—Martin Niemöller

This quote has been referred to as a poem, but it is a quote from various sermons and impromptu public speeches by a prominent Lutheran pastor in Germany. Martin Niemöller lived from 1892 to 1984, and early in his career, he sympathized with many Nazi ideas and supported radically right-wing political movements. He later regretted his earlier political positions and eventually became an outspoken critic of Hitler, especially the dictator’s interference in the Protestant Church. He spent the last eight years of Nazi rule in Nazi prisons and concentration camps. After the collapse of the Nazi regime, he spoke of his earlier support of right-wing politics in a confessional manner. Many versions of the quote circulate in contemporary times because Niemöller spoke different versions and because the quote has been adapted to reflect current social issues and debates in modern politics.

As Christians, we can learn much from confession. We acknowledge that we are imperfect and that we make mistakes. We also understand that when we confess, we open ourselves both to the possibility of repenting and going in new directions and to the incredible grace of God. Regular confession is a part of classical Christian liturgy and is preserved by traditional churches. I served my career in a progressive denomination and continue to be active in a progressive congregation, but I deeply respect traditional liturgy. Unlike many of my colleagues in our denomination, I incorporated prayers of confession and words of assurance of forgiveness in the liturgies I wrote. It is one of the things that I miss when worshipping congregations whose leaders are less connected to history and tradition. However, I know I can experience traditional liturgy by worshipping at an Episcopal Church, which I have regularly done. When serving as a United Church of Christ pastor, I sometimes attended the Great Vigil of Easter at a friend's and colleague's congregation because I treasured the connection with the historic liturgy.

I am no Martin Niemöller. I am not prominent nor have a large audience when I speak. But his quote burns within me today because it seems so relevant to the past week's events. To be clear, my people are not the first who the radical right-wing supporters of the current US President have attacked. There have already been attacks and assaults against transgender people. Legislation has been introduced in Idaho aimed at ending gay marriage in that state. People have been physically attacked for peacefully using public restrooms. Immigrants in my community and other places are hiding in fear of a knock on the door from agents of the federal government whose department is now headed up by a person with no experience in law enforcement, no respect for the rights of others, and a demonstrated capacity for cruelty. She is armed with hateful and false rhetoric that labels all immigrants as lawless criminals and drug dealers.

Calls and text messages to a crisis line operated by the Trevor Project, an LGBtQ youth suicide prevention organization, rose by 33 percent on Inauguration Day after already jumping by an unprecedented 700 percent on November 6, the day after Trump was elected. Last Monday, during his first hours in office, Trump signed executive orders on transgender rights and immigration. However, a federal judge is currently blocking the immigration order. His sweeping executive order on gender, which pledges to defend women from transgender “ideology,” directs the federal government to recognize only two sexes, male or female. The order, which is poorly worded, actually goes further, directing officials to recognize only the gender at conception. Since all ovum are technically female at conception, with gender differentiation only occurring later, it could technically be interpreted as a denial of my gender.

But their statements and speculations about gender are so far from reality that I have treated them mostly as comical. However, the threats are serious, and the danger is real. It is less than a week since the inauguration of the President and they are already coming after my people.

Mariann Edgar Budde is the Episcopal bishop of Washington, a position in which she has served since 2011. She delivered a sermon based on Matthew 7:24 - 29 at the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday, the day after the Inauguration. President Trump, the First Lady, and the Vice President were present. Her gentle sermon included a plea for unity and a prayer for God’s help. She outlined three foundations for unity: the inherent dignity of every human being, honesty in private conversation and public discourse, and humility. She made a direct plea to the President to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.

The far-right supporters of President Trump have already begun their attacks. Bishop Budde has received death threats. White House press secretary said on Fox News that Budde had “weaponized the pulpit” and added that her remarks were “egregious, and she should apologize to President Trump for the lies that she told.”

Let me be clear: The inherent dignity of every human being, honesty in private conversation and public discourse, and humility are foundational Christian beliefs. Having mercy on those who live in fear is also foundational to our faith. I have read Bishop Budde's entire sermon, which is honest, humble, and faithful. She included herself in each item she addressed. It was not an attack on anyone, but the President and the MAGA faithful have already attacked her viciously.

Roman Catholic Bishops have also been attacked for their statements. “Some provisions contained in the Executive Orders, such as those focused on the treatment of immigrants and refugees, foreign aid, expansion of the death penalty, and the environment, are deeply troubling and will have negative consequences, many of which will harm the most vulnerable among us.”

I am not in Martin Niemöller’s position. They are already coming after Christians. And I am a Christian. And no, Mr. President, I will not apologize for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.