Chad Griffin, the president of the Human Rights Campaign likes to remind people that we who fight for human rights are on the right side of history. While I agree, I think that Mr. Griffin is guilty of burying the headline — at least here in the South. According to Jesus Christ, we who fight for human rights aren’t just on the right side of history, we are on the right side of eternity, too.

Christ could not have been clearer about how he would make America great again. In Matthew he tells us that one day, he will gather the nations of the earth before him.

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

He consigns the goats to everlasting punishment.

Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. … Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. [Matthew 25: 32,41-44]

Religious believers would do well to consider carefully the leaders they follow into eternity. The stakes – their eternal soul – couldn’t be higher.  God may be perfect.  But history is polluted with churches and church leaders who shepherded their followers to the goat pen.

Minorities and progressives are not the enemy of true religious believers. Christ makes it clear that progressives are their allies; persecuted minorities are their gateway to heaven.

Don’t listen to the goat herders, my friends. America’s guns, riches, and birth certificate controls mean nothing to Christ. For him, our segregated society foreordains our destruction. What makes us great in his eyes is our ability to live and love as one people and to raise up the least among us.