Let's talk about Pope Fiction: Trump, Hegseth, and the Pope.... - Belle of the Ranch

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about Pope Fiction, Hegseth, Trump, and the Pope.

The administration's run at insulting Christians continues with officials continuing to attempt to use the Bible or Hollywood scripts in some cases to make their point and attack their political opposition.

Let's start with what's probably the most covered part. During a prayer service, Hegseth used a modified version of Samuel L. Jackson's monologue from Pulp Fiction to, I guess, celebrate the operation to rescue the downed pilot in Iran, reaching untold levels of cringe.

Fun fact, for those who may not know, that monologue is not actually in the Bible. Despite the character saying it was Ezekiel 25:17, Hegseth managed to anger both ardent Christians and Pulp Fiction fans who know the fictional Bible verse is used in the film to illustrate a path to the renunciation of violence, not a celebration of it. Hegseth might have unintentionally cast himself as the tyranny of evil men.

Some Christians are angered by the idea of using something that could be seen as adding to or subtracting from the Bible. That's something considered taboo by many within the faith in a completely separate moment that leads to the questioning of the administration's understanding of biblical concepts.

While speaking with the press, Hegseth said he heard a sermon last weekend about the Pharisees and that somehow reminded him of the press. Hegseth s said, "I sat there in church and I thought, our press are just like these Pharisees. The hardened hearts of our press are calibrated only to impugn."

The Pharisees were primarily condemned for hypocrisy, legalism, and self-righteousness. They focused on tradition and ignored matters like mercy. Their displays of faith were often a public show to gain praise from humans rather than to serve God. I'm aware of a number of people who have thought of the Pharisees due to recent news items, but none of them were comparing them to the press.

Meanwhile, the Pope said, "Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth. It is a world turned upside down, an exploitation of God's creation that must be denounced and rejected by every honest conscience.”

This statement has already angered some on the right who see this as a direct attack on Trump, although Trump isn't named. The Pope went on, "The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters."

I can see why some Republicans made a connection to Trump. It's worth noting that the Pope is in Cameroon and was at a peace conference about the long-running separatist conflict in the country. If you saw that as a personal attack on Trump, well, if the boot fits, lace it up, honey bunny.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.