By their fruits

[billvon 2,990]

Matthew 7: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. . . .Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

Over the past week we have seen the hatred and anger sown by Trump and his supporters bear fruit. And while nothing at all good came of the killings, attempted bombings and hatred, at least more people know them (and their fruit) now.

First it was Gregory Bush who murdered two black people in a store in Kentucky. First he shot a 69 year old man, shopping with his grandson for a school project. Then he shot a 67 year old woman as he was fleeing. (And it could have been far worse; he first attempted to enter a black church to begin shooting there, but found the door locked.)

Robbery gone wrong? Tragic case of mistaken identity? Nope, pure white supremacist hatred. This was a guy who had called his ex-wife a n***er and had promised a night of "black death." By all indications, this was a guy with a screw loose who needed just a little push to become a mass murderer. And the anti-minority hate from white nationalists, whom Trump referred to as "very fine people," likely provided that push.

Next it was a fervent Trump supporter mailing 13 pipe bombs to people who Trump has railed against, from George Soros to Hillary Clinton. When the suspect (Cesar Sayoc) was arrested his van was impounded - and it was covered with stickers and images straight from Trump's re-tweets. Several of the targets of Trump's attacks were prominently displayed in crosshairs.

And afterwards Trump engaged in the usual dog-whistle politics. At a rally he called for stopping the violence. A few minutes later he had the crowd chanting "CNN Sucks!" - an epithet prominently displayed on Sayoc's van.

And then yesterday, 11 people were murdered in a synagogue by an anti-Semitic white nationalist in Pittsburgh. Right before his murderous rampage he posted sentiments very similar to those expressed by Trump (and many people here) about the migrant caravan. "I have noticed a change in people saying 'illegals' that now say 'invaders'. I like this.” He went on to say that the "invaders" were out to kill people like him, and he had to take matters into his own hands. Why did he target Jews? He felt that Jews were supporting the caravan via one of their humanitarian organizations, which he called "sugar-coated evil." This was reinforced by several FOX News shows attempting to drum up panic over the caravan, and linking it to Jewish efforts. "Screw the optics, I'm going in," read one of his last posts before his murder spree.

The hatred and anger fomented by Trump and his supporters over the past two years has finally come to fruition. And sadly, this won't be the end of it.

[gowlerk 2,190]

But Bill, surely you aren't implying that these outlier events have a common cause. It's as ludicrous as saying that hurricane strength is increasing because of warming from more CO2 in the air. You can't prove that one leads to the other. It could be just coincidence.

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.

[JoeWeber 2,720]

gowlerk

But Bill, surely you aren't implying that these outlier events have a common cause. It's as ludicrous as saying that hurricane strength is increasing because of warming from more CO2 in the air. You can't prove that one leads to the other. It could be just coincidence.

Ken Brother,

Bill's message is intact. It's not about outliers. Those are things to look for in the most nascent stages. Bill is not just making a point. He's spot on, the set mood encourages behavior. Our President seems cool with the consequences of his words.

Unbelievably, so are too many others.

Joe

[gowlerk 2,190]

JoeWeber

***But Bill, surely you aren't implying that these outlier events have a common cause. It's as ludicrous as saying that hurricane strength is increasing because of warming from more CO2 in the air. You can't prove that one leads to the other. It could be just coincidence.

Ken Brother,

Bill's message is intact. It's not about outliers. Those are things to look for in the most nascent stages. Bill is not just making a point. He's spot on, the set mood encourages behavior. Our President seems cool with the consequences of his words.

Unbelievably, so are too many others.

Joe


So then, I guess he is an effective leader after all. He has followers going in the direction he points and taking their cues well.

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.

[JoeWeber 2,720]

gowlerk

******But Bill, surely you aren't implying that these outlier events have a common cause. It's as ludicrous as saying that hurricane strength is increasing because of warming from more CO2 in the air. You can't prove that one leads to the other. It could be just coincidence.

Ken Brother,

Bill's message is intact. It's not about outliers. Those are things to look for in the most nascent stages. Bill is not just making a point. He's spot on, the set mood encourages behavior. Our President seems cool with the consequences of his words.

Unbelievably, so are too many others.

Joe


So then, I guess he is an effective leader after all. He has followers going in the direction he points and taking their cues well.

Yes, sadly, that is the way things are now.

