Dear Christian Friends,
If you voted for Trump solely because he stands on the pro-life republican platform: you are a hypocrite. Those are harsh words to write. I can imagine that they are probably harsher to read. I was not going to write this letter. It is not loving or positive or accepting-- three characteristics I try to embody. Instead, it is condemning, judgmental, and critical, incredibly critical. This letter is a response to a comment I saw on Facebook. I try not to pick social media fights- I don't think they resolve anything- but I am tired and I am weary of seeing comments such as "all the babies slaughtered in the womb" and hearing white, wealthy, Christian women give "a #violin for your #safespace." Before you call me a baby-killer, a murder, a child hater- know that I am not pro-abortion. I don't think anyone is. And while I would love to go in-depth on my personal views about abortion (if, of course, you would be interested in hearing them) this letter is not about abortion. It is about life. If you voted for Trump because you believe his platform is pro-life, you have been very, very mistaken. Although official reports have not been released, Eight transgender youth have reportedly committed suicide in light of Trump's win. The number of callers for some LGBTQ suicide hotlines have doubled. Living, breathing humans "formed in the womb" are already dying. Hate crimes against Hijab wearing Muslim women have skyrocketed since the election outcome was announced. The physical safety of people "made in the image of God" is in danger. And the environment (oh my heart aches) thinking about the imminent danger the planet and its inhabitants are in under a presidency that believes climate change is a hoax. The planet that God created and said "it was good" is in a grave, grave situation. I do not think I will convince any of you to change your minds. In fact, you'll probably feel more firm in your convictions that voting pro-life is the most important way to vote. And maybe you'll be angry, or embarrassed, or sad that I think this way. But as I sit here in Canada, safe from hate crimes, deeply grieving the outcome of this election, know that I wish I would have written this a month ago. I wish I would have conveyed every new iota of knowledge about the environment and theologians that have led to harmful Christian thinking I have learned this semester and over the past year. Know that I am kicking myself for choosing to be silent, for keeping these uncomfortable thoughts and accusations to myself and my like minded friends. Know that I am done shutting my mouth and backspacing on the keyboard. Know that I am probably one of the least qualified of your Facebook friends to be writing a post from a Christian perspective. Know that Christianity has caused me a lot of pain and that I have spent the subsequent year and a half calling God names and utterly failing at giving up on the church. Know that in that process I have become crushingly aware of my narrow-minded, sheltered, privileged worldview. Know that "The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off."* Love, Your deeply concerned, and a little hesitant, friend.
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Elizabeth SchragAdventurer. Biblical and Theological Studies major. Borderline Vegan. Rebel with a cause. Archives
March 2017
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