I don't usually "get political" on here, and maybe, as a Christian and an American --both criteria mandating responsibility to my nation and my fellow countrymen -- I should. Of course, I know the election is over, but I've noticed some troubling things over the past several months. I think you will find, however, they have less to do with politics and more to do with how we treat one another.
The hatred among Trumpers. In June I attended a Trump rally. And I will say, again, No, I am not a 'Trumper.' It saddens me greatly that he is the best candidate the Republican Party can offer its constituency, but here we are. So, I was invited to one of his rallies. The "speech," if it can be called that, was rambling and filled with hyperbole. No surprises there. What I really took notice of, however, was the atmosphere. I have to be honest; I was a little uneasy heading to a Trump rally in a Democratic city known for its exceptional homicide rate. The police presence was tremendous, and security was tight. But the people! Surrounding the venue were row after row of vendors selling all manner of MAGA merch. Some merchants appeared to be so into the celebratory vibe, they were handing out flags and bandannas for free. Visitors to the center were talking and laughing --and they were visitors from all ages and races and walks of life! I saw a man hurrying down the street who inadvertently dropped a huge wad of cash from his pocket; behind him a tattooed young man decked in red called to him to return the money. Another man stood on a street corner respectfully debating those who challenged his point of view. A couple of well-dressed women "of a certain age" were being interviewed by an Australian news source; their answers were well-constructed and had nothing to do with venerating an unhinged figurehead. People were scooching down in their rows and making room for others to gain a good view of the dais. But hate was among us! It came in the form of an elderly husband and wife. A father and son offered up their seats so the senior couple could comfortably sit. Shortly after opening remarks, the husband rose from his seat and began screaming --I thought at, but it was to his wife, to be heard over the crowd. Soon they both were on their feet screaming at all of us how ashamed we should be, that Trump has killed thousands, and we were despicable people for even attending such an event. They were still spitting their condemnations at us as they left.
"Friend"ship. Fast forward to September, and a friend makes the statement that folks are only voting for Trump "because they can't stand the thought of a black woman President." Normally, I let his/her offensive opinions and innuendos rot with the rest of the garbage, but I'd grown so tired of hearing this divisive line spread by the Democrats like the manure it is, I gave my opinion. There were issues with which he/she wasn't even familiar so, he/she asked, I clarified, and the conversation was over. No attempts to convert, I merely wanted to put a stop to an insulting fallacy. It's November, the election is over, and said friend has publicly stated he/she is "reevaluating" relationships based on political choices. This person has placed the word friends in quotations as though any qualifications I possessed prior to casting my vote, any good I did for him/her, any love we had for one another or any memories we shared are fully negated by the exercising of my right as an American. For four people who will never know our names, this friend is willing to sever our relationship. For events he/she believes will happen based on whatever sources he/she adheres to, this friend is willing to burn bridges on a personal level. And here's what I think is most interesting: our discussion in September! This friend knew how I was intending to vote. This friend maintained our usual level of contact for weeks after our discussion. This friend hosted both my husband and me in October. Not until this friend's candidate lost was there any mention of my unconscionable betrayal. And there was never any mention of how either one of us was planning to vote the rest of the ballot!
Hypocrisy. I have seen "Christian" Republicans (and yes, I will put that in quotation marks) spew hateful things about the Democratic candidates, and vice versa. So wrong! I can't say how much that bothers me. And it does cause me to question their commitment to Jesus (as it would any observing unbelievers). We can educate and correct those with differing views without belittling them or severing connections. We can be educated and corrected. I learned long ago, when telling people about Jesus, if He's as great as I believe He is, beating people over the head with the Bible only weakens the position. Insulting them is out of the question! The same is true of all we defend and endorse: harming others in the name of a cause only harms the cause.
So, it's Wednesday. I don't usually write, and I don't usually drag on so, but please, please, please think before you believe something. Think before you trash your relationships over an outcome we'll all have grown accustomed to before its inauguration. Think before you speak. And most importantly, my Christian brothers and sisters, love God and love your neighbor (Mark 12:30,31)
May God bless America.
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