Five Reasons Why Jesus Would Never Vote for Donald Trump

Letting one’s faith dictate one’s view of the world is as American as the Trinity of Baseball, Hot Dogs, and Apple Pie. We’ve all heard some people of faith begin a discourse with, “Because I’m a Christian…” That’s why it’s surprising that 81% of white, evangelical Christians voted for Donald Trump in 2016, for this president’s life and speech are in stark contrast to the life and teachings of both Jesus and the Bible. Here are five reasons why a person of faith should not support President Trump.

1. Jesus and God Hate Liars

Proverbs 6 is clear: 

        There are six things the Lord hates,

         haughty eyes,

        a lying tongue,

        hands that shed innocent blood,

        a heart that devises wicked schemes,

        feet that are quick to rush into evil,

        a false witness who pours out lies. 

From his first day in office when he lied about the size of the inaugural crowd to last month’s lie that California Democrats intentionally implemented rolling blackouts, it’s not news that Donald Trump possesses a “lying tongue.” Of course, if we threw stones at every liar, the world would quickly run out of rocks. Everyone lies. That’s not the point. It’s the kind that counts. To save someone’s feelings, we might say that their lousy haircut is nice. This isn’t the kind of lie that I imagine Jesus and God hate. The lies they hate are those used to puff the liar up or those used to put another person down. Mr. Trump lied about the inauguration numbers in order to portray himself as more popular than President Obama. He lied about California’s blackouts because he wanted to make California Democrats look bad. President Trump is exactly the liar that Jesus and God hate.

2.  Jesus Disapproves of the Rich

It isn’t necessary to open the Bible to learn Jesus’ view on wealth. Even atheists can quote Matthew 19:24, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 6:24 says pretty much the same thing,  “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

It’s no secret that Donald Trump loves money. It was his wealth, after all, that first drew him supporters and launched his political career. Jesus never put his faith in a person whose raison d’etre was increasing the size of his wallet. Why should Christians? 

3. Jesus Values Sacrifice

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice. For Jesus, selflessness trumped selfishness. Yet selflessness will never describe this president. When he was drafted during the Vietnam War, he claimed bone spurs. As one of the richest Americans, the main charity he’s supported has been the granting of easements surrounding his properties and handing out free golf passes at his resorts. 

Some claim Mr. Trump is sacrificing income during his presidency. Since he isn’t taking his $400,000 presidential salary, they claim it’s a sacrifice. It’s far more likely that President Trump’s income from people and nations trying to curry his favor by staying at his properties exceeds his “sacrifice” many times over. Lest anyone forget, Trump attempted to arrange the 2020 G-7 meeting at one of his golf resorts. Everything this man has ever done in his entire life has been in the service of himself. 

4. Jesus Believes in the Power of Love

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Jesus’ revolutionary idea that love is the tool that changes a person’s heart influenced Martin Luther King Jr. This president is not one who turns the other cheek. This president is not one who laughs off criticism. This president is one who takes two eyes for an eye as he lashes out at every real or perceived injustice put upon him. Jesus spoke and acted through love to heal brokenness. This president speaks and acts through hate to divide us. This President stokes the flames of division by encouraging his supporters to confront peaceful protestors with paintball guns. 

5. Jesus Believes in Loving One’s Neighbor

No other moral command is repeated in the Bible as often as, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus explains through the story of the Good Samaritan who a neighbor is. They are not the person who resides next door, on your block, or even in your city. A neighbor is anyone a person comes upon who is in need of help. Immigrants fleeing to our borders are “neighbors.” This is not to say that America needs to let every immigrant into the country. It is to say that anyone who shows up at our borders must be treated with respect and dignity. It shouldn’t be necessary to say that horrendously run detention centers, the separation of families, and children in cages does not qualify as “loving your neighbor,” but in these times, everything must be spelled out.

While it is abundantly clear that Donald Trump violates these five moral teachings, many people of faith choose to look away because of his appointment of conservative judges and justices in the hope they will overturn Roe v. Wade. To them, abortion is the issue that stands above the rest. That’s fine, but it is a fact that Jesus never spoke about abortion. Ditto for the Bible. Not a single word. Abortion may be an important issue to many, but according to the words of Jesus, it isn’t a Christian one.

People of faith, vote for Trump if you like his policies or his style, or you want to make abortion illegal. But if you vote for him because of your love of Jesus, don’t fool yourself. If Jesus were alive today, he’d be leading the protests against this president.