...Pence had a lot to say about a religious joke by a comedian who is paid to say such things, but nothing about the immoral example his boss has set. It’s in stark contrast to when Pence presented himself as deeply devout Christian on a talk show he hosted years ago and declared adultery a serious offense that said something disturbing about leaders who commit such acts.

It’s why Pence’s words about his faith ring hollower by the day. They sound hypocritical, situational, unprincipled. They also illustrate just how much damage white evangelical Christians have done to the religion they profess to love. They’ve created a new reality, one in which leaders’ actions don’t matter, so long as they have the right ideology and can help secure a few long-sought political victories. It underscores why liberal Christians in the South are going to have to lead the flock out of this self-imposed spiritual wilderness....