Support for Donald Trump has always been unfathomable, but unfathomability has reached dizzying new heights with the Trump-as-Jesus phase.
This week a news piece on the Jesus phase featured an interview with a woman who oozed sincerity. How could she not support Trump when Jesus died for her? Connecting those dots requires a web of synapses beyond my ken, but she was baffled that anyone would fail to see the logic.
The “logic” derives, of course, from Trump’s relentless characterization of his prosecutors as persecutors. “Witch hunt” has faded from favor, as the most fevered MAGA fans are not necessarily big “witch supporters.” They are, however, big Jesus supporters, so Trump’s persecution pageant is a big hit. It evidently doesn’t matter that Jesus was persecuted for being an exceptionally good man, while Trump is being persecuted for being an exceptionally bad man. It’s just so unfair!
Before departing the gratuitously snide portion of this piece, I cannot resist sharing my unbidden images of Trump-as-Jesus on the cross. That would take some mighty carpentry! Go ahead, try to unsee that.
Which brings me to . . .
Inadequate attention is being paid to the systematic insertion of religion into American education. Among the most recent incursions comes the Bible instruction in Ohio’s public schools, courtesy of a group called LifeWise Academy. They dodge the possible constitutional challenges by conducting the programs “off-campus,” thereby conforming with decades-old Supreme Court rulings. Such initiatives are in the works nationwide, along with vouchers supporting religious schools, religious charters supported by tax dollars and other evangelical mischief.
I recognize the risk, and possible offense given by, of tying the Trump-as-Jesus phenomenon to Bible classes, but the link seems irrefutable. For the sake of civility and family good will, I stipulate that religious folks are among my friends and - especially - among my most beloved family members. One of my dearest friends was the late Rev. William Sloane Coffin, Jr., who would find the Trump-as-Jesus notion deeply offensive. He was also prominent among those progressive Christians who maintain that you can’t take the Bible seriously if you take it literally. The majority of Catholics - perhaps 85% - also decline literal interpretation in favor of instructive allegory, moral guidance, deeply spiritual inspiration and some magnificent music!.
But neither Coffin nor my religious family members are complicit in the intentional assault on the separation of church and school. That campaign is the work of evangelicals, particularly fundamentalists. And therein lies the relationship to the success of theTrump-as-Jesus tactic.
Much of religion, admittedly including the beliefs of those I love and respect, demands a degree of submission to authority. Most often the “authority” is confirmed through faith, not evidence. In its more innocuous manifestations, the allusions to faith are unarguable. That’s the nature of faith, and even an atheist - as I am - must submit to others’ experiences. After all, my experiences with love and music are not “provable,” but they are as real as any dimension of my life.
But the architects of the religious incursion into public education and politics have submission to authority as the central, unassailable characteristic of their belief system. They rail against the “homosexual agenda” and transgenderism because a higher authority tells them so. Neither reason nor humanity is necessary. Their Holy Father and sanctimonious pastors know best.
This is why critical thinking, including Critical Race Theory, has no place in their educational intentions. It’s why books that challenge their “authority” may be banned or burned. It is why seemingly decent people will discard a family member - their own child - because of who they are and whom they love.
It’s not Bible study per se - although I often wonder why it takes so damned much studying! I mean really, a couple of times through should reveal the gist. Religious studies, including the Bible, Koran, andTorah, can certainly have a place in education. But such studies should be comparative and critically consumed, not presented as infallibility. But that is not what fundamentalists and their political handmaids and maidens intend. They wish to impose their religious authoritarianism on everyone else.
And this is why the insidious creep of God into the classroom is so dangerous. When submission to authority is demanded of children, they will find it a hard habit to break. They will be susceptible to the next authority, even in the form of a disgusting charlatan like Donald Trump.
He presents himself as Christlike in that he will endure these persecutions for his devoted followers. He is just like Jesus! (And he will sell them golden sneakers and Bibles too!)
Trump's handlers were wise to steer him away from the term "witch hunt" largely because back in the day, it was the Christians doing the hunting. Also, as one who counted Bill Coffin as a friend (He hired me to be the Minister of Social Justice at Riverside Church), I'm reminded of this quote of his:
The problem with small Christian schools is that they produce small Christians."
I’m so glad you take time to put into words the concepts about which I rant to my family and friends. Believe, or don’t believe — it’s how YOU act towards others and the world that counts. When religious faith/beliefs are taught as absolute and mandatory, democracy cannot thrive.