We took a quick drive down to Sioux City, Iowa, to participate in the Sioux City Challenge, a fencing tournament run by the redoubtable Sioux City Fencing Club. As usual, I disappointed myself in the results column, but in the escape-from-the-election column, we did OK. I managed to mostly avoid election news, so only now do I see that the latest dump of Clinton emails from Abedin’s laptop have been cleared of wrong-doing. Did it matter before? Will it matter now? Or has everyone who was unsure now settled their opinions?
Beats me.
There was a disturbing number of Trump/Pence signs in Iowa, and it occurred to me that this speaks to the corruption and break up of Christianity in the rural areas of Iowa and, to a lesser degree, of Minnesota. Oh, I’m sure those of whom I speak would just sniff and disagree and, if pressed, point to their church attendance, good works, and, in the end, how they know in their hearts they’re doing right. But even an agnostic1 like myself knows that Jesus had little respect for banks and moneychangers and that lot. Indeed, as an agnostic, I do not approve of the mindless acquisition of wealth and status.
And, in Donald Trump, I believe we have one of the chief idolators of wealth and status in the history of the world. Those who’ve studied him have found that every thing he does has the effect of enhancing the Trump brand2. His charitable works? Mostly other people’s money, and always with an eye to enhancing Trump. Business relations? Beat up the little guy, kiss ass to the big guys, and always shift the blame and take the congratulations.
All to enhance Trump.
And shall we discuss the II Corinthians laughathon? No, it’s not worth it.
Let’s stipulate the Bible is inerrant. And you voted for Trump.
What are you going to say when God asks for an explanation for your vote for the Idolator-in-Chief?
Will you even be asked? Or just another shake of the divine head, and another soul sent to someone else’s … care?
Let’s leave it at this. Every vote for Trump/Pence in the rural areas of these two states is another brick kicked out of the dike3 of Christianity.
1For those who worry about such things, I profess to be a non-observant agnostic.
2With the apparent exception of this campaign – there have been numerous reports of business falling drastically at Trump-branded businesses.
3Dike, in Greek mythology, was the Goddess of Moral Justice. I stumbled across this after writing the above.
