Trump is the middle finger of white, male-driven, conservative Evangelicalism. He’s the scab-picker of a long-festering, pungent hate among many white American Christians towards the things they feel are an increasing threat to their white, conservative Christian way of life and privilege in society.
Yet, the difference is obvious, Trump is nothing like Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. A simple comparison of their character and ways reveal this truth.
However, none of that matters. So many Christians, in essence, don’t give a damn. For them, there is literally nothing Trump could say or do that would dislodge their obedience towards him. This has left analysts and Trump-disgusted Christians trying to crack-the-code as to how anyone who associates with Jesus could place their support and allegiance in such an anti-Jesus man and President.
The answer is simple.
White, male-driven, conservative American Christianity has taken the person of Jesus who stands “for” so many beautiful things and twisted Him into a religion centered around the destruction of what they stand “against.” In truth, the Trump supporter isn’t concerned with what Trump is doing “for” Jesus, but rather intoxicated by what he is doing “against” their contrived enemies.
For example, let’s take the white, male-driven, Christian colonization of America, their unwavering support of Israel, their “mission” to convert non-believers, and the brutal eradication of Native Americans. No matter how much “Reaching the world for Christ” or “Manifest Destiny Lipstick” you put on that pig, when your bottom line purpose is to make the world more “like” you and “for” you, anyone and anything that doesn’t foster and surrender to that agenda becomes a bright blip on the radar screen of the enemies you stand “against.” That’s right, so many of the spiritually wrapped actions of white, male-driven, conservative Christianity have never been “for” Jesus, but rather “against” the things that threaten the presence and prosperity of their privileged Empire.
The same applies to Trump’s Muslim travel ban, the border wall, and the increased demand for so-called religious freedom. None of it is about protecting our country from terrorism, illegal immigration, crime, nor fostering true religious pluralism. Instead, it’s about giving leverage and privilege to white, male-driven, conservative American Christianity through the demonizing, marginalizing, and belittling of all other religions and peoples.
Think about the LGBTQ community. White, male-driven, conservative American Christianity wants us all to believe that their vehement disgust with this issue is because it’s a sin that offends God and undermines our culture. Excuse me, but that’s hilarious.
What white, male-driven American Christianity cares about within the LGBTQ community is their relentless desire for shared rights. They can’t stand the idea that heterosexual patriarchy would have to share equal value, priority, influence, protections, space, and rights with any group besides themselves. If they cared about sin, they would be spending all their time policing the mountain high pile of debauchery rampant within their own camp and the numbers among them who, ironically, enjoy lesbian porn. Instead, they demonize and stand “against” the LGBTQ community, not because they are “for” dealing with sin (which LGBTQ it is not), but because they don’t want to share their heterosexual, patriarchal privilege.
Starting to connect the dots?
This is the root impulse behind every form of their oppression of minorities and their social and political aspirations. White, male-driven, conservative American Christianity wants power, control, and prominence in all of society, and they will use whatever methods to achieve this goal. Slavery, mass incarceration, lynchings, police brutality, tear gas, denial of rights, economic inequality, sexism, voter suppression, rigged elections, dictatorships, lying, labeling, demonizing, false-flag operations, fraud, constitutional abuse, and the list is unending. They don’t give-a-rip about aligning their values and pursuits to be “for” Jesus, they only care about aligning their lives and spinning their faith “against” anything and everything that threatens their appetite and addiction to self preservation and prosperity.
Enter abortion.
White, male-driven, conservative Evangelicalism would love for us all to believe that, despite some of them having a distaste for certain attributes of President Trump, they give their loyalty to him because they see him as anti-abortion and pro-life. In their reasoning, this issue supersedes all others. They argue that the protection and preservation of the most vulnerable of human life is paramount.
Indeed, this justification by white Evangelicals may help them feel good about themselves as they believe that they are taking the higher road and aligning themselves with the Bible and God’s will. However, in truth, for many, their stance against abortion is the ultimate cop-out. Where all other excuses for their support of Trump have revealed their hypocrisy, their position against abortion is the last card in their deck, and it too, is the ultimate bluff.
To be sure, many progressives greatly dislike the idea of abortion, but also dislike the subjugation of women’s rights, the denial of science, and the belittling of medical truth, especially at the feet of a brutal, hypocritical, conservative Evangelical patriarchy. In fact, I’ve never met nor heard of any progressive, pro-choice person who cherishes the idea and act of abortion. For them, this issue of abortion is both complex, heart-wrenching, and grey in nature.
