A word to Judge Roy Moore, from, well, the word:
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” Ephesians 5:3. The New International Version of the ancient text is clear and to the point — even a hint of sexual immorality is wrong. Speaking as one Southern-raised Christian to another — Roy Moore, I know you know this. You can quote scripture better than I can. Yet, I don’t recognize the doctrine you espouse. One that would sanction a 30-something man engaging in sexually inappropriate behavior with young women as young as 14.
You are, after all, a self-described born again Christian. An evangelical who believes so strongly in God’s law — as you interpret it — that you’ve been kicked off the bench for defying two court orders. Once when you refused to remove a huge granite Ten Commandments that you placed in the courthouse of the Alabama Supreme Court, and years later when you refused to accept the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling approving gay marriage. Along the way, you’ve hijacked Christianity, weaponizing Jesus’ words to accrue personal power. It’s power, not sex, which feeds sexual misconduct, and a twisted power dynamic which targets teenagers like the then 16-year-old Beverly Young Nelson. In an emotional interview, the now 55-year-old Republican remembered how she fought back while you tore her clothes and groped her; she sobbed as she recalled your decades-old threat, “You’re just a child. No one will believe you.” Nelson, the four other women who first talked to The Washington Post and three new accusers harbored their embarrassment, shame and pain for more than 40 years. Luke 8:17, “For all that is secret will eventually be brought out into the open and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known.”
Despite the recent sexual harassment accusations, you ironically remain a moral symbol for Alabamians who revere states’ rights and the Good Book. The latest polling reveals a third of all evangelicals in the state — including many pastors — say they are more likely to vote for you even after the allegations of sexual assault.
But many of we faithful are appalled that you have wrapped yourself in Bible verses as a shield against your wrongdoing. I was disgusted last week to see you profess your innocence to a church revival crowd by quoting Matthew 5:11, “Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Judge Moore, Jesus spoke those words to his disciples, the prophets, in his Sermon on the Mount. You’re a false prophet — contorting Jesus’ blessing meant for those falsely accused and slandered.
The truth is, there is an increasing amount of corroborating evidence to support the stories of the brave local women who are your accusers. Enough so that many of your would-be Republican colleagues, including the top leaders, are rushing to distance themselves from you. You are not, as you claim, in a “spiritual battle” against soulless political attackers. Please stop using my God to cover your sins.
