Evangelical Christians are looking less like examples of Christian courage and more like lapdogs for Trump these days. Even evangelicals who theoretically think immigrants are human beings who deserve compassion and Christian love are pretty much taking the “Trump’s our boy and we’re not going to criticize” position on this one.
The Daily Beast contacted more than a dozen top conservative Christian religious leaders with close ties to Trump, and only three of them were willing to talk on the record or issue comments about the president’s approach and policies. Those who did comment either avoided taking firm positions or declined to condemn Trump’s demagoguery on the issue.
It’s not just the courage to speak up for the least of these, for the strangers among us, that’s going out the window: it’s the courage to reject Trump’s lies. Instead, some so-called Christian leaders are embracing those lies.
“I’m sure the vast majority of the president’s base supports his efforts to secure the borders—including dispatching 5,200 soldiers to deal with the potential threat posed by the caravan,” said Robert Jeffress, a Dallas megachurch pastor and a Trump ally. “Every evangelical Christian I know is sympathetic with individuals who are fleeing persecution and are trying to enter our country legally. But when they come as a large group and defiantly vow to cross our borders, that sympathy tends to evaporate.”
When asked about how the vast majority of the caravan likely won’t cross the border and that applying for asylum is legal, Jeffress responded: “Maybe, but I have a feeling most of the president’s supporters don’t want to take that risk. There is no doubt that sending troops to the border will galvanize and energize the president’s base.”
“Defiantly vow to cross our borders,” no less. As a synonym for “legally apply for asylum” it leaves something to be desired. But hey, as long as “There is no doubt that sending troops to the border will galvanize and energize the president’s base,” that’s what matters here.
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