Pastor Mark Burns delivers the benediction at the #GOPConvention #RNCinCLEhttps://t.co/pJ2gRD7i7X

— CSPAN (@cspan) July 18, 2016

Anyone still remember something known as “the separation of church and state?” Well, the Republican Party has been working non-stop for years to erode this wall of separation put in place by the founding fathers, because they know when you need to manipulate people into working against their own best interests, there’s no better tool than religion.

But you’ll never see a more graphic demonstration of the conservative movement’s contempt for the US Constitution’s Establishment Clause than this “prayer” delivered — actually, screamed — today by Paster Mark Burns, a nakedly political and utterly hateful rant presented as an “invocation.”

Hello, Republicans! I’m Pastor Mark Burns from the great state of South Carolina! I’m gonna pray and I’m gonna give the benediction. And you know why? Because we are electing a man in Donald Trump who believes in the name of Jesus Christ. And Republicans, we got to be united, because our enemy is not other Republicans, but is Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party.

Let’s pray together. Father God, in the name of Jesus, Lord, we’re so thankful for the life of Donald Trump. We’re thankful that you are guiding him, that you are giving him the words to unite this party, this country, that we together can defeat the liberal Democratic Party, to keep us divided and not united. Because we are the United States of America, and we are the conservative party under God.

To defeat every attack that comes against us, protect the life of Donald Trump. Give him the words, give him the peace, give him the power and authority to be the next president of the United States of America. In Jesus’ name—if you believe it, shout “Amen!”

You may recall it was only a few months ago that the right wing media and Republican politicians threw a huge tantrum when Hillary Clinton said this during a debate:

ANDERSON COOPER: Which enemy that you made during your political career are you most proud of?

CLINTON: Well, in addition to the NRA, the health insurance companies, the drug companies, the Iranians; probably the Republicans.

“How dare she call us enemies!” they exclaimed before collapsing upon their fainting couches.

Now, here’s a right wing religious personality openly calling Clinton and the entire Democratic Party “enemies,” on stage at the Republican convention. The hypocrisy is unbelievable, and yet… par for the course.