Don't Trust the Cameras

 About 10 years ago, Donald Trump decided to run for president. I was among those who didn’t take him seriously. So much that he said was antithetical to the life and teachings of Jesus that I assumed others would see this, and he wouldn’t stand a chance. Of course, I was completely wrong about him and the voters in my country.

Back when he first ran, I remember the time he was going to speak at one of our ELCA universities, Lenoir Rhyne in Hickory, North Carolina. I was among those who were outraged by this, but he had a right to speak there if he chose. College campuses are all about the free exchange of ideas, after all.

Many Lutherans, including our synod Bishop and about 100 clergy, decided to show up on campus that day, not to protest, but to witness to our faith. As people waited in line to enter the auditorium, they could hear us singing hymns and see us holding up signs with scripture verses. We wanted to show them Jesus because surely they would see that DJT was not of Jesus. We sang until we were hoarse.

As we gathered outside the auditorium and the line of those waiting to go inside snaked all around the campus, other groups were gathering as well. They had come to protest. It looked a lot like there was going to be a violent confrontation. I watched it all unfold on the green space before me. The T.V. camera people were watching, too, as they moved in on the two groups who were moving closer to one another, almost face-to-face, screaming. A real life rumble was about to happen! This was going to make for some great T.V.

Then something unexpected happened. A long line of people in clergy collars joined hands and lined up smack dab between the two groups and started singing, “Jesus loves you this I know…” Immediately the groups dispersed. And here’s the thing. So did the cameras. They had been zooming in for the big smack down and there wasn’t one. So, they all put their cameras down and walked away, disappointed. To me, they missed the biggest story of the day!

I remember that event whenever I watch T.V. these days. We are seeing what the T.V. crews decide to show us. And they decide to show us, not the good, but the bad and the ugly.

I’m getting ready to head out for a No Kings Protest today. I pray that they will all be peaceful and millions of people who resist the actions of the current administration will be safe.

If you’re not a part of one of the protests, I urge you not to believe everything you see on T.V. or on the internet. If you want to know what’s happening, talk to someone who was there.