However, this is not the case for much of white, male-driven, conservative Evangelicalism. With their obvious preferences of school shootings over gun control, children in cages over welcoming the foreigner, police brutality over police accountability, mass incarceration over racial justice, a rich-favored economy over care for the least-of-these, the military industrial complex over universal healthcare and economic justice for all, and the worship of a god who joyfully sends those who don’t subscribe to their faith system to a hell of eternal torment, their priorities and values are crystal clear. There is almost nothing “pro-life” about white, male-driven, conservative Evangelical Christianity. And quite frankly, when it’s all said and done, they don’t give it shit. With tremendous fear of losing control, power, and privilege, instead of coming clean of their duplicity, they cling all-the-more tighter to their MAGA hats. Indeed, their vehement declarations of being pro-life and anti-abortion are the ultimate cop-out.
In fact, it should be of no surprise to anyone that, for many, their white, male-driven, conservative Evangelical stance on abortion isn’t about being “for” Jesus, not even close. Instead, it’s about being “against” the full fruition of women’s equality, the sexual accountability of white men, and the cessation of their religious dominance to dictate the lives of all others. This is why they support Trump under the guise of being anti-abortion. Clearly, the only lives that matter to him are his own and that of white, male-driven, American, conservative Evangelicals. There is almost nothing “pro-life” about the presidency of Donald Trump, and many white, conservative Evangelicals are totally cool with that as long as he joins them and leads the way in dismantling the enemies of their pursuit of supremacy.
Given the benefit of the doubt, some would suggest that white, conservative Evangelicals are at least “pro-birth.” Excuse me, but that’s also hilarious. They might be “for” white, conservative Evangelical birth. But, they certainly are “against” the birth of a lesbian, gay, bissexual, or transgender person. Sure, they declare that being LGBTQ is a choice after birth. However, that’s because it’s more palatable to condemn a “choice” than it is to condemn God’s designed “creation”–an LGBTQ person from birth.
But, not just against an LGBTQ birth, but “against” every black, brown, or multi-racial birth. Sure, some will warm-up to minorities and act as if they support equality. Within white, male-driven, conservative American Christianity there is a certain level of diversity they are willing to accept as long as they can patronize it, exploit it, and it doesn’t threaten their dominance in society. However, when that diversity finds its wings and it starts to feel like it’s crossing the line by encroaching the sandbox of their privilege and power, all bets are off and the bully is released.
For these are the demographics that ultimately pose the threat of thwarting and dismantling their white, male-driven, conservative Evangelical supremacy. In fact, seeing how prominent and acceptable racism has become for many white Evangelicals, I am surprised they don’t have underground black and brown abortion clinics. Oh wait, they do, they’re just called voter suppression, racial injustice, children in cages, mass incarceration, police brutality, economic inequality, and “all lives matter.”
No, they would never come out and say it that way and would deny these assertions fervently, but systemically and subtly it’s all true.
With their protests demanding their God-given freedom to NOT wear a mask in order to protect the lives and prevent the deaths of other people as they ironically wave signs declaring, “My body, my choice,” the reason why so much of white, male-driven, conservative Evangelical Christianity makes such a big deal about abortion isn’t because they are “for” life, “for“ birth, or “for” Jesus. Not a chance. Rather, it’s because they are “against” the emergence of true equality for women, the sexual accountability of white men, and the dismantling of their religious power to lord their values over all of society.
Indeed, the conservative Evangelical stance against abortion is the ultimate Evangelical cop-out, especially in justifying their support of Trump.
Trust me, if white, conservative Evangelical men could get pregnant, abortion would not only be legal, it would be biblical, easily accessible, and free. Not just that, but probably offered next to the church coffee shop or bookstore in the lobby after Sunday services.
Grace is brave. Be brave.
Good Morning,
My wife and I are Christian and white with six boys. My wife believes in the right for women to have abortions and I do not (with a few exceptions that deal with the mother’s life and health). Christians are sinners. We make mistakes. Some of us have very hard hearts. But true followers of Jesus walk in the teachings of love, Grace, and corporal and spiritual consequences for our actions. What is presented in the above article is a lot of hate. What is ‘tolerance’ but a respectful and fundamental disagreement for what someone else believes. I too dislike what our current President does and what he stands for. But if his actions speak for themselves (not just what he does preach) then he does not hold Jesus as his Lord and Savior. I believe that the “man” Jesus was not white, that He held women in high regard, that He loved children, He wanted health, food, water, shelter for all the world, and most importantly- the offer of Salvation. Please, instead of focusing on labeling all Christians by what our current President and/or “religious leaders(?)” say/do, focus on an individual and confront his/her with respect and with the compassion you would want to receive.
Seth, thanks for the comment. Please read the article and its actual words. I never label all Christians as anything. That’s your projection, not mine.
