Fulton County Ohio Media

Why Donald Trump?  It seems like a simple question, but when asked, it sprouts so many more, as millions of American voters, from all parties, and millions of people around the world struggle to understand why anyone, much less Evangelical Christians, would fervently support a candidate like Donald Trump.  I realize not all Evangelicals support him. Many do not.  But as a Christian, a follower of Jesus, how do you rationalize and justify empowering an individual who is devoid of Christian values and Christian morals and exhibits no empathy or compassion for his fellow man? 

A common response from Trump’s Evangelical supporters is that he, as a member of the Republican Party, is pro-life.  I get that.  From that perspective it makes sense.  The abortion issue, whether pro-life or pro-choice, is the most intensely passionate and hot-blooded dispute we have in America.  For many voters, on both sides, it becomes the only issue they consider when they enter the ballot box.  However, it brings us back to the original question.  Why have Evangelicals backed Trump when there has been an abundance of Republicans, all strongly pro-life in their beliefs, all fighting for their cause and the traditional Republican platform, running in the primary against him?  You had Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Nikki Haley, John Kasich among others to choose from and yet you supported an individual who is morally bankrupt and completely areligious.  Furthermore, does anybody truly believe he cares about the abortion issue beyond how it benefits him politically?  Donald is neither pro-life nor pro-choice.  He is only, and always will be, pro-Donald.

What else attracts white Evangelicals to the Donald?  We know he has not led anything resembling a pious life.  He is a documented serial adulterer, a convicted sexual abuser, a pathological liar, a vindictive man filled with hate and vengeance and attempts to destroy anyone who would deny him whatever he wants or whomever does not agree with him.  Donald has been called a narcissist, megalomaniac, fearmonger, racist, misogynist, fascist, with actions to justify each label.  He admires and praises murderous dictators and would emulate their behavior if he thought he could get away with it.

His life, from the day he was born, in no way relates to his followers.  The most disturbing element in his popularity among Evangelicals is they have begun to deify him.  They believe his is the second coming, ordained by God to lead us.  And Trump’s followers include an alarming number of Evangelical clerics who pontificate his message with such reverence from the pulpit or the alter it makes you wonder if they have forgotten the First Commandment. 

Many followers play the “forgiveness” card, suggesting they are bound by their Christian faith to forgive Trump’s transgressions to justify their blind support.  But Donald never asks for forgiveness, never apologizes or take responsibility for his actions and has never committed a sincere act of contrition.  His anger, his wrath, his blatant lies, his vitriol and hate, continues to spew out every waking hour of every day.

On January 6, 2021, Trump’s true colors were on full display when he incited a deadly attack on our nation’s Capital Building.  Sometime after the breech of the building, he tweeted to his followers that Vice President Mike Pence had failed to do the “right thing” by certifying the 2020 election.  From there came chants of “Hang Mike Pence” from the angry mob.  When informed how the situation had escalated, Donald J. Trump, America’s sitting president, gave a response worthy of Pontius Pilate.  Does that sound like Christian behavior?

My concern is not about whether a Republican or Democrat gets into the oval office.  It is not about supporting Joe Biden of Kamala Harris.  The issue completely transcends politics.  It is strictly about not wanting to live through another four years of a Trump administration with an agenda to move from our democracy to an authoritarian regime with Trump and his acolytes controlling our lives for future generations.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, I do not understand the appeal of a Donald Trump by the religious faithful.