The political discourse surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a religious turn, prompting a significant response from the Christian community.
According to Newsweek, a petition by Faithful America has amassed over 13,000 signatures to counteract religious and racial attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris.
Since Vice President Joe Biden ended his presidential campaign on July 21, Harris has emerged as the Democratic frontrunner. She has garnered extensive support from Biden and other leading Democrats.
This political shift has intensified scrutiny and criticism from various quarters, particularly from some conservative Christian groups and Christian nationalist leaders.
The organization behind the petition, Faithful America, is known for its progressive stance and opposition to Christian nationalism. They argue that the attacks against Harris not only misuse Christian doctrine but also incorporate racist and sexist slurs, notably the term “Jezebel.”
This term historically targets powerful women by comparing them to a vilified biblical figure associated with wickedness and immorality.
The petition specifically points to derogatory remarks made by figures such as Jackson Lahmeyer, who made an inflammatory comparison between the scrutiny of Donald Trump's sexual history and Harris's past.
Additionally, televangelist Lance Wallnau's comments were highlighted, where he described Harris as embodying "the spirit of Jezebel" in a manner more threatening than other female political figures due to her racial background and youth.
Faithful America's petition includes strong statements from religious leaders and laypersons, emphasizing the moral and ethical implications of using such divisive language. The petition reads:
Now that Vice President Kamala Harris is the presumptive Democratic nominee who will take on Donald Trump, the far-right — including some pastors — has gone into overdrive, twisting Scripture to attack her with vile racist and sexist slurs like 'Jezebel.'
Tommy Lahren, a conservative commentator, has also voiced concerns that focusing attacks on Harris's race and gender could backfire on the Trump campaign. She warned that portraying Kamala Harris as a martyr could negatively affect their political strategy.
As the Democratic convention looms in August 2024 and polls show a tightening race, the endorsement of Harris by prominent Democrats following Biden's campaign suspension has put her firmly in the presidential spotlight. This transition has highlighted her political acumen and made her a target for harsher scrutiny and baseless attacks.
The frequent likening of Harris to Jezebel is not just a casual reference but a deeply entrenched method of undermining and villainizing her character. According to the petition, this tactic is contrary to the teachings of the Gospel and risks inciting real-world violence due to its intense divisiveness.
In conclusion, Kamala Harris's rise as the Democratic nominee has triggered an array of responses, both supportive and harshly critical. Faithful America's petition highlights a collective stand by many Christians against the misuse of religious texts and derogatory racial and gender slurs in political discourse. Its rapid accumulation of signatures underscores a widespread desire among believers to advocate for a more respectful and inclusive political environment.
