What I Say When Other Christians Ask Why I Don't Support Trump ...

* Edited to add this prologue ... supporting Trump should NOT be used as some sort of prerequisite test of Christianity. 

In my face-to-face life, I usually don't talk about politics with people I'm not close to, unless asked -- but living in Kentucky, I am asked, more than you'd think.

There are a plethora of reasons I don't support Trump and haven't since the beginning, but when asked from a Christian perspective, trying to boil it down to one sentence, my reply typically goes like this ...

"He's too greedy and selfish -  and I think his support for Christianity is insincere. In fact, I think he's using Christians just as much as the wrong kind of Christians are using him."

 

That is usually met with silence.

Not because they don't have a reply, but just because they usually haven't thought about it and need processing time.

Then there is the exception where some know full well what kind of man Trump is, but call him the "imperfect messenger" as justification excuse for using him to push their agenda and vice versa.

If they do push back, I will say ....

"Neither God nor Christ would ever appeal to your fear, hatred, greed, and selfishness to gain control."

There is typically nothing they can say after that -  then I change the subject 😂

One person pushed further and said "But ... but ... sometimes God gets tough."

I say ...

"Sure - but we need to be sure we're not confusing what God or Christ would do versus what we think should be done, in his name. Are you sure? 

"I'm not, I can't speak for God. However, what I can see for myself is nearly everything Trump says and does is the opposite of what Christ said and did scripturally."

*Crickets.*

I doubt I've changed anyone's mind, but they had to think about it for a second, anyway 😂

In short, what's missing from Trump and Christian Nationalists is -  the compassion, mercy, and love of Christ.

What About The Love? - Amy Grant (written by Janis Ian)

I went to see my sister
She was staying with a friend
Who had turned into a preacher
To save the world from sin

He said, "First deny your body
And then learn to submit
Pray to be made worthy
And tithe your ten percent"


I said, "Is this all there is
Just the letter of the law?"
Something's wrong


I went to see my brother
On the 32nd floor
Of a building down on Wall Street
You could hear the future's roar


He said, "Here we make decisions
And we trade commodities
If you tell me where there's famine
I can make you guarantees"


I said, "Is this all there is
Power to the strong?"
Something's wrong


Something's wrong in heaven tonight
You can almost hear them cry
Angels to the left and the right
Saying, "What about the love?
What about the love?
What about the love?"


I went to see my neighbor
He'd been taken to a home
For the weak and the discarded
Who have no place to go


He said, "Here I lack for nothing
I am fed and I am clothed
But at times I miss the freedom
I used to know"


I said, "Is this all there is
When your usefulness is gone?"
Something's wrong


Something's wrong in heaven tonight (Something's wrong)
You can almost hear them cry (Cry)
Angels to the left and the right
Saying, "What about the love?
What about the love?
What about the love?"


I looked into the mirror, (Yeah)
Proud as I could be, (Yeah)
And I saw my pointing finger (Yeah)
Pointing back at me,

Saying, "Who named you accuser? (Yeah)
Who gave you the scales?" (Yeah)
I hung my head in sorrow; (Yeah)
I could almost feel the nails


I said, "This is how it is
To be crucified and judged
Without love"


Something's wrong in heaven tonight (Something's wrong)
You can almost hear them cry(Cry)
Angels to the left and the right
Saying, "What about the love?
What about the love?
What about the love of God?"


Something's wrong in heaven tonight. (Something's wrong)
You can almost hear them cry (Cry)
Angels to the left and the right,
Saying, "What about the love?"
What about the love?
What about the love of God?"