Budde’s Call for Mercy Sparks MAGA Fury

During her sermon at the National Prayer Service, Bishop Mariann Budde urged Donald Trump to prioritize mercy for immigrants and LGBTQ+ communities. Her message, rooted in humility and justice—core Christian values—was met with swift backlash from Trump loyalists.

The former president labeled Budde a "Radical Left extremist" on social media, while Rep. Mike Collins mocked her, absurdly suggesting the deportation of the U.S.-born bishop. Conservatives dismissed her sermon as “woke propaganda,” using faith as a weapon to advance their partisan agenda.

Basham’s Crusade: Women in Ministry as a “Crisis”

Megan Basham, far-right commentator and author of Shepherds for Sale—a book accusing pastors of surrendering to progressive ideals—seized on Budde’s sermon to escalate her attacks on female church leadership.

Basham’s tirades focused on the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) leadership, accusing them of enabling “theological decay” by tolerating women pastors. Her outrage centered on the 2023 Law Amendment, a proposed measure to ban SBC churches with women pastors. The amendment, which stalled after heated debate in 2024, became a rallying point for her crusade.

She singled out SBC leaders like J.D. Greear, accusing them of bowing to cultural pressures. According to Basham, even minimal tolerance for women in ministry betrayed biblical principles and endangered the church’s future.

Conservative Echo Chamber: Amplifying the Attack

Basham’s allies joined the fray, turning Budde into a symbol of heresy and decline:

• Denny Burk, president of the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, condemned Budde as a false teacher violating scriptural authority.
• Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council blamed weak church leadership for national decline, calling Budde’s sermon a symptom of moral failure.
• Joe Rigney, a theologian associated with Doug Wilson, equated women’s ordination with spiritual decay, claiming it fosters unchecked emotionalism.

Their critiques align with the SBC’s broader crackdown on progressive-leaning congregations, such as the 2023 expulsion of Saddleback Church for ordaining women—a decision widely criticized as a power grab.

Compassion vs. Political Dogma

Budde’s plea for compassion highlighted a stark contrast with the MAGA movement’s punitive policies. While she championed the rights of LGBTQ+ youth and migrant families, her critics reframed her sermon as heretical, prioritizing political loyalty over faith.

The hypocrisy is glaring: Trump, a figure accused of sexual misconduct and public disdain for Christian teachings, remains a hero to these critics. Their loyalty to him underscores the dissonance between their professed faith and their actions.

The Real Battle: Control Over the Church and Culture

At its core, this conflict is less about theology and more about control. Basham and her allies push for a version of Christianity that mirrors Trump’s authoritarian ethos: silencing dissent, rejecting inclusivity, and clinging to patriarchal power.

On the other side, Budde’s supporters—including progressive leaders and the Episcopal Church—advocate for a faith rooted in justice and equality, reflecting the transformative potential of Christian teachings.

Final Takeaway

The fight over women in ministry reflects a broader struggle within American Christianity. For hardliners, suppressing female voices is not about scripture but fear—fear of change, fear of equality, and fear of a faith that challenges their dominance.