The Case for Christians to VOTE for Donald Trump
by Bill Thomas
Clash Daily Guest Contributor
I’ve read several blogs and articles over the last couple of weeks decrying the fact that Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee for president. Quite a few Christians have taken to social media to proclaim how biblically unfit and morally deficient Trump is to hold the highest office in the land. Many of them piously declare that they will never vote for him. They won’t vote for his likely opponent, Hillary Clinton, either. They will have clean hands by simply not voting at all. What these well-meaning folks don’t realize, though, is that by not casting a vote against Hillary, they vote for her. Every Christian should think hard about whether he or she wants to do that. Let me explain the Christian case for Donald Trump as I see it.
Christians have a responsibility to care for and about others. Taking care of oneself and family is an important need. Paul writes in his first letter to Timothy, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8). Looking at the primary season and those who voted for Trump, I think we find that a majority of them are people that the economy and its tepid recovery have left behind. They are people whose job moved when the factory did. They are people who’ve had to take two jobs with less salary and benefits when their original job was phased out. They are people who want to do what Paul tells Timothy is important to do; take care of their families.
How do some Christians view them? Here’s what is being said. They are called ignorant, racist, and sell-outs. While there may be a few Trump supporters who have done things that are wrong, the majority of the millions of his voters are people who want an America in which they can work and take care of their responsibilities. It is easy to sit in a comfortable suburb and take a “moral” stance of “I won’t cast my vote for someone who is crass and crude.” You and your spouse have good jobs and your kids go to great schools. To you, it doesn’t really matter who is president. You’ll be fine either way. What about your brother or sister, though? Will you care about what happens to them? What does that mean for the Christian voter in November? If you don’t vote for Trump, who has demonstrated economic acumen, then you vote for the status quo in which these people, many of whom are the backbone of this country, will continue to struggle to scrape by. Cain didn’t realize it, but he ought to have been his brother’s keeper. Will you be?
Christians also have an obligation to stand against evil. The Psalmist, in Psalm 94:16, ponders the question, “Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?” Most evangelical Christians today would agree that we should oppose that which is evil and stand for that which is good. In fact, many use that to support their opposition to Donald Trump. They argue that he is no different from Hillary Clinton and a Christian ought not to vote for either. I think they miss the mark.
On the issue of abortion and the Supreme Court, it is universally accepted that Hillary Clinton will appoint judges who support the pro-choice positon. She has made that clear. While some claim that Trump will do the same, the fact is they don’t know that. Donald Trump has never appointed a judge. No one can say, with any degree of certainty, what Trump will do. I hear the naysayers, “Well, that’s hardly a ringing endorsement.” I suppose you’re right, but consider this. If Hillary is elected, we know for certain what we’ll get. If Trump is elected, there is a chance (a good one in my opinion) that we’ll have judges that stand for life.
Another issue to be concerned about is religious freedom. Hillary has made it clear she is running for Obama’s third term. What does that mean for the Christian community? More attacks on our freedom of expression. More promotion of other religions at the expense of Christianity. It means a continued denigration of the Christian faith. With Trump we see a different picture. We see someone who slaps down political correctness at every turn. We see someone who respects the Judeo-Christian heritage on which our country was built. Will it be perfect under Trump? No, probably not. Will it be better under him than under Hillary? I don’t think it is even close. As a Christian will you vote, by not voting, for continued evil or will you take a stand and oppose its spread?
I am confident that this election will be a close one. It will be one in which every vote matters.Christians, especially evangelicals, have a choice. They can stay home on moral grounds with the idea that neither of the candidates is any good or they can recognize that this country is in crisis and, while the candidate of their choosing isn’t on the ballot, they can cast a vote against one that will continue disastrous policies. It is my prayer that evangelicals come out by the millions to take a stand. Do it for the least of these among us. Do it for those who struggle. Do it because we as a people cannot take four more years of the same.
Image: Courtesy of Gage Skidmore @: Donald Trump via photopin (license)