If the Democrats screw the pooch again, as is their nature, and there is no November 6 blue wave then the world will be changed for generations.

Right wing authoritarianism is ascendent worldwide.

In the big scheme of things, the United States is just another brick in the wall.

[AtrusBatleth 0]

"By their fruits" indeed. We've already known for some time most Democrats were spiritually dead. Now we are seeing many Republicans are not much better. We live in a fallen world where most people do not honor or obey God (regardless what party they affiliate with), so we should not be surprised to see the fruit of that spiritual darkness. It's going to get much worse before it gets better, as Jesus warned us. Wide is the road...

Max Peck
What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?

[JoeWeber 2,720]

AtrusBatleth

"By their fruits" indeed. We've already known for some time most Democrats were spiritually dead. Now we are seeing many Republicans are not much better. We live in a fallen world where most people do not honor or obey God (regardless what party they affiliate with), so we should not be surprised to see the fruit of that spiritual darkness. It's going to get much worse before it gets better, as Jesus warned us. Wide is the road...

Did you really need to go fallen world love Jesus on us? Believe it if you want, Max, but please at least try to understand why others do not.

[AtrusBatleth 0]

JoeWeber

Did you really need to go fallen world love Jesus on us? Believe it if you want, Max, but please at least try to understand why others do not.

I was responding to the original poster, who I presumed was a Christian based on opening the post with a biblical focus. I understand plenty why others choose not to believe. I was once there myself.

Max Peck
What's the point of having top secret code names, fellas, if we ain't gonna use 'em?

[RonD1120 62]

JoeWeber

***"By their fruits" indeed. We've already known for some time most Democrats were spiritually dead. Now we are seeing many Republicans are not much better. We live in a fallen world where most people do not honor or obey God (regardless what party they affiliate with), so we should not be surprised to see the fruit of that spiritual darkness. It's going to get much worse before it gets better, as Jesus warned us. Wide is the road...

Did you really need to go fallen world love Jesus on us? Believe it if you want, Max, but please at least try to understand why others do not.

Yes JoeWeber, we do understand. We were once in your reality just as you are. See Ephesians 2:1-10.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[RonD1120 62]

billvon

Matthew 7: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. . . .Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

Over the past week we have seen the hatred and anger sown by Trump and his supporters bear fruit. And while nothing at all good came of the killings, attempted bombings and hatred, at least more people know them (and their fruit) now.

First it was Gregory Bush who murdered two black people in a store in Kentucky. First he shot a 69 year old man, shopping with his grandson for a school project. Then he shot a 67 year old woman as he was fleeing. (And it could have been far worse; he first attempted to enter a black church to begin shooting there, but found the door locked.)

Robbery gone wrong? Tragic case of mistaken identity? Nope, pure white supremacist hatred. This was a guy who had called his ex-wife a n***er and had promised a night of "black death." By all indications, this was a guy with a screw loose who needed just a little push to become a mass murderer. And the anti-minority hate from white nationalists, whom Trump referred to as "very fine people," likely provided that push.

Next it was a fervent Trump supporter mailing 13 pipe bombs to people who Trump has railed against, from George Soros to Hillary Clinton. When the suspect (Cesar Sayoc) was arrested his van was impounded - and it was covered with stickers and images straight from Trump's re-tweets. Several of the targets of Trump's attacks were prominently displayed in crosshairs.

And afterwards Trump engaged in the usual dog-whistle politics. At a rally he called for stopping the violence. A few minutes later he had the crowd chanting "CNN Sucks!" - an epithet prominently displayed on Sayoc's van.

And then yesterday, 11 people were murdered in a synagogue by an anti-Semitic white nationalist in Pittsburgh. Right before his murderous rampage he posted sentiments very similar to those expressed by Trump (and many people here) about the migrant caravan. "I have noticed a change in people saying 'illegals' that now say 'invaders'. I like this.” He went on to say that the "invaders" were out to kill people like him, and he had to take matters into his own hands. Why did he target Jews? He felt that Jews were supporting the caravan via one of their humanitarian organizations, which he called "sugar-coated evil." This was reinforced by several FOX News shows attempting to drum up panic over the caravan, and linking it to Jewish efforts. "Screw the optics, I'm going in," read one of his last posts before his murder spree.

The hatred and anger fomented by Trump and his supporters over the past two years has finally come to fruition. And sadly, this won't be the end of it.