Not hate – anger. There’s a difference. Think about the money lenders in the temple.
You just proved his point.
You talk quite correctly about the importance of taking responsibility and how that was a significant part of the message of Jesus. Indeed. I could not agree more.
However, “taking responsibility” must cover more than just trying to make others take responsibility. It also means facing uncomfortable truths about ourselves and looking at long term consequences of our choices and the choices of society.
Our population has increase by a factor of 7 in the last 200 years, after remaining relatively stable for tens of thousands of years. Why? Clean water, agriculture, medical care and – by far the most important – our understanding of the germ theory of disease which allowed us to save the lives of babies and children and extend the lives of everyone who would otherwise have died by natural causes.
In other words, we humans, truly of only positive motivation, and not grasping the long term consequences of our actions, upset the natural (you and I would likely say God’s) plan for maintaining a sustainable population. Humans have reduced death without altering births allowing the population to increase logarithmically.
The consequences of this are the subjugation of future generations to an unlivable, dystopian future.
Don’t get me wrong. My background is science and public health and I very much do not want to go back to the days when most children died before the age of five and most everyone else died before middle age often in severe suffering.
But, if we want the advantages and conveniences of reducing disease and death, we must take responsibility for our actions and that would mean addressing the other side of the equation. We take responsibility by reducing births.
Certainly the preferable way to do this is with global availability of free or affordable birth control for anyone who wants it. That alone would reduce the number of abortions dramatically – no strong arm government action needed.
The Guttmacher institute points out that the number of unwanted births (about 80 million a year) is very close to the yearly increase in population. If we could insure that every child born is a wanted child. we could stabilize global population.
While I understand you finding abortion distasteful – I feel the same – to deny it to the poor (The wealthy will always have access to both contraception and abortion regardless of laws) cripples their ability to pull themselves out of poverty, and forces those least able to provide for a child to have them.
I can’t see that Jesus would be interested in imposing this type of cruelty on the poor or destining all life to a dystopian end.
I think you and Franky Schaeffer need to get together. Frank is a self-proclaimed atheist and Trump hater and I’m not sure where you stand but it’s evident from your posts that you have no regard for God’s word as things like abortion, same sex relations, etc are a-ok.
I think you need to stop blogging and look at your heart and repent. You’re way off base!!
You are simply incorrect.
There is no place in Scripture where abortion is condemned.
There is no place in Scripture where loving monogamous relationships between two persons of the same gender are condemned.
What is condemned in scripture is pederasty, not homosexuality. These are NOT the same thing,
You need to get the hate out of your heart. And put PEOPLE above your parochial and limited view of what ‘morality’ means.
Mr Kratzer is clearly targeting white evangelical males. He hates who he was, and is making up for it with a vengeance.
Eric speaks what he believes is true, and I agree with him, and the quick replies are “bigot” labels. small.
There is a LOT of pederasty going on in the homosexual community. There are many self confessed homosexuals who engages in a LOT of sexual encounters. The Bible does address this and calls out perversion, immorality, promiscuity. LGBTQ brain washjing of students is recruiting and grooming for the never satisfied, lust filled flesh of the gay community.
Kratzer freely calls out the hypocrisy of majority Christianity, and he should and does it well. Want brave grace? Then let the Christians repent, worship Jesus is the washing of baptism and purifying blood of the cup unto holiness. Repented white evangelicals and anyone who claims Christ as Lord by faith will be purified from their sin, which the Bible bounds to heterosexuality or celibacy.
Any now, after a month of PRIDE, monkey pox is exploding in blue cities at a rate of 95-98% in the LGBT community alone. Nothing sinful about that? Of course not if you reject Romans 1.
I have read several articles of this blog and I am challenged, but also saddened and even angered at times by the foolish rejection of truth, holiness, and exhortation to sin.
Shut up, bigot.
Why do you assume that “God’s” word is the same as your opinions? Forgive me, but I do think it takes a lot of hubris to proclaim what “God’s word” is. It is a lifelong challenge for all of us to determine what “God” asks of us. In my experience we learn best by listening rather than proclaiming.
Could I suggest a quick read of the Sermon on the Mount to give you a different perspective?
If you interpret the “Bible” as God’s world I recommend you start reading it, cover to cover. I know no one who has done that – including me – who would make such a blanket statement again.
There is much to be learned from the Bible as with all ancient religious works, and writings by wise individuals. Much inspired by the highest in us – but certainly not all.
For the record, there is no referral to abortion or birth control in the Bible. But the Bible does state that life begins with the first breath.
Well said!! Thank you for this. I agree 100 percent. The hypocrisy is obscenely breathtaking.
