While many had their attention diverted by the Olympics, and made-up outrage after made-up outrage concerning what was happening there, Jim Jordan and Thomas Massie, leading the House Judiciary Committee, were conducting an assault on businesses and faith-based groups which take environmental concerns seriously. They claimed that there is a “ESG Cartel” which needs to be stopped, a cartel which has as its goal a desire to protect the environment, and with it, the future of humanity. Why do they think this is so bad? Because, they claim, investors are losing money when businesses factor in ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) concerns. They think businesses should be interested only in profit, and anything which gets in the way of profit should be stopped. How can they not see that if there is no humanity, no place for people to live and thrive, there will no longer be any profit? How can they not see that people want to invest in businesses interested in environmental (and social) concerns, as well as buy or conduct businesses with them, making such businesses profitable?
This desire to go after companies desiring to be good stewards of the Earth, telling them the only thing they could be concerned about is making profit, should tell us everything we need to know about Jordan, Massie, and the Republicans who support them. They are immoral, and their crusade against businesses dealing with ethical concerns demonstrates their utter concept for the common good. They put profit over people. Is it hard to see that they follow Mammon, and due to their idolatrous love for profit, they are willing to sacrifice the world for their own private gain? Their actions indicate that they do not think businesses, nor investors, should have the freedom to engage ethical concerns, that the only businesses for businesses is the making of profit. They will attack regulations which require businesses to meet ethical standards, saying such regulations undermine free enterprise, but then they will create their own regulation, one which shows that their concern for free enterprise is a charade.
I cannot understand how anyone of good will could support what the House Republicans are doing. For, it is clear, they want to control businesses, telling them what they can and cannot do. They believe the only concern businesses should have is how much profit they can make and that anything which gets in the way of such profit must be stopped. They show utter contempt to the Earth, and the future of humanity, by the way they are trying to portray environmental concerns as evil (by calling those working to promote ESG concern as a “cartel”). How can I not take this to indicate that the only thing they think is good is their own personal gain in the present moment, and the only thing they think of when thinking about personal gain, is money? How can I not see this as another proof that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil? How can any Christian, knowing that God has told humanity to take care of the Earth and protect it, knowing that Jesus said we cannot serve God and Mammon, ever take Republicans seriously when they try to portray themselves as faithful Christians? And how can anyone take their understanding of businesses seriously, when they fail to take into consideration that many businesses have shown an interest in environmental concerns because they believe it helps them financially?
I can only weep at what happened last week. While Christians were so focused on what they thought was an attack against them at the opening of the Olympics, forcing a narrative which was not definitive, not willing to admit that there were other interpretations, ones which the organizers claimed they intended, real attacks were happening against them in the United States by the House Judiciary Committee. Among those being criticized, investigated, and threatened by Jim Jordan and Thomas Massie were faith-based organizations which have been working with businesses to promote environmental concerns. This was a real attack on Christians for doing what Christians should be doing, being good stewards of the Earth, making sure businesses continue to invest in the future of humanity. To be sure, this was not the only kind of attack against Christians recently made by Republican officials; Christians who are promoting the common good, those who are following the expectations of social justice, constantly find themselves threatened by Republicans, as can be seen in the way Catholic Charities in Texas are being attacked by Ken Paxton, the Attorney General in Texas, because they are offering basic humanitarian aid to migrants. There are countless examples of Christians being attacked by Republicans for living out their faith, and yet, somehow Republicans try to present themselves as pro-Christianity, indeed, as representing Christianity, and many people believe them. But when Christians try to live out their faith, promoting social justice, promoting humanitarian aid to those in need, they find themselves attacked by Republicans as Republicans do not want Christians living out the faith in such a fashion. They want to use Christians in a culture war, but they do not want Christians to question or act against their own ideologies. And when Christians accept this, when they accept Republican ideologies as being Christian, Christianity is undermined from within, which should be a far greater concern than any perceived attacks from the outside. This is why, with the messaging of the Republicans, Christians must respond, so as not to allow themselves to be corrupted by that messaging (unlike the messaging of the Democrats which does not seek to corrupt Christianity by suggesting their policies are Christian, though they do suggest Christians should be able to find common ground with them and work with them to promote social justice).
Jim Jordan, Thomas Massie, Ken Paxton, and many others, represent a far greater threat to Christianity than whatever anyone thought they saw happen at the Olympics, yet, sadly, it was what happened at the Olympics, and not what is happening in the United States, which gets spread across social media. Republican leaders are having Christians support anti-Christian policies. They are having Christians bow down to Mammon. I cannot, for the life of me, understand how anyone of the Christian faith could and would support this. Christians need to discern when their way of life, the way Christ set up for them to live, is being under attack, and deal with those real threats instead of being diverted by petty concerns. They certainly should not let themselves get distracted by the way they perceive they are being insulted, when it is not obvious such an insult was ever intended, because many of the same people who want to distract them are the very ones who pose a real threat to their freedom to live out their faith as they see fit.
*Personal Reflections And Speculations
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N.B.: While I read comments to moderate them, I rarely respond to them. If I don’t respond to your comment directly, don’t assume I am unthankful for it. I appreciate it. But I want readers to feel free to ask questions, and hopefully, dialogue with each other. I have shared what I wanted to say, though some responses will get a brief reply by me, or, if I find it interesting and something I can engage fully, as the foundation for another post. I have had many posts inspired or improved upon thanks to my readers.
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