Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump selected Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate Friday in part because Pence is popular among social conservatives, particularly evangelical Christians.
Pence's Christian values present a contrast to those of Trump, whose own ethics, decency, and sense of morality are stored in an off-shore account near one of the circles of Dante's hell.
Trump needs someone like Pence. But what about Pence?
Pence often describes himself as "a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order"?
But he is a politician above everything else. Religion is something he talks about to advance his political interests but he doesn't allow such things as compassion and decency to interfere with his ambitions.
Pence uses the Bible to justify his intolerance for gays but ignores scripture when it comes to helping those who need help and comforting the persecuted.
In this respect, Pence is like so many other social conservatives who drive the far-right ideology of the Republican Party.
They are anti-abortion, but this doesn't necessarily mean they're pro-life. If you were pro-life, wouldn't you oppose torture and capital punishment? You also would oppose corporate polluters who release toxins into the air that annually sicken or kill thousands and thousands in this country, including a disproportionate number of children and the elderly.
If you were really pro-life, you would support universal health care, affordable housing, free lunch programs, benefits for war veterans, racial and gender equality, and equal justice for all. You would support Social Security, Medicare, parental leave, affordable education, and care for the elderly, homeless, and mentally ill.
"For I was hungry," Matthew 25:35-36 tells us, "and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
Pence may listen to Jesus but he acts according to the Koch brothers and the cynicism of social conservatism.
Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that legalized discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.
Pence says his faith is rooted in The Bible, but there's more to the Bible than the half-dozen or so verses that condemn homosexuality. His faith apparently ignores the hundreds of verses that instruct us to be tolerant, compassionate, and understanding, to care for the poor, sick, and needy.
In late 2014, Pence cut tens of thousands of Hoosiers off food stamps, saying it would be "ennobling" for poor people.
Pence lowered the corporate income tax in the state, which meant less money for towns and cities to go to underfunded schools and libraries.
This, Pence no doubt thought, will be "ennobling" for teachers and students - especially in poor school districts.
In late 2015, Pence ordered an end to the resettlement in Indiana of Syrian refugees who were fleeing their war-torn country. The Archdiocese of Indianapolis, putting its religious principles into practice, defied the governor and accepted the refugees.
Too bad Pence only seeks counsel in the Bible when it comes to preaching and not when it comes to practicing Jesus's words.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.