Open Question for Christians that voted for Trump

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. 

Explain the bears.....

Over the past few months, I’ve had a back and forth with a guy.  I’ve known him for years, but never really talked-talked until a few weeks ago.  The increase in conversation happen thus:

                I’m sitting at a local joint, (Hammontree’s) having a sandwich (and if you live in Fayetteville, and have not eaten there, give yourself an early X-mas present, and do so.).  I’m eating outside, and he comes to my table.  We chat, and he says he’s heading out to go to a church group meeting for young adults.  He invited me, but I politely declined.  He asked again, and then kept asking for about 5 minutes (which in retrospect could have been 30 seconds, but I think you’ll agree that someone trying to coax you into doing something you don’t tends to feel longer than it is.) 

                Eventually, I just told him I didn’t want to go, because I don’t “do” religion.  This started the cycle over again, where I was eventually at the point where I just told him I was an Atheist, and would enjoy my meal, and going home to read a book more than going to church for… well, anything.   In fact I’d enjoy going to work more than church, but he got my point.

                So after that, each time I saw him, he’d start-or add into-the conversation something about God/Religion/Church.  It’s like that one friend you have, where you only share one common topic, so each time you talk to them you can feel the countdown til the next time they bring up the 49ers, or a common friend.  If you aren’t in the mood to talk about the common topic, too bad, it’s going to happen, so you resort to running away or pelting them with a sandwich (though the latter is generally frowned upon).           

                A few nights ago, I ended my talks with him.  My patience threw in the towel.  This towel throwing was weeks in the making, but it was one final topic that sealed the deal.  Since there was a build up, and I had to endure it, I’m going to do the same to you.

                Our first talks dealt with him explaining how HE saw God and the Bible.  I just asked questions the first few times, because Christians are like cat-lover’s cats.  “All cats look alike, but MY cat is different!” they say, as they proceed to tell you how their cat thinks it’s a dog, or a human, or how they will only show the owner “real” affection.  It can be enduring, and I can over look it (if she’s a yoga instructor or French), but in general it’s simply annoying as hell.

                After that, I seemed to be at bat, so I asked him general moral/philosophical questions about themes in the bible.  This is when I discovered he was a type of Christian that gets under my skin like few others.  The lazy kind. 

                The “Lazy Christian” is (as I use it) a very specific type of Christian.  It can be determined by learning the answer to three questions.  First, have they thought about the ramifications of themes, set in the bible.    A lazy Christian will like to read about Moses taking Jews out of Egypt.  They will read about the plagues, “let my people go”, and most likely have “The 10 commandments” on DVD.  However one of the plagues killed every first born son.  Have they pondered the ramifications of an act, which slew men, boys and babies, innocent and just as powerless to alter the Pharaoh’s decision as a Jew?  (I don’t want kids, but I get really touchy when someone hurts a kid, much less kills one for any reason.) We’re talking about the murder of innocent boys here, and people read it, flippantly say something about God working in mysterious ways, and ignore it.  It’s not mysterious if a mother is holding and crying over a dead baby.  It’s not mysterious by any means.  (As a side note, if God has to throw down 7 punishments to get one cat to change his mind, then he isn’t very powerful.)  Have they considered the ramifications of themes?  Not a last Christian.

                Secondly, have-thy-READ-the Bible?  I am NOT talking about Sunday morning, opening up to this book, and that chapter.  I mean READ it.  Cover to cover.  If you are a Christian, and you believe your God, the most power being in the known UNIVERSE has written (or inspired) a collection of books, poems, letter that have been assembled into a single mass produced book, and you have not taken the time to sit down and study it in it’s entirety, word-for-word, then you are a lazy Christian.  Your God only wrote one book!  What excuse could you ever offer to explain you NOT reading it?!?!  “It’s hard to understand…”-read it in a different version!  “It’s boring…”-But important enough for God to put down!  “It’s long…” – a)You have a lifetime b)You have not started c)if you are incapable of settling down with a book of this important, then you are truly intellectually inept.  No excuses.

