OPINION: “The Least Among You”
By Trevor K. McNeil
Misinterpretations
There have long been instances of disagreement when it comes to the interpretation of religious texts. This has happened more with the Bible than most texts, not least because of the multiple translations. One of the oddest interpretations of the story of Jesus so far, aside from polygamous Mormons and the Snake-handlers who intentionally handle poisonous snakes as an act of devotion, are the Fundamentalist Christian Evangelicals. The fundamentalist groups emerged in the American South in the early 1900’s, and have tried to sway every federal election since. To the point that no one who didn’t at least claim to be Christian has ever had a chance at becoming president.
God in Office
Going back many years there have been American Presidents of a distinctly Christian persuasion. Most were Republicans oddly enough, who have claimed that God chose them to be president. These are also the presidents who have gotten the most Christian support. The most recent leader to make this claim being George W. Bush. While not quite making such claims, a rare instance of humbleness, Donald Trump has a shockingly high level of support from Evangelical Christians. This despite many Republican policies that are in direct conflict with Christian principles. Many so-called Christian Republicans oppose abortion rights on the grounds of “Thou Shalt Not Kill”. Oddly, they support the Death Penalty. The “right to life” apparently ending after one turns 18.
A New Low
Despite often getting a lot of things wrong the Evangelical Right out did themselves with their support for President Trump. It is not an exaggeration to say that Trump is the most sinful president in American history. From a purely religious perspective Trump has almost no redeeming qualities. Trump has never been seen going to church. He avowed no particular religion until starting to get support from the Christian right. The president has been married more than once, a big no-no if one actually takes the Bible literally, and is a serial adulterer.
The Old and The New
Jesus is the New Testament, not the Old Testament.
And those are just the aspects of Trump that go against proscriptions in the Old Testament, which while foundational, is not the real basis of the Christian faith. That would be the New Testament. You know, the one that actually has Jesus in it. How do you think the Son of God would react to what Trump is trying to do to the country that boasts the highest number of self-avowed Christians in the western world, as well as being the only western nation without a national health service. Officially atheist, but functionally Catholic, Cuba does better than the USA in terms of health services.
The Least of These Brethren
In addition to breaking most of the Commandments multiple times, Trump’s endless campaign against national health care goes directly against the teachings of Jesus Christ. A section of the New Testament, marked in red in the red-letter versions, is Matthew 25-40. One section reads: “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Modern English
Translated into modern English, Christ is saying we all have an obligation to “take care of the poor and the sick.” Something Jesus himself seemed quite keen on, performing all those healing miracles and hanging out with the lepers. It is not a stretch to think that the King of Kings would be in favor of Medicare for All, or at least a version of universal health care. Matthew 25-40 is one of the philosophical tenets of the National Health Service in Britain. Britain is one of the few remaining nations with an official national church, despite having one of the lowest numbers of faithful per capita in the world. How embarrassing is that?
The Party of God?
Republicans are using religion as a political tool.
Just imagine how ticked off Jesus would be, in his quiet, humble way, at President Trump and his army of Republicans, trying to repeal ObamaCare/ACA, the closest thing the United States has ever had to universal health care. Yet it is the Republicans who make the most, and loudest, claims to being servants of God. This is not to say that Democrats are all heathens. Most of them are Christian too. They just don’t tend to use religion as a tool to get elected, or an excuse when criticized. Criticism being something that should be leveled at Donald Trump a good deal more. Not for his silly hair, orange makeup or blustery attitude, but for his concerted efforts to deny health care to millions of Americans and continued attacks against women’s health. Trump’s actions and policies have the most damaging effect on the poor and the sick, the very people who Jesus taught all Christians to help.
