Trump’s recent trip to Europe prompted Europeans to again ask the question, “How could you elect this man to be your leader.” I think the answer is that Trump made people comfortable with being selfish and mean.
When the American voters elected a narcissist who valued money, power and demeaning people above all else, they made these values mainstream. Admirers of Trump, including many so-called Christians, could embrace these values and feel good about themselves because, after all, they were on the winning team. They no longer have to pretend that integrity, decency, honesty, compassion and other Christian values are important.
The church leaders haven’t been totally silent. Pope Leo strongly questioned Trump’s treatment of immigrants. Rev. Gabriel Salguero and the Episcopal Bishop of Washington Mariann Budde condemned Trump’s rhetoric and behavior. But indicating displeasure is not the same as telling your congregants that God doesn’t accept such behavior, and they should either live Christian values or leave the church. But then church leaders don’t want to lose any of their donating members, and they are seriously afraid Trump will take away their benefits, including their tax benefits, so they have, for the most part, not taken a strong position.
This doesn’t let the congregants who do believe in Christian values off the hook. If your church doesn’t hold or is afraid to defend your values, you should join a church that does or, better yet, leave organized religion. It’s one’s beliefs and behavior, not belonging to a church, that makes one a good Christian.
Our educational leaders haven’t shown any more courage than our religious leaders. The colleges that have had a history of preaching equality have, under Trump’s heavy-handed financial pressure, agreed that they would no longer do so. And rather than supporting classes with open discussions of the current Trump administration, they have done everything possible to avoid the subject. And who knows where the college students, who have often acted as the country’s conscience, are hiding.
Common sense says that if your goal is heaven on earth, the best path is not dancing with the devil.
Frank T. Globokar, Cottonwood Heights
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