Trump's Christian support defies all logic

IS IT just me or is everyone very interested in why we vote the way we do?

Trump lies - a lot. Picture: Evan Vucci

IS IT just me or is everyone very interested in why we vote the way we do?

For many of us, it's born and bred. Political conviction taught at the kitchen table.

For others it might be a particular life experience or reaction to an event.

Some people just sway in the breeze.

The thing that has me perplexed is the overwhelming Christian vote for Donald Trump.

Dr Richard Land, president of Southern Evangelical Seminary, told The Huffington Post that he believes evangelicals were motivated to vote in unprecedented numbers because of Hillary Clinton's record on abortion.

I am interested in that because Donald Trump has been very confusing about abortion.

In his book "The America We Deserve" he claimed to be pro-choice. During the election campaign he said he had changed his mind and is now pro-life.

In fact, on three days during the election campaign he had five varying positions on abortion. And the Christians never batted an eyelid.

It's not just abortion I think Jesus might take issue with. For a start, the Ku Klux Klan is taking credit for the Trump win.

During the election campaign, Mr Trump re-tweeted white supremacists 75 times.

Despite his shifting positions on abortion and his disparaging attitude towards women, Muslims, Latinos, refugees and the disabled, white evangelical Protestants stuck by their man.

I'm just not convinced Jesus would do that.

Trump lies - a lot.

According to Polifact, the Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checkers, Trump's statements are verifiably false 76% of the time.

It's a pattern of dishonestly that should be very troubling for Christian voters.

He talks with a lot of pride about his own greed and greatness. He demonstrably lacks compassion. He doesn't love his neighbour, nor does he love the poor.

And I'm not sure he's that interested in Christianity.

During the campaign he awkwardly referred to Jesus as "somebody I can revere in terms of bravery" and communion as "my little wine ... and my little cracker".

Hillary Clinton is a church-going United Methodist who has long ties to leaders in the evangelical community. She taught Sunday school and as a senator, attended weekly prayer breakfasts.

Yet, white born again/evangelical Christians cast their ballots for Mr Trump at an 81% to 16% margin over Hillary Clinton.

Trump is a thrice-married, casino building businessman who has talked openly about bedding married women, been widely criticised for bigoted remarks, name calling, sexism and dishonesty.

And the congregation said "amen".

Originally published as Trump's Christian support defies all logic