Skip to main content

Political Scapegoat? Some Blame Christians for Orlando Massacre

Share This article

Christian political and spiritual leaders are pushing back against a wave of criticism blaming Christians for the murders of 49 people at a gay nightclub.

"These acts of violence break the hearts of all people of conscience, regardless of religious faith or political ideology, yet, sadly, some voices in our culture chose to use this tragedy to further divide; taking responsibility away from the gunman and laying it at the feet of just about anyone else," Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., wrote in an op-ed on Townhall.com.

"Instead of grieving together in unity, as we did after September 11, 2011, we have devolved to this," she continued, listing recent incidents:

- A CNN contributor used the tragedy to denounce "right wing Christians."

- An ACLU lawyer blamed the attack on legislation related to marriage and religious liberty.

- A cable television host shamed those who call for prayer in the wake of such tragedies, dismissing it as "talking to nobody."

- And congressional Democrats walked out during a moment of silence to honor the Orlando victims.

"These actions do not bring back a single life that was lost and they do nothing to help heal a wounded nation," Black wrote.

"When we equate loving disagreements between Christians and our LGBT neighbors with acts of terror that kill and destroy, when we rebuke sincere prayers because they are not accompanied by a particular political agenda, and when we diminish a spiritual act that so many - myself included - believe has transforming power to lift up a hurting world, we delay the healing process," she continued.

"When we tell Americans that their deeply held beliefs on sexual orientation, the Second Amendment, or any other topic preclude them from sharing in our mourning and grieving the loss of these 49 precious souls the same way anyone else would, we impose a chilling effect on the freedom to believe that has guided and defined our country since its inception," Black wrote.

"Beyond that, this talk ignores the facts of the tragedy and diminishes the role of personal responsibility in such acts of violence," she continued. "We know that the carnage in Orlando was not the result of a pastor's sermon, a Congressman's bill, or even a manufacturer's gun. It was the result of a choice made by the person who pulled the trigger."

"The killer was a terrorist influenced not by 'right wing Christians' but rather by a radical Islamic ideology that doesn't just condone the persecution of gay people, women, and others - it compels it with the promise of eternal reward," Black said.

Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham, referred to "the dangers of Islam's teachings" in a Facebook post Wednesday. 
 
"Mr. President, I read in the The New York Times today where you reportedly blasted Donald J. Trump for wanting to tighten the borders and accused him of painting a whole religion as violent," Graham wrote. "A Muslim can murder 49 innocent people in a gay club, and you still defend the religion of Islam."

"But a Christian who refuses to bake a homosexual's wedding cake endures prosecution, financial ruin, and nation-wide shaming because of their faith, and you stay silent!" he continued.

"What Omar Mateen did was following the teachings of the Koran. It is incomprehensible that you will not acknowledge the dangers of Islam's teachings in order to protect the American people under your watch," Graham wrote.

Share This article

About The Author

CBN News