Rev. Nathan Empsall
@revnathan.bsky.social
Kindergarten dad. Priest. Writer. Justice organizer. Music fan. God loves you. Donald Trump doesn't.
Pinned
Trump’s Next Target: Religious Freedom | Opinion
The Trump administration has used the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk as an excuse to erode Americans’ freedoms of speech and press.
www.newsweek.com
Here's my latest, in Newsweek today. Trump has weaponized Charlie Kirk's tragic death to assault Americans' First Amendment freedoms of speech and press. Our feedom of religion is next - and indeed, the attack has already begun: www.newsweek.com/trumps-next-...
Hosting a birthday party with 30 smallish children. Send prayers and whiskey.
November 15, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Hosting a birthday party with 30 smallish children. Send prayers and whiskey.
Reposted by Rev. Nathan Empsall
During an event on Thursday, Donald Trump seemed to repeatedly struggle to keep his eyes open.
A Washington Post analysis of multiple video feeds found that Trump spent roughly 20 minutes battling to keep his eyes open.
New video w/ @ddiamond.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
A Washington Post analysis of multiple video feeds found that Trump spent roughly 20 minutes battling to keep his eyes open.
New video w/ @ddiamond.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
November 8, 2025 at 5:43 PM
During an event on Thursday, Donald Trump seemed to repeatedly struggle to keep his eyes open.
A Washington Post analysis of multiple video feeds found that Trump spent roughly 20 minutes battling to keep his eyes open.
New video w/ @ddiamond.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
A Washington Post analysis of multiple video feeds found that Trump spent roughly 20 minutes battling to keep his eyes open.
New video w/ @ddiamond.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
I've been rolling my eyes when Trump says Dems will repeal the filibuster the first chance, as if they had chances before. But then it hit me: This is just like his other realizations of things most already knew, i.e. Ukraine peace isn't easy or "nobody knew health care could be so complicated."
November 8, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I've been rolling my eyes when Trump says Dems will repeal the filibuster the first chance, as if they had chances before. But then it hit me: This is just like his other realizations of things most already knew, i.e. Ukraine peace isn't easy or "nobody knew health care could be so complicated."
Huh... you ever notice how almost every single person on a grocery store birthday card is white?
November 4, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Huh... you ever notice how almost every single person on a grocery store birthday card is white?
Jesus says feed the hungry.
If you support Trump not funding SNAP from the emergency SNAP fund, then you don't support Jesus. Full stop.
If you support Trump not funding SNAP from the emergency SNAP fund, then you don't support Jesus. Full stop.
November 2, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Jesus says feed the hungry.
If you support Trump not funding SNAP from the emergency SNAP fund, then you don't support Jesus. Full stop.
If you support Trump not funding SNAP from the emergency SNAP fund, then you don't support Jesus. Full stop.
New Jason Isbell show announced yesterday for New Haven's fabulous @collegestmusichall.bsky.social, his first here in 10 years. Tickets went on sale 6 or 7 minutes ago.
Look, I'm not saying I now have tickets to see him three nights in a row... I'm just not saying I don't....
Look, I'm not saying I now have tickets to see him three nights in a row... I'm just not saying I don't....
October 29, 2025 at 2:11 PM
New Jason Isbell show announced yesterday for New Haven's fabulous @collegestmusichall.bsky.social, his first here in 10 years. Tickets went on sale 6 or 7 minutes ago.
Look, I'm not saying I now have tickets to see him three nights in a row... I'm just not saying I don't....
Look, I'm not saying I now have tickets to see him three nights in a row... I'm just not saying I don't....
Here's my latest, in Newsweek today. Trump has weaponized Charlie Kirk's tragic death to assault Americans' First Amendment freedoms of speech and press. Our feedom of religion is next - and indeed, the attack has already begun: www.newsweek.com/trumps-next-...
Trump’s Next Target: Religious Freedom | Opinion
The Trump administration has used the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk as an excuse to erode Americans’ freedoms of speech and press.
www.newsweek.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Here's my latest, in Newsweek today. Trump has weaponized Charlie Kirk's tragic death to assault Americans' First Amendment freedoms of speech and press. Our feedom of religion is next - and indeed, the attack has already begun: www.newsweek.com/trumps-next-...
Reposted by Rev. Nathan Empsall
State troopers in riot gear just plowed into the crowd, started arresting protesters and clergy.
October 17, 2025 at 1:17 PM
State troopers in riot gear just plowed into the crowd, started arresting protesters and clergy.
