I rarely write about my religious thoughts because I usually adhere to the principle: "...when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray..." Thus, most of my reflections remain private. I also tend to avoid social media, especially Facebook. However, my wife recently showed me several posts by various people comparing Donald Trump to Jesus. Reluctantly, I find myself compelled to address a topic that polite society advises against discussing politics and religion. Countless posts equated Trump with Jesus and expressed a willingness to follow Trump as they would Jesus. First, let me address these posters who seem to have overlooked or have not properly read the Bible. Jesus was not convicted of any crime. In most translations, Pilate states, "I find no fault in him," and washes his hands of the matter. In other versions, Pilate says, "I find no basis for a charge against him." In essence, Jesus was the innocent lamb. Secondly, even suggesting a similarity between Jesus and Trump is sheer blasphemy. You may support Trump, plan to vote for him, or even love him, but in no way is Trump comparable to Jesus. If you make such a comparison, please remove "Christian" or "follower of Christ" from your social media biography. You are juxtaposing a flawed man with a deep sinful nature to Jesus. If you are truly a follower of Christ, how can you not recognize this as profoundly wrong and troubling? Moreover, this trend of conflating political figures above their human station reflects a deeper issue in our society. It underscores a desperation for messianic figures in politics, a yearning for leaders who can provide not just governance but salvation. This is a dangerous path, one that distorts both our political and religious landscapes. Our political leaders are human, fallible, and complex, far removed from divine perfection. It is essential to maintain a clear boundary between our religious beliefs and political allegiances. Reverence for the sacred should not be compromised by the transient nature of political fervor. By preserving this distinction, we honor the integrity of our faith and the proper function of our political discourse. Editor’s note: Joseph McCain is the publisher of The Star-Herald. He has worked in the newspaper industry for over 30 years and may be reached at 662-803-5236 or 662-289-2251 or email news1@starherald.net.
