Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) says former President Trump's sale of branded Bibles is “dangerous business” given his life's sins, calling the former president over the deal. further intensified the criticism.
Warnock, the pastor who delivered the Easter sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Jr.'s church in Atlanta, on Sunday, said selling Bibles is contrary to the religion's tenets.
“The Bible doesn't need Donald Trump's support,” Warnock said in an interview on CNN's “State of the Union.” dana bash on sunday. “In the last week of his life, Jesus drove out the temple of money changers who took sacred things and used them as cheap relics to sell in the marketplace.”
President Trump's “God Bless USA” Bible was released last week before the Easter holiday in partnership with country singer Lee Greenwood for $60 each. Each copy also includes the constitution and declaration of independence, raising concerns about the rise of Christian nationalism in the country.
“The sad thing is that none of us are surprised by this. This is what we expect from a former president,” Warnock continued. “At the end of the day. I think he's trying to sell gift certificates to the American people.”
The senator also pointed out that the sale of the Bible was ironic given his history of lying.
“When people who buy those Bibles actually open the Bible, they may find that it says things like “Do not lie'' or “Do not bear false witness.'' he says. “A place to warn about wolves in sheep's clothing. I think he should be careful. For someone like Donald Trump, this is a dangerous job.”
The Bible sale has been widely criticized and ridiculed since its announcement, being featured on “Saturday Night Live” and even condemned by former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.).
Cheney said Tuesday that President Trump “maybe should buy” the Bible instead of selling it.
“Read it, including Exodus 20:14,” Cheney added, referring to the scripture that commands “thou shalt not commit adultery.”
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