I didn’t plan to write this, but it’s one of those moments where you feel compelled by something deep inside—something telling you that this has to be said. It’s not comfortable, and it’s not easy. But for the sake of honesty, for the sake of the people I care about, and for the sake of the future, I need to put this on record. This is a message for friends, family, readers, and especially for those still considering a vote for Donald Trump.
A Moral Crossroad: Christians and the Trump Dilemma
I’ll get straight to the point. If you’re a Christian—or at least someone who claims to follow the teachings of Jesus—then you need to reflect deeply on where you stand in this moment. The Jesus I’ve come to know, the one I respect and honor as a teacher and guide, would not be silent. He would not sit idly by in the face of injustice, hatred, and the exploitation of the vulnerable. So, I’m challenging you: Where do you stand? Are you ready to align with the real Jesus, or are you going to keep propping up a movement that’s about as far from the teachings of Christ as possible?
Christian Nationalism vs. the Teachings of Jesus
Let’s be clear: Christian nationalism—the movement that’s gripped America through Donald Trump’s MAGA agenda—is not just a misinterpretation of Jesus’ teachings. It’s in direct opposition to them. It’s an affront to the Sermon on the Mount, the fruit of the Spirit, and everything Jesus stood for. If you’re claiming to follow Christ, you cannot ignore this.
Lessons from History: Bonhoeffer and the Rise of Nationalism
I’m reminded of a conversation I had with a certain theologian years ago, who told me that voices like mine would need to be bold, that at some time in the future we would have to speak truth in the way that Dietrich Bonhoeffer did. Bonhoeffer, if you don’t know, was a theologian who resisted the rise of Nazi Germany in the 1930s. He wasn’t just opposed to Hitler; he opposed the nationalistic Christian movement that perverted the message of Jesus to serve a regime of oppression. We need a Bonhoeffer-like resistance today. We need Christians to be brave enough to say “No” to MAGA, to Christian nationalism, to using faith as a prop for policies that harm the least of these.
And yes, I’m comparing MAGA to the rise of Nazism in 1930s Germany. This isn’t an exaggeration; it’s a historical lesson. When nationalism starts to merge with religion, when one party demands blind allegiance, when scapegoating becomes the strategy to keep power, we are in dangerous territory. It might not look exactly like the 1940s, but the seeds are the same. And unless we learn from the past, we’re bound to repeat it.
If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, this is the time to take a stand. We’re at a crossroads in history, and future generations will look back at this moment just as we now look back on the German Church under Nazism. Where will you be when the story is told?
What Kind of Man Will You Be? A Call to Real Masculinity
Now, let’s talk about another thing: masculinity. To all the so-called “alpha males” who support Trump, I have a question for you—what kind of man are you? How can you call yourself a protector of women, of family, of decency, and still support a man who has been accused by dozens of women of sexual assault? A man who has openly bragged about his behavior, who has used his power to exploit, degrade, and dehumanize women?
If you won’t stand up to that, what will you stand up for? I know we live in a world where power and dominance are often confused with masculinity. But real masculinity isn’t about power. It’s about integrity. It’s about standing up for the people who need your strength, not using your strength to dominate or degrade others.
The Cost of Silence: Standing Up for Women and Decency
Every single one of us knows women—mothers, sisters, daughters—who have been victims of predatory men. We’ve all heard the stories, and many of us have seen it up close. And yet, some of you are still willing to overlook Trump’s behavior. You say it’s “locker room talk,” or that it’s in the past. But let’s be real—it’s not. The disrespect, the objectification, the complete disregard for women’s dignity is woven into the fabric of who Trump is. If you won’t stand up to that, if you won’t speak out for the women in your life, then you need to seriously reflect on what it means to be a man.
There’s nothing masculine about looking the other way when women are being degraded. There’s nothing courageous about being silent when a bully is in charge. If you really want to be a man, if you really want to claim that title, then you have to stand up for what’s right, especially when it’s difficult.
If you’re on the fence, or if you’re still rationalizing your support for Trump, let me ask you this–Are you more upset by my blunt language, or are you upset by the fact that the person you support has consistently shown contempt for human decency? Because at some point, you have to decide what you’re willing to tolerate. You have to decide what kind of person you’re going to be.
This Isn’t About Politics—It’s About Integrity
This isn’t about politics. This isn’t about conservative or liberal values. I’m not asking you to become a Democrat. Hell, I’m not one! I’m not even asking you to support a specific candidate. What I am asking you to do is take a long, hard look at the man you’re supporting and ask yourself: is this really who I want to align myself with?
Looking in the Mirror: Who Will You Stand For?
If the answer is yes, then you have to live with that. But if the answer is no—if deep down you know that this isn’t right—then now is the time to make a change. Don’t wait until history has passed you by to take a stand. Don’t wait until it’s too late to be on the right side of this moment.
Look in the mirror, and ask yourself: Who will you stand for? Because if you won’t stand for decency now, then when?
Also, if you’ve been digging my work on here, and want to see me be able to continue writing as close to full-time as humanly possible, please take a look at my Patreon page at www.patreon.com/mjdistefano. Even $1 a month helps bigly!
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