James Martin, SJ, says white supremacists would have crucified Jesus

Finally, Fr. James Martin, SJ, has spoken out. The priest has written books, made movies, and enjoyed fame among Catholics and non-Catholics alike for his lack of urging repentance among LGBTQ and, instead, insisting on the Church accepting them as is and allowing the sin to continue. Now, James Martin has finally found a group he thinks might just be sinners. But, as you can expect, it’s not homosexuals, transgenders, or those who spit in the face of God by their life and actions.

In a recent social media post, James Martin chose to attack white supremacists. Apparently, it is acceptable to call out white supremacists, even going as far as to make allegations that white supremacists would have killed Jesus if they had been given a chance.

“It always amazes me that many, if not most, white supremacists consider themselves to be devout Christians, when their main message is hatred and rejection of those they consider to be ‘other’. In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, ‘This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’(Jn 13) And you wonder what today’s white supremacists would make of a Middle Eastern man, mostly likely dark-skinned, speaking Aramaic, whose family had once been refugees, who was asking them to ‘welcome the stranger’. And in fact telling them that this was one of the litmus tests for entrance into heaven. (Mt 25). Or what they would make of that same man’s Parable of the Good Samaritan, where the salvation of the beaten man lying by the side of the road depends or the one he considers as ‘other’, ‘different’, ‘foreign’. (Lk 10) Actually, it’s not hard to imagine what white supremacist would do to someone like that: the same thing that the Romans did.”

Well, first let’s get something straight. It wasn’t just the Romans who crucified Jesus. In fact, it all started with his own people. To be exact, it was his own disciple that set things into motion when he accepted a bribe. It was the Jews, not the Romans, who wanted Jesus dead and made it happen. The Romans were the tools they used. Judas, a Jew and disciple of Christ, was paid by the Jewish elite to betray Christ. It was Judas who led the soldiers to Jesus. It was the Jewish leaders (Pharisees and Sadducees) who wanted Jesus dead. It was the Jews who demanded the Romans crucify Jesus. In fact, if we were to do an honest evaluation, many in the crowd yelling ‘crucify him’ were probably among those Jesus loved and helped. They were probably those who sat among the 5,000 and ate the miraculous fish and bread that Jesus multiplied. They could have very well been among the many that Jesus healed. But, they turned on Jesus when Jesus suddenly did not meet their agenda or support their platform. Two thousand years later, it is still the same.

Aside from that, the very intent of the message by Martin claims it is about “love for one another”. How loving is it to call out and entire group of people and say they would have executed Jesus if they were given the chance? How loving is it to tell people it is acceptable to sin and live in a lifestyle of habitual and unrepentant sin such as homosexuality? How loving it is to be a catalyst for an entire group of people to go to hell rather than enjoy the graces of repentance?

Do not get me wrong or misunderstand me. I fully agree the actions and beliefs of white supremacists themselves are against the will of God and are sins. I believe there needs to be repentance in that group as well. Seeing someone as lesser than you, a particular group as lesser than you, or diminishing the dignity of life for those who belong to a specific group is unacceptable and wrong. However, isn’t that what Martin’s post does? It appears he is comfortable spewing judgment and hate against an entire group, regardless of the severity or nature of their sin, while preaching tolerance and love for other groups living in sin.

Catholics should educate themselves on Sacred Scripture, the Catechism, and the writings of the holy saints. Catholics should know their faith. When you know the faith, the entire picture of the faith, then you are able to identify which leaders within the Church are beneficial for your spiritual walk and which ones are harmful.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.” (Matthew 7:15-16 NAB)

The “fruit” of Martin’s outreach and ministry is pushing an agenda that accepts, ignores, and advocates for sin. That is not the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Spewing hate under the cover of “loving others” is not of the Holy Spirit. Those who are white supremacists have just as much dignity and worth as those who are LGBTQ. Their worth was established on the cross of Calvary, just like the worth of those in the lifestyles which Martin advocates for and encourages.