Donald Trump, Christian

Yes, he is, and don’t you dare tell me he’s not.

 

I know you and I like you, you followers of Christ. You’re good people, as are some of the other Christians, the real Christians. The people who are NOT followers of Christ, but Christians. The people who have claimed not just Christ but the 2000 years of baggage that goes with it. The baggage, with its soaring cathedrals and thunderous music, is called Christianity, and we didn’t use to be ashamed of it.

 

Anyway, Trump calls himself a Christian, so he is, punto. This is called, if I dimly remember it, the grace of God—the unmerited love from God.

 

Unmerited being the operative word, for me. Am I worthy of entering heaven, assuming it exists? No, and neither is Trump. We all squeak in, somehow, those of us who call upon him (or Him, to keep King James happy) and are born again in his (His) name.

 

All right, let’s take the gloves off….  

 

I fucking hate you all. That thing hanging around your neck? It’s a crucifix to you, but a Swastika to me. And I think it’s time to grow up and get real.

 

Fuck the broadmindedness. Fuck being “tolerant” of other people’s religious beliefs. Fuck accepting that we can be “nice,” and that we have to respect the rights of others, when they’re wrong.

 

We don’t get it right. Norway and Argentina got it right, when they looked at the Jehovah’s Witnesses and said, “no, we’re not going to give you tax-exempt status if you practice shunning (Norway) or prevent people in critical need from receiving their own blood, for God’s sake (Argentina).”

 

Jehovah’s Witnesses can now exchange a civil greeting at any worship service that a “disfellowshipped” has the nerve to attend. No Saturday afternoon shopping sprees, of course, and forget Sunday dinner. But you can greet them, cordially and coolly, if they show up at the Church they’ve been kicked out of. And patients can now store their blood (assuming they can find a hospital that will do it) for future surgeries. Assuming you know when you are going to be hit by a bus, and act thoughtfully and prudently, you’ll be just fine.   

 

In the United States, our beloved Supreme Court has just told Colorado that it can’t rise to the level of Norway or Argentina. Colorado had tried to ban conversion therapy—which is the practice of putting kids with a serious problem (they’re gay and they’re terrified) into camps where they will be told that they’re sick or evil but God loves them anyway.

 

Why do I hate you, you Christians or followers of Christ?

 

You’re killing my people.

 

So no, I do not break bread with you.

 

I do not enter your homes.

 

I greet you politely and despise you privately. 

 

We are enemies, not brothers. I am honest enough to tell you that.

 

Are you honest?

 

You had every chance to call out Donald Trump for what he is, but you all sold out. For different reasons—you sincerely believed that God was using a broken vessel (Trump) to convey his salvation to the world. You had “reservations” but didn’t feel “comfortable” challenging him, or bucking your friends. You prayed, hoping for guidance from a higher power.

 

You are killing my people.

We are enemies.