Part I
There were at one time, seventeen
Republicans running for the office of President of the United States. Some were strong, while others fizzled out in
due course of the primaries. This is
simply the nature of elections. What is
commonly in the nature of many Christians during elections, is when they
proclaim that they are praying over whom they should cast their vote. I heard it from almost every Christian I
knew. This isn’t atypical, and I’m sure
you all heard similar things.
It would seem, however, that your
God was sending a lot of mixed signals.
Some heard the call to vote for Marco Rubio, and others for Ben
Carson. I remember Ted Cruz’s name
often, even if most people didn’t like Ted Cruz (apparently a sentiment not
only exercised in public, but in private among his fellow Senators too). I
truly never understood why John Kasich never received more votes. Yes, I’ll agree that he wasn’t very
charismatic or charming, but I believe to this day that his Christian ideals
oozed from his pores, and if you are taking a religion seriously-character
counts more than charm.
God sent so many of those mixed signals
that all those choices went the way of the Dodo Bird. Maybe you ignored those voices, and voted for
whomever the hell you wanted for, and in some cases I’m sure you believe God
told you to vote for Trump. At the
final tally, Donald Trump was your nominee.
Congratulations. Then, I thought
you were all insane. Either insane for voting for him in the primary, insane
for swaying your influence towards him after the candidate God told you to vote
for dropped out, but mostly insane for casting enough votes (however you got
there) to give him the election.
Part II
Christians are an odd and fickle
bunch. Not all (certainly), and not
always (of course), but enough that qualifies them as an odd and fickle bunch
of folks. On one hand, Christians will
shout that they and others should dedicate themselves to being Christ-like. Follow his teachings, study his words,
reflect those ideals in daily and life changing ways such as helping your
friends and enemies-helping to heal the sick-spreading the message of
peace-loving unconditionally. But then they
praise party over religion, and vote for the opposite of all those things. I don’t say that flippantly-all the things. To the tune of white born-again evangelicals
casting 81% of their votes, for a man that is anything but Christ-like.
Donald Trump cheated on his wife,
and even admitted in 1994 that if he hadn’t gotten caught, “maybe it would
still be going on.” His words, not mine. Donald Trump’s history of cheating workers
and contractors out of payment for jobs was well documented not only throughout
his life, but during the election, just so you wouldn’t forget. Donald Trump lies. Donald Trump said in an interview that he had
sent people to Hawaii to get to the bottom of Obama’s birth certificate, and
that “they cannot believe what they’re finding”. No names or results produced, and he stopped
saying that he sent anyone anywhere when pressed. Donald Trump belittles fellow adults in ways
that parents wouldn’t tolerate from their own children. I’m not saying “little” Marco Rubio or
“lying” Ted Cruz’s feelings were hurt over the insults, but are you telling me
that you feel that’s remotely Christ-like (or Presidential)? Donald believes in abortion. Donald Trump “changed” his position when it
was politically necessary. Donald Trump
bragged that he was so rich, that he could get away with grabbing women by the
pussy. That wasn’t locker room talk, and
if you are more offended by the word than the implication, then you seriously
need to re-evaluate that whole incident and where you stand on the safety of
women. That’s a conversation I’ll gladly
have with anyone!
I’m not telling you things you
aren’t aware of, and if any of this is news to you, then shame on you. Donald Trump is at best on shaky moral
ground, and at worst morally reprehensible.
Notice I’m not even talking about his qualifications (none); I’m
speaking only on a topic that Christians should take with more gravity. You were told by your god what standards he
expects and you still reached out and pulled the leaver for a candidate that
reflected the very worst of all of those standards. I don’t get that.
I voted for Hillary Clinton. I
was never the biggest Hillary fan and I honestly do understand if she wasn’t
your most favorite person. I was a Bernie supporter, until the primary
ran its course, and the final decision came to Clinton or Trump (I have yet to
vote for a third party). I of course
cast my vote for the qualified Democrat, because…well, Trump was Trump. The leader of the free world should have an
ability to speak in clear and coherent sentences, and not need names on a map
to point out the Golan Heights. Oh, I
know my standards are high… It’s just a
personal decision… (and that is sarcasm… if you didn’t catch on.) But the question isn’t even one about your
vote against Hillary, as your vote for Trump in both the primaries and general
election. See, I’m an atheist. I’m not held to the standard of following
voices, inspiration or words in a book written when the ability to write was
the equivalent to a doctorate degree. I
make my own choices, based on my understanding and consideration of morality
and right/wrong (which far outweigh the morality found in ancient books, but
that’s the result of years of changing my mind and great ponderings). But you don’t get that freedom. Not Christians…
I can’t make this particular point
more clear or emphasis its importance more…
You believe that God created –everything- in the Universe, and then
executed a code for you to follow regardless of your personal opinion. This code is not only an absolute
requirement, but will ultimately decide your ultimate fate and where you spend
billions of years. Yet you voted for the
GOP candidate that would make your skin crawl if your daughter brought him home
for dinner. Even if you believe Clinton
would have destroyed America, it is a moot point. In eight years would you rather have said
“We went down clinging to God’s wisdom” or “We sold our morals because of
emails (or whatever your hang-up was).
All that being said, my ultimate
question is as follows, and keep in mind that I honestly want an answer to
this. As I see it, you made a choice to poke your god in the eye. To defy his example and his wishes. As a Christian, what compelled you
to vote for someone that is so blatantly anti-Christ-like?
Sidenote: If you want to talk about
or debate anything that come before the ultimate question, I’m game. However you need to answer the ultimate
question too. I’m not going to spend
time bickering with you over some part of this rant, only to have you skate out
of the point of this post.
Sidenote 2: I think an answer to
this question exists that is acceptable (terrible, but consistent with
Christian beliefs). I just want to see
if you have the audacity to say it.
