Staff Reports
Jerushah Duford, granddaughter of the renowned Rev. Billy Graham, has chosen to publicly endorse Kamala Harris for the presidency, a move that has stirred the pot in the evangelical community. During an online event aimed at rallying Evangelical voters for Harris, Duford accused those who support Donald Trump of pushing people away from Christianity. This assertion has opened up a floodgate of criticisms, as many question her understanding of faith in the political landscape.
Duford’s endorsement came during a Zoom call with the “Evangelicals for Harris” group, which aims to attract Evangelicals to support a candidate whose track record on issues like abortion and LGBT rights starkly contrasts traditional Christian values. While she acknowledges her right to vote for whoever she pleases, Duford’s arguments claim to reflect the moral high ground, suggesting that Trump supporters epitomize everything that is un-Christian, from name-calling to support for the events of January 6. This line of reasoning raises eyebrows, as conservatives wonder when it became the norm to turn faith into a political weapon aimed at gloating over the perceived shortcomings of fellow believers.
Jerushah Duford, Billy Graham's granddaughter, announced her support for the Democrat "Evangelicals for Harris."@Evangels4Harris #KamalaHarris pic.twitter.com/iLEUhSzeLx
— Mick Ross (@mickster) August 16, 2024
The event featured a range of speakers, including those known for their controversial leftist views. One speaker has gone so far as to argue that “whiteness is wicked,” illustrating how the event encapsulated a blend of progressive politics and supposed Christian values that many find hard to digest. Duford’s own comments mirror this trend, as she lists grievances about Trump and appeals to a sense of collective shame among Christians supporting him. It is baffling how calling out the perceived shortcomings of others has become a substitute for personal accountability among some members of the faith community.
Duford is not shy in voicing her disdain for Trump, suggesting that he has tarnished the image of Christian leadership. Yet, her solution is to endorse a candidate whose policies do not exactly align with traditional Christian doctrines. The irony is thick; Duford’s belief that voting for Harris equates to being a good Christian because it counters Trump’s behavior seems misplaced considering Harris’s track record on life issues, which many faithful would categorize as antithetical to their beliefs.
Instead of focusing on why Harris may be the better choice, Duford has opted for a path of division rather than discourse. By framing the conversation in this manner, she seems to disregard the core belief that faith and politics don’t always perfectly align. It seems her approach is less about spreading a positive message for Harris and more about shaming fellow Christians for their political preferences. Duford would do better to articulate the merits of her candidate rather than bashing those who disagree, as her current method resembles more of a modern-day Pharisee than a bridge-builder within the Christian community.
In the end, elections are not about finding a perfect candidate; they are about selecting the one whose values align most closely with those you hold dear. Duford’s polarizing stance and generalization of Trump supporters as antagonists do little to foster meaningful dialogue. Instead, they highlight the ongoing contention within Christianity as it strives to reconcile faith with contemporary issues.
