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Trump and the Christian Persecution Complex

Trump and the Christian Persecution Complex

Last updated on: February 1, 2016 at 10:59 am by Erin Wathen

Trump and the Christian Persecution Complex 2016-02-01T10:59:57-07:00 Erin Wathen

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I found myself beginning morning prayer today with a sincere “Dear God… please do not let Donald Trump be president.” Even though I know prayer does not especially work like a Sear’s catalogue, nor do I think God exactly controls the outcome of such things… I reckon I was just flinging a desperate hope to the universe and awaiting some return signal that these are not, in fact, the end times. Because that Jerry Falwell, Jr. business last week? Where Rev. Falwell compared Trump to Jesus, and Martin Luther King, and then they held hands and (probably) sang church camp songs? Mercy, that is still keeping me up nights.

This was not supposed to be a thing. He was a joke. A walking publicity stunt for one of the networks, or for his new line of hair products. Or something. The American people were supposed to laugh him all the way back to one of his penthouse lairs and then move on with serious things. But with the Iowa Caucus in full swing and him still there in front–twirling his proverbial mustache–I awoke with that prayer on my lips and will probably pray it again tomorrow. And again, and again.

Photo by Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons

What’s most confounding about his surge to the front is the staggering support he’s received from Christian voters. I realize that understanding the ‘why’ of how he’s got all these folks on the hook for him will not ease the pain of his rising popularity… but it may help some of us others within the faith craft a more productive response. Or, you know, give us something smart to talk about while Sarah Palin drones nonsensically in the background… Hopey changey.

Here are two of the best, most timely and insightful reflections I have heard on the matter, just lately. First, from Paul Prather, Kentucky minister and columnist, on how an authoritarian view of God plays into all this; and, this excellent read from Rachel Held Evans, about how Trump offers the prospect of power–just as Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness. (I know she is always good, but this is, just, wow).

A thousand times yes on all points. Trump is enticing people of faith with the very thing that Jesus cautioned against. We know this. The brutal irony is–it is helping him win within the very demographics that claim to follow Jesus’ teachings .

The other brutal irony is this: Trump is most clearly conveying his gospel of authoritarian manipulation by playing the victimized, persecuted white guy. And Lord help us, it is working.

He is persecuted as a man–because Megan Kelly called him to task on the terrible things he says about women. And he lost his mind. He also called forth the trolls who come out for him in DROVES, and call Megan Kelly a “bitch,” a “whore,” and all manner of unspeakable things on Twitter. But Trump = still persecuted. To the point of having to take his ball and go home to another network.

He is persecuted as a Christian–because he is a super Christiany Christian and “Christians in this country are under attack.” But he is going to make sure we “win again.” Because Jesus. And because the Beatitudes were all about winning. As is the Constitution.

He is persecuted as a straight white guy–because there is public outcry when he employs rhetoric that is overtly homophobic, racist, and anti-Islam…and we are all just being politically correct, and mean, and picking on him and his hair.

And he’s persecuted as a rich guy because aren’t they always? Isn’t that just the way of it?

All things considered, I reckon this is where he’s getting his traction. Persecuted white guys–you have found your King. Someone ready the crown of thorns…

You have found the guy who will feed your delusion that the empowerment of another demographic will somehow be your demise. You have found the guy who will pander to your ego and affirm your inherent superiority over all other expressions of humanity. You have found the one who will reject compassion and basic human decency as some laughable brand of “politically correct” dialogue. You have found a champion who will ensure your place at the top of the food chain, for all time, and continue to write history with your faces on the front page.

Congratulations. I hope you will all be very happy together.

Seriously though, YOU CAN HAVE HIM. He should buy an island (because he can) where all of you mistreated, rich, and culturally privileged fellas can go and live happily ever after, forever, with no one to threaten your dominant world view. Go there and dwell in the sunshine of your own authority and awesomeness. And leave the rest of us alone. Because we’ve got shit to do.

Like pray, pray, pray… that there aren’t enough of you to take over this particular island. Lord, in your mercy…

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