This is an interesting time we live in. I know I have disappointed others in many ways. We all have. We are, after all, human and perfectly imperfect. This season feels different. This time feels different from anything I have ever experienced. It is in many ways frightening, and it is certainly uncomfortable. This time causes me to be on guard and diligent to make sure I am not part of the problem (I sometimes am) and to accept that there is little I can do to provide a solution. It's a difficult place to be.
I understand that we all have our biases. We tend to gravitate towards news and stories we agree with. But that notion is nothing new. In fact, research shows our bias can even be unconscious, but once we realize it our brain does this trick where it convinces us consciously that our bias is valid. Or in other words, we talk ourselves into agreeing with the unconscious bias. This didn't just start happening a few years ago, so why does it feel so different?
Maybe it's the 24-hour news cycle. You can find any "news" you want, whenever you want and as one-sided as you want. You may convince yourself that your cable news network is fair and balanced. Keep dreaming. With so many options, "reporting" so many different things is it any wonder that once someone finds the cable news network they most align with, that they stick with it to the exclusion, or almost exclusion of any other source of entertainment (cough...I mean "news")? And once you find your source no matter how out of bounds or crazy it becomes, is it possible you don't even notice? The frog being dropped into the pot of warm water, not even flinching as the warmth becomes hot and then boiling. You go from comfortable to extreme without so much as a thought of perhaps things have gone too far.
It makes sense that the result is a world so fractured that the ability to have a thoughtful conversation about important issues is almost impossible. Pure polarization. The inability to call wrong wrong if the wrongdoer is your guy (or gal). What is this all or nothing extremism? To me, it is exhausting. It is incredibly disappointing when I see people I respect and trust refuse to simply say this is wrong or that is wrong. The hypocrisy is overwhelming at times.
Except for my dog Daisy, I cannot think of a single instance where I have elevated someone to the point where I am unable to admit when he or she does something I disagree with or I believe is wrong or hurtful. I also cannot think of anyone who isn't deserving of some praise for something. I think President Obama was a wonderful president. He was distinguished, served our country with honor, and treated people with respect. I was disappointed with the way he handled Syria, the red line. I also think he had a tendency to engage in analysis paralysis. For me, Donald Trump represents everything I was taught growing up is wrong. He lies with reckless abandon, he mistreats women, he has no humility, he is wholly self-centered, and could not be more unlike Christ, the standard we are to look to for guidance. Even so, I was proud of him, and told others, when he took action against Syria after the children and families were burned as a result of a chemical gas attack. That is the one instance I recall where he seemed to care about something other than himself. No one is all good or all evil.
I accept that I am not without fault, and that one can point to things I say or do that are hypocritical. I believe that is the curse of being human. As someone I care about deeply said in response to Donald Trump's words in which he was degrading women and laughing about being able to essentially sexually assault them, we all make mistakes or have done things wrong. I couldn't agree more. We have all made mistakes and we have all done things wrong. However, the fact that we are all guilty of something, does not excuse or justify our individual behavior or actions. If taken to its extreme, sure Hitler killed millions, but come on...nobody's perfect. And I will say to the credit of my dear loved one, at least by her comment, I believe she acknowledged Trump's behavior was wrong and that seems to be a rarity among some supporters.
The definition of a hypocrite is a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs. Hypocrisy is the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform. And that is my struggle. How can people I hear talk the talk about loving Jesus and in such large numbers, support a man whose unapologetic in his behavior that is so contrary to the teachings of Christ? At the prayer breakfast this year, many even giggled like school girls at Trump's hateful rhetoric.
I understand the abortion issue, and that for many evangelicals, it is the only thing that matters. Without getting into the abortion debate, it still does not justify supporting, much less wholeheartedly embracing a man like Donald Trump. It's not as though there aren't others who are kind, respectful and against abortion that one could support. There are others who at least try to reflect the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
"God depends on the church, the Christian, to show the love of God in this world. And when we fail at that, people not only think less of us, they think less of God." -Rev. Are. I know that is why this season feels different to me. I know that Trump's base that is made up of evangelicals has done so much harm to the reputation of God, our heavenly father. I know this, because the hypocrisy has even caused my faith to wane. I have to keep reminding myself of who my teacher is, and that those who disregard or even celebrate Trump's behavior are not who Christ is counting on to show the love of God in this world. And you may not care what others think, but that is not faithful to the word of God. "You can’t be careless about what your neighbor thinks while at the same time loving your neighbor." -Rev. Are. And last time I checked, Christ calls us to love our neighbor.
This has caused me grief and sadness because those who I once looked up to as ones who I could depend on to show the love of God have failed me. Not because they aren't perfect or they make mistakes. Trust me, my sins are great. But because without remorse they seemingly disregard how their embrace of their new master hurts the reputation of my God on such a large scale.
How we live influences how others understand God. In 1998, Wayne Grudem, the author of Christian Ethics, believed that integrity and character in our political leaders was an urgent matter. For example, Grudem signed onto a declaration concerning religion, ethics, and the crisis in the Clinton presidency.“We believe that serious misunderstandings of repentance and forgiveness are being exploited for political advantage.” “We are aware that certain moral qualities are central to the survival of our political system, among which are truthfulness, integrity, respect for the law, respect for the dignity of others, adherence to the constitutional process, and a willingness to avoid the abuse of power. We reject the premise that violations of these ethical standards should be excused so long as a leader remains loyal to a particular political agenda and the nation is blessed by a strong economy.”
My how times have changed. Mr. Grudem, in response to the Christianity Today editorial denouncing the actions of Trump, now defends Trump by justifying his behavior and by asserting facts that are demonstrably false -hypocrisy.
But what about the ends justifying the means. I hear some say "we are just voting the platform." I hear others justify embracing Trump because he is appointing the judges they want and instituting the policies they like. There are many instances in scripture where the ends justifies the means defense is rebuked. It doesn't take a scholar to understand that in scripture the ends never justify the means. God cares about the means and the ends.
How small must you think God is that He needs His people to worship and support a man like Donald Trump, in His name, so that certain judges can be appointed or certain policies instituted. How small you must think God is that He would require your unfailing loyalty to a man who insults others, mocks the disabled, has no ability to turn the other cheek, and is without humility. Your silence is deafening and your praise and excuses even worse. WWJD? Based on my understanding of who my God is, not this.