Living Philosophies: March 2024

Thursday, March 28, 2024

“Former President Turns Bible Huckster”©

This ought to actually turn your stomach–Donald Trump’s hypocritical and blasphemous peddling of $60.00 Bibles, in a last-minute before Easter attempt to grab some more cash from his cult followers! In the marketing video Trump said “All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many. It’s my favorite book!” If you believe the last statement, I have some land in Florida that is for sale to you cheap! But, if it is his “favorite book,” he shows absolutely no sign of having learned anything from it. (As an example, see the previous blog entry.) His huckstering video comes in the same week the judge set a date for his trial to pay off a porn star with whom he had a sexual affair, to prevent her from revealing the details before the 2016 election. The irony is that the former President does not even recognize the irony of how phony this really is. The absolute and monumental hypocrisy could not be more apparent! His cute little slogan, “Make America pray again” added insult to injury. Would that DJT would pray for guidance as we know Washington and Lincoln did. Despite his assertions otherwise, Trump cannot hold a matchstick to either of them. Yet a score or more millions of people want this man as a hero and exemplar for their children and grandchildren. Astonishing! Coming out of the mouth of the most corrupt President in the history of the United States, this also amounts to blasphemy–huckstering in the name of God and his Holy Son!

Huckestering? You bet. Just this week the Washington Post called attention to the “fine print” attached to Trump’s recent fund raising pitches which indicate to the unsuspecting who don’t or can’t read the fine print, that a significant chunk of the proceeds goes first to an organization that is paying a significant part of his legal bills. In this case, the Bible, the attentive viewer will note, is not being sold by Trump for Trump ostensibly, but his “name, likeness and image” are used under paid license from CIC Ventures LLC” which is the same group that is associated with his $400 dollar “Never Surrender” sneakers.(1) You can be sure the man is not advertising this Bible for sale out of the goodness of his black heart. The only reason he is doing this is because there is money to be made for him.

Hypocrisy! Blasphemy! His recent campaigns are an ongoing downward spiral revealing ever more how low this man can and will go! I’ve always been a “Never Trumper” and in view of the ever-growing evidence of his absolute characterlessness, corruption, and ambition, I am proud to say that. I encourage you to join me in not only not voting for him, but doing what you can, like this blog, to resist this wannabe dictator.

Let’s think together again, soon.

Notes:

1. “CIC Ventures LLC — the limited liability company mentioned at the end of the answer — is listed in Trump's 2023 financial disclosures with him as its manager, president, secretary and treasurer, as The Washington Post reported. The same company is also listed at the bottom of the website for Trump's sneaker deal he announced in February 2024 and is associated with other products he previously endorsed, the Post also reported.”

Jordan Liles, “Fact Check: How Trump Is Profiting from Endorsement of Bibles Costing $59.99 Each, According to the God Bless the USA Bible Company,” Snopes Website, 28 March 2024, available online at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/fact-check-how-trump-is-profiting-from-endorsement-of-bibles-costing-59-99-each-according-to-the-god-bless-the-usa-bible-company/ar-BB1kHSJR

Saturday, March 16, 2024

An Unintended but “Spot On” Commentary on Donald Trump’s Propensity of Name Calling and Labeling by an Important Religious Leader

[DWB Introduction: The following comments by Russell M. Nelson were made long before Donald Trump appeared on the political scene, so, of course, they were not directed to him. Nevertheless, the timeless truths of the Gospel apply to all people at all times.]

"Unfortunately, our modern society is caught up in divisive disputation. Often unkind nicknames are added to—or even substituted for—given names. Labels are invented to foster feelings of segregation and competition. For example, athletic teams acquire names to intimidate others, such as “Giants,” “Tigers,” “Warriors,” and so on. Harmless you say? Well, perhaps not overly important. But that is only the beginning. More serious separation results when offensive labels are utilized with the intent to demean.

Even worse, such terms camouflage our true identity as sons and daughters of God. The desire of my heart is that we might rise above such worldly trends. God wants us to ascend to the highest level of our potential. He employs names that unify and sanctify. He gave a new name to Abraham’s grandson Jacob, saying, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men.” In Hebrew, the term Yisra’el means “God prevails.” Jacob was given a name to match his divine destiny.

When we embrace the gospel and are baptized, we are born again. We take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. We become as his sons and daughters and are known as brothers and sisters. We become members of his family; he is the Father of our new life.

...

When we know who we are and what God expects of us, we are filled with hope and made aware of our significant role in his great plan of happiness.

... Our faithful Latter-day Saints are filled with hope and motivated by love of the Lord Jesus Christ. With that hope, we assiduously avoid labels that could be interpreted as derogatory. When the Nephites were truly righteous, their previous patterns of polarization vanished. “There was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. …

“There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.

“And how blessed were they!”

Unfortunately, the sequel to that story is not a happy one. This pleasant circumstance persisted until “a small part of the people … had revolted … and taken upon them the name of Lamanites,” reviving old prejudices and teaching their children again to hate, “even as the Lamanites were taught to hate the children of Nephi from the beginning.” And so the polarizing process began all over again.

I hope that we may learn this important lesson and delete segregating names from our personal vocabularies. The Apostle Paul taught that “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Our Savior invites us “to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; … all are alike unto God.”(1)

Let’s think together again, soon.

Notes:

1. Russell M. Nelson, “‘A More Excellent Hope,’” Ensign (February 1997):62-3, emphasis by DWB.