A Brief Note to Christian Evangelicals, post-Trump

Do not tell me to feel secure in the fact that God is in control. I have had family members say this. I’ve had friends say this. And people in the wider world of the internet. Let me be oh-so-crystal clear about this. YOU were in control. You (or your peers, if not you) overwhelmingly put this man in office. This man who has no regard for women. This man who hates the outsider. This man who believes in the rule of the powerful and the crushing of the meek. This man who is as demonstrably and self-evidently far from the character of Christ as anyone in public life today.

If anyone has wondered why I “left the Church”, listen up. Because this is why. You have grown rancid in your privilege and I could no longer bear the stench. I looked at the people “outside” — women, people of colour, religious minorities, and members of the LGBTQ community — who are seeking nothing more than agency over their own bodies, freedom from violence, and freedom to simply be as God created them to be. I saw myself there. I barely caught glimmers of myself amongst you.

But if you will indulge me as someone who grew up in the fold, I have a few words.

Yes, God is in control. But so are you. Who and what you support matters. Your silence speaks volumes. Your decision to choose comfort in the face of the calamity your neighbours find themselves faced with matters.

Yes, God is in control. But that did not stop religious leaders from allying themselves with empire, clothing themselves in naked political power and executing Him when He put on flesh and hazarded a trip to our little mud ball. Today, you are those religious leaders. You are the Pharisees. You are the men riling up the crowds and shouting “bring us Barabbas!”.

Look at Donald Trump and see yourselves knowing that you cannot pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles.

“Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but they that do the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name have cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”