Osler's Razor

 I was driving yesterday and was listening to a conservative Christian radio broadcaster-- just something that I happened upon as I flipped through the stations.

She was on a long soliloquy about the sad state Christians found themselves in at the moment, which is something that really could go either way. But then, the reveal: "In my lifetime, I don't think I have ever seen Christians so dispirited about the turn the world has taken, with this stolen election."

I hit the radio with the heel of my hand, which was a mistake in at least two ways. I was upset and disappointed at that message, that Trump's loss was somehow a blow to Christianity.

First, isn't God supposed to be bigger than politics?

Second, we are getting rid of a deeply troubled man who disrespects women, has paid off a porn star to keep quiet about an affair, defines himself through displays of wealth, and does not seem to have any history of churchgoing or even a passing familiarity with the elements of the faith. In place of him, we are getting a devout Catholic who attends church regularly, speaks knowledgeably about his faith, and does not seem in thrall to wealth and its accoutrements. That's gotta be good, right?

"But, abortion!" the conservatives will say. 

Somehow, for so many of our nation's Christians, that one issue--something that Jesus never discussed--takes precedence over consideration of all of the issues and values that Jesus did talk about: poverty, love of God and neighbor, humility, and sacrifice. Opposition to abortion may be a principled position (whether you agree with it or not), but it is not one that can reasonably be seen to supplant all the things that Christ actually told us to do and to respect-- few if any of which mark the life of Donald Trump.

I get that some people are despondent that Trump will no longer be president. That makes sense at some level. What doesn't make sense is that your Christian faith would lead you, somehow, to that despondence. 

Whatever it is that your own faith and vocation make you want to accomplish, you still can. A change in presidents does not change that. And if the new president changes your faith or hope for the world, your faith does not appear to have been so strong to begin with.

# posted by Mark Osler @ 1:00 AM