LETTER TO THE EDITOR
This past Easter, I began thinking anew about why so many devout Christians support Trump, especially after his Holy Week offer of a special Bible that is being used to promote his candidacy and from which he will receive money to support his campaign and legal expenses. I began thinking about the values that Jesus extolled and realized that they were about as far from Trump's values as one can get:
• Feed the hungry
• Provide drink for the thirsty
• Provide shelter for the stranger
• Give clothing to those in need of it
• Provide care for the sick
• Visit those in prison While there are other contrasts between Jesus's values and those of our former president, just these few make it clear that this man cannot justly call himself a Christian or even a good person. Why, then, do so many Christians ignore his basic character and support him? When I ask this question of those supporters, all I get in return are hypocrisy, rationalizations and obfuscation, often with statements that Jesus will forgive him for all of his failings, setting aside the teaching that one must be repentant to receive that grace. Christians should be honest with themselves, as well as to the God they say they worship, and not make claims contradicted by their religious beliefs.
A person who agrees with the teachings of Matthew 25, and acts in accord with them, is someone I would follow and support, but Trump is not such a person.
Lamar Hankins San Marcos
