Was Donald Trump Really Saved By God?
In his Inauguration Address Donald Trump claimed that “"I was saved by God to make America great again."
Many representatives of Christian churches have endorsed the claim, but so far I have found none who challenged it. I would be grateful for any names from readers: I would like to contribute to their congregations. Some Christian leaders, including the Pope, have cautioned Trump against individual intended policies, for example on immigration, foreign aid and LGBTQ rights, but none on his central claim to be an agent of God, on which they would appear best qualified to pronounce.
It carries the disturbing implication that in the act which saved Mr Trump God either intended or allowed the death of his supporter Mr Comperatore. (Mr Trump has exploited the event which led to his death not only politically but commercially in the merchandising of related sneakers and fragrance. I cannot help remembering what Jesus Christ did to those enterprising moneychangers and traders in the Temple.)
Even without this implication, Mr Trump’s claim should worry anyone with an interest in history or democracy or religion.
It ignores the centuries of people who settled in the United States to escape the impositions of rulers who thought themselves chosen by God and to worship – or not worship – as they choose. That remains a fundamental ideal of the United States and a source of its strength. It ignores all those killed in history killed in the name of religion. It ignores all the victims of persecution today, including Christian people, by theocratic regimes and dictators who have intimidated or suborned religious leaders.
It stifles democracy. If Trump was saved to be God’s agent it follows that all his opponents are enemies of God, dupes of Satan, or simply too weak or stupid to be counted. The claim ultimately shuts down any possibility of debate, consensus or compromise.
I am ill-qualified to suggest this, as a secular atheist, but Mr Trump’s claim seems at odds with the nature of religion itself, especially the Christian faith. Even with the guidance of their pastors and their canonical books, it is presumptuous of any adherent to be certain of the will of his or her deities, let alone that he or she is the agent. As I understand them, religious faiths assume that experience and knowledge gained in this earthly life are things we see “through a glass darkly” and that the full truth is revealed (if at all) only in another. Donald Trump cannot be certain that it is God’s plan for America to be great again, let alone through his methods. The Old Testament God (remembered from school lessons and compulsory chapel) was frequently angry with His chosen people for lapses and transgressions, especially by their rulers, and submitted them to punishment and captivity. People I respect from many religions submit themselves to their faith rather than submit their faith to them. They set themselves constantly to understand it better, to accept challenges to their received view of it and above all, to apply themselves harder to live by it. I have not witnessed such an effort by Donald Trump at any point in his personal, business or political career, but perhaps I missed something.
British monarchs claim to rule by the grace of God but a long time ago we got rid of kings and governments which made executive orders with His claimed authority. Modern monarchs are crowned in a religious ceremony in which they make solemn promises to God as a higher power. They do not treat God as a member of their personal entourage.
Richard Heller was chief of staff to Denis Healey and Gerald Kaufman, and as a journalist has reported on and analysed six Presidential elections. He is also the author of The Prisoner of Rubato Towers.