                Lastly, those combined make the third criteria – are you ignorant of your religion?  Now I’m ignorant about lots.  I think the word “ignorant” has gotten a bad rap.  I’m ignorant on automotive areas China is growing in the 21 century.  I’m ignorant on how to sew.  I’m ignorant of every book I have not read, and with the exception of pictures and hearing stories, I’m ignorant of every city I have not visited.  It’s ok to be ignorant.  If you don’t know about it, you are ignorant.  Don’t be pissy, change it if there is a reason.  I have no reason to know the history of Curling, so I’ll just be ignorant of that.  However, when I talk to a Christian (as I did over these past few weeks) and he is ignorant of his religion, which is the only topic he’s found to talk to me about… I mean come ON! 

                Who was Constantine?  How many authors does the book of Matthew have?  Where did the Christmas tree come from, and why is it a part of Christianity now?  These are just general questions about history, but what about- What does the Bible say about slavery?  Where did Adam’s first wife go? Why are there 44 contradictions in the Easter story?  See, THESE are questions that someone wouldn’t be able answer if they had never read the Bible or read anything on the history of their religion.  I’d like to be clear here…  I don’t care if someone is ignorant, I’m quite ignorant of the best way to transfer a billion dollars from Switzerland to Hong Kong..  I care when a Christian is ignorant, then tries to “educate” me, and then have pridefulness when they explain that they don’t need to know the facts, because they have faith.  That’s  prideful ignorance. 

                So, now I’m in an ongoing talk with a lazy Christian, where I feel Greta Christiana’s pain of being mad that yet again I’m talking to someone about a topic, and the Atheist is far more educated on the topic than the cat that is supposed to know it well.  Eh.  

                So this keeps up.  In all honesty, I never got mad or yelled or hurt his feelings.  I’d ask questions, he’d answer.  He’d ask, I’d answer.  He’d try hard to shift the burden of proof, (which took 2 hours for me to explain to him) and I’d turn it back to him.  He only got mad once, when after I asked him a few questions, he yelled “WHY DO YOU KEEP ASKING ME THESE THINGS??” to which I replied that he was the only one that keeps bringing it up.  Eh….

                “If the answers scare you, then cease to ask scary questions.” – Jules

                Moving on…  The final conversation which ended any further talks happened when I brought up the bears.  I kid you not, folks, the most amazing 2 verses in the bible deals with the bears.  It’s Ah-mazin!  Here is why.   It’s the only two verse I’ve found where you read them to a Christian, then let them try to explain it, and the very best defense against –any- argument they give, is to read it back to them.   I’ve never in my life heard a person justify the bears, and I’ve asked well over a hundred folks. 

                2 Kings 2 : 23-24 (KJV)

            “²³ And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.²⁴ And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.”
            “Tare” is a word people will generally stumble on, so for those not fluent in the translation, the following words are used in place of “tare”:

-          Amplified Bible – “ripped up”

-          English Version – “tore”

-          New English Version – “ripped”

-          New Revised Standard – “mauled”

Side note – As I’ve said before, if you do decide to pick up and read the bible, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) really is the best.

So I read that verse to him, and when he thought it was a fluke (I was giving him the NRSV text, and he informed me that the KJV was the “right” one) I read him multiple versions. He then explained that it was taken out of context.  “How do you know?  You’ve never heard of this, but for your claim to be true, you would have to know what context it was written in, which you do not…”   But he was convinced the story was taken out of context.  So I let him whip out his iPhone and read the entire chapter (as some of you are doing now…) and no, it wasn’t out of context.

He then told me that the people attacking Elisha were really men, and his life was in danger.  I read the 2 verses again. (It was “little children”).

He then told me that they were attacking him. I read the 2 verses again (they were picking on his bald head.)

He then said that God didn’t do it, it was the devil.  I read the verse again. (God sent them, he did so right after Elisha cursed them in the name of the Lord.  If the Devil did it, then maybe-sorta-kindda God would have something to say about that.)

