Resign and Repent
The Rev. Jim Burklo posted this selfie on social media to ask President Donald J. Trump to resign the presidency after being impeached and acquitted of abuse of power. (Courtesy photo)
Fellow religious leaders of America – and everybody else – I hope you will join me in this social media project.
Do a selfie with the sign shown, wearing clerical garb and otherwise signaling your faith connection, and post it on social media with the hashtag #resignandrepent , indicating your name and institutional affiliation (info only).
Impeachment may have had a certain level of utility in chastening the President, but since he won't be removed from office, we must rise up and respectfully ask him to resign and repent. He can't meaningfully repent of his staggering number of lies, insults, depredations of democratic institutions, and his sustained campaign against the very idea that there are such things as facts – unless he resigns first.
He is the leader - owner? - of the Republican party, which makes a big deal about personal responsibility. So let us politely but firmly request that he take personal responsibility – morally and spiritually – before God and his fellow citizens, and do the right thing, which can only be to #resignandrepent . In that order.
Spread the word on this and let's see where it goes.
The Rev. Jim Burklo serves as senior associate dean of religious and spiritual life at the University of Southern California. This post is republished with permission from the newsletter for his blog, "Musings," on ProgressiveChristianity website.