Folks, as I have previously stated, Facebook has become a hostile place for Conservatives; especially, of the Christian variety. One refuge from all the turmoil was a group that I belonged to on Facebook. It has tight membership rules and even a list of forbidden topics. The list was designed—in the eyes of the group admins—to foster unity by emphasizing what we agreed on and leave some of our differences at the door.
The general topic of the group is Christian music from the 1960’s and ‘70’s.
Here’s a few choice parts from their document “A MUST_READ For Members”:
02) No personal attacks against members or others will be allowed. Any accusatory or judgmental posturing toward others is forbidden.
09) Additional topics that are not allowed on this list are all subjects revolving around controversial issues which sometimes stir arguments. Experience has shown they can quickly spiral into conversations which are unproductive, judgmental, negative, or destructive. IF IN DOUBT, ERR ON THE SIDE OF MERCY AND REFER TO THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THIS GROUP
Examples of such topics may include, but are not limited to the following:
a.) Marsha Stevens and her declaration of being Christian and her personal lifestyle
b.) Negativity about Amy Grant’s move to secular music and her divorce
c.) Any arguing over the band U2
d.) Inflammatory discussions on Larry Norman & his family regarding his son and/or film “Fallen Angel”
e.) Anything that is attacking a political party or celebrity; no political posturing or endorsements allowed
f.) Inflammatory remarks concerning any allegations about Mike Warnke, Ray Boltz, and Jennifer Knapp
While some of the names referenced above may be viewed by our readers as “inside baseball” because you are not familiar with them point e) is rather plain, no politics—attacking or endorsing.
Ok, so who do I go to when the group admin is the one interjecting hate, politics, and quick judgement on members of their group. Please understand that nobody—as far as I can tell-ever violated these terms. As stated elsewhere in the document quoted above, if they did, the admins would delete the post and probably delete the offending member from the group.
Given the above, I was shocked, horrified, and disgusted to read the following from the group’s admin. I am quoting his post in full so I cannot be accused of taking anything out of context. My comments on the post will follow.
REQUIRED READING FOR ALL MEMBERS-
I am so saddened to have to say that it has reached a critical point within the group where it is felt that a clear commitment must be made, and publicly stated.
This group is now reviewing members’ profiles and culling from the group any members who support or endorse the hate, cruelty, and demonic injustice promoted by Trumpism.
Trump continues to fan the flames of an evil straight from the pits of Hell. He has easily proven that he desires to be a dictator.
This group has never required a member to profess to be Christian, a subscriber to any particular political ideology, etc… only that they be interested in the Jesus Movement, its history, Jesus Music and its artists from that era.
By welcoming readers of every faith (or no faith at all), it has always been a hope that songs, lyrics, and teachings from the JM era might somehow be used to impact readers and encourage them in a closer walk with Jesus.
Regrettably, experience has displayed to us that most Trump acolytes seem to prefer arguing why their manner of thinking is not evil or unkind at all, rather than earnest consideration of a fellow believer’s exhortations… or confessing to what they have mistakenly allowed themselves to become.
Succinctly… they are most often defiant, and averse to any change. They defend their self-righteousness.
It has been noted, for some time, that Trumpism (and its adherents) seeks to promote only a perversion of the examples and spiritual principles set by our kind, loving Savior Jesus, and His true, sincere disciples.
To be clear: this newly-announced devoir doesn’t apply to those who only may hold conservative views, nor any random degree of right-wing philosophy.
Trumpism is not traditional Republicanism (though, sadly, a substantial amount seem to promote that idea, and embrace it.) Most of us here have lived long enough to sufficiently recognize what the majority of tenets were for the GOP-of-old. To be sure, there was a transitory distinction between the most-popular political ideologies.
Trumpism is something entirely different, though its evil has most certainly taken some sort of root within conservative circles… and, horrifically, sometimes welcomed into certain allegedly “evangelical” realms… or into the arms of some who claim to be servants of Christ.
This cannot possibly be. Trumpism is the demonic antithesis of what Scripture outlines for servants to Jesus. We can only surmise that many of these advocates have sadly lost their way, becoming believers of propaganda designed to dilute clearly-illustrated precepts and doctrine.
We lift them up in fervent prayer. But we are unable to welcome the spread of this insidiousness into our group, even in the indirect way of their membership linking to a personal profile that promotes this evil.
The goal, and intent, of Trumpism is wicked, vile, heinous. It is profane in the eyes of God. It is an abomination… akin to the diabolical attitudes, aims, and actions of Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Hugo Chavez, Putin, Bull Connor, Jim Jones, and David Koresh.
It is an affront to true justice. It is an attack on democracy and equality.
It is simply… evil.