He then said……  nothing for a long time.  We were eating (US Pizza), and here lies the 2^nd area where 30 seconds may feel like 5 minutes.. but it wasn’t 30 seconds at all.  He said nothing for a very long time.  I ate. He googled, and read, and re-read, and was dead silent.  I ate ½ a pizza in dead silence.  I ate my half, and he took 3 bites of his first slice, but after he started reading, he touched nothing.  He got up, went to pee, and came back.  He said nothing.  He then put the phone down, and just sat there.  I didn’t ask him questions, I didn’t stare, I didn’t try to make the moment uncomfortable.  I watched TV, and chewed and asked for a refill in a pleasant manner, to not make it seem like I was spiking a football. 

Him: “God must have had a reason…”

Me: “Let’s say you are God.  Please give me any excuse you can think of, even crazy hypotheticals.. for why you’d send bears to maul/tear up/rip up 42 little children, for picking on a man’s baldness.  Even a bad reason.  Give me a reason….”

About a minute passed in utter silence, and I ate crust.  I was amazed.  In all the time I’ve brought up that verse, everyone always just gave me an excuse, or said they’d get back to me, or cursed me out…  no one had sat for what turned out to be 40 minutes and pondered. 

Then I said the following (I’m paraphrasing here..)

“I’m not expecting you to just know every answer to every question I ask.  God, religion, the Bible- these are complicated things… I get that.  Here is the point I’d like to end on-  God, according to Christianity has several qualities.  Now, many of them conflict, but this is a problem of two specific ones…  Omnibenevolence and Omnipotence.  God is the greatest good.  God is the most powerful.  Those are often in conflict, but they are in complete conflict here. 

God could have done anything to protect Elisha, but he chose to attack and maul 42 children, in order to do it. The God of the Bible could have done this in any way he saw fit, and he did it with overkill that would, if he were a human, get him denounced and thrown into a jail cell, or put to death.  It is not just you that can’t think of a reasonable excuse for his actions, no one can. 

If you ask, with no specific god in mind..  just in general… “What is the minimum, that is required, for a god to be the greatest being?” there is one answer – To be the most powerful being.  There can be a million gods, but the most powerful god, is the king.  The universe can be packed to-the-gills with beings, god just has to be more powerful.  That’s it.  If a god is more powerful than all the other gods, than all the living creatures and all the matter in the universe, then he is the biggest, most powerful god there can be.  THAT is what you believe.  No one thing, nor a collection of all things is more powerful.  That’s what you believe.  It’s why you call him “God”, and not “a god”. 

You also believe that we humans are just ignorant, sin filled creatures that fill the world with hate and sex and immorality, until we follow God’s plan.  But if God decides what is right, then he could say anything… anythinnnnnnng… is right.  Even mauling little kids because they picked on a guy’s hairline.  If you blindly follow this religion, as you have, since you’ve never read the book, then you are admitting that this act of extreme violence, is OK with you.  But, if you can understand, that this act was not omnibenevolent, then you can at least understand that your idea of God is in conflict. 

If he is all powerful, but not good, it explains the bears.  If he is all powerful, but not good, then that explains the flood and the dead children there too.  If he was all powerful, but not good, it explains why you believe I’m going to hell, just for not believing he is out there.  My infinite punishment, for a problem of his ego.

God is not nice and God is not good… and I’m very happy that he doesn’t really exist.” 

 

At this point, I took out $30, put it on the table, and told him I’d be around.  I told him that religion wasn’t meant to be easy, and he smiled and rolled his eyes.  Then I left.  After his silence, I simply didn’t know how I could keep talking, and not sound (even if it wasn’t intentional) like I was gloating.  I don’t want him to think I’m a jerk, or trying to make fun of his silence.  He had much bigger fish to fry in his mind, and I didn’t feel like adding to it.  Besides, we’d been there for a long time anyway. 

