Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at [email protected] or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification The letter, “Trump is using Christianity as a unifying symbol – to what end?” (
January 23), rightly points out the danger of symbols being used to create a sense of unity across a spectrum of differing public opinions. In the context of the new Trump administration, the letter points out that while Christianity may help foster a sense of cohesiveness it might also be used to justify every decision made by government.
It is true that any politician who wishes to rise to a position of power in a democratic system must be able to command allegiance from a diverse spectrum of voters. It is also true that Trump has been successful in mobilising voters from some
Christian movements to his advantage. However, the danger to the United States is not the “symbol” of Christianity as such, but the way in which Trump has made himself a symbol of polarising opinions and divisive rhetoric.
The key objective of Christianity is not some form of nationalism but personal and communal transformation through the power of Christ’s teaching and the presence of the Holy Spirit. A Christian’s allegiance to Christ should take priority over that to any political party or leader and is the basis for direction and moral behaviour. The rise of Christian nationalism in the US in recent years has succeeded in amplifying a dangerous version of Christianity that uses Jesus for political and personal gain.
However, the true way of Jesus stands in stark contrast to any movement that seeks to weaponise belief. By rejecting the opportunity to use both physical and supernatural power to achieve his objective, Jesus instead instituted the way of the cross and identified himself with the poor and marginalised communities who become disadvantaged under the control of empires.
His instruction to his followers was to “
follow me” and not the world of power politics, choosing instead to work self-sacrificially to alleviate the trauma and suffering of those who would suffer as a result of such “power”. This remains the mandate of the local church today, and one that is thankfully far removed from the “symbol” Trump is creating.
Tony Read, Tai Tam
