Pro Trump Versus Pro Sanity

Can Pro-Trump and Pro-Sanity Forces Work Together?

Last week my biggest ethical concern was deciding whether or not to leave our church because the leaders are Trump supporters. I feared that, as we moved closer to next year’s presidential election, support for the incumbent as well the Right’s political platform would spill out around the edges. I figured it would be easier to leave now, even though I really like the church and the people.

Last week, the problem with that scenario was the fact that my husband has a vibrant ministry that is changing the lives of some young people. It would be selfish in the extreme to remove him just because I’m fearful.

That was last week. This week, things got so much worse.

Trump Caught Red-Handed

Folks, (especially you on the right), please understand this one thing. The fact that the Donald finally got caught red-handed breaking the law is NOT good news for any of us. Of course we on the left would love to see him leave office. He’s awful. But there is nothing good about impeachment for anyone. This is not good for the country. As hard as it is, I will refrain (at this time) from reminding everyone how poorly he is reacting to this development. Frankly, I don’t believe either side is surprised.

A Change in the Status Quo

So now we have bigger problems than disagreeing on doctrine. Of course that is still an issue. But Donald isn’t going to go without a fight, and I would not put it past him to stage a violent coup. Both sides need to work together to figure out how we’re going to help our country survive this. I understand the Right is entitled to their belief system, as are we; if and when the dust settles, hopefully we can all find the group we should belong to. But for now, I’m going to try to moderate my remarks with less anger and more understanding. I’ll share this post with the leadership of my church and hope we can share a vision for peaceful coexistence.

And may God help us. We are most certainly going to need it.

September 29, 2019September 13, 2020

Anger Thwarts Non-Violent Resistance

Anger and Hurt Thwart Non-Violent Resistance

This morning I had a vision of how hurt and anger go hand-in-hand. Anger is the shield that circles the wagons around a broken heart; when we hold the offender at bay, we believe they cannot hurt us anymore. What we fail to realize is that the shield also keeps healing at bay. Like a broken axle in a muddy ditch, our wagon’s just plain stuck until we let down our guard and work to forgive.

In this past summer of 2019, two and a half years into Trump’s reign, I discerned that his strongest supporters, my family of faith, were not going to change their minds or their support of him, no matter what he does. And that being said, I realized I may have to leave the family. He’s a megalomaniac and a liar. Joining the effort to remove him from office doesn’t trouble me; leaving the family just kills me. I find myself wondering: is it okay to stay in a church if neither side brings up politics? If I don’t stand up for a solution, does that make me part of the problem?

The Strength to Love

One of the books I’m reading now is a collection of sermons by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. entitled Strength to Love. In the foreward, his widow Coretta says, “Noncooperation and nonviolent resistance were means of stirring and awakening moral truths in one’s opponents, of evoking the humanity that, Martin believed, existed in each of us.” ¹ Anger is not nonviolent. On the contrary, Jesus commanded Peter to “put your sword away!” ² as the authorities came to arrest Him in the garden. Even when anger is not accompanied by physical violence, it strikes fear into the heart of its target.

“In your anger do not sin.”- Ephesians: 4:26. The next step I need to take in my journey of resistance is learning to speak up without terrorizing others.

¹ Strength to Love by Martin Luther King Jr., Fortress Press, 2010

² John 18:11 NIV

September 22, 2019November 2, 2019

Why Resist?

Why Should Evangelicals Resist the Pro-Trump Church?

As a child, I heard Hans Christian Andersen’s fable, The Emperor’s New Clothes. This particular ruler was quite the dandy- fond of fancy outfits as well as admiring his own sense of style. Along came two charlatans portraying themselves as weavers of excellent garments, and playing to the emperor’s vanity, they promise him a new set of fine clothes. “Only the wisest in your court will be able to see your new outfit,” they promise- thereby giving His Majesty the ability to weed out the foolish and those unfit for their offices. Finally the suit is ready, and the Emperor parades his new “clothes” before his subjects. No one says a word, lest they be thought stupid. It took a child to cry out the truth: “But he isn’t wearing any clothes at all!”

This story has stuck with me for over half a century, and I’ve seen the scenario played out again and again. Never, though, have I seen our national security threatened and the Evangelical Christian Church played for a fool. I identify with the child who outed the Emperor, although this case is far more complex than a simple idiot parading around naked. The players are Donald Trump, the political machine known as the Religious Right, and the leaders of the Republican Party. Together they have woven a movement that many people, including friends of mine, support wholeheartedly. If this had nothing to do with religion, it would just go on to be another footnote in American history. But more about our contemporary emperor…

Comparing Trump’s Platform to Jesus’ Teachings

This forum seeks to expose the lie that Donald Trump’s platform has anything whatsoever to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Aside from the abortion issue, there is very little connection. But there are powerful forces at work here, and for the life of me, I see no Jesus anywhere. If it’s just politics, folks, don’t call it Christianity. I’m not the only child calling out in the crowd, but many others have too much at stake to take a stand. They may still be raising children, supporting their families, or otherwise unable to risk being ostracized.

So why am I speaking up? After all, I’m white and Christian. Not to mention a woman. I have nothing to gain from poking this bear with a stick, and truth be told, I am no threat to them.

Leave the Church or Stay and Fight?

Because this powerful political movement is using my Savior’s name, Jesus Christ, to justify an agenda that runs almost completely contrary to the teachings of the Son of God as they are written in the Gospels. Thousands of Evangelicals are just leaving the church without a word. I may go, but I am not going quietly.

So please bear with me as I construct this site. If you disagree with me, I completely understand. Also, I have no quarrel with non-Christians: they are not subject to Biblical standards, nor would I suggest they review the Gospels to refresh their memories. I will attempt to illuminate the flaws in “Christian Nationalism” and I’m afraid I must insist we treat all of our citizens equally. I also insist we care for the desperate like the Good Samaritan cared for his enemy, a man beaten and left for dead. Call me crazy.

Or call me a Christian.