Letter to the Editor of "The Atlantic"

“A Christ-Lite Sermon,” a January 24, 2025 article by Caitlin Flanagan about Bishop Mariann Budde’s sermon at the National Cathedral during the Trump inaugural was disappointing  and irresponsible journalism.  After listening to the full sermon by Bishop Budde, I wonder if we were listening to the same sermon, for Ms. Flanagan said she also listened to the complete sermon not just the words that Budde addressed to President Trump.  She characterized the sermon as “forgettable,” “dry,” and “high minded.”  I think most careful listeners would understand it to be a serious “Sermon on the Mount” reflection, not what  the “Christ-Lite” title to her article would suggest.  Ms. Flanagan stated that the sermon was on a theme of unity “in which all people drop their political differences and embrace a generalized , feel- good, Esperanto-like uni-faith.”  This is not what Bishop Budde said. I hope all will listen to her exact words. She was explicit about the need for expressing political and religious differences in public discourse. This mischaracterization by Ms. Flanagan is disappointing  for an Atlantic writer.  Irresponsible journalism was exhibited on a number of other issues.  First, she made assumptions about Bishop Budde’s position on diversity and pluralism from just a few lines in the sermon, apparently without knowledge of Budde’s very well-developed ideas in her New York Times best seller, How We Learn to Be Brave.  Second, inuendo and disrespect are not responsible journalism.   Referring to Bishop Budde as a “high priestess” and suggesting she was just after a “gold star” for purity is a projection, making it clear Ms. Flanagan does not know much about Bishop Budde.  Ms. Flanagan did not do her homework.  Was there a not-so-hidden agenda in the article, a critique of diversity programs and liberal Christianity?  I wonder.  My hope is that Ms. Flanagan will take the time to learn more about Bishop Budde.  The Bishop is not perfect, but she and the readers of The Atlantic deserve more respectful and truthful reporting.

Harlan Stelmach,

Professor Emeritus, Dominican University of California