Trump's Christian facade

A Christian is a person who believes in Christ as the son of God and follows his teachings. Such teachings include: forgiveness, Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you;” and truthfulness, Proverbs 22:21, “To be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve.” Christ also teaches to not let money cloud one’s faith: “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless,” Hebrews 13:5.

Christians are also taught to value women: “A gracious woman gains honor; violent men gain only wealth,” Proverbs 11:16. And a Christian would seek unity, “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony,” 1 Corinthians 1:10.

So why do so many Christians support and rally behind a candidate who seeks vengeance? When interviewed by Sean Hannity on Fox News on June 5, Donald Trump said, “When this election is over, based on what they’ve done, I would have every right to go after them, and it would be easy because it’s Joe Biden.” And why do they support a former president who lies? According to the Washington Post, he publicly lied 30,573 times during his four-year presidency. Or why would they support someone who values money and status more than human dignity? Donald Trump has said, “Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people” and “Part of the beauty of me is that I am very rich.” He also has a low opinion of the opposite sex. Regarding his wife, Melania, when asked if he would stay with her if she was disfigured in a car crash, Trump replied, “How do the breasts look?” (April 11, 2005).

Lastly, what about the Second Commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself?” How does Trump exemplify this, if at all? By dividing us? By highlighting differences? Making issues an “us v. them” debate is a consummate rhetorical tool for Trump, using terms like “the blacks,” “the immigrants” and “the others.” 

And then there are the patriots, where valuing country, flag and duty are paramount. How do you support someone who dodged the draft because of university studies and a “bone spur” (with no documentation)? And how do you support someone who was quoted as saying, “You think I’m stupid? I wasn’t going to Vietnam.” Or a person who says this about a former Vietnam vet and Congressman: “I like people who weren’t captured,” (July 2015). Or a person who’s pledge to uphold the oath of the highest office in our government suggests that parts of the U.S. Constitution should face “termination.”

 Trump also used our nation’s most hallowed cemetery, Arlington, for political promotion in defiance of a rule that forbade such actions. And if we blend the Christian and patriotic themes, we get “The God Bless the USA Bible,” which Trump now pedals to conflate Christian beliefs with nationalism. Not exactly a person or presidential candidate who’s supporting “we the people.” So what would a Christian or a patriot do? Hopefully vote to uphold the Constitution and the teachings of Christ, not bend to the machinations of someone who clearly does not uphold “we the people” or “love thy neighbor.” Think and vote.

– Tim Thomas, Durango