Nathaniel Manderson, writing for the publication Salon, argues in a recently published article that recent behavior by leading figures in the Republican Party qualifies them as, effectively, agents of the “devil.”
Manderson — who says he was ordained through American Baptist Churches USA — appears to believe in an actual figure described as the “devil,” but he mocks the idea (whatever the specifications associated with the “devil”) that this figure is concerned with something like, say, expanding abortion access in the U.S., which Republicans so vehemently oppose. Rather, Manderson says the devil is focused in fostering hatred and division. Sound familiar?
Though former President Donald Trump has effectively allied himself with conservative religious causes in his time in politics, new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, has been more explicit. Johnson frequently uses religious language in making his argument that present-day America is facing some kind of slide into existential decay. The problem — well, a problem — is that he cites, among other factors, rates at which young people identify as LGBTQ+ as supposedly indicative of this.
“The devil isn’t about issues. He wants to control and mislead people and get them to do evil things. Currently, the evangelical agenda advanced by people like Mike Johnson involves ignoring the needs of the poor, the sick and immigrants from foreign lands,” Manderson summarized of his views, adding: “Mike Johnson, Donald Trump and the evangelical leadership that supports these evildoers are being controlled by the devil. They tap into evil desires to control, manipulate, and condemn the very people Jesus taught his followers to protect, serve and love.”
Manderson made the pointed observation that Trump himself has seemed to step back from such vociferous opposition to abortion as the GOP’s disconnect on that issue with a majority of Americans has become clear, including through election results. It’s not about ideology but rather results — the mad dash towards power that Trump is exemplifying, Manderson wrote in his article. He didn’t mention the January 6 attack on the Capitol, around which Trump continues to peddle excuses and support for participants, but you could obviously see these arguments applying in that context as well. Read here.