There comes a time, in various moments in history, when one is forced to choose between good and evil. There is no place for convenient fence-sitting. There sometimes arrives at our doorsteps a proposal that we find we must not take in, but spew it out… far away from us.
It has arrived. That time, and place, is now.
To save time and energy, please voluntarily remove yourself from this group if you find you cannot stomach these parameters.
I have turned off commenting for this post. Contact me privately, if you wish, to pursue questions and/or concerns.
I wish for you the peace and love of Jesus.
That has always been a primary aim of this group.
Markie Ellett 01-07-2021 Admin for Facebook Group Jesus Music 1969-‘79
What I thought I was getting with this group was an embodiment of the apostle Paul’s words, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” I Cor 2: 2
Just for background, over the past 20 years, I have periodically been affiliated with the people that run this group and its former website, One-Way.org; although I doubt that they would remember me. Last time I checked, One-way was still live on the internet but it is not what it once was. At one time, One-Way kept up to date email and/or web locations of the various artists that it followed. It also used to allow downloads of various LP’s and maybe a few CD’s too—all were out of print. Their purpose was promotion of the music, not profit. (the downloads were free.) Anyway, I stumbled across their group on Facebook many years ago and they graciously agreed to let me join.
I know that politically, I would not agree with the views that some music artists believe which are the focus of this group. However, I thought that as long as we could agree on the core principles of the faith, that there was a basis for fellowship. I know that many people that that the group follows are liberal or lean that way but are none-the-less staunchly prolife (I’m thinking here of Phil Keaggy and Randy Stonehill). I like Barry McGuire—yep, the Eve of Destruction guy—but I’m sure we have differences on some secondary issues like politics. I’ve even seen Noel Paul Stookey—yep of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame—in concert before. I have never dissed any of these guys or cared too much about where or why I think they are wrong; I figure that’s God’s job not mine to play Holy Spirit.
But in the post above, I’m the villain because I support President Trump? Go figure. What happened to keeping politics out? What happened to prohibiting “Anything that is attacking a political party or celebrity; no political posturing or endorsements allowed”? What happened to “No personal attacks against members or others will be allowed. Any accusatory or judgmental posturing toward others is forbidden.”
But oh, no. We are going to have a witch hunt—less a trial—and eliminate the corrupt infidels from our midst.
This group is now reviewing members’ profiles and culling from the group any members who support or endorse the hate, cruelty, and demonic injustice promoted by Trumpism.
Isn’t this the evil that Liberals always proclaim as McCarthy tactics—except there really were Communist infiltrators in the 1950’s.Now that the Communists are in office we just give them a pass. AOC was calling for something eerily similar to McCarthy hearings just today.
Trump is evil and demonic. OK, let’s look at this.
Trump promotes religious liberty, freedom, and life. Whereas the Obama/Biden crowd wants to kill the unborn thru all nine months of pregnancy, without parental involvement, or providing women with the information to make an informed decision. Oh, and they want to use the power of the sword to extract tax money from you and me to pay for it.
Trump believes in marriage—even if he has trouble staying married. He’s not using the sword of government to force a new definition of marriage onto people and threatening individuals, churches, and schools with punishment for daring to disagree because they believe the Bible—that marriage is between a man and a woman—and not the vain rants of raging humanists. Yep, Trump is really a spawn of hell for that.
Trump opposes the false religion of environmentalism and its globalist policies of expanded government and tyranny.
Trump continues to fan the flames of an evil straight from the pits of Hell.
OK, and all them other guys are saints? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
This next paragraph is a doozy.
Regrettably, experience has displayed to us that most Trump acolytes seem to prefer arguing why their manner of thinking is not evil or unkind at all, rather than earnest consideration of a fellow believer’s exhortations…
Please note, Scripture is not the standard to measure men, it’s the author claiming the right to judge men by his judgement. He clearly is in the camp that want to argue feelings (isn’t there a verse about the heart being wicked and deceitful) and not facts.
Markie, what in God’s name are you talking about?
Trump never advocated violence and he is not a dictator. Dude you are watching too much MSNBC or similar crap. Lower your blood pressure, cut the cable.
Another criticism that I have of this screed is that it can be argued that the author is using a classic logical fallacy of the strawman argument. He has erected something, a construct of his own imagination, and then proceeds to dismantle it. Trumpism is a made-up, make believe word. Also, one that he never defines. Apparently like the classic line about pornography, the author feels that I’ll know it when I see it.
Trumpism is something entirely different, though its evil has most certainly taken some sort of root within conservative circles… and, horrifically, sometimes welcomed into certain allegedly “evangelical” realms… or into the arms of some who claim to be servants of Christ.
