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Sean Muldowney's avatar

Kristin, thanks for reaching out to me and showing me kindness as I reckon with how much resonance people (esp. pastors) found in my story.

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Julie Bogart's avatar

The main evangelical Christian argument I've been told for supporting Trump is that the alternative (a democrat) is that much more dangerous than a conman. Evangelical Christians have been trained into a panicked fear of anyone who is not a Republican. They see the left as an abomination which means *anyone* on the right deserves support to prevent the more "catastrophic" choice: a Democrat. Initially, evangelicals were cautious and wanted a different candidate. But once Trump gained popularity, they went all in.

I have friends who initially were appalled by Trump, who were victims of sexual assault who were outraged at Trump's exploits... who STILL voted for him, in the name of their faith and their fear. When confronted with selecting Clinton versus Trump—no contest. They would find a way to justify their vote for the conman. Their agenda (pro-life, low taxes, heterosexual marriage rights) "trumped" every other concern.

Until the church stops othering Americans who aren't Republicans, it doesn't matter who the Republican candidate is—evangelicals will fall into step with the Republican front runner out of fear of the alternative. Trump just happens to be especially despicable.

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