Religion is Politics and Politics is Religion in America

Leo Versus Leo

Kind Christianity Versus Cruel Christianity

A tale of two Americans and our present political battle over America’s soul

Leo and Leo symbolize two camps of Christianity. Pope Leo XIV represents the social gospel: Care for the poor and supporting the marginalized and disadvantaged. Leonard Leo represents the prosperity gospel: Being super rich is a sign of God’s favor, and God loves capitalism.

Pope Leo XIV as cardinal on WikiCommons, and a screenshot of Leonard Leo on YouTube giving a speech to the Catholic Information Center (an American arm of Opus Dei)

Even if you are neither Catholic nor a Christian — I raise my hand — this should still matter to you, particularly in America. Why? Religion is why Trump is our president. Do not doubt that. Those Americans who viewed Trump as chosen by God were motivated to vote.

While Pope Leo XIV is far from a raging liberal, he, by contrast, still represents good things which America is in the process of losing.

So, these two Americans present a good framework to discuss how we are in a battle of kindness versus cruelty, both in religion and in politics.

Pay attention to religion, even if it is not your topic of interest