More Thoughts in These Times

In the light of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump last night at a campaign rally, I feel the need to say something. I condemn this and any type of political violence and I am personally glad that nothing worse happened and Donald Trump is okay.

However, I have heard at least one person say that Biden is to blame and the rhetoric from the other side, which is very ironic. We also know Trump is going to play the victim and go on to attack anyone against him or speaks out and it will edge his supporters on more towards violence. I am concerned more and more with each passing day with the state of this country no matter who wins the election.

If you have read my posts, you know my opinions about Trump. I half-seriously told my classes in 2016 after Trump was elected that if I suddenly go missing or disappear one day, you will know why. I am even more convinced now that I will have to say this again. We will see things happen that are unsettling and just like in other places in history might feel shock and horror, but then gradually become desensitized to it and even numb, and even accept them as right. I know Trump supporters are saying the same things about the current administration and what they see happening in the country today, but it is not the same.

My fellow readers, if you are on the other side and do support Trump, please open your ears to his rhetoric and what is coming from his side, the platform coming from his campaign and the Republic party, his proposed policies and ask yourself: Are these showing love for all of your neighbors? Are these good for all people? Finally, if you are a Christian and think that Trump is the president we need to stand up for Christian values, let me remind you that when national states and religion are closely connected or when the nation state claims to be the one true way to follow a religion then authentic spirituality, worship, or love that such religion is supposed to create is often diminished.

I am reminded of the poem by Martin Niemoller, who was a German Lutheran pastor that after Hitler rose to power realized that he needed to speak out and became a leader of German clergymen against him.

First they came for the Communists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left

To speak out for me

https://www.hmd.org.uk/resource/first-they-came-by-pastor-martin-niemoller/

We need more clergy and Christian leaders to stand up and speak out against how bad a Trump presidency would be. It is very sad because they probably won't until it's too late because restricting abortion, LGBTQ rights, and letting powerful Christian conservative groups get into our public schools is the morals they will live and die for, which if these were truly about being faithful and loving servants of God than it might be okay, but it is about power for these groups. I pray for people to rise up, wake up, and understand what is at stake and make decisions based on love instead of out of fear.