The reason the talk blew my mind, was that it's one of the rare times when I’ve talked about religion, and it got through.  Christians will read this, and think I’m a bad person trying to deconvert one of their own.  Don’t be misled – I am trying.  But then they do the same, and call it virtuous. 

There is a word for that.  

Before you can tell me I’m wrong, explain the bears. 

           

Something shifted...

                Years ago, I was in a relationship with a beautiful young lady.  She was the second woman that I had ever fallen in love with, and even to this day, we remain close.  We talk or text or communicate in some way almost every day, but the fact is this – That chapter is now closed. 

                When I was with the first girl that I was in love with, the relationship ended quickly.  I was blindsided with that one.  I was with her, then I got on a plane, and when I called to tell her that I had landed safely, she broke it off. I never saw it coming.  I proceeded to drink for weeks, and was furious at the world.  After my self-loathing induced drunken state was over, I moved on, because I was still then quite the optimistic chap. 

                When the second break up came, a few years ago, I knew it was coming.  We both did, even if we didn’t talk about it much.  We still spent lots of time together, but when she left the state, the relationship died.  Then we continued to talk, flirt, spend time with each other, and take time off from contact several other times.  I think that is why this one was so different.  There was more pain and regret and drinking spread out over years, as compared to the intense post break up hate fest of the first.

                Part of the reason we kept talking and meeting up (when she would visit, or I’d visit her) was that I was willing to take the pain.  It’s hard to describe, but I’m sure most people reading this understand.  You know it’s done.  You know it can’t last forever.  You know that weeks of pain will follow the few days of happiness when you get to hold them in your arms… but you do it anyway.  The short happiness is worth the pain afterwards.  It’s not rational, but it works.

                At some point, we decided to call it quits for good.  We talk, but none of that flirting that leads to more flirting, which leads to a trip and kissing/cuddling/loving that keeps the cycle going.  Neither of us could really take it anymore.  It wasn’t that we couldn’t handle the cycle; it’s that the cycle prevented us from moving on to be happy in our lives, and we both want the other to be happy. 

                Since, I’ve dated.  I’ve been on good dates, decent dates, and downright terrible dates.  I’ve had sex, but it was just that – sex (even if some girls meant more than others, and were fucking awesome people).  In the time that I started dating, there was one girl in particular that I actually liked.  We kissed, made out a little, but nothing more.  She lost interest, and I have no idea why.  I have no idea if she and I would have dated longer than a few hours, but the opportunity (however small) was there.  Life went on, but I tell you that, because it was the only time that I got close to moving out of a cycle that I’m still locked in.  Since, I’ve known women that I could move on with, but part of me keeps throttling back.  It’s not something that bends to my will.  For an extrovert like myself, it’s the most uncomfortable feeling to not feel comfortable with someone you want to feel comfortable with. 

                The thing is this.  I want to move on, and date someone, and have cuddle time and even fall in love, but I’m not quite sure if that will happen again.  I know what you will think – “Oh, just wait for the right girl to come along”.  Thank you for your words, but we both know that isn’t how it always works out.  Not for everyone.  In some people, something breaks… something shifts.  Some people lose the ability to open up.  Sometimes, they lose the ability, even if they try so damned hard to open up. For them, and me, it’s very likely that no one will ever get so close to them that they will have to risk being hurt again.  It is not that the person can will themselves to open up; it’s that their mind has locked itself off to protect itself.  It knows that a part of the mind isn’t responsible enough to protect its own feelings, and takes measures to remove the chance of a repeat.  That doesn’t mean that I’m going to stop trying.

                If anything does come, it will be at the cost of a snail’s pace.  That is a high cost, when like so many nights before, I’ll crawl in my bed alone tonight.  That has become the most hated part of my day. 

               

                P.S. This isn’t an emo cry for help or me whining.  I’m not feeling sorry for myself, and I hate when people feel sorry for me.  It’s simply me accepting how it is.  It is reality, and I don’t shy away from reality.  I do wish it were different, though.