Voting for Trump is Not a Morally Good Choice for Christians...Christian professor Wayne Grudem suggests that not only is Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump fit for the highest office in the world, but also advances the idea that voting for Donald Trump is a “morally good choice” for Christians...
...Love is a topic never discussed by Trump. As Dr. Grudem has willingly admitted, Trump embodies a character that is “egotistical, bombastic, and brash.” In virtue ethics, classically associated with St. Thomas Aquinas, Trump’s characteristics are called vices and stand in opposition to virtues - characteristics of the good. Grudem goes on to write, “(Trump) often blurts out mistaken ideas (such as bombing the families of terrorists)...” Grudem calls Trump’s ideas and characteristics flaws, but he doesn’t think “they are disqualifying flaws in this election.” This appears to be one of Grudem’s arguments: Trump is a flawed individual but his flaws can be overlooked due to the policies he would enact. Despite the fact that Trump has not elucidated any policy position further than offensive sound bites, Trump’s character ought not to be separated from his vision for America. If Grudem had given any serious thought to Aquinas’ Cardinal Virtue (prudence, temperance, courage, and justice) he would come to realize that Trump manifests the opposite of Christian living. ...
Grudem also excuses Trump for racist, sexist, and Islamophobic language. Instead of holding accountable a presidential candidate for statements which would be fireable and disqualifying offenses in any workplace, Grudem instead shifts the blame on a “hostile press” for exaggerating “careless statements.” This downplaying of racism and sexism only heightens the probability of further normalizing this hateful worldview and extending injustice to those who have been historically oppressed. This stands in stark contrast to the teachings of Jesus, who made every effort to stand with those who were oppressed. Jesus called the marginalized “blessed.” Trump wants to further marginalize those people.
Grudem spends a portion of his predictions of a Trump or Clinton presidency on religious liberty. Under Trump, Grudem says that religious liberty would thrive. Yet in reality, it would only thrive for Christians. Muslims, as Trump has vowed, would be banned from entering the country. This is a restriction based on religion, an outpouring of religious persecution. In the last year or so, evangelicals have been increasingly worried about religious liberty and their freedom to express their Christian faith. If this is the case, then how can they in good conscience vote for a man who so openly speaks about violating that right for others? If Trump is willing to subject Muslims to that treatment, is it outlandish to think that Christians could also have their rights restricted under a Trump administration?...
... However, what Christians need to instead realize is that a Trump vote is indeed an anti-Christian vote. Yes, Trump promises to make American “Christian” again. But can we not see through this thin veil and recognize that many of his policies directly contradict the teachings of Christ? A Trump vote is a vote for the oppression of minority groups (Muslims, Palestinians, Mexicans, the LGBT+ community). A vote for Trump is a vote for increased violence in the form of torture. A vote for Trump is a vote for the characteristics that the Church has encouraged its constituency to avoid. I can’t help but think that the evangelical support for Trump is the gravesite for evangelicalism. ...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-stark/voting-for-trump-is-not-a_b_11290252.html
