Pro-Biden Christian to Pro-Trumpers: Are we really all that different?
There have been few periods in our country’s history with the level of cultural, social, and political division of the last four years. The wars waged on social media are merciless. At times, it seems as if a spirit of aggression, hate, and doom has pervaded our lives.
Most of us have fallen into this mindset at least some of the time, failing to see the beauty and humanity of our neighbors. I admit I have. A few days ago while boarding a flight, I saw a man wearing a face covering that promoted a certain presidential candidate. The reaction inside my body was swift – and it wasn’t pretty. Quickly enough, though, I questioned myself. What triggered such a reaction? I remembered that behind the mask was not a creature from a horror movie but a beloved child of God, with fears and hopes like the ones I have.
We have been increasingly conditioned to believe that the Christians voting for President Trump and the Christians voting for former Vice President Biden are fundamentally and irrevocably different. But is that true?
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I believe we all want to be treated with respect and dignity.
We all hope for the wellbeing of ourselves and our families.
We all aspire to live in a nation that promotes the flourishing of life.
We all want to live in peace, without the death and devastation of war.
We all wish for our fellow Americans to have the opportunity for education, healthcare, and fair wages for their work.
We all think homelessness shouldn’t exist – and that there shouldn’t be 49 million Americans wondering where their next meal will come from.
Evangelical Christians, together with Christians of other traditions, believe God’s promise declared by the prophet Jeremiah: “For I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
These are dreams we have in common. They are points of connection. They offer hope that when we learn someone favors a different candidate, we can connect anyway.
This November, I am voting for the presidential candidate that better reflects the Character of Christ. A leader who will begin healing our nation, so we don’t descend further into an anti-biblical culture of contempt. A leader whose policies will help alleviate poverty, oppression, and the degradation of Creation.
That’s how I see it. But the danger of my admission is this: if you agree with me, you may feel self-satisfied; if you don’t, you may feel repulsed. I challenge everyone – myself included – to move beyond this binary.
When you enter the voting booth or mail in your ballot, remember that as believers we are all claimed by Christ and bound together in Him. Your hopes and aspirations are more often than not shared by your political opponents.
The Reverend Carlos L Malavé is Executive Director of Christian Churches Together in the USA (CCT). He previously served for 10 years as Assistant Stated Clerk at the Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Rev. Malavé have post college degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary and Loma Linda University.
