“There comes a time in the history of a nation where an ethical, moral stand has to be taken regardless of the political costs” (Khizr Khan, father of Muslim-American war hero Army Capt. Humayun S.M. Khan, who was killed in action in Iraq).
Mr. Khan understands what is at stake in this election. So should all of us.
There are many reasons to believe Donald Trump is a moral and political threat to our nation, not least his comments about the Khans, but I think one incident in particular showed beyond doubt that he is not a man of good character: He mocked handicapped NY Times reporter, Serge Kovaleski.
That was a line no decent person could ever cross, but Donald Trump didn’t hesitate a second.
He now says he was only gesturing harmlessly because he didn’t know Kovaleski was handicapped. He doesn’t realize that if that were true, it would make matters worse.
Far from harmless, the gesture unmistakably represented mocking someone who is handicapped. If Trump wasn’t making fun of Mr. Kovaleski in particular, he is then admitting that he was making fun of all handicapped individuals.
Neither says anything good about Trump’s moral character. We are not talking about being flawed. We are talking about Donald Trump being a morally bankrupt person, something he has demonstrated in numerous other ways as well as this one.
I think the words of attorney Joseph Welch spoken to Senator Joe McCarthy during McCarthy’s “communists in government” witch hunt could be asked of Trump: “Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?
Now, I am highlighting Trump’s lack of character for one primary reason. Millions of American evangelicals are supporting this man for president. It is one of many shocking aspects of this election, one that should not be ignored.
Some people are inclined to suggest that evangelicals who are supporting Donald Trump should not call themselves Christians. I disagree. I believe they are Christians.
They are just not following Jesus.
I hasten to add that what I am saying doesn’t means supporting Hillary Clinton means you are following Jesus.
No, all I am saying is that you may be a Christian and support Donald Trump, but you cannot count yourself as one who follows Jesus for the simple reason that your support of Trump means you are ignoring the heart and soul of what Jesus said and did. Let me explain.
At the risk of oversimplification, Christianity is an invention of the church, that is, it is a religious tradition spawned by the church with beliefs, creeds, and dogmas about Jesus that define what being a Christian, i.e., a church member, means.
There is nothing bad about that except that it has a major, perhaps even fatal, flaw. Christianity as the religion about Jesus is not always consistent with what Jesus himself said and did, and at times actually contradicts both.
Jesus, for example, summarized his own teachings in two imperatives: (1) unwavering devotion to God; and (2) compassion for your neighbor.
Jesus said that everything else was secondary to these two demands. Essentially his was a call to practice what the prophet Micah said: “…what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (6:8).
The writer of the first letter of John got what Jesus meant, which is why he wrote: “Those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen” (4:20)
Whatever else may be said about Donald Trump, he can never be accused of paying attention to the words of Jesus, the challenge of the prophet Micah, or the strong words of John.
If, then, you are an evangelical who is supporting Donald Trump, you have a problem. While you may rightly call yourself a Christian, if you are honest with yourself, you cannot say that you are following the core of what Jesus calls all who follow him to believe and to do.
This is not speculation or opinion. The words and actions of both Jesus and Donald Trump are on the record, and they could not be more different or contradictory.
Which means that evangelical Christians who are supporting Donald Trump are doing what they often do, they are following their religion about Jesus instead of what Jesus himself actually said and did.
It is something they have done so often that it no longer surprises anyone. But it still bothers a lot of us.
linnposts.com 
I am not an Evangelical. I do not know of anyone who approves of some of Donald T. statements (the insulting ones). Hillary’s “reputation” is not much better, in other ways, need we start the count on her sins? Technically I cannot vote FOR either PERSON. So I have to go deeper, and vote for the Platform I prefer to see, and hope for the best, considering that no President is King; because cabinet and staff and Congress are also managing the country.
I think Donald Trump explained himself best when he declared that he did not need to ask God for forgiveness. This makes him accountable to NO one, human or divine … and his supporters should take note. Nothing should be more bewildering to a Christian than a “Christian” who claims he doesn’t need forgiveness. Plain and simple.
Your post highlights several problems, not the least being Trump’s character. That people calling themselves Christian believe Trump is a presidential candidate worth voting for is a reflection on what the church has become – something other than followers of Jesus. Thanks for reminding us all that love of life (God) and the other is where we are to direct our focus and efforts. I imagine some will see your post as a personal attack rather than a reminder that Love Trumps Hate.
Thanks, Rollie. These days evangelicals consider all criticism a personal attack. It is the way they avoid addressing the real issues.
“The words and actions of both Jesus and Donald Trump are on the record, and they could not be more different or contradictory.” Outstanding quote!
Thanks, Dirk!
My prediction as of today. Trump will drop out before the debates. He will not debate Clinton.
In that event, I’d admire one of your hopeless Presidents – Herbert Hoover, because even though he was doomed to lose to Franklin Roosevelt, he stuck it out to the bitter end.
I guess there is some dignity in perseverance, Nigel, even after you’ve led your country into an economic abyss.
If only wishes came true, Wally.
An if his massive ego will not allow him to gracefully accept defeat and he chooses to stay in, he will be handed defeat on a platter. The oracle hath spoken. Tout Fini……