What is a believer to believe? Who is a believer to believe? About politics I mean. Specifically, about Donald Trump.
What is a spiritual person to do? You may identify as Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or Bahá’í.
Or are you spiritual, ethical, without a specific religious context? What do you do about HIM (no, not Jesus, Trump)? How do you reconcile your spiritual principles with what we see and hear from the current U.S. president? The apparently very non-spiritual Trump, I get. He feels no need to reconcile anything. He seems to have no principles; if he has one, just wait a day, a week, a year, and it will change.
Trump’s political and religious vacillation is disconcerting. He has been a Democrat and a Republican. He has been a Methodist (Marble Collegiate Church of Norman Vincent Peale). Some say, since his last of three marriages, an Episcopalian. What does Trump believe in now? “Christianity Today,” the flagship magazine for evangelicals, called Trump an “idolater.” Other evangelicals love him, despite lack of orthodoxy.
I am not orthodox either, but am spiritual. I grew up in rural Oklahoma, raised in a small Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), partly founded and built by hand by my paternal grandfather. Disciples believe: “No Creed but Christ; No Law but Love.” We are the oldest U.S.-founded Christian church (but historically connected to a Presbyterian past in Scotland).
Trump apparently had Presbyterian ties but, early in his campaign, demeaned the ritual of Holy Communion and could only recall (and misname) “Two Corinthians.” When asked his favorite Bible verse he cited the Old Testament “an eye for an eye.” Sorry, Donald, that hostile response was specifically repudiated by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
So much for his sense of religious history. What is more revealing has been his very un-Christian behavior (demeaning women, grabbing genitals and such). What is even more appalling is not Trump himself—we now see clearly his irreligiosity—but the hypocrisy of many of his pseudo-religious followers. No doubt one part of his voters are devoted, white Christians, voting for him in spite of misgivings about his faith.
Another group, however, are, it seems, “stiff-necked righteous” of Biblical fame. They espouse Christianity, regularly attend church, and just as regularly overlook Trump’s lack of religious convictions. You know some of them. Some of them are your friends or relatives. What is to be done about those who “have eyes to see” but will not see?
Many refuse to see Trump’s past and present wanton display of very un-Christian charity, his sexism and bigotry. We do not expect our presidents to be saints or theologians. But, if they profess religious convictions we have a right to see some corresponding behavior. One really should not curse at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Moreover, if they take a religious oath (“so help me God”) to support and defend the U.S. Constitution, that includes the Bill of Rights, which includes the First Amendment, which includes the separation of Church and State. Trump is on record to give tax exemptions for preachers and churches who take clear sides in partisan political battles. What is to be done?
We know Donald Trump loves to watch television (at least Fox). Might we hope he watches the acclaimed CNN series, “Searching for Jesus?” He might also follow the well-done Morgan Freeman documentary (National Geographic), “Story of God.” If so, let us hope he learns not only more respect for the intricacies of the Judaic-Christian heritage but the infinite complexities and favorable comparisons of the world’s great religions.
If not, if there is no change, supporters and detractors cannot be surprised about his actions (“by their fruits ye shall know them”). For example:
Donald Trump’s angry ban on immigrants versus Jesus’s admonition: “I was a stranger and you took me in.”
Donald Trump on forgiveness: “When people wrong you, go after those people, because it is a good feeling . . . I always get even” versus Jesus: “Love others as you love yourself.” (And “forgive seven times seven.”)
Donald Trump on what is important in life: “Part of the beauty of me is that I’m very rich” versus Jesus: “Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth.”
We could go on and on. But, back to my little rural church . . . we weren’t theologians but we understood the simple messages of love. We now are faced with Trump’s “Wall” and mass deportation orders versus our simple, Christian (universal?) Sunday School song: “Red and Yellow, Black and White, All are Precious in His Sight; Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World.”
