Bernie Sanders had this to say regarding the shooting.

[maddiemom]

195. Interesting that there would be a black pastor identifying more as a "Christian"

in terms of being persecuted. This persecuted Christian thing is so insane; as if they are about to be thrown into an arena with lions (or Muslims or Atheists or anyone who doesn't buy into right wing Christianity). I had a "Christian" friend whose late husband, by her own admission, used to sell pornographic material (no reflection on her), but I finally had to respond, with little patience to her complaint that Christians were being vilified. She was one of the nicest women I've ever known, and was involved in seriously helping activities due to her beliefs. Nonetheless, as many publicly vocal "Christians" seem to feel, other religious beliefs or disagreements with their philosophy equates not just another way of belief, but outright vilification of Christianity. Jesus (accepted as a prophet, if not the son of God by both Jews and Muslims) can have other names, and has throughout different cultures.