This election cycle is wrapping up with a blizzard of lies, half-truths and misleading statements.
Most realize that politicians manipulate information to present themselves in the best light, but seldom has there been such an onslaught of outright lies and hateful deception.
Especially troubling is the fact that large segments of the religious right are uncritically accepting widespread disinformation. One of the most egregious lies was about Haitian immigrants eating dogs and cats. During the ABC presidential debate, Donald Trump said, “In Springfield, they are eating the dogs. The people that came in, they are eating the cats. They’re eating – they are eating the pets of the people that live there.”
Those remarks were outright malicious falsehoods designed to demonize immigrants, but how can we deal with such mistruths? Jesus encouraged his followers to respond to attacks in decidedly unconventional ways: Love your enemy, turn your cheek, walk the second mile, seek peace, and, perhaps we should add, be creative.
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Here’s a recent creative response: The Rev. Jean Beniste, a Haitian immigrant and rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Concord, New Hampshire, found the perfect way to react to charges that Haitian immigrants were eating pets. He gathered people on Oct. 5 for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the beloved saint of God’s critters, large and small, for a blessing of animals.
“Bring your pet. Bring your dog and cat. I am a Haitian, and I am not going to eat them. I will bless them. I will embrace them. I will embrace you. I will make community with you.” (Religion News Service)…