As a British Christian I become ever more confused that so many of my American bothers and sisters seem to still embrace Trump. To me, just watching the debates, the speeches, the policy announcements, it seems clear to me that he is wholly unsuitable to be president. Indeed I would go so far as to say he appears to me to be genuinely dangerous with misogynist, racist, fascist and totalitarian tendencies. Not exactly Christ-like!
There is a steady stream of almost everyone who worked in his last administration coming out and saying that they will vote for Harris. Many have said that they want to put country before party (a phrase heavily used in the UK’s most recent election).
Trump seems to be choosing anger and fear, whilst Kamala Harris is encouraging voters to choose joy and a more normal politics.
It is time for us to recognise that angry popularists offer only superficially attractive “solutions” but these do not work. We need the much more measured and bipartisan approach that is being offered by Harris with a seat at the cabinet table for a republican and a bipartisan advisory group to get policy right.
How do the Christians ignore his non christian character? Im not sure of Kamala’s position regarding faith but if we want to promote a more humble, kind approach then isn’t she the one to go for?
UPDATE: The Trump Cult Is A False Religion Infiltrating The Church
See also my roundup Trump vs Harris article
I know many of you will reach straight for abortion as an issue. But firstly Trump has clearly said he is no longer pro-life and would block a national ban. Secondly the bans such as they are have been done clumsily and there is evidence that women’s lives have been lost because of confusion about how sick they must be before a life saving abortion can be offered. We may have to accept that the goal most christians have had for decades of banning abortion completely is unachievable. Finally, if our goal is to reduce the number of abortions then Harris offering a large tax break to new parents may help with the financial burden will probably help reduce the need many feel to abort because they simply can’t afford to look after a baby. But for many pro-life Christian Americans policy such as free health care for mother and baby, or improving the benefit position would be reflexly rejected as communist somehow! It’s not communist to offer free health care for your whole population actually, it’s just civilised!
And while we are on the subject of being life. Why aren’t the almost 50,000 people a year killed by guns in the USA of interest to most pro-lifers? Why would so many Christians have no desire to bring in even basic gun safety laws?
We are used in the UK to looking at the whole package of our political parties, considering the character of their leaders, and making an overall informed choice. To me there is no question if I was in the USA I would vote for Harris as the next president for many reasons. Foreign policy is one of course, and an isolationist USA where its leader loves Putin and other dictators seems more dangerous to world order than a sensible politician and the helm. As I have already mentioned many who worked in Trump’s previous administration now agree and some even talk about him as the most dangerous politician the USA have ever seen.
Some examples from X of why I find it baffling so many Christians support Trump
There’s no religious test for public office in this country, but I’ll say as a pastor here in North Carolina: if the church can’t acknowledge this testimony from our sister, then we’ve been led astray & aren’t hearing the Spirit’s, “Amen.” pic.twitter.com/dfzVO4kEAt
— Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove (@wilsonhartgrove) October 13, 2024
NEW: Bob Woodword speaks out for the first time since his book revealed the interactions Donald Trump had with Vladimir Putin after leaving the WH and the COVID tests he sent, which the Kremlin confirmed.
He’s not mincing words. Whoa! pic.twitter.com/JufA5aLGAN
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) October 13, 2024
How can any Christian want to vote for this nasty nasty man? https://t.co/LNiPoBASmh
— Adrian Warnock (@adrianwarnock) October 13, 2024
Here’s another video of Vance saying he won’t support Trump because he’s a liar and a racist, and that he’ll vote for Hillary Clinton. This is the video Elon Musk doesn’t want you to see.
You know what to do ‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/LeXIxm0WEh
— Kamala’s Glory (@kamala_glory) October 13, 2024
— Annie (@AnnieForTruth) October 12, 2024
Only rarely are individuals summoned for acts of national rescue, but in July, Vice President @KamalaHarris received one of those calls. With President Joe Biden’s decision to end his reelection campaign, the world looked to Harris with hopes and doubts. https://t.co/NtOIMM2L1R pic.twitter.com/4u1mbmDJ6i
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) October 11, 2024