Trump

by djbrash1

The fact that there are Christians casting primary votes for Donald Trump troubles me quite a lot. Why? I think they demonstrate a divorce between their life in the polis and their claim to follow Jesus of Nazareth. Granted, it is may be that few if any candidates would pass this scrutinizing test. Nevertheless, since I see Trump as cultivating hatred of groups of people, and I like to believe (perhaps naively) that opposition to such hatred is an American value that does not belong to any one religion, I make the following challenge:

I challenge Christians who support Trump’s presidential candidacy to read the gospels of the Christian Testament – all four of them. Read them slowly, meditatively and with care. Try to envision each moment narrated in the life and teaching of the Man from Nazareth; then read through the documented statements of Donald Trump, or watch videos of him in action.

I have asked myself, could I really follow Jesus and vote for Donald Trump too? My answer is, only if I were able to tolerate a lasting and profound disturbance in my soul. (I have come to this conclusion about some other candidates too.)

I welcome hearing from you, whether or not you arrive at my conclusion. But please… Please do not respond to this post until you have read the gospels as I have recommended: slowly, meditateively, with care and with vision.