This guest post is by Jean Pouliot.
Donald Trump has won the admiration and loyalty of millions of Americans, including large blocks of churchgoing Christians. He has openly courted the evangelical vote and has repeatedly touted his Christian faith. But, given his statements and behavior, it might be wise to reflect on what being a Christian actually means. For many in my own Catholic faith, being Christian boils down to your position on abortion–be agin’ it and you’re in; be fer it and you’re out.
But what does being Christian mean if not following the way of Christ? Remember him? The guy that started the whole shebang?
To get to the core of Christ’s teaching, you can do worse than to start at Matthew 5: the Sermon on the Mount. In his sermon, Jesus listed a number of aggrieved groups that were in for some blessing: the poor in spirit, mourners, the meek, the hungry and thirsty, the clean of heart, peacemakers, those insulted for being his own followers. Jesus identifies these as people who are in distress now, but who will be comforted in the age to come. They are God’s special people, who, though oppressed by the world, will find relief in God’s reign.
If I am to follow Christ’s lead, then should I not also bless those whom God blesses? Should I not take the part of those in spiritual poverty and fill them with hope? Shouldn’t I comfort those who mourn the death of those lost to addiction, militarism, gun violence, terrorism, and sexual… [Read more…] about The Great Masquerade: Who Is Christian in the Age of Trump?