From a friend -- a billboard spotted outside of St Louis. I don't like using the word "heresy," but

[demmiblue]

From a friend -- a billboard spotted outside of St Louis. I don't like using the word "heresy," but I think I'll make an exception in this case.

Link to tweet

I wish I could say I'm surprised, but...

[Retrograde]

1. "blasphemy" is more appropriate

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. Yeah, I'll go with blasphemy, and I'll throw in idolatry for good measure.

Heresy is "any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs or customs, in particular the accepted beliefs of a church or religious organization," which that billboard certainly is, but blasphemy fits better because it's "the act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things." Idolatry is "the worship of something or someone other than God as if it were God." They all fit. If I were a believer I'd say the numpties who put up the billboard are on the fast track to Hell.

The reference is to John 1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." In other words, Jesus.

You'd think that to a Christian, referring to any mortal man - let alone Trump - as in any respect the equivalent of Jesus would be considered absolutely blasphemous, not to mention idolatrous. In the olden days you'd get in deep trouble with the Spanish Inquisition (cue "Nobody expects...." ). These days you won't suffer any such fate but I have to wonder what some of these evangelicals are thinking. Trump is about as far from Jesus as anyone could be, and yet he's become a cult figure, on a par with Jesus, to people who claim to worship Jesus. "Full of grace and truth"? I don't think so.

[highplainsdem]

25. +1,000,000

[grantcart]

40. Correct but heresy usually involves exaggerating an established doctrine

Until it becomes anti-thetical.

For example: Taking the general principle that Christians should support legal and moral leaders in government as an endorsement of a particular candidate would be heresy.

Attributing a leader with the attributes of the incarnation is blasphemous.

[stopbush]

11. Blasphemy is a victimless crime, no?

I think delusional is the word you’re looking for.

[Mariana]

23. Blasphemy isn't a crime at all in the US.

At any rate, we have freedom of religion in the US. If people want to worship Trump, they may do so.

[grantcart]

36. Correct.

[malthaussen]

38. Beat me to it. n/t

[MousePlayingDaffodil]

2. Speechless . . .

But I think I'd have to have some more proof that this billboard actually exists before I would forego dismissing it as being a Photoshop job.

[LAS14]

67. That thought crossed my mind too. nt

[dalton99a]

3. Evangelicals have been literally worshipping Shithole for a while

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. In this example they're claiming Trump has the assistance and blessing of Jesus.

In the OP, the implication is that he IS Jesus.

Where is the Spanish Inquisition when we really need them?

[ginnyinWI]

54. The Word became flesh refers to Jesus becoming a man on Earth.

The first thing I thought of is, could this abomination be the Anti-Christ that was foretold? Probably not, but it really makes you think.

This is such a cult!!! No other word for it. Unbelievable in our modern times.

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

37. Are you shitting me?

[malthaussen]

39. Since, by their argument, everything is god's will...

... I suppose one could argue that this is a true statement.

-- Mal

[Vogon_Glory]

47. I'd Accused Evangelicals Of Worshipping Mammon

But Donald F. Trump is about the closest avatar of Mammon in American politics today.

Anyone who pushes a message like that dad-blamed billboard has zero credibility left.

[lindysalsagal]

4. WTF?

Trump has to make "the word of god" great, again?

First of all, I'm an atheist, so I don't give a crap about old books of nonsense.

But

Wtf does it mean if the gospel needs politicians to fix it?

Who, exactly, is this aimed at?

[dlk]

5. Evangelicals Have Shown Their True Colors and Tremendous Hypocrisy

They are merely snake oil salesmen and grifters who use the Bible as a sales tool for their brand of white, male supremacy.

[Sherman A1]

6. I saw that billboard and was in Morning traffic

Couldn’t get a pic of it at the time. It just boggles the mind.

[demmiblue]

10. Thanks for the corroboration.

I made sure to take into account who was posting it, and saw an exact intersection in the comments... but you never know.

That is batshit crazy!

[Sherman A1]

22. I-170 South bound lanes

just North of the Exit for St. Charles Rock Road. As mentioned it was traffic, raining and while I would have loved to snap a pic, staying on the road intact was more on my mind.

[pintobean]

30. That's Drury Dislpays' board

on the same property as their offices.

[Sherman A1]

35. Yup

that's the one.

[Gore1FL]

44. I'm close to there. I'll keep an eye out. nt

[Sherman A1]

52. It's one of those signs that rotates messages

so it is easy to miss while driving and keeping your eyes on traffic. It was just by chance that I noticed it myself.

[MineralMan]

7. Well, if the "Word" is "tyrant" or "asshole,"

the billboard isn't far off.

[Pachamama]

20. And for the Win!!!!

Mineralman calls it....

[lark]

8. OMG, are they claiming he's the anti-christ?

[Achilleaze]

12. republican blasphemers have gone anti-

republicans have embraced the Dark Side with all its lies, cheating, and hate. Sad to see them suckered by an adulterous, draft-dodging, casino hustler with a long track record of cheating in business.

