As a former Republican, I'll answer the "Never Trump" question:
As a Christian, my faith guides how I view leadership, morality, and the way we treat others (at least I make an effort). While I do believe in the importance of standing up for Christian values, I also believe that Jesus calls us to embody His love, humility, and grace, which, unfortunately, I don't see reflected in Donald Trump's actions and behavior. Here are the main reasons I don't support him:
1. Trump is a Bully
Trump’s rhetoric and actions often demonstrate a lack of respect for others, resorting to bullying tactics and disparaging language to demean people, especially those who disagree with him. He regularly insults, mocks, and belittles others, which goes against the Christian call to love our neighbors.
Scripture: "Do not repay anyone evil for evil... If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:17-18)
Jesus, when mocked and insulted, did not retaliate. He showed grace and love, even toward those who sought to harm Him. He lived in humility, consistently showing respect to others, no matter their position or views.
2. Trump is a Liar
Donald Trump has been repeatedly caught making false statements and misleading the public. Honesty and integrity are foundational to the Christian faith. We are called to be truthful and to speak with integrity, as Christ Himself embodies the truth.
Scripture: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16)
Jesus identified Himself as the "Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6). His words were always true, and He calls His followers to live in the truth, speaking with honesty and sincerity in all things.
3. Trump is Crude and Disrespectful
Trump has made numerous crude comments about women, treating them as objects for his amusement or to degrade. As a Christian, I believe in the dignity and value of every person, especially women, who are created in God’s image and deserve respect.
Scripture: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)
Jesus showed the ultimate respect for women, treating them with dignity and compassion. He spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:7-26) and protected the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), demonstrating that women should be treated with respect and care, not objectified or demeaned.
4. Trump is a Grifter
Trump’s business practices, including accusations of fraudulent schemes, suggest that he often operates with self-interest over ethical principles. The Bible warns against greed and the pursuit of wealth at the expense of others.
Scripture: "For the love of money is the root of all evil." (1 Timothy 6:10)
Jesus taught His followers to focus on treasures in heaven, not earthly riches. He flipped the tables of money changers in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13), showing His disdain for using faith for personal gain and the exploitation of others for financial profit.
5. Trump is a Proud Convicted Felon
Trump has faced legal issues and been convicted of multiple offenses (and more to come). Pride and arrogance are traits that the Bible warns against, and we are called to humility before God and others.
Scripture: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (James 4:6)
Jesus was the epitome of humility. Even though He is the King of Kings, He chose to wash His disciples' feet (John 13:1-17), modeling servant leadership. He taught that greatness in the kingdom of God comes through humility, not pride.
6. Trump/GOP Wants to Legislate Morality
Many of Trump’s policies, particularly when supported by the GOP, seek to impose Christian morality on everyone, including non-believers, through laws and regulations. While Christians are called to uphold God's commandments, we are not meant to force others to live by them. Jesus Himself never sought to legislate morality but to transform hearts. The current GOP, mostly aligned with Trump, wants to legislate morality—essentially, they seek to enforce Christian standards through law. However, Christ’s message was about changing hearts, not just outward behavior.
Scriptures: "My kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36) | “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence." (Matthew 23:25-26)
Jesus focused on changing people's hearts rather than imposing external rules. He taught that the greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). Jesus did not try to impose the law on others but instead sought to bring people into a relationship with God, where their hearts would be transformed by love, not by force.
Jesus consistently prioritized the inner transformation of people’s hearts over external compliance. He told His followers that true righteousness comes from the heart (Matthew 5:8). He wanted people to be reconciled to God, not just follow laws, because He knew that external obedience without heart change is hollow.
While Trump may resonate with some conservative Christian values, the behaviors and attitudes he embodies—bullying, dishonesty, crudeness, pride, greed, and the use of power for personal gain—are contrary to the character of Christ. As Christians, we are called to reflect Christ's humility, integrity, love, and heart transformation, not to seek to impose morality through laws, but to lead with grace, truth, and a desire to see people’s hearts changed through the power of the gospel.
Ultimately, Jesus' kingdom is not of this world, and as His followers, our call is not to legislate morality, but to live out the love and truth of the gospel in a world that desperately needs it.
