The Scandalous Relationship Between Politics and the Black Church

Donald Trump thinks that you are dumb.  Not just African-Americans or Hispanics, all of you.  Whoever is reading this right now, Donald Trump thinks you're absolutely stupid.  He believes you're easily controlled.  He feels that he knows all of your triggers and motivations; your desires and needs.  And if you can't be easily controlled then he believes you can be more easily discarded.  In his mind you're a fleeting number whether you vote for him (especially if you vote for him) or not.  And he knows that even if you know all of this you'll get furious...and he's not sure it really matters, because he believes in data.  And whether it's the data that's real or the kind he's imagined, he knows what all the tricks are.  And just when you thought Mr. Trump's ego finally got the best of his circus of a campaign, well, you thought wrong.  Because the reality is there is a slim chance your pastor was one of the dumb people Trump was counting on.

In all honesty though, I would've gone to the meeting if I was invited.  How could you not?  You've got a front row seat to the most ignorant show on earth.  You get to hear first hand the mind of what appears to be a rich, bullied, 7th grader that's actually running for the President of the United States.  And there's a rumor going around that if you go you actually might get to talk.  You've got to make that meeting.  So I'll just assume that at least a third of the pastors that went had the right idea.  Unfortunately, things don't always yield the results they should.  And just like going to see a Tyler Perry film, apparently people left the room carrying lots of emotion but forgetting to take their intelligence with them.

Out of respect for the position, and how idiotic this whole thing is, I'll refrain from using actual names.  But to go there and to not have an agenda to address Trump with was more than foolish.  Additionally, to leave there without understanding (or even hearing) proposed policies for whatever you stand for reveals immaturity and the clueless attitude many people feel that the majority of black preachers have.  Lastly, it reveals the reason why it's always dangerous grounds for ministers of the gospel to get involved in American politics on any level.

Let's remove the stereotypical image of the preacher that's stealing money and women from his locality.  That's surface stuff that results from more rooted issues and doesn't need a political title to happen.  But for the sake of logic, consider two documents that a pastor, seeking or working in public office must adhere to....the Bible and the U.S. Constitution (and to a lesser degree, what ever leading legislation that a state, city, etc. has in place).  As a Believer, it is widely understood and demanded (Deuteronomy 17:19 and Matthew 4:4) that the Word of God is the guide and manual to our daily lives.  This document, which in fact is not just that, contains how we are to deal with every situation imaginable.  This includes those financial, social, and even political ones.  What's also widely understood (except by Tea Partiers) is that much of the U.S. Constitution does not always speak towards the Bible; and is in fact more Masonic in it's doctrine.  Even what's considered the American patriotic normality  (i.e. the Pledge of Allegiance) is highly questionable and should be avoided (Matthew 5:33-37).  To that end, what about the more difficult scenarios that involve abortion, gay marriage, and the like?  How can that person be expected to govern along biblical lines?

As Believers, not only are we encouraged to resist compromise, but we should do our best to steer clear of the possibility.  However, as a Believing politician compromise is the daily agenda item.  How then, can a person completely lead others to live as Christ lived, while working in the depths of a satanic political arena...unless he or she is driven to change it?  How can a pastor "pump and prime" congregants every Sunday for monetary offerings while getting in agreement with corporations that oppress working class citizens through inflated taxes and food deserts?  How can he or she say "Jesus is the only way" during service but then promote six different ways (non-Jesus related) during the press conference.  I mean, we all know Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great social activist; but we don't know if he lead anyone to Salvation.  In my mind it has and will always be a situation of choosing; where the Gospel always is on the outside.  Trump knows this, he knows the black preacher [allegedly] has a price, and he knows that for many of you your preacher is your real god.  Timeless strategy.

Well, if your pastor got the invite and went to the party, the choice is yours but I think it's fair to ask your man or woman of God why they went and what were their takeaways.  And when you get the manicured answer you get, then ask him or her how do they believe attending this meeting helped get people to receive Jesus.  And if you get a manicured or a disturbing answer to that one, that says less about your pastor and more about why you're a follower.

Peace