How willfully ignorant do you have to be to kiss-off the facts, go submissive, and swallow the lies?

[demmiblue]

13. Lol... Here's the choir.

Link to tweet

[dalton99a]

16. Perfect.

[Takket]

15. Which word became flesh?

Feces?
Vomit?
Scum?
Devil?

[dalton99a]

17. The best word

[sandensea]

48. Ivanka!

30 seconds later...flesh.

[dawg]

18. As a Christian, I find this profoundly disturbing.

I'm a Southern Baptist, which I'm pretty sure makes me technically an evangelical. But Donald J. Trump, and the whole damned Republican Party for that mater, are antithetical to everything I believe and hold to be true.

I believe in forgiveness, but they want to be judgmental.

I believe in love, but they promote hate.

I believe the meek shall inherit the Earth. They favor the proud and the boastful.

I believe in turning the other cheek (although getting pretty damned tired of it), while they believe in striking the first blow.

They are attempting to destroy both my country and my church.

I won't forget.

[grantcart]

42. I feel you. How about "Make the Gospel Great Again"

It is so antithetical to Christian Theology that you have to wonder if it wasn't put up by anti Trumpsters.

[Wawannabe]

19. Somebody help me close my mouth!

[jpak]

21. I know a billboard that needs Devil's Horns and goatee and some Googly Eyes

[Qutzupalotl]

24. Nonstop chatter became a giant ball of flab.

[AJT]

26. What word? Satan?

[GoCubsGo]

27. I'm surprised that billboard didn't self-immolate into a pile melted steel.

[onethatcares]

28. maybe someone should read

Revelations

[workinclasszero]

29. Trump is their god alright

He will lead all his cultists straight into hell.

[lame54]

31. Trump's words become...

Bullet torn flesh

[unitedwethrive]

32. From a non-Christian standpoint, it just looks like they're making fun of all his flesh

I have no idea what it’s actually supposed to mean, but my first thought was that “wow, he has a lot of flesh”

[malchickiwick]

33. "Flesh"??? I think they meant "neck crepe"

I notice the banner covers up all that disgusting extra "flesh"

[EricMaundry]

34. Who would have thought The Word would become embodied ..

.. in so fat an ass?

[world wide wally]

41. Waiting for the Lightning storm

Thou shalt gram 'em by the pussy?
Doesn't ring a bell.

[keithbvadu2]

43. Donald Trump; their Messiah who ridicules Holy Communion.

Donald Trump; their Messiah who ridicules Holy Communion.

Trump: Drink my little wine, have my little cracker

http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2015/08/13/donald-trump-religion-serfaty-dnt-erin.cnn

[bronxiteforever]

45. And lo, he shall go by the name of David Dennison

And calm the Stormy with a large cash outlay.

[sandensea]

46. To say nothing of blasphemy

They of all people should know that's not a good idea.

[rzemanfl]

49. Lots of flesh, no brains FFS SMH. n/t

[TexasBushwhacker]

50. If a church or religious organization paid for that, they should lose their non-profit status n/t

[lapfog_1]

51. cult. brainwashed morons.

[Wintryjade]

53. If they think that is a good picture, it isn't.

[LiberalLovinLug]

55. This is what they SHOULD put up:

[True_Blue]

56. Maybe they're referring to the anti-Christ

That was in the Word too.

[Adrahil]

57. From their Facebook page...

We believe God has given American Christians His earthly messenger - Donald J Trump. We follow his words in faith each day!

[MineralMan]

60. Link, please. Thanks.

[Adrahil]

69. Here ya go....

[link:https://www.facebook.com/pg/MaketheGospelGreatAgain/about/?ref=page_internal|

I thought it might be a pardy account, but does not appear to be so.

[Demovictory9]

58. ugh

[Vinca]

59. I swear these nuts think Don is the second coming.

[MineralMan]

61. Found the Group that Paid for This on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/MaketheGospelGreatAgain/

[Hotler]

62. uummmmmmmm, If this truly is a real billboard and...

not a photo shop thing, this should be a concern to us. Fascism creeps in with small steps. It doesn't happen overnight. There should be a billboard across from this one with this saying on it.

“When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross”

Snopes says this was not from Sinclair Lewis. It makes sense anyway.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/sinclair-lewis-on-fascism/

[The Blue Flower]

63. What word, specifically?

Ignoramus? Traitor? Kidnapper? Grifter? Swine?

[Liberal Veteran]

65. Abomination.

[pdsimdars]

64. I think they're right . . right there in Revelatons is says he will be let loose from his pit

to rule for about 3.5 years.

[LAS14]

66. You have GOT to be kidding!!!!! nt

[hatrack]

68. And people wonder why I stopped giving a shit re. the "thoughts" of fundy Xtians years ago . . . .

[smb]

70. The Seven Deadly Sins Became Flesh nt