15 Episodes of The West Wing We Need Now More Than Ever

2.03 The Midterms

"I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I had you here. I’m interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She’s a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be? While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff Leo McGarry insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or is it okay to call the police? Here’s one that’s really important ’cause we’ve got a lot of sports fans in this town: Touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean. Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point? Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother John for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Think about those questions, would you?"

When discussing iconic moments and episodes of The West Wing, it is impossible to leave out the third episode of the second season, wherein President Bartlet engages in a debate – one-sided and awesome in its glory – with “Dr.”Jenna Jacobs, a talk show host who discusses the fact that homosexuality is an abomination on her religious show. Bartlet, a known religious man, confirms that the Bible did in fact say that – and then expertly lists another list of Bible rules which she, and the rest of the country, seem to ignore at their convenience, pointing out the hypocrisy of those choosing to use the Bible to spew hatred.

That, and at the end, Bartlet reminds Toby that’s how he beat his opponent in the election – smarts.

In a time where religion is, yet again (or rather, still) used as an excuse to marginalize the LGBTQ+ community, it’s a lesson worth revisiting over and over again.

Please, Trump and co., take notes – the separation of church and state is vital, and there is no place for hate in this country.