I’m so glad I ran across this! I just finished a book called “White Fragility.” You should consider writing a book called “White, Evangelical Male Fragility.”
It has been so frustrating as a Jesus follower to see all of the hatred of people coming from my brothers and sisters in Christ disguised as hatred of sin. Communication is what is received by the people it is being communicated to, not the purported intention of the person speaking.
Thanks Lori, great idea!
Powerful food for thought! I would really enjoy being able to really discuss this. Unfortunately, too many would see this as so inflammatory that true discussion would not be possible. This article is definitely well worded and well thought out. I agree with much of it. I am very happy to say I am a Christian. I am greatly saddened by people using Christianity as a shield to hide behind when they spew hatred and intolerance. Jesus did not do that. I really appreciated the points on abortion and how some of us are against abortion, but feel it is an individual “woman”‘s choice. And, especially the part about if men could get pregnant. Thank you for this and your bravery to say it.
Soar with jesus!
you spew evilness….. So sad for you if you keep this up… one day you will be covering your eyes to’The TRUTH’ only because you are not worthy to look upon His Grace. He will say, I never knew you as you plead for mercy…gona be hot where you are going if you don’t repent and have a change of heart. John 14:6
Get lost, racist bootlicker. Jesus hates you.
Doesn’t sound very Christian. I cannot imagine Jesus sounding like that.
No, He doesn’t. He loves every one of us. You should be thankful for that. You spew as much hate as you condemn.
Morning all, thank you for the article it is appreciated altho as observed Christian readers can be as quick to react as sports fans in the City of Brotherly Love. As my hometown of Kenosha, WI is burning with riots over another shootings I will be referencing some of your other work in my discussions. I am a straight, white , 64 y/o
male, life long Christian Democrat and painfully aware of how the non denominational church I still attend has kept it’s pale complexion. However, we are seeing a change lead by 40 something paster who has adopted two children of color with of his own. It is an interesting to see how some things are changing. In the meantime, it is encouraging to see peop,e working together cleaning after a nites of burned out buildings, trucks and painting the boards as they cover storefronts.
This is very well said: “I’ve never met nor heard of any progressive, pro-choice person who cherishes the idea and act of abortion. For them, this issue of abortion is both complex, heart-wrenching, and grey in nature.”
After 17 years working in and supervising child abuse investigations in Dallas, I find it very difficult to say comfortably that abortion is the worst thing you can do to a child. Abortion is a very dangerous and consequential freedom that cannot be simply criminalized or somehow denied. The freedom for a safe abortion must exist with full transparency between doctor and patient as to what is happening according to the best science available.
I watch annual abortion numbers closely. Abortion rates have been consistently going down for over 40 years, and they consistently go down the most under Democratic presidents and the least under GOP presidents. Support for families and medical services seem to have a very positive effect on lessening abortion frequency the most. I do not understand how people calling themselves pro-life can ignore this very solid pattern in the data.
Interesting and well put together article. Religion and MALE “ E G O “ fit in there quite a bit.
There is a creator, she,he, or whatever, does not make us make the choices we choose.
Role models, the need for a hero , blind faith, mind control, cult mentality, and on ,and on, we go.
Love is what most are searching for, unfortunately even that gets messed up.
If you have not ever witnessed & and felt that feeling from another human being, you will always be searching for it , quite possibly in other forms.
From a person who may have graduated grade school, but who was so lucky to have witnessed true love for the first six years of his life.
I will read this again (and again); thank you for an intelligent, thoughtful and thought-provoking piece that connects so many dots. Excellent.
Excellent writing! You have brought out many of the hypocritical arguments made by the pro-life faction. Unfortunately they will not recognize the error in their thinking and you will not convert them. Hopefully though you have given others the necessary dots to connect to keep them from falling for those sophistic arguments.
A very interesting article. You have a way with words. While I tend to agree with you, I am not sure about your suggestion to leave Jesus out of the dialog. Jesus was one of the first things that I wanted to put into the dialog!!! You can see what I mean in my short article Jesus and Abortion which is based on the things that Jesus said. Jesus made nearly 2,000 statements and Steven Scott compiled them into a book and grouped them into about 200 categories. Abortion was not listed at all. Murder (which many will equate with Abortion) was mentioned by Jesus twice … in statements that included SIX other things including Lying, Stealing and Saying Bad Things About Others. The short article explains how they are connected (or not). Even if one would choose not to include Jesus in the discussion, it still is something that is good to know (to confirm your foundation).
Len, the point of leaving Jesus out of the argument is, as the article says, Jesus means very little to many conservatives. In many respects, it’s a waste of time. Instead, as the article says, talk about the people conservatives have become and the evils they have adopted.