I choose to stand with President Trump

Quote

President Trump slammed, what he called, the fake and dishonest reporting of some mainstream outlets.
This comes after several reports blamed Republicans for last week’s bomb threats, as well as the synagogue shooting in Pennsylvania.

https://www.oann.com/pres-trump-fake-dishonest-reporting-fuels-division-hatred-among-americans/

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[billvon 2,990]

>I choose to stand with President Trump

Sad that you have chosen Trump over Scripture.

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Quote

I choose to stand with President Trump

Hatred is indeed so much easier than love.

[lippy 918]

Quote

Yes JoeWeber, we do understand. We were once in your reality just as you are. See Ephesians 2:1-10.

And sometimes that reality is hard and presents uncertainties, so it's easier to just believe that an imaginary man in the sky has it under control.

I got nuthin

[DJL 235]

Pres. Trump: Fake, Dishonest Reporting Fuels Division, Hatred Among Americans

The Irony is not lost on me that your new source is OANN, a constant source of fake news.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[JerryBaumchen 1,354]

Hi Atrus,

Quote

We live in a fallen world where most people do not honor or obey God

Personally, I consider it an enlightened world.

Jerry Baumchen

[billvon 2,990]

Quote

"By their fruits" indeed. We've already known for some time most Democrats were spiritually dead. Now we are seeing many Republicans are not much better. We live in a fallen world where most people do not honor or obey God (regardless what party they affiliate with), so we should not be surprised to see the fruit of that spiritual darkness. It's going to get much worse before it gets better, as Jesus warned us.

Indeed. And it is even sadder to see people like Ron use Jesus as an excuse to support and enable that spiritual darkness.

[gowlerk 2,190]

Quote

We live in a fallen world where most people do not honor or obey God

But there are so many ways to honour and obey so many ideas of God. The world is not fallen just because the book of ancient ideas you have chosen is not universally accepted. That is a very narrow viewpoint. If there is a creator thank Her that She is God of all, and not just your tribe. The world is full of many tribes. All are worthy in the eyes of the Creator.

Trump and right wing America are reaping what they have sown. Which is another way of saying you will know them by their fruits.

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.

[RonD1120 62]

gowlerk

Trump and right wing America are reaping what they have sown. Which is another way of saying you will know them by their fruits.

And so we shall.

Jobs Not Mobs

https://www.westernjournal.com/ct/best-political-ad-year-rnc-guts-will-air-24-7-nov-6/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=usjf&utm_campaign=dailyam&utm_content=usjf

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[billvon 2,990]

>And so we shall.
>Jobs Not Mobs

Would Jesus be more concerned about making sure everyone had well-paying jobs, or would he be more concerned about helping refugees who have been turned away by everyone else?

[riggerrob 643]

SkyDekker

Quote

I choose to stand with President Trump

Hatred is indeed so much easier than love.

———————————————————————-

Fear works 100 times faster than love. Preachers, politicians and fascists understand how to convert that fear into hatred of ‘others.’
Then they convert that fear/hatred into convincing ordinary citizens into sacrificing individual freedoms in exchange for promises of more protection by more police.
This cycle has recurred hundreds or thousands of times throughout human history.

[gowlerk 2,190]

Quote

Fear works 100 times faster than love. Preachers, politicians and fascists understand how to convert that fear into hatred of ‘others.’
Then they convert that fear/hatred into convincing ordinary citizens into sacrificing individual freedoms in exchange for promises of more protection by more police.
This cycle has recurred hundreds or thousands of times throughout human history.

And this has been the Republican strategy ever since Nixon and the "silent majority" and the "southern strategy". Trump's tactics are just the logical continuation of a success story. Just like you say. Immediately before that the democrat party thrived by appealing to racism. But Johnson supporting the civil rights movement ended that. The fight and the cycle continues. Let's see what next Tuesday brings.

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.

[normiss 798]

It works for christians too, that fear of swimming in fire for all eternity.
Historic paintings of hell have been used to scare those who couldn't read too.

[theplummeter 15]

This administration is afraid to say Christian Terrorism.

[billvon 2,990]

>This administration is afraid to say Christian Terrorism.

More like right wing terrorism. Their rallying cries are things like "stop the invaders! (i.e. brown people)" "a night of Black Death"

[tonyhays 86]

"Those that can make you believe absurdities, can make you committed atrocities."

Voltaire

“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”