If having a beard means you're not really a true warrior, does this mean we can tear down all the bearded Confederate statues now?
October 4, 2025 at 9:36 PM
If having a beard means you're not really a true warrior, does this mean we can tear down all the bearded Confederate statues now?
My latest, on Comey and Hegseth: "Our federal government is increasing its emphasis on loyalty to Dear Leader. In the face of this textbook fascism, we Christians need to remember the Gospel: You cannot serve two masters." nathanempsall.substack.com/p/which-mast...
September 26, 2025 at 3:53 PM
My latest, on Comey and Hegseth: "Our federal government is increasing its emphasis on loyalty to Dear Leader. In the face of this textbook fascism, we Christians need to remember the Gospel: You cannot serve two masters." nathanempsall.substack.com/p/which-mast...
“I reject the logic that says that criticism of the government necessarily generates violence against it. This is gaslighting."
I love this piece about Augustine and nonviolence from Kathleen Bonnette. (Ignore the headline; it’s for all Christians, and just happens to be in a Catholic publication.)
I love this piece about Augustine and nonviolence from Kathleen Bonnette. (Ignore the headline; it’s for all Christians, and just happens to be in a Catholic publication.)
Catholics must resist Trump’s ‘warrior ethos’—without deepening the battle lines
How can we resist the warrior ethos? By resisting the assumption that coercion is the best way to create the world we want to see.
www.americamagazine.org
September 24, 2025 at 2:59 PM
“I reject the logic that says that criticism of the government necessarily generates violence against it. This is gaslighting."
I love this piece about Augustine and nonviolence from Kathleen Bonnette. (Ignore the headline; it’s for all Christians, and just happens to be in a Catholic publication.)
I love this piece about Augustine and nonviolence from Kathleen Bonnette. (Ignore the headline; it’s for all Christians, and just happens to be in a Catholic publication.)
Trump administration student debt rule change is a stealth attack on First Amendment: religionnews.com/2025/09/19/t...
Trump administration student debt rule change is a stealth attack on First Amendment
(RNS) — A proposed rule governing which nonprofits can benefit from a loan forgiveness program gives the Trump administration the power to crack down on left-leaning groups.
religionnews.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Trump administration student debt rule change is a stealth attack on First Amendment: religionnews.com/2025/09/19/t...
All political violence is wrong. Abusing one tragedy and ignoring others to pretend the problem only comes from one side, as Vance and Trump insist, only heightens the danger — not just to peace but also to freedom.
Full piece: open.substack.com/pub/nathanem...
Full piece: open.substack.com/pub/nathanem...
September 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM
All political violence is wrong. Abusing one tragedy and ignoring others to pretend the problem only comes from one side, as Vance and Trump insist, only heightens the danger — not just to peace but also to freedom.
Full piece: open.substack.com/pub/nathanem...
Full piece: open.substack.com/pub/nathanem...
My latest: "We are a violent nation, awash in guns and the subconscious ideology that human life has little to no value... I don’t give a fig leaf which political wing Robinson was on, if any. Once radicalized by our culture to normalize death, this particular young man was bound to kill."
September 20, 2025 at 2:43 PM
My latest: "We are a violent nation, awash in guns and the subconscious ideology that human life has little to no value... I don’t give a fig leaf which political wing Robinson was on, if any. Once radicalized by our culture to normalize death, this particular young man was bound to kill."
It's the worst that it's been since the last time it happened //
It's happening again right in front of our eyes //
There's updated footage, wild speculation //
Tall tales and hearsay and absolute lies
(Tyler Childers, from "A Long History of Violence")
It's happening again right in front of our eyes //
There's updated footage, wild speculation //
Tall tales and hearsay and absolute lies
(Tyler Childers, from "A Long History of Violence")
September 17, 2025 at 3:44 PM
It's the worst that it's been since the last time it happened //
It's happening again right in front of our eyes //
There's updated footage, wild speculation //
Tall tales and hearsay and absolute lies
(Tyler Childers, from "A Long History of Violence")
It's happening again right in front of our eyes //
There's updated footage, wild speculation //
Tall tales and hearsay and absolute lies
(Tyler Childers, from "A Long History of Violence")
Empathy only for those who have empathy is no empathy at all. We can't demand that the other person go first, nor can we let anyone else's cruelty take away our own basic decency.
September 15, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Empathy only for those who have empathy is no empathy at all. We can't demand that the other person go first, nor can we let anyone else's cruelty take away our own basic decency.
