Let's Be Honest

I have titled this post "Let's Be Honest" because I feel that as the creator of this website and writer of my own blog posts that it is important. For this post, I would like to address my thoughts about the Trump presidency so far after only one week.

First, this new administration is proving to be already one of the most consequential terms that we have seen in modern times in the speed that it is trying to completely overhaul everything that is in place and many of these things have been in place for a long time. Some of these include things such as stopping the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) from putting out any press releases or information to the public without approval from those in the president's circle. Right now, we are in the middle of flu season, COVID is going around, and bird flu is spreading quickly and it is alarming, but apparently the president and his people do not think these things are important enough to update the public on. We have pulled out from the WHO (World Health Organization), which will have consequences to not just the US but the world. The crackdown on immigration has people scared and not just illegal immigrants and the suggestion that enforcement will happen in schools and churches. This is an addition to stating that separation of families is a possibility and will happen in cases that it is deemed necessary by the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The language that the government is only recognizing two genders is also alarming and justifying hate and discrimination to the trans population and extend to the broader LGBTQ+ population as well. Idaho has already become the first state to try to challenge the Supreme Court's ruling that recognizes and ensures protections for same-sex marriage across the country. I am not going to get into beliefs and ideologies about LGBTQ+ issues, but no matter what side you are on, know that this is going to increase hate and discrimination towards this group of people. Finally, Trump's universal pardon of those that attacked the Capitol on January 6th is scary and dangerous. He has put back on the streets and raised up on a pedestal members and leaders of groups such as the Proud Boys, The Oath Keepers, and others that are open about their racist views, ideologies, and hate. This alone should send chills down anyone's spines about what this means.

Now, I am already seeing signs of voter regret. Even at the church that I attend, last week on the Sunday before inauguration there was almost a sense of celebration in the end of this "awful" last four year presidential term and exciting expectation full of hope of what these next four years would bring. And like I titled this post, "let's be honest," after last Sunday I was feeling very uncomfortable at the prospect of continuing to attend church if this was going to be the feeling and sentiment and myself not exactly aligning with this. Jump ahead to yesterday (this Sunday) and the pastor towards the end of his message (not a big emphasis) basically said that the church has made a terrible mistake by putting our trust in Trump. And I am not going to lie, but I have to watch myself and not become self-righteous and go "I told y'all so," because what good will it do, we're all in this together now. Before it seemed like a lot of Christians were saying, "Trump is going to bring some much needed rain on this drought-stricken land. Sure, it might be too much rain for some people but as a whole it is still better and will bring relief and prosperity." To now, "Oh, this is like a Category 6 Hurricane that others were trying to warn us about, and we told them they were blowing things out of proportion or 'crying wolf,' but now we are starting to realize that those other people were probably right." And in that moment, more than any other feeling, I just felt relieved, sad, and even hopeful that the church will wake up and start to leave this Trump obsession/worship behind. I know there are many people and churches out there still embracing Trump, but I pray for God to open the eyes of their hearts to see and run back to embracing the true teachings of the Bible and Jesus like having mercy on others and trying to cultivate the Fruits of the Spirit in their lives.

I believe that I have discussed this before, but these days, I am deeply studying the book of 2 Kings in the Bible and it is also leading me to the prophet of Hosea as well. I believe that Yahweh has me studying these parts and stories for a specific reason in this specific time that we are living through with Trump coming back to power. Yahweh is using this time to call and separate his true followers from those that are not of him, but are doing evil under the guise of his name.

Well, this post was not exactly cheerful in and happy, but it has been on my heart. I will continue to speak out, call for justice, and speak for those that cannot as I am able and deem appropriate. I have said before to people that if I suddenly disappear one day, everyone will be able to figure out why. I am not planning on disappearing but there is never a 0% chance given the current state of things.

Please take care of yourself, those whom you love and care about, and even those around us who are strangers and vulnerable among us.