To the editor:
Turns out, Jesus and his friends were wrong, or at least short-sighted, about some things, especially when we consider the MAGA world of Donald Trump.
Jesus said the misguided political and cultural leaders and followers of his own day should be forgiven because, “They know not what they are doing.” Well, most of the close disciples of Trump know exactly what they are doing… kissing the ring. And the leader himself knows exactly what direction he is headed—toward tyrannical monarchy or to full-fledged despotic dictatorship.
Jesus’ disciple Paul said, “Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.” This implies we should honor our political leaders because they generally are trying to work for the good of the people. Paul lived in a time when the Roman Empire still had decent people in high places. That changed quickly. He never attended a cabinet meeting like the ones in the Trump administration today.
On the other hand, Jesus was right about folks like Trump in several respects. For example, he was angry at the moneychangers of his day who exploited people like MAGA oligarchs do. He also taught people to avoid Trump’s wealthy elite lifestyle: “Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth.” I guess that would apply to Trump’s gold toilet and his meme-coin and Gaza “Middle East Riviera” ventures.
Jesus blessed the poor, hungry, grieving, and falsely accused, saying their lot could easily be reversed given the right conditions. However, those conditions are not likely to gel at a time like America is in today, not without a lot of citizen participation that Americans are not willing to pony up.
Kimball Shinkoskey
Utah
