A group of evangelical leaders has formed a coalition, “Evangelicals for Harris,” to back Kamala Harris in her presidential bid. The coalition argues that Harris “better reflects Christian values” than Donald Trump, citing her “life of public service” as a reflection of her faith in Christ. Prominent evangelical figures like Dwight McKissic and Claude Alexander are part of this initiative, which claims over 200,000 evangelical supporters. The group’s website urges evangelicals to reaffirm their Christian values by supporting Harris, emphasizing love, service, justice, and grace.
Harris’ Religious Background and Support
The coalition highlights Harris’ Christian background, including her upbringing in the 23rd Avenue Church of God and her favorite Bible verse, “We walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). The movement also gained momentum after New York Times columnist David French announced his support for Harris, citing a desire to “save conservatism” from Trump.
David French:
“It is difficult to overstate the viciousness and intolerance of MAGA Christians against their political foes,” said French in the column. “There are many churches and Christian leaders who are now more culturally Trumpian than culturally Christian. Trump is changing the church.”
French’s endorsement has further polarized opinions within the evangelical community.
Criticism from Conservative Evangelicals
The evangelical coalition has faced backlash from conservative evangelicals. Critics argue that supporting Harris is inconsistent with Christian values due to her stance on issues like abortion and gender. Denny Burk, a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, condemned the coalition, labeling it as a betrayal of the gospel. Robert A. J. Gagnon, a Bible scholar, also criticized the group, describing “Evangelicals for Harris” as an oxymoron and an insult to evangelical beliefs.
The Political and Religious Divide
The debate around “Evangelicals for Harris” underscores the deep divisions within the evangelical community over political allegiance and religious values. While some evangelicals see Harris as a candidate who aligns with their Christian principles, others view the support for her as a compromise of core evangelical beliefs. This divide is likely to intensify as the presidential election approaches, with both sides vying to influence the broader Christian electorate.
Sources:
‘Evangelicals for Harris’ Launches, Claiming VP ‘Better Reflects Christian Values’ than Trump
New ‘Evangelicals for Harris’ ad highlights Trump’s quote saying he doesn’t ask God for forgiveness
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