The Naked Journal
Thoughts, musings, and meanings behind NakedPastor Art.
The Naked Journal
Why I Draw Cartoons About Trump And The Church
I wrote a blog post a while back highlighting my most popular Trump cartoons. They are being shared everywhere. As a result, I'm hearing from people questioning why I, someone interested in spirituality, would be interested in politics. What does Trump have to do with the Church? Everything, unfortunately. Instead of making life easier for people, as our governments should, it’s making things more difficult—and even scary—for many. Let me explain with words and more political cartoons. I believe the Church has two functions: 1. Pastoral: That means, it takes care of its people and all people. Like a good shepherd, the Church cares for the sheep, its flock, and all sheep. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF IT.) 2. Prophetic: This means it speaks truth to power. But, and this is important, this function serves the pastoral one. It speaks truth to power in order to protect its people, to fight for their rights, and to call the powers and authorities to do their job and serve people. (CLICK ON IMAGE TO GET A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF IT!) Bottom line, the Church’s job is to love and take care of people. Unfortunately, we’re seeing the Church align itself with power… the kind of power that doesn’t care for all people but just a select few. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF IT!) So, not only are those in power neglecting its primary role of serving people, but the Church is aiding and abetting in this neglect of its function and therefore the neglect of its people. This is why I draw what some call my more political cartoons. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF IT!) We do not live in an isolated little bubble. People are being abused within the Church as well as society. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF IT!) I hope my cartoons illustrate this clearly and remind us that we are here to serve people, not for people to serve us. Love is the bottom line.
Read more
9 Of The Best Political Trump Cartoons
I'm often told that I shouldn't do political cartoons and just stick to spirituality. But I learned a long time ago that true spirituality is love, and that love is political. That is, love must manifest itself in policy. So when I think spirituality has the opportunity to challenge the status quo or injustice, then it must take it. And cartoons are an effective way to do that. Trump and The Art Of The Deal I drew this Trump cartoon because I believe that too many people are tricked into following certain people even when it is against their own interests. The Church Gives Up Her Head As John the Baptist's head was given up to Herod, so I think the Church is in danger of giving up its head to a powerful leader. Dream or Nightmare Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream that still isn't realized. Some politicians have a vision that is nightmarish in scope but that is in danger of manifesting in real life and evoke the destruction of the earth and any people on it who resist. What is Truth? A major strategy of fascism is to cause people to question what they actually know, experience, and see. If power can convince people that they can't know the truth and can't interpret reality for themselves, then they are easily manipulated. Bowing To Power When the Church trades truth for power, it forgets who it's really meant to serve. It was never meant to crown kings, bow to politicians, or chase influence. But here we are, watching it trade integrity for authority, faith for favoritism. When power becomes the priority, the gospel gets lost. Words Matter Violent thoughts manifest in violent words that manifest in violent acts. The old metaphors of a bitter well bringing forth bitter water or a tree bearing fruit applies. We should never accept violent words as a joke not to be taken seriously. In Bed With Power When the Church gets in bed with power, it’s never just a one-night affair... It’s a slow burn. And we’re all watching. Apologize! When a pastor preaches about love and mercy and those in power demand an apology, we can be certain the gospel has been preached. Control Is Crowned Some say they’re protecting the faith, but really they’re propping up power. When religion wraps itself around politics like this, it stops being about love and starts being about control. And when that control is crowned as divine, the damage spreads far beyond the church walls. The Power Of Cartoons I love the power and effectiveness of my cartoons, especially when addressing figures like Donald Trump. Take, for example, a cartoon highlighting his manipulation of truth or his ability to rally followers, even at their own expense. I could write a 1,000-word essay dissecting the dangers of his rhetoric, his approach to leadership, or his impact on society. But most people would scroll past or counter with an equally long rebuttal. However, a single-frame cartoon with a no words or a few well-chosen ones bypasses all of that and goes straight to the heart. There’s no time to ignore.There’s no time for a defence.There’s no time for an argument. It’s too late. You can’t unsee it. This is why I continue to draw and share cartoons about Trump. They cut through the noise, provoke reflection, and, I believe, make a difference. Don’t you? Political Cartoons Matter Cartoons have a unique way of cutting through the noise, shining a light on the truth, and making us pause to reflect. When leaders like Donald Trump use charisma and rhetoric to obscure deeper issues, it’s vital to stay alert and analyze the true nature of their words and actions. As explored in Hate Can Sound Eloquent, it’s easy to be swayed by smooth delivery, but hate disguised as eloquence is still hate. By challenging these narratives through art and conversation, we can resist manipulation and inspire critical Political cartoons help us question narratives and stay informed. If you're looking for insights on resilience and awareness, check out my guide How to Survive a Challenging Era. Stay tuned for more political cartoons!
Read more
