Personal Journal through the Trump Years

I watched the movie about World War 2 German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer yesterday. The parallels are so scary. How could the German church replace the Bible with a new one Hitler came up with? How could the German church call for the worship of Hitler first in all things as he killed innocent people? What does a church stand for? What are the roles of churches? I was raised a Southern Baptist and went to church every Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday nights. These weekly basic staples were accompanied by GA camp, Youth Camp, Evangelism Explosion (door to door knocking) and mission trips. Yet the very faith I was raised in is as silent as crickets (minus one Music Minister) when Trump and his atrocities are brought up. The religion that taught me to be kind, forgiving and 'treat others as you would have them do unto you' are the forefront of this white Christian nationalism. They see Trump as the last Mohican (and last hope) of holding up white power. History will view this time period much as it does the German church. Only now we are incarcerating immigrants(versus Jews) and treating them like criminals- often 80 to 100 people to a cell and separating families (including infants from their mothers). I now understand how a society gets to this point. The Trump ideology appeals to the basest of civilization. It basically scares everyone (the threat that immigrants are taking Americans' jobs and not paying taxes, both of which are untrue. Immigrants are taking the jobs others are not willing to do.) Like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I cannot stay silent. Like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I was raised in a loving family with much happiness. My solid upbringing has naturally brought forth a most healthy kindness and compassion for others. I am confident in my own abilities. I do not need or want

to see others suffer. As a matter of fact, it brings the opposite- I pity those who take glee in others' sufferings. Trump has remarked several times he does not believe he is going to heaven, of course a grifter knows karma always comes back around. What is shocking to me are the millions (particularly Protestants) of church going folks who treat him as God (Bible and 10 commandments be damned). So, it is 2026 and I definitely understand how Germany let Hitler take over. I am hopeful, America will turn it around this November before it is too late.