Vice President Mike Pence, the administration*'s designated box of rocks whose entire portfolio consists of making sure the Bibles keep getting banged good and proper, gave the commencement speech at Liberty University at the invitation of Jerry Falwell, Jr., who hasn't been having the greatest of Christian weeks his own self. Pence was there to warn the assembled graduates that it's hard out there for holy folk, and that there's probably a Diocletian hiding in every movie theater. From USA Today:
"Some of the loudest voices for tolerance today have little tolerance for traditional Christian beliefs,” Pence said. “Be ready.” With his wife, Karen, sitting on stage as he spoke, Pence recounted the “harsh attacks” he said they endured when she returned this year to teaching art at a Christian elementary school where she’d worked when he’d served in Congress. Unlike her previous stint, this time Karen Pence faced scrutiny after news reports pointed out that the school bans gay students and teachers. “Throughout most of American history, it's been pretty easy to call yourself Christian,” Pence said. “It didn’t even occur to people that you might be shunned or ridiculed for defending the teachings of the Bible. But things are different now.” Pence said the graduates will be asked not just to tolerate things that violate their faith, but to endorse them...
...Pence referenced the Biblical figures of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is warning graduates that they are going “to be asked to bow down to the idols of the popular culture.” The three men refused to worship a golden idol and were thrown into a fiery furnace. But after King Nebuchadnezzar saw them walking around in the flames unharmed, accompanied by the son of God, he had the men removed and said their God should be worshipped. “Just know this: If, like Shadrek, Meshach and Abednego you end up in the fire, there'll be another in the fire,” Pence told the graduates, who applauded the reference.
If there's a more conspicuous combination of snowflake and drama queen in American politics than Mike Pence, I don't want to pass the collection plate to him.
And, anyway, here's our Scripture for Monday. It comes from the 16th Chapter of the Gospel According to Matthew:
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
I mean, that's a helluva deal from The Founder. The Gates of Hell can't damage his church. I don't think any of the cherub-faced Liberty U. grads have anything to worry about at the local multiplex, or from Joe Biden. Have a good summer, kids, and don't worry about Mike Pence.
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Charles P Pierce is the author of four books, most recently Idiot America, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston and has three children.
