Remember the time that Jesus...

I have a lot to say about this just to warn you ahead of time. Read on at your own risk. This gives me flashbacks to my megachurch days and stirs all the stuff that having gotten duped does. It's reminiscent of many other big movement's (not bowel - though that'd fit), when fringe Theology, Crazy, and "Politics" converged. Clay Clark, saw an opportunity to welcome the droves of those who banned together during the pandemic against vaccines and masks, and created the first event, Clay Clark’s Health and Freedom Conference. Rebranded in 2021 the ReAwaken America tour it has sold out of most venues that hold thousands. Tickets are tiered: $500 for front-row VIP and $250 for general admission, with pay-as-you-can discounts. Pfft. Pay as you can... Sounds charitable or benevolent. Clark says he takes no salary for the event but seems able to fund his legal battles as he one of the people being sued for defamation by a former executive of Dominion Voting Systems. Another celebrated speaker is Roger Stone(?). Roger's not shy about collecting for his legal and medical bills. He is reportedly bookended by volunteers holding garbage bags after he speaks, while he meets and greets and signs autographs. The bags are not for trash - but cash. Roger apparently had a come to Jesus moment. He probably qualifies for religious exemption on his income now. (kidding - not kidding) Of course once you're there, no matter what you could pay, every speaker has a book to buy. There are dozens of venders presenting their offerings like 5G resistant phone cases, exercise equipment that promises, "Ten minutes on this is equal to an hour at the gym,” for $3,500. They sell about 100 machines at the events. Think about that. In this same mix are non-profit souls with direct messages from God for America. Passionate patriots preaching their end time warnings. Sincere sisters and brothers called for such a time as this. If it is anything like the Y2K shenanigans, woods stoves and emergency food supplies are probably available too. There are "celebrity" praise and worship leaders lifting the crowd up and baptism pools to get them dunked if need be. It is an orchestrated charging of emotions. People's deepest convictions are stirred, their fear and sense of righteousness stoked. They are primed for a solution. I know what I am talking about. I've been in and behind the scenes of events like this. I didn't understand the grift at the time. But now I know things I didn't before. Things about human nature. Things about war profiteering, fueled by soundbites of fear (they want your kids) and pride (we alone know the truth), a sense of belonging and purpose. All of those itches in every one of us, strategically scratched to further the battle. A battle Clark, seems conflicted about. “I don’t think America is savable,” he tells me. “I think all the Christians get slaughtered. I’ve read the whole Bible, I’ve read what happens," he said in a Rolling Stone interview. Let's play worst case scenario and say Clark is right, about the slaughter being the conclusion of the book. He's not, but let's pretend that THEY were going to kill all of THEM. Let's give it the simple challenge WWJD? Christian literally means a follower of the teachings of Jesus. Here's one of his teachings. "Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you..." The beatitudes have some simple instructions too. "Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS. For they shall be called the children of God." I don't see anywhere in Jesus' life or teaching where he promoted hatred or divisiveness. Or recall a moment that he ever crossed over into politics. So much more to say about all of it. Somewhere else at another time. I'll end my rant with this thought. Know what you believe and why when you cast your votes my friends. Putting people in positions of power because they say (not do) the morals of the supposed majority - is not a solution.