If there was ever a bluebook “compare and contrast” project, one could do no better than these diametrically opposed African American Christian preachers, an animated Republican Pastor Mark Burns who screeches about nothing, projects nothing other than anger and division with no mention of how to help anyone, but only rabid hatred as he anoints Donald Trump with Jesus Christ – Donald Trump, a bigot, a racist, a foul mouthed buffoon who could care less about anyone but himself and easily the least Christian presidential nominee in American history.
Contrasted to Reverend William Barber who speaks directly to content, to help, to fairness, justice and hope. As the only comparison Black and Christian the project would be better named “Contrast and Contrast.”
If you are in doubt concerning the above paragraph, take the time to watch these two videos, one a ray of light the other a blot of darkness. If you don’t have the time to watch, here are a few paragraphs of their contrasting words.
When you have such an aggressive extremism that literally gets up in the public square and says to people, “If you vote for me, this is how I’m gonna make this country great.” And I’m not just talking about Trump, I’m talking about extremism, because in many ways [Republican House Speaker Paul] Ryan, [Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch] McConnell, they may not have the same tone as Trump but they have the same trajectory of his policies.
So when they say, “Elect me and I’m going to attack teachers and public education, I’m going to deny living wages, deny health care and overturn the Affordable Care Act, I’m going to deny immigrant rights, I’m going to label all Muslims as radical, I’m going to be xenophobic, stand against the LGBT community, try to stifle voting rights,” and then say, “If you elect me, this is how I’m going to make the country great: I’m going to make sure everyone can get a gun easier than they can vote”—that kind of extreme agenda forces a reaction. It forces a counter moral critique.
Hello, Republicans! I’m Pastor Mark Burns from the great state of South Carolina! I’m going to pray and I’m going to give the benediction. And you know why? Because we are electing a man in Donald Trump who believes in the name of Jesus Christ.
And Republicans, we’ve got to be united, because our enemy is not other Republicans, but [our enemy] is Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party.
Let’s pray together. Father God, in the name of Jesus, Lord, we’re so thankful for the life of Donald Trump that you are giving him the words to unite this party this country that we together can defeat the liberal Democratic Party, to keep us divided and not united. Because we are the United States of America, and we are the conservative party of God.
To defeat every attack that comes against us, protect the life of Donald Trump. Give him the words, give him the peace, given him the power and authority to be the next president of the United States of America.
In Jesus’ name—if you believe it, shout “Amen!”
This same contrast can be seen in these two speeches at the conventions:
Patricia Smith, Mother of Benghazi Victim
Ghazala Khan, mother of Iraq war victim