Why Character Matters
Is this something we still desire in our President?
I remember when Bill Clinton’s scandal rocked the political world. As a life-long Republican who grew up in the deep south, my family, friends and I couldn’t stop talking about how disturbing it was that our President would do something of such horrible character. “We need a man with good morals in the White House.” they all said. I agreed. The fact that he lied about it also showed that he didn’t have the integrity we all desired in the leader of our country.
Of course, as Republicans, it helped our agendas to get him out of the White House as well. But I believed that even if a Republican had done this, we would all still believe he wasn’t of worthy character to still lead our nation.
I guess I was wrong.
It has rocked me to the core to see how so many Republicans have not only accepted Donald Trump as the leader of their party, but many have championed him as “God’s chosen one.” Really? We are going there??
He calls people names, makes fun of handicapped people, brags about assaulting women, lies about his wealth, has cheated on all his wives, lives a life of unabashed opulence, tried to lead an insurrection to overthrow our democracy, encouraged violence against his own VP, has been accused of abuse and rape by several women (including one of his former wives), and is a former casino owner who was recently found guilty of 34 counts of felony charges stemming from hush money payments to a porn star. He was also found guilty of sexual abuse in another trial, AND was found guilty of civil fraud in a 3rd trial earlier this year. — and yet, many American Christians believe he is their savior. Their only hope to getting what they want.
What happened to the evangelicals demand that our President have good moral character that they insisted upon when Bill Clinton was in office? When did that requirement change?
What exactly is it that they want?
Power? Control? Protection? More money in their pockets?
I still believe that the leader of our great country should be of good character. I don’t believe that our President has to be a Christian, but I certainly believe a leader who claims to be a Christian should be a good representative of Jesus and Jesus’ values.
I often hear “none of us are perfect” in defense of him. That’s correct, none of us are perfect, but there is a difference when someone is willing to admit their imperfections. He even said he doesn’t think he’s ever asked God for forgiveness because “he doesn’t have much to apologize for.” Is that a Christian stance? I mean… c’mon.
When Trump said he could “shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters,” I thought it was funny - until I realized that he was right. For many of his followers, there is nothing that would make them look at him in a new light, and that is idolization. When something or someone is beyond critique, when something or someone has your undying support - no matter what, when something or someone has convinced you that they are the only thing you can count on and to look at the rest of the world with suspicious lenses - then you have turned that thing or person into an idol.
And don’t get me started on things like the above image that I see flying all over social media. Jesus wasn’t a convicted felon! He wasn’t convicted of anything! Pontias Pilate actually said, “I find no fault in this man”, but the people demanded he be turned over to them so they could crucify him. Jesus was crucified for being an exceptionally perfect human being that angered all the people benefitting from the status quo. There is no way that compares to what is happening to Donald Trump. The fact that Christians are comparing the two men shows how much they have fallen into a cult-like idolization of him. It’s all so very clear. And it breaks my heart to see Donald Trump’s ideology invading and, quite frankly, changing what Christianity looks like, instead of Jesus being the one who we look to as our guide and role model.
The Christian Nationalist Movement has hijacked the message of Jesus. Jesus does not belong to America, and he certainly doesn’t belong to one political party. He isn’t our national hero. He came to save the entire world. Merging politics and patriotism with Jesus waters down the beauty of the gospel and reduces our Savior to a mere mascot.
If you think I’m exaggerating, just check out a few of these resources:
President Donald Trump: The Son of Man - The Christ
Donald J Trump: The Second Coming of Christ
ChrisTrump: Persecution of a Man
Jon Voight comparing the persecution of Jesus to the persecution of Trump
Marjorie Taylor Green comparing Trump to Jesus
I could list many more, but you get the idea.
In Matthew 5, Jesus sets the standard for people who claim to be his followers and disciples. It’s one of the most known Bible passages called The Sermon on the Mount and sadly, it seems its instructions have become less and less part of many Christians values. Jesus preaches that humility, gentleness, and mercy are required from us. He tells us to “love our enemies” and instead of getting revenge on those who hurt us, to “turn the other cheek.” However, all of these instructions have become invisible in the world of Donald Trump. This was a recent tweet of his:
Is that Christ-like behavior? The answer is no. It is not.
It’s not acceptable behavior for a Christian and certainly not for the President of the United States. It’s childish and petty and shows a lack of maturity. I don’t want a child in the White House. I would like a President who shows he is mature enough to care about the lives of ALL Americans. Not just his followers.
Yes, I’m sick about the influence I’ve seen him have on many Christians in America. Too many have a devotion to him that is idolatrous. I used to pray for them to see the truth about this man and realize the damage he is doing to Christianity. But I realized recently that the person I should be praying for the most is Donald. If God could change his heart, and along with it, his words and behavior, then maybe he might end up like Paul - as one of the biggest champions for the gospel. Sounds crazy, but I still believe that God can do the impossible. No man is beyond the reach of the transforming power of God’s love.
Not even Donald J. Trump.
Love to you all… M
Perhaps the most caring thing people could do for him as a human would be not voting for him. Not feeding his ego?
Wow Marcia——- this is soooooooooooo good. I, too, wish Christianity wasn’t so tied into Trump’s identity. It’s never been easy to say “I’m a Christian” because of all the baggage that carries for so many people. I’d much rather have people say that about me, that I was Christ-like. Many people don’t think I’m Christian enough because I don’t check all their boxes (as you know for yourself), but I don’t answer to them, fortunately. Let’s keep going, sharing our hearts and loving people who desperately need it, um, everyone.