me the most, however, were the audience responses to Erika Kirk’s statement of forgiveness for her husband’s killer-and to Donald Trump’s acknowledgement that Charlie Kirk didn’t hate his opponents but wanted the best for them, but adding “that’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I don’t want what is best for them.” The audience gave Erika a 45-second ovation. The audience also gave Mr. Trump applause and laughter. OK, it wasn’t a 45-second ovation, but it was approval. Trump went on to hope that the DOJ (Department of Justice) would find the “very bad people” who supported “paid agitators” at Charlie Kirk’s rallies. Again, the audience gave him loud applause..

I was dumbfounded. I would have expected this majority Christian audience to honor and affirm forgiveness, but wince at hate and retribution. I would have hoped that Trump would have heard silence or even a few BOOs. But both forgiveness and retribution were embraced–two opposite and incompatible sentiments. Out of the same mouths came praise and curses. In the same event, we heard calls for love for our opponents and hate for our opponents and both were affirmed. There were calls to forgive and calls for war against the radical left and both were applauded. The Bible has a word for that–double-mindedness.

It saddens me that what the world saw and heard last Sunday was a Christianity that says it worships the God of love and life, but also embraces the ethos of hatred and death. The service ended with Erika Kirk embracing and being held by the president–a metaphor for what I see within much of the American Christian church–an embrace of power at the expense of spiritual integrity.

The service promised fresh water–living water–but it delivered mostly bitter. Sadly, people drank it up.

Walter Brueggemann & Me

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

After my last post on June 3, my time was devoted to preparing my stepmother’s funeral service, packing, traveling to PA, and reuniting with my immediate and extended family and old friends at the funeral . Throughout that time, everything else in the world appropriately faded into the background. I didn’t think about writing for “Tongue on Fire” until this morning after reading about the death of Walter Brueggemann on June 5.

Though I only heard him speak one time, his understanding of Old Testament history and the prophetic tradition blew me away and literally changed the trajectory of my preaching and ministry. A prolific writer (his website lists 168 titles!), it was his best known book, “The Prophetic Imagination,” written in 1978, that most impacted me and opened my eyes to the prophetic role of the church–speaking truth to power.

In describing the content of his final book of essays, “Lament that Generates Covenant,” published in March 2025, Brueggemann wrote: “This collection of essays pertains to matters that urgently concern our faith. My work consists in recognition that our various systems of meaning, power, and control are decisively penultimate, even though we conduct ourselves as though they are ultimate. Thus, our articulation of theology and faith are momentary and require endless rearticulation… For much too long the church has focused on private, spiritual, other-worldly matters. In fact, the biblical reportage and advocacy concern the continuing struggle for an alternative economy that is governed by neighborly generosity, an economy that eschews private accumulation by the powerful at the expense of the vulnerable.” Amen!

Though his pen is now stilled and his voice silenced, the words he wrote and spoke during his lifetime will live on–just as relevant for our times and for times to come. There will always be a need for prophetic imagination and prophetic action.

“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them’.” (Revelation 14:13). Well done.

Dear Mike Johnson,

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

Overnight, the House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act –and you, Mr. Speaker took a victory lap. I don’t understand. Back in 2023, in an interview with Sean Hannity, you said, “I am a Bible-believing Christian. Someone asked me today in the media, they said, “It’s curious, people are curious. ‘What does Mike Johnson think about any issue under the sun?’” I said, “Well, go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it – that’s my worldview. That’s what I believe and so I make no apologies for it.”

So, I picked up my Bible and read it. And I am curious. Mr. Speaker, Isaiah 58:10 says, “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” But you just passed a bill that cuts SNAP food assistance for low-income families. And Proverbs 14:31 says, “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” But your Big Beautiful Bill will take away healthcare for millions of poor and needy people. Where is the kindness in that? Does taking benefits from the poor to give tax breaks to the rich honor God? I think not.

Mr. Speaker, the Bible says, ““Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.” (Proverbs 3:27 – ESV). You had the power to “do good’, but instead, you withheld it from those in need.

Please, stop rejoicing as if you have accomplished some righteous deed while your brothers and sisters are weeping. Oh, and by the way, the Bible says to a people who have forsaken God’s ways: “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:15-17)

Mr. Speaker, there is still time to “learn to do right.” The Big Beautiful Bill will return to the House for final approval. You have the opportunity to use your power to obey God and do the right thing.

I’m praying for you.

Delivered Back to Death

~ Bruce Ray ~ Leave a comment

“Deliver the poor and the needy; rescue them from their…oppressors.” Psalm 82:4 (The Voice)

Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security posted the following announcement on its website:.

“Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem today announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan. The TPS designation for the country expires on May 20, 2025, and the termination will be effective on July 14, 2025.

“After consultation with interagency partners, Secretary Noem determined that conditions in Afghanistan no longer meet the statutory requirements. The Secretary’s decision was based on a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services review of the country conditions and in consultation with the Department of State. The Secretary determined that, overall, there are notable improvements in the security and economic situation such that requiring the return of Afghan nationals to Afghanistan does not pose a threat to their personal safety due to ongoing-armed conflict or extraordinary and temporary conditions. She further determined that permitting Afghan nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to the national interest of the United States.”

This DHS decision means that all Afghans who received protection following the US military withdrawal in 2022 will now be required to return to Afghanistan voluntarily or face prison sentences and/or forced deportation. Many of these Afghans had assisted the US military during the war against the Taliban, the same Taliban that now controls the country. And among the 200,000 Afghans losing their protected status are more than 300 Christians who faced harsh persecution under Taliban rule and who were pursuing asylum in the US. Delivering any of these Afghan individuals and families to the Taliban will likely result in imprisonment or even death.

In a letter sent to President Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, faith leaders urged the “Administration to act swiftly to protect Afghan Christians from deportation to Afghanistan, where they face grave threats to their safety and their very lives because of their faith.” Opposition to ending the protections is appropriate and necessary. Will the letter make a difference? If the acts of DHS and ICE in the past are any indication, it is not likely.

Psalm 82 reminds the “judges” (ie political leaders) that their role is to “rescue the poor and needy from their oppressors.” The ending of TPS for Afghans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans is inconsistent with our faith and our values. Silence isn’t an option.

Today, my Congresswoman, Delia Ramirez (IL – District 03) will not be silent as she repeats her call* for the resignation of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ” for the unconstitutional, illegal weaponization of DHS to pursue a campaign of persecution, mass incarceration, and deportation. Now she can include the reckless and immoral rescinding of Afghani Temporary Protected Status to the list.

* Ramirez first called for Noem’s resignation on April 8 in a press conference after witnessing children being processed by immigration officials at the southern border without legal representation.