Evangelicals & Orthopraxy

Al Sharpton, a most despicable and loathsome human being if there ever was such a creature, was recently caught doing what his ilk is known to do: race-baiting!

Hopefully, you took note of my refrain from giving Sharpton the respect one typically is due according to their station in life by addressing Sharpton with the honorific “Reverend.”

1. I do not believe any member of the clergy should be called by the title Reverend

2. Even if I did choose to acquiesce, Sharpton is not the person who deserves such bonafides.

Sharpton went on national television to lament, rather ignorantly, I might add, that there were no People of Color [he actually used the moniker Black, which I refuse to employ for personal stylistic considerations] in the Congress in the State of Michigan.

But, oh wait! Turns out there is at least one Person of Color, or, as I prefer, African American, serving in Congress in Michigan.

His name is John James, a member of the Michigan House of Representatives. Sharpton made the blatantly false allegation either purposely or inadvertently, and I lean heavily that Sharpton did so intentionally, simply because James does not fit Sharpton‘s warped perception of what a Person of Color should be in 2024 (the actual year Sharpton made the vile statement).

James, a West Point graduate and decorated war veteran chooses to as he says “think for himself” disqualifies himself from being regarded as Black per the regressive worldview of someone of Al Sharpton’s ilk.

I love what this brother says and represents. As he says in his video response, he is married with two children, holds two Master's Degrees, and is a business owner. Now, under normal circumstances, such a person would be lauded and held up as a shining example that others would point to as someone for others to emulate.

But not good ole Al, and for one solitary reason: James has the temerity, the unmitigated gall to align with the Republican Party while living in America as a Black man. How dare he? Didn't he get the friggin memo?

I am not stupid, and I am not naive. The Republican Party is not perfect, nor will it ever be. There is not now, nor has there ever been, and will never be a political party that aligns in perfect lockstep with Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

If one had to wait for such a party to materialize, they would never vote in elections or become involved in political affairs whatsoever.

There was a time when there was not much difference between the Democratic and Republican parties.

There were Pro-Life Democrats, and Democrats who favored small government and low taxation.

In fact, JFK, a Democrat, signed one of the most significant tax reduction bills in U.S. History. A tax break that sparked one of the most prosperous economic times in U.S. history.

Anyone who tells you both sides are, you “fill-in-the-blank,” is not worth listening to. They display no ability to think critically.

I had a Pastor who tried to piss down my leg by telling me it was raining,” using that sophomoric rationalization that there is not much difference between both parties. I believe he did so to placate his congregation's racial and political sensibilities, a congregation that was approximately half African-American. It is not hard to fathom that he would have known that many of those African Americans probably voted Democratic.

In fact, those were the formative years of my political migration to the Republican Party, as I began to take seriously the admonitions and commands the Bible requires its adherents to obey.

One party and only one party favors abortion, for any reason or for no reason at all. Never forget that during the 2024 Democratic Party National Convention held in Chicago, IL, the Democratic Party provided free abortion services during the convention.

One party and only one party favors same-sex marriage. Never forget it was during the morally debased Barack Hussein Obama’s presidency that the White House, our nation’s most venerated and hallowed political architectural symbol, was adorned in Rainbow Colors, a clear homage to LGBTQ+ ideology. Never forget that it was Obama who directed the U.S. Solicitor General to argue the landmark case, which eventually legalized same-sex marriage, before the U.S. Supreme Court. For those who might not know, the Solicitor General is the nation’s lawyer to represent the President’s stated legal interests.

One party and only one party favors the right of someone as young as six-year-olds to have the legal right to mutilate their otherwise healthy and functioning, precisely as their Creator designed them,  bodies.

As Dr. Albert Mohler, seminary President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, my proud alma mater, pontificated during one of his recent morning podcasts, there was, until the 1970s, not much separation between the national platforms of the two major political parties in America.

Essentially, it has been the issue of abortion that has changed the political landscape in America. I submit that you are not to be taken seriously if you postulate any of the following:

There are good people on both sides of the aisle

There is good and bad in both parties

They are all crooks, and I am just going to not participate in the political process.

I submit that people make such postulations, do so, to justify their alignment with the Democratic Party.

As Joe Biden so brazenly said, you ain't Black if you did not vote for him.

Why are African Americans so beholden to the Democratic Party despite their alleged fidelity to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

I submit the answer must be rather obvious. There is no genuine fidelity to Jesus Christ.

How could there be?  One party aligns with abortion, and one party does not. Seems pretty simple to me, at least, which Jesus Christ would affirm.

One party aligns with same-sex marriage, and one party does not. Seems pretty simple to me, at least, which Jesus Christ would affirm.

One party aligns with gender fluidity, while the other does not. Seems pretty simple to me, at least, which Jesus Christ would affirm.

I stand with Congressman John James all day errday and twice on Sundays. I can and will think for myself. I push back against the vile, false narrative that you are not authentically Black if you do not vote with the Democratic Party.

As a Christ-follower, I am to have no association with darkness, as best I understand what constitutes darkness.

My dear friend, if there ever were darkness in the land, it would be found in the Democratic Party’s National Platform as well as in their key members’ worldview.

I plead with you to come out from their midst. Their midst leads to eternal torment. I again caution against the claims that Republicans are no better, that the Republicans are racists, or whatever frivolous charge you would like to make.

I am nowhere advocating that one should align blindly and uncritically with the Grand Old Party (G.O.P.)

What I am always and everywhere screaming from the top of my lungs is, “Leave the Democratic Party,” especially to those who are People of Color, Black, or African Americans. I don't care which term is your preferred term; just leave the Democratic Party and stop listening to the Al Sharptons of the world. Instead, try listening to people like John James for a change. Who knows, it might set you free! It could not do any worse. That much I do know.

As usual, let me know what you think. Until then, keep your hands to the plow and seek to serve for an Audience of One.

With fear & trembling,

Ricky V Kyles Sr DEd.Min