COMICSANDS
percolately
georgetakei
secondnexus
george's picks
The Trump family were not marketed as pillars of religious piety—or even religious at all—during the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Art of the Deal and The Apprentice days.
Back then the image was excess.
But since deciding to run for office in 2015, the Trump family became the poster children for religion.
Well, Evangelical Christianity at least.
The Trump White House has a spiritual adviser who claims her feet on the White House lawn or Oval Office carpet makes it hallowed ground and Evangelical preachers across the country hold prayer vigils to cast out all the demons trying to topple Trump.
Trump's Vice President refuses to be alone with women other than his mother/wife and several Trump appointees—current and former—are Bible over Constitution proponents.
The First Daughter and White House adviser, Ivanka Trump, is not part of the Christian love-fest however.
Ivanka converted to Judaism to marry Jared Kushner. Despite insults directed by her father at American Jews—calling them disloyal if they did not vote for him—Ivanka and Jared remained silent on the issue.
But Ivanka did not remain silent when her father performed his latest act to appeal to his Evangelical base.
While at the opening of the 74th United Nations General Assembly general debate, Trump hosted a meeting to promote "religious freedom" around the world and pledged $25 million towards that end. For Evangelicals that global freedom is about forcing Christianity and missionaries onto Indigenous populations without repercussions from local governments.
At a gathering where hundreds of world religions are represented through their UN delegates, Trump's definition of religion was decidedly myopic.
Again.
However that didn't stop Ivanka from tweeting daddy's praises.
Today @POTUS became the 1st President of the United States to host a meeting at the United Nations on religious fre… https://t.co/y3GW7fbEDT— Ivanka Trump (@Ivanka Trump) 1569257101.0
80% of the worlds population live in countries where religious liberty is threatened, restricted, or even banned.… https://t.co/7LyQIkloxe— Ivanka Trump (@Ivanka Trump) 1569257102.0
People were quick to remind Ivanka of a few facts about her father's history with religion.
@IvankaTrump Like threatening to withhold federal funds from Duke and UNC for depicting Islam in too positive a lig… https://t.co/4PljKeCjz7— Jim Essex (@Jim Essex) 1569330640.0
Or rather his record with non-Evangelical White Christian supporters of Trump religions.
Of which there are many.
@IvankaTrump Did you mean WHITE religious freedom?— CCStillwearingamask (@CCStillwearingamask) 1569337154.0
@IvankaTrump US Muslims feel safe, do they? And what about attacks on synagogues?— Weekender (@Weekender) 1569339177.0
@IvankaTrump So just so we're clear, when you say "religious freedom," you mean Christian's freedom to discriminate… https://t.co/NGXcoezsj2— 🌊 Jumpsuits For Trumpsuits 🇺🇸 🌊 (@🌊 Jumpsuits For Trumpsuits 🇺🇸 🌊) 1569336708.0
@IvankaTrump Yes! We are free to worship in any form of Christianity available! Except Catholicism. Those guys really are not Christians.— Marco Rubio’s Dr. Dolphin (@Marco Rubio’s Dr. Dolphin) 1569358698.0
Although a few disputed the Muslim ban that was eventually overturned in court ever existed.
@brianklaas @IvankaTrump I’m sure you are clearly aware that had to do with terrorist. You can’t be that uninformed.— Mary Norton (@Mary Norton) 1569268080.0
@iResist4You @495eaglerock @brianklaas @IvankaTrump And not from countries with which he does business, including t… https://t.co/tzxbUO1zo7— StickyBunny (@StickyBunny) 1569291132.0
@IvankaTrump While the #MuslimBan may have receded from public view, the thousands of Americans who are being kept… https://t.co/cOiZXt9Nj7— Island Girl 🌊🏝🌺🌼🌻 (@Island Girl 🌊🏝🌺🌼🌻) 1569338570.0
People also brought up the track record of a few of Trump's close friends when it comes to religious freedom:
@IvankaTrump You know where there is NO Religious Freedom? In the countries run by you and your fathers BFFs, MBS and KJU.— That Vaccinated Karen (@That Vaccinated Karen) 1569335159.0
MBS (Muhammad bin Salman of Saudi Arabia) and KJU (Kim Jong Un of North Korea) might need to hear Trump's speech more than those at his meeting.
Others had words of advice for Ivanka.
@Howevercommma @IvankaTrump Please remember how influential you aren’t. https://t.co/h8d8a4aSZC— HoneyBadger (@HoneyBadger) 1569347276.0
@IvankaTrump https://t.co/Jqe9dBDqmW— mary1152 (@mary1152) 1569330700.0
@KymShimmin @IvankaTrump And pedophilia perhaps. https://t.co/jhtboMbeKB— HoneyBadger (@HoneyBadger) 1569347163.0
Others pointed out that the United States freedom of religion guarantee is also a freedom from religion guarantee.
@IvankaTrump In the US it's attacked daily. Where is seperation of church and government ? Your father is the head… https://t.co/rxie77czFF— Frank (@Frank) 1569330223.0
@IvankaTrump Your father is a leader in not protecting religious rights in America!— Warren B Stern (@Warren B Stern) 1569294663.0
@IvankaTrump Wow, if @realDonaldTrump supported religious freedom then why should the word "god " be in the pledge… https://t.co/ImBiegBnxg— sherry sheridan (@sherry sheridan) 1569351834.0
While still more disputed Ivanka's numbers.
Where did 80% come from?
@IvankaTrump 80%? That’s not true!— Majken Bergman (@Majken Bergman) 1569301599.0
@majken_bergman @IvankaTrump The family makes shits up!— KUMZLE DE LAW (@KUMZLE DE LAW) 1569302411.0
And people pointed out what Trump skipped while holding his religious freedom forum and what he did after.
@IvankaTrump You left out the part where Daddy @realDonaldTrump skipped the Climate Change session and now has beli… https://t.co/6JgLqI4qNA— Matt T (@Matt T) 1569300376.0
@IvankaTrump Hey idiot... he’s pandering. He called for a Muslim ban. Remember? And he dropped the ball on climate issues.— Jared Kotler (@Jared Kotler) 1569299109.0
Tuesday's announcement that the House of Representatives would hold an impeachment inquiry at least gives the President incentive to exercise his religious freedom and pray.
The book Your Church, My State: The Atheist's Guide to Understanding Why Our Founding Fathers kept them Separate is available here.
*****
Listen to the first season of George Takei's podcast, 'Oh Myyy Pod!' where we explore the racially charged videos that have taken the internet by storm.
Be sure to subscribe here and never miss an episode.