Here are 25 reasons why, in no particular order:
1. Because peace-loving Muslims should have as much religious freedom in America as peace-loving Christians.
2. Because LGBTQ people are beautiful and they deserve every right and liberty this country has for its citizens.
3. Because I have a wife and a mom and a sister and a daughter who I love and respect.
4. Because Black Lives Matter.
5. Because character still counts.
6. Because declaring war isn’t something responsible leaders do cavalierly or for cheap applause.
7. Because a person’s right to marriage shouldn’t be the jurisdiction of someone currently on their third.
8. Because to legitimately claim Christianity you need to at least slightly resemble Jesus.
9. Because we’re all immigrants here.
10. Because I teach my son not to be a bully.
11. Because “being on TV” isn’t a credential.
12. Because Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream and this wasn’t it.
13. Because religion shouldn’t be a costume you put on only when it helps.
14. Because this isn’t the Wild West and we don’t duel with pistols in the streets.
15. Because intelligent adults don’t say “The Blacks”, The Mexicans”, and “The Gays”.
16. Because diversity is inherently American and exclusion is not.
17. Because people who flee war, oppression, and violence should not be greeted with more of the same.
18. Because a man talking about a female rival’s physical appearance or sex life is Jurassic behavior.
19. Because “an eye for an eye” is actually the opposite of Jesus’ teachings.
20. Because we don’t need politicians who feel compelled to talk about their body parts.
21. Because using violence to silence dissension is a dangerous business for a Commander-In-Chief.
22. Because fear and hatred shouldn’t be political currency.
23. Because racism and bigotry are things we’re trying to destroy, not elevate.
24. Because America is already great.
25. Because my personal faith would feel fraudulent and useless if I didn’t.
If your politics don’t align with the above statements, you might well be tempted to label this as an unnecessarily negative post and dismiss it all as divisive. On the contrary, it’s a hopeful affirmation of what I believe and of the kind of world I’m fighting for my children to inherit. It’s also fully conducive to my faith tradition. Jesus didn’t just preach love, he also pointed his finger squarely in the face to the hateful and essentially said, “This is not my way!”
You may be able to use your religion to justify supporting Donald Trump, but I can’t. You’re more than welcome to disagree with me and to vote your conscience. I’m not here to debate your conclusions or critique you for having them. That’s actually the point of all of this.
These are my personal convictions as a father, husband, pastor, Christian—and as a member of Humanity.
Feel free to Tweet, post, or share yours here. #WhyNeverTrump or #WhyTrump
Originally Published on John Pavlovitz
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Photo: Getty Imges
I’m not a Christian and I applaud your post. I find that many so-called Christian leaders that do support Trump are the very definition of hypocritical with their political views and agendas in direct contradiction to what they supposedly teach and hold sacred.
Thank you for your courage and integrity for posting this.