Former President Donald Trump hilariously pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges of falsifying business records on April 4.
It is about time that Trump faces the consequences of his actions. It is a shame that he has not been charged for the insurrection, but at least he was arrested for some of his crimes. After his arraignment, Trump flew back to Florida to speak at an event at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
“I never thought anything like this could happen in America, never thought it could happen. The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it,” Trump said. I guess he forgot that he started an insurrection at the Capitol and did nothing about it.
Despite Trump getting what he deserves, there are plenty of people coming to his defense. The most concerning of these defenses are from so-called “Christian nationalists” who are comparing Trump to Jesus Christ. The most prominent of the comparisons of Christ come from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Greene told the Right Side Broadcasting Network, “President Trump is joining some of the most incredible people in history in being arrested today. Nelson Mandela was arrested, served time in prison. Jesus was arrested and murdered…”
It is completely disgusting to compare the legacy of Mandela and Christ to that of Trump’s. Episcopal Bishop Reginald T. Jackson agreed that the comparison is disgusting. According to David Klepper of the Associated Press (AP), Jackson called Greene’s comments “blasphemous.”
While I am by no means a religious person, I completely agree with Jackson. Christians should feel insulted, not praised, that their god is being compared to Trump, someone who does not act Christ-like at all.
“While Marjorie Taylor Greene may put her political loyalty ahead of God, Christians do not,” Bishop Jackson told AP. “Those of faith believe Christ always has, and always will, stand alone.”
It is so baffling that the same people who claim to want to make America more religious turn a blind eye to clear blasphemy. John Fea, a historian at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Pa., told AP Christian nationalism takes traditional Christian themes and images and fuses it with conservative candidates. I suppose that “love your enemy” and “pray for those who persecute you” are not included among the traditional Christian themes.
I recommend that these Christian nationalists listen to their messiah and take the plank out of their own eye before taking the speck out of their neighbors.
Whether you follow the teachings of Jesus or not, it is clear to see that Trump is not an innocent person and needs to be held accountable for his actions. Christian Trump supporters especially should condemn comparisons to their lord. Whether they still like Trump or not, it is strange how they would be fine with blasphemous statements. Despite not being religious myself, I believe that Jesus deserves better than to be compared to Trump. I find it ridiculous that people can actually make those allegories with a straight face.
Nico Brazill can be contacted at
nbrazill@kscequinox.com
