November 8, 2021

Unless you are living way off the grid, you’ve heard or read the “Let’s go Brandon” meme. It’s proclaimed on social media, emblazoned on hats and T-shirts, adorn fashionable face masks, chanted at sporting events, and invoked in the House of Representatives.

Also, when I check my personal Facebook feed, I am greeted by “Let’s go Brandon” posts from my friends, most of whom are, like me, Christians.

Not only that, but these same friends also happily click “like” land even “love” in response to “Let’s go Brandon.”

By now you may ask, “what’s your point?” So, it’s a popular meme. What’s the big deal?

Okay. Here’s my point and then I’ll explain why I say this: this slogan is demeaning, debasing, and just plain wrong!

So, now I’m telling many of my friends, and not just on Facebook, that they are doing something wrong when they say “Let’s go Brandon” in any mode.

Well, yes, I am. But maybe they don’t understand what “Let’s go Brandon” really means. When I first encountered it, I didn’t know what it meant. I thought it was some cool fad I could jump on along with everyone else. After all, we all want to be cool.

Then I did some research and learned where the phenomenon began and the true meaning that underlies it.

Here it is in a quote from a Florida TV station:

It started at an Oct. 2 NASCAR race at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. Brandon Brown, a 28-year-old driver, had won his first Xfinity Series and was being interviewed by an NBC Sports reporter. The crowd behind him was chanting something at first difficult to make out. The reporter suggested they were chanting, “Let’s go, Brandon” to cheer the driver. But it became increasingly clear they were saying: “F— Joe Biden.”

To be clear, NASCAR did nothing to foster the chant. These were people in the stands, perhaps some fueled by too many adult beverages, but also frustrated by our current president’s performance.

However, that does not justify the vileness of the chant.

So, you ask, “what is wrong with this?”

First, I know that not everyone is a Christian and believes the Bible is God’s Word.

Second, I am a Christian, a Bible-believer, as are many of my friends, including those who jumped on the “Let’s go Brandon” train.

Therefore, I am mainly addressing fellow Christians. However, even if you are not a Christian, you need to think about what you are doing when you chant, post, or like “Let’s go Brandon.”

Now it is time for me to preach a bit. Here is my text:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

Paul is telling us we are to pray for our leaders. Why?

• So we may live peaceful lives as believers.
• That all people may hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now, let me apply this admonition to why it is wrong for Christians to take part in the “Let’s go Brandon” fad.

• I dislike Joe Biden, his beliefs (particularly his support of abortion), his administration’s policies.
• But I will not curse Joe Biden and that is essentially what “Let’s go Brandon” does. Think about it. Why would you ever want to curse another person, no matter how much you dislike them?
• Cursing another person is simply sinful and evil.
• Praying for Joe Biden and his administration; the same way we pray for leaders we like should be a regular part of a Christian’s devotional life. Perhaps our prayers will bring about a change of heart regarding abortion. Maybe they will move his thinking more to moderate positions. I don’t know this will happen, but I can pray that it does, with confidence that God hears my prayers.
• We should also pray for Biden’s well-being and the well-being of all our leaders. I may disagree with them and I may not like them, but I believe God has placed them in their positions. (Romans 13:1-7)

For more good reasons to reject “Let’s go Brandon” and pray for our leaders, check out this article from First Things.

Please comment and let me know what you think.