Newsweek reported that an online petition by Faithful America has garnered over 13,000 signatures in response to religious attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris.
The petition, initiated by left-leaning Faithful America, condemns the dehumanizing and dangerous rhetoric aimed at Harris by some conservative Christians.
Faithful America, a group opposed to Christian nationalism, started the petition to denounce the derogatory remarks directed at Vice President Kamala Harris. The attacks, predominantly coming from conservative Christians, label Harris with terms such as "Jezebel." This designation is a racist and sexist trope historically used to undermine powerful women.
In the past weeks, as President Joe Biden concluded his presidential campaign on July 21, support within the Democratic party has shifted towards Harris. Polls indicate a competitive race between Harris and former President Donald Trump, with Harris gaining traction among Democratic voters.
Among those targeting Vice President Harris was Jackson Lahmeyer, head of Pastors for Trump, who posted derogatory comments on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Televangelist Lance Wallnau also contributed to the inflammatory discourse by claiming Harris symbolizes "the spirit of Jezebel," suggesting her influence would be "more ominous" than that of Hillary Clinton, integrating a racial element due to her background.
Faithful America's petition refutes these attacks, emphasizing that they contradict the teachings of the Gospel. The campaign asserts that such rhetoric risks inciting real-world violence and goes against the values of unity and respect promoted by Christianity.
Jackson Lahmeyer defended his remarks by referring to previous criticisms of Trump's sexual misconduct, stating that his comments on Harris' past are equally valid. However, the Faithful America petition insists that these attacks are dangerous and dehumanizing.
In an effort to rally support, the petition calls on all individuals to unite against the "right's attacks." It stresses the need to speak out against those who use hate and intimidation to divide the nation for their own gain. The petition emphasizes the importance of standing together to reject such harmful rhetoric.
Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren also warned Republicans about the potential backlash of targeting Harris based on her race or gender. She expressed that such strategies might inadvertently elevate Harris, enabling her to avoid scrutiny of her political record and policies.
This petition's rapid accumulation of signatures illustrates a significant segment of the Christian community's dismay towards the vitriolic attacks on Harris. The denouncement of using religion as a weapon to demean a political figure marks a crucial moment for those advocating for a more respectful and inclusive discourse.
Petition organizers are hopeful that this demonstration of support will catalyze a broader movement within the Christian community to reject divisive and harmful rhetoric. They call for a return to Gospel teachings that emphasize love, unity, and respect.
Jackson Lahmeyer's and Lance Wallnau's comments have brought into sharp focus the ongoing issue of using incendiary language in political battles. The juxtaposition of their rhetoric against the teachings of the Gospel has sparked a broader conversation about the role of religion in politics.
With Kamala Harris now the presumptive Democratic nominee, the eyes of the nation are on her and the discourse surrounding her campaign. It remains to be seen how this petition and the dialogue it has sparked will influence the political climate leading up to the election.
