The Trump phenomenon's most illuminating and distinctive moments – not its most important, nor cruelest, nor most threatening, nor stupidest, but potentially its most enlightening – came earlier this autumn. In the course of a few weeks, the US president commenced revealing all observers his designs for a lavish reception room double the dimensions of the White House and then commenced solo dismantling the East Wing to build it.
He has committed acts countless times more severe – the current estimate of deaths due to his slashing to international aid is 600,000 and growing, and recently an analysis predicted his fossil fuel policies would cause deaths 1.3 million more. Yet nothing as characteristic. No previous president would have dared – truly, no other president would have imagined – independently wrecking significant portions of the White House in order to erect a royal-themed celebration hall, with the direct cooperation of some of the nation's most affluent, nearly all of which have business with the government.
We transitioned from 'the gentle will obtain the Earth' toward 'the humble will perish to cholera'
As confusing as it is to watch the chief executive try to upend the traditional concept of democracy and substitute it with its direct contrary, there exists a significant segment among Americans who should not find it entirely new. That is those of us – among senior generations close to half – who were brought up within mainstream Protestant traditions.
We have watched across decades as rightwing evangelical churches turned the Jesus we grew up with into the total contrary of who we understood him to be. Essentially, they turned a figure of affection into a symbol of animosity who approves precisely the cruelties that he denounced in the Gospel; this change developed more slowly, over decades as opposed to months, however it is still disturbing through similar means, a bewildering emotional blow for countless people.
A Toxic Christianity Takes Hold
So let me first describe the Jesus from my childhood, because theoretically Jesus is the center of any Christian faith, and since the rapidly expanding group within America could have minimal awareness of him because they identify as non-believers or agnostics or religiously unaffiliated. I take no issue with these various perspectives, nor with any other faith; yet I maintain that there are pearls of substantial value in the Christian story.
It is unquestionably absolutely not the story of a mighty king arising; instead, a baby is born to displaced parents in an automotive shelter, who must quickly flee to another nation to evade secret police. The child matures in modest conditions, an employed craftsman; his message concerns compassion for others, specifically for the impoverished – not merely emotional affection, but tangible care, shown by providing food and sheltering. Jesus' answer to violence is to present the opposite cheek – not as an act of passive acceptance, but as a way to educate the aggressor; his crime policy is that if an individual takes your outer garment you ought to provide him your sweater as well.
The obvious and clear truth that the Savior from scripture requests a kind of radical love focused on the poor is what has always made Christianity something of a provocative belief system: engaging for the populace, but owing to its intrinsic extremism requiring to be contained. During the 1950s it was contained by dilution – Protestantism was so dominant that it essentially blessed current circumstances.
A Battle for the Highest Within Us
Hence I have become heartened to see the persistent defiance to Trump emerge in this past year. It has served as substantial consolation to help build the movement that has demonstrated publicly through repeated demonstrations, and seems to have inspired voters to participate in significant amounts during minor elections. We shall require to maintain it, and in the same spirit, with American flags throughout each rally and requests to the best parts in US history.
We're going to be asked ... regarding how you welcomed the foreigner? Did you receive him and receive them or not?
The nation is most protected, in other words, by relationship to the best about American history, similar to Christianity is most protected through connection to that which renders it unique and beautiful, specifically the model of Jesus. In neither case does it mean feigning the most damaging of both America and Christianity did not happen; it signifies both humility and conviction, a combination that genuine national faithful ought to accept.
