Do America’s Spiritual Leaders Make All the Difference for Our Political Condition?
I keep hearing that the Republican Establishment created Donald Trump. I believe that is partially true because if many Republicans would drop the “let’s all get along and everyone will be happy” philosophy and oppose Obama’s policies like they all promised to when elected, Trump wouldn’t even be running. I believe he would just be enjoying his billions and living happily ever after. Many thought it was a joke that he was even running, but now as reality is setting in, it seems like he could be the Republican candidate, despite the fierce opposition the Republican Establishment is imposing now. I am not a Trump supporter, but the man definitely knows how to play the game. My first choice is Ted Cruz, but if Trump wins the primary, he will have my vote. Why does this man rally so many voters from so many different walks of life? He knows his audiences and is believable to many Americans. His positions change frequently and it’s hard to know if he is being sincere or just acting. I don’t think it’s only the establishment that encouraged Trump to come forward and oppose Washington; after all… didn’t everyone get voted in at some point? We are all in this together.
Trump even gets much support from professing Christians, including pastors. Whether we agree with Pastor Jeffress when he tells us why he can support Trump, I think he is telling the truth. He claims that America as a nation, including many Christians, really do think that all we need government to do is get us on track in practical manners like immigration, the economy and the problem with terrorists. It seems like trying to get a godly leader in the White House is secondary today, to way too many people. It’s insane to me that any pastor thinks that character, godliness and most especially morality are now not that important in Washington. It’s like we don’t know our history and how to think. Pastors should know better, but many don’t and then the attitude trickles down to their congregations. Leaders matter. They influence many. Our founders are surely turning over in their graves.
I truly believe that part of the reason Trump is so popular is because pastors like Jeffress are fine with him. If your spiritual leader is “ok” with a candidate, why wouldn’t you be? Good leaders lead by example. Jeffress doesn’t understand that you can’t separate religion and politics, so his followers won’t get it either. I suspect Pastor Jeffress represents the majority of Americans. All they want is the economy to come back and for us to be safe, but they see no correlation with our country’s success and spirituality. We got the God of the Bible out of the schools and I guess the next step is to get Him completely out of the government? How is that working for us? It is sad because he does speak out on some important issues, yet he truly is misleading many on this one. Pastors all around us are following along. While some pastors are spewing nonsense, others are just disengaging. Many won’t even get in the game, “in the Name of Jesus…. Of course.” To disagree with someone is offensive, unloving and ungodly. This nonsense has to stop because this election is critical. Time to play ball.
I recently read a post from a pastor that was appalled that a teacher in his daughter’s public high school was telling the students who to vote for. I am not going argue about whether that is right or wrong. It happened and I would look at it as an opportunity and seize it. That’s what people do whether we like it or not. I responded as gently, yet truthfully as I could, “I believe Christians should be the loudest in this campaign. How else do we get the godly candidates elected if we don’t play the game too and respond to people like that? The opposition is loud. We have to fight back. Tell her about Cruz!” I got no response and when I looked back, the entire post was taken down. That’s sad. Obviously, he didn’t agree with me and I am guessing that he thought it was ungodly to respond? I don’t get it?
I truly believe the majority of Americans now know the nation is in trouble and something must change. Why not get in the game and stick up for, vote for and defend godly candidates? Don’t we still believe that the teacher can learn much from the student? Just because someone stands in front of a classroom, behind a pulpit, a movie camera or microphone doesn’t mean they can’t be wrong. Question everyone and everything. Make people think about their positions or lack of opinion.
