They're Doing in America What They Did to Christianity

The Trump movement's most illuminating and characteristic moments – not its most important, nor most harsh, nor most threatening, nor stupidest, but possibly its most revealing – emerged earlier this harvest season. Over the span of several weeks, the US president began displaying all observers his plans for a gilded ballroom double the dimensions of the White House and then began independently demolishing the East Wing portion to erect it.

He has committed acts countless times more severe – the current estimate of fatalities resulting from his reductions to foreign assistance amounts to 600,000 and increasing, and recently a study projected his fossil fuel policies would result in fatalities 1.3 million more. But nothing as definitional. No other president would have attempted – truly, no previous leader would have imagined – unilaterally destroying large sections of the White House in order to erect a Versailles-style party room, with the enthusiastic participation of numerous the nation's most affluent, almost all of whom have business with federal agencies.

We went from 'the meek shall inherit the planet' toward 'the gentle will succumb of cholera'

As confusing as it is to witness the president try to upend the old idea regarding democracy and exchange it with its direct contrary, there remains a substantial portion among Americans who might not perceive it completely novel. This includes individuals like us – within elder demographics close to half – who were raised as mainline Protestant Christians.

We have watched over the years as rightwing evangelical churches converted the Savior we were raised with into the complete reverse of our perception of his character. Essentially, they turned a figure of love into an icon of hostility who approves specifically the brutality that he condemned in the Gospel; this has happened at a slower pace, across decades instead of months, however it is still disturbing in the same ways, a bewildering emotional blow for countless people.

A Damaging Christianity Takes Hold

Hence I shall explain the Savior from my upbringing, because theoretically the Savior is the core of Christian religion, and given that the fastest-growing cadre within America may possess limited understanding regarding him because they identify as atheists or agnostics or spiritual independents. I raise no objection with these various perspectives, nor with alternative spiritual paths; however I believe that exist valuable insights of great price in the Christian story.

It is unquestionably not the story of a mighty king arising; rather, a baby is born to homeless parents in an automotive shelter, who are forced to hastily depart to another nation to evade covert authorities. The infant develops in simple surroundings, an employed craftsman; his message focuses on affection for others, particularly for the poor – and not a sentimental love, but practical compassion, demonstrated through nourishing and sheltering. The Savior's reaction to violence is to offer the other cheek – not as an act of passive acceptance, but as a method to instruct the attacker; his approach to wrongdoing is that if someone steals your coat you should give him your sweater also.

The evident and direct truth that the Savior from scripture calls for a form of extreme compassion focused on the poor has perpetually caused Christian religion somewhat of a provocative belief system: attractive to the masses, but because of its natural unconventionality requiring to be controlled. During the 1950s it was restrained by dilution – Protestantism was so dominant that it basically blessed current circumstances.

A Conflict for the Highest Among Us

Hence I have become encouraged to see the persistent defiance against Trump emerge over the last twelve months. It has provided significant comfort to assist in constructing the movement that has demonstrated publicly through repeated demonstrations, and likely has encouraged citizens to turn out in significant amounts in interim political contests. We shall require to maintain it, and with identical determination, with American flags throughout each rally and requests to the finest aspects within national heritage.

We will be questioned ... regarding how you welcomed the immigrant? Did you welcome them and embrace them or refuse?

The nation is most protected, in other words, through connection to the best about American history, exactly as the Christian faith is best defended by relationship to what makes it distinctive and beautiful, specifically the model of Christ. In all circumstances does it imply pretending the worst regarding America and Christian faith did not happen; it means both meekness and faith, a mixture that serious US believers should embrace.