"I have been appalled by Charlie Kirk's work and actions for many years, and by the devastating harm he caused spreading hatred in Jesus’s twisted name... I am even more appalled by his murder... Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself." nathanempsall.substack.com/p/jesus-weep...
September 13, 2025 at 2:50 PM
"I have been appalled by Charlie Kirk's work and actions for many years, and by the devastating harm he caused spreading hatred in Jesus’s twisted name... I am even more appalled by his murder... Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself." nathanempsall.substack.com/p/jesus-weep...
This is a much better take than cheering for the bullets
Kirk is awful. Kirk has harmed so many people. And I am utterly sickened and bereft by his shooting, because political violence is wrong no matter who the target us. I hope he pulls through.
Kirk is awful. Kirk has harmed so many people. And I am utterly sickened and bereft by his shooting, because political violence is wrong no matter who the target us. I hope he pulls through.
September 10, 2025 at 8:19 PM
This is a much better take than cheering for the bullets
Kirk is awful. Kirk has harmed so many people. And I am utterly sickened and bereft by his shooting, because political violence is wrong no matter who the target us. I hope he pulls through.
Kirk is awful. Kirk has harmed so many people. And I am utterly sickened and bereft by his shooting, because political violence is wrong no matter who the target us. I hope he pulls through.
Political violence always make things worse. It is unequivocally wrong. And our country, both right and left, already has enough martyrs.
Pray for Charlie Kirk. I hope he will be okay.
Pray for Charlie Kirk. I hope he will be okay.
September 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Political violence always make things worse. It is unequivocally wrong. And our country, both right and left, already has enough martyrs.
Pray for Charlie Kirk. I hope he will be okay.
Pray for Charlie Kirk. I hope he will be okay.
Let's set Epstein aside for a moment. Just a moment.
Look at what Trump defines as a "hoax":
Anything unrelated to his so-called success.
If it doesn't praise him, by definition, it's a hoax.
The authoritarian cult leader at work, y'all.
Look at what Trump defines as a "hoax":
Anything unrelated to his so-called success.
If it doesn't praise him, by definition, it's a hoax.
The authoritarian cult leader at work, y'all.
Trump on Epstein: “It's really a Democrat hoax because they're trying to get people to talk about something that's totally irrelevant to the success that we've had as a nation since I've been president.”
September 3, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Let's set Epstein aside for a moment. Just a moment.
Look at what Trump defines as a "hoax":
Anything unrelated to his so-called success.
If it doesn't praise him, by definition, it's a hoax.
The authoritarian cult leader at work, y'all.
Look at what Trump defines as a "hoax":
Anything unrelated to his so-called success.
If it doesn't praise him, by definition, it's a hoax.
The authoritarian cult leader at work, y'all.
Torn between love and sorrow for my Florida friends, and utter disgust at Florida itself.
Polio sucks. Do does Measles. And so do people who hate children enough to get rid of polio and measles vaccine mandates. This is not loving your neighbor.
Polio sucks. Do does Measles. And so do people who hate children enough to get rid of polio and measles vaccine mandates. This is not loving your neighbor.
September 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Torn between love and sorrow for my Florida friends, and utter disgust at Florida itself.
Polio sucks. Do does Measles. And so do people who hate children enough to get rid of polio and measles vaccine mandates. This is not loving your neighbor.
Polio sucks. Do does Measles. And so do people who hate children enough to get rid of polio and measles vaccine mandates. This is not loving your neighbor.
Reposted by Rev. Nathan Empsall
“following rumors of his death donald trump held a press conference announcing extrajudicial killings of civilians and plans for a military invasion of an american city” is a perfectly factual headline that could be used to describe what we saw yesterday
September 3, 2025 at 12:28 PM
“following rumors of his death donald trump held a press conference announcing extrajudicial killings of civilians and plans for a military invasion of an american city” is a perfectly factual headline that could be used to describe what we saw yesterday
Bank fraud. Stolen classified documents. Broken court orders. Inciting insurrection. Rape.
Someone needs to send the National Guard to Mar-A-Lago to combat crime.
Someone needs to send the National Guard to Mar-A-Lago to combat crime.
September 3, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Bank fraud. Stolen classified documents. Broken court orders. Inciting insurrection. Rape.
Someone needs to send the National Guard to Mar-A-Lago to combat crime.
Someone needs to send the National Guard to Mar-A-Lago to combat crime.