Folks, now the author claims to know who is saved and who is damned. Again, I thought that was God’s turf, but why leave it to him when you can play Holy Spirit. Oh, and if you disagree with him then poof, he just deletes you from his little group.
This cannot possibly be. Trumpism is the demonic antithesis of what Scripture outlines for servants to Jesus. We can only surmise that many of these advocates have sadly lost their way, becoming believers of propaganda designed to dilute clearly-illustrated precepts and doctrine.
To some degree, Trump supports Biblical values, Biden et al. categorically opposes them. Markie, think of the last election this way, it was a choice between American values (Trump) and San Francisco values (Biden). Trump is not my pastor nor my savior. I think he is best compared to Constantine—a friend of believers but maybe not one of us.
The goal, and intent, of Trumpism is wicked, vile, heinous. It is profane in the eyes of God. It is an abomination… akin to the diabolical attitudes, aims, and actions of Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Hugo Chavez, Putin, Bull Connor, Jim Jones, and David Koresh.
OK, Trump believes in liberty, protecting the unborn, and opposes socialism. But somehow Trump is lumped in with a bunch of socialists and heretics? Whiskey Tango?
Don’t believe me? The political leaders in your list, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Hugo Chavez, were all socialists. They just differed as to the means of production and whether they were international socialists or national socialists. Bull Connor was a Democrat. Per Wikipedia, Jim Jones “was a voracious reader who studied Joseph Stalin, Karl Marx, Mao Zedong, Mahatma Gandhi, and Adolf Hitler.” David Koresh (I’m giving Koresh the benefit of doubt) is just a heretic. Markie’s claims about Trump fall flat. The views and beliefs of these men are in opposition to what Trump stands for or believes. Yet another logical fallacy put forth by the author. Again, no truth in the comparison.
There are some liberal buzz words that jump out at me as I read this. See if you agree.
…the hate, cruelty, and demonic injustice…
… affront to true justice. It is an attack on democracy and equality.
These words are defined one way in the dictionary—at least the print copy that I own—and yet they seem to be defined differently by the author. To me “the hate cruelty, and demonic injustice” is the way Donald Trump has been treated since he announced his candidacy. The attacks “on democracy and equality” are again the attacks from the media, Big Tech, and the Democrats. In their apparent context, these are all buzzword of the Left.
Donald Trump is not perfect and doesn’t always do what I want, but he stands head and shoulders above the rest of the swamp rats inside the Beltway. He has done more for Christianity, religious liberty, and the unborn than any other living President.
Frankly, both the Democrats and Republicans squandered opportunities to get many things accomplished which would have benefitted and unified the country. In the end, Washington proved that politicians would rather have the issue to fundraise and campaign on than actually fix anything. That is the real takeaway from the Trump Presidency. Mr. Smith goes to Washington has been proven to be a myth as has the old axiom that anybody can be President.
Meanwhile, with two weeks left in the Trump administration, Markie decides its time to come gunning after his fellow believers.
There comes a time, in various moments in history, when one is forced to choose between good and evil. There is no place for convenient fence-sitting. There sometimes arrives at our doorsteps a proposal that we find we must not take in, but spew it out… far away from us.
It has arrived. That time, and place, is now.
Seems to me the time to oppose evil was when Biden was a candidate not after he and his supporters stole the election. Markie, hell and judgement are not coming, they are here now, and the church is about to be battered on the rocks in ways we’ve never seen in this country before. If your church was willing to shut down for Covid, then what makes you think your congregation has the spine to withstand the persecution that is coming? The idea that you are wanting to take a stand now is ridiculous. That ship sailed long ago, and you apparently never noticed. Like him or not, Donald Trump was your last, best hope.
To save time and energy, please voluntarily remove yourself from this group if you find you cannot stomach these parameters.
OK so which is it? Are you really coming to cull me from your Facebook group, or should I just decide you’re an irredeemable idiot and leave on my own?
Oh, lastly, after violating your membership rules by interjecting politics, attacking members personal beliefs, and judgmental posturing you wish me the peace and love of Jesus? You mean like all the love you just displayed to me and the 75 million Americans that proudly voted for Donald J Trump?
You remind me of the line from the Keith Green song,
‘Cause He brings people to you door
And you turn them away
As you smile and say
“God bless you, be at peace”
You are turning your brothers and sisters away because you lack the ability to love them as Jesus does and then say its our fault. That’s really rich. Why? When I’m charitable with you, is that just expected, but you don’t have to reciprocate?
Given the Facebook hostility to my beliefs as a Conservative and a Christian, there was only two reasons for me to stay on Facebook, one was your group and the other is my Navy veterans group. Guess I’ll be cancelling that Facebook account soon.