Harper Lee Called Donald Trump's Taj Mahal Casino 'Worst Punishment God Can Devise'

By Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, March 30, 2016

U.S. President George W. Bush (R) before awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to American novelist Harper Lee (L) in the East Room of the White House, in this November 5, 2007, file photo. Lee, who wrote one of America's most enduring literary classics, 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' about a child's view of right and wrong and waited 55 years to publish a second book with the same characters from a very different point of view, has died at the age of 89, local Alabama news site reported on February 19, 2016. REUTERS/Larry Downing/Files — U.S. President George W. Bush (R) before awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to American novelist Harper Lee (L) in the East Room of the White House, in this November 5, 2007, file photo. Lee, who wrote one of America's most enduring literary classics, "To Kill a Mockingbird," about a child's view of right and wrong and waited 55 years to publish a second book with the same characters from a very different point of view, has died at the age of 89, local Alabama news site reported on February 19, 2016. REUTERS/Larry Downing/Files | (Photo: Reuters/Larry Downing/Files)

Famous American author Harper Lee once called Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's Taj Mahal-styled casino the "worst punishment" that "God can devise."

"The worst punishment God can devise for this sinner is to make her spirit reside eternally at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City," Lee wrote in a letter to a friend, Doris Leapard, on Aug. 25, 1990.

Lee, who died in February at the age of 89, is famous for the literary classic To Kill a Mockinbird, as well as the follow up novel Go Set a Watchman, which was only released last year.

The Guardian pointed out that Lee does not elaborate on her opinion about Trump's casino in her correspondence with her friend, which is part of a series of letters from the famous author that are being auctioned off at $750 each.

Copies of Harper Lee's book 'Go Set a Watchman' are displayed on a table inside of a Barnes & Noble store in New York, July 14, 2015. 'Go Set a Watchman,' the much-anticipated second novel by 'To Kill a Mockingbird' author Harper Lee, is the most pre-ordered print title on Amazon.com since the last book in the 'Harry Potter' series, Amazon said. — Copies of Harper Lee's book "Go Set a Watchman" are displayed on a table inside of a Barnes & Noble store in New York, July 14, 2015. "Go Set a Watchman," the much-anticipated second novel by "To Kill a Mockingbird" author Harper Lee, is the most pre-ordered print title on Amazon.com since the last book in the "Harry Potter" series, Amazon said. | (Photo: Reuters/Lucas Jackson)

Trump opened the Taj Mahal casino in 1990, once describing it as "just what Atlantic City needs," though he is no longer associated with the buildings, which were taken over by billionaire Carl Icahn in February after emerging from bankruptcy.

Lee was known for strongly protecting her privacy, and the letters are an opportunity for insight into the thoughts of the writer, including her observations on the critical reception to her work, and her struggles with her health.

"These letters offer fascinating insight into Harper Lee's life (and) her correspondence with her friends since she was notoriously known as a private person," said Samuel Heller, Nate D. Sanders Auctions' PR director, according to CNBC.

"The auction house is already thrilled with the reception the letters have received. Harper Lee letters are highly coveted by collectors especially after the release of her new book and her passing last month," Heller added.

As World Religion News pointed out, both To Kill A Mockingbird and Go Set A Watchman feature a great deal of imagery and references to the Bible, with historian Wayne Flynt stating that Lee was born in a Bible-reading family.

The rise of Trump as frontrunner in the GOP race has meanwhile caused much debate about the ethincs of religious people who have given him their support.

Although some evangelical Christians, including Julie Roys, host of a national talk show on the Moody Radio Network called "Up For Debate," have said they are "embarrassed" by the rise of what she described as the "Trumpian, evangelical Right," others, including Pastor Robert Jeffress, leader of the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, have argued that Christians refusing to support Trump if he becomes the Republican nominee are "fools."

"I believe any Christian who would sit at home and not vote for the Republican nominee … that person is being motivated by pride rather than principle and I think it would be a shame for people to allow Hillary Clinton four or eight years in the White House," Jeffress told The Christian Post in an interview earlier in March.