HELLO!

On my way home yesterday, I listened to a most interesting interview on the CBC Radio program, Mainstreet. Roman Catholic theologian David Deane talked with host Jeff Douglas about why so many American Christians support US President Donald Trump in spite of his sins. Here is that 30 minute segment: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-37-mainstreet-ns/clip/16194780-do-christians-give-trump-pass-absolve-themselves-too I know David, he was, until he recently moved elsewhere, a professor at the Atlantic School of Theology. I am not sure I subscribe to all of David’s assumptions, but he is correct to highlight the seeming contradiction of a faith community focused on personal piety and conservative “family values” and yet deeply loyal to a political leader who has no interest in either. Some of these Christian fundamentalist leaders tell us that Trump is a changed man, not the person of his past. But many concede Trump is not like them, he remains a flawed sinner, who God has redeemed to overcome evil. Apologists compare Trump to King David, who after all arranged for one of his soldiers to be killed in battle to conceal his own affair with that soldier’s wife (2 Samuel 11). What is your analysis as to why these Christians support Trump?

Political commentators would suggest Christian fundamentalists support Trump because unlike other Christian conservative politicians in the US, he delivers for them. For instance, while Reagan and Bush 1 and 2, said all the things these believers liked, and appeared to be one of them, in the end they changed nothing. But Trump, who supported Abortion rights for most of his life, was a New York Democrat and counted gays and lesbians as his friends, did deliver. He overturned Roe vs. Wade, gutted all Climate Change laws, closed borders. In an era, we often characterize by the slogan, “walk the talk”, Trump is admired by these Christians because he did what he promised. But my own analysis is more simple. The expression, “the enemy of my enemies is my friend” feels like the most apt description of this love affair. It’s not that Trump is like them, it is that he hates the people they hate and does so in a manner they like.

Many fundamentalist Christians seethe with resentment and grievance at being looked down on by clever liberals, on mainstream media platforms, celebrities and academic experts who appear as guests on news programs. For them Trump is the one who calls their enemies names, mocks those who mock them, who attacks the people they blame for their own challenges. Further, when life feels unfair, these fundamentalist Christians can blame liberals for their unhappiness, and Trump articulates this worldview, his anger is their anger. Your thoughts?

Peace, Kevin

PS A blog for another time…I would add to the perspective above, as a student of politics and religion, I have never witnessed a time when progressives/liberals/the left has been less effective at communicating with working class persons. All across western democracies, working class people are increasingly voting for leaders like Trump despite the fact his policies are typically a threat to their economic interests. If this interest you, I would recommend Thomas Frank’s What's the Matter with Kansas?