Reasons Jews and Christians must examine Trump v. Harris

In answer to two different but converging arguments from religious groups taking stands either against Donald Trump or abstaining from voting in the presidential election are the following reflections.

Some of the issues covered were raised in Dr. Peter Navarro’s interview with Dr. Naomi Wolf that was conducted September 25, 2024.

Full disclosure is necessary as what comes next may distress or offend some from both Jewish and Christian camps but, frankly, uncritical adherence to traditions is a major stumbling block, whether it’s religious, cultural, political, or fear based. I am a Jew whose family escaped the pogroms of Byelorussia and Ukraine in 1880 to come to America. Yes, I am now Christian, but that does not excise my Jewish roots or understanding the Jewish heritage of fighting to keep our unique identity alive in a world rife with historic, deadly persecution.

Please note that the following things have been specifically said by Trump at rallies – which, as a political observer, requires my attention and can verify – but are not reported by mainstream media and, unfortunately, will not be:

Of importance is how Trump has stated many times over that his administration encourages participation of all religions, creeds, concerns, ethnicities, and races (the last two are not interchangeable). He’s been known to say of Americans, “We all bleed red, white and blue.” And, yes, he claims God saved his life in recent assassination attempts. He and the Christians who cheer his recognition of God’s intercession know that God is the same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). The divide between Jews and Christians enters in where Christians believe the Messiah has come – Jesus – and Jews await Messiah, or, as my father’s Reform rabbi said, the Messianic age.

Within the grouping of Jews are those who are secular, holding onto their heritage as a people defined by culture, tradition, ancient language, and, in some cases, bloodlines, being able to trace their families back generations, even centuries. My own family has many members who recognize their Jewish lineage but not the religion, faith not being a part of their lives. In this, they recall the millennia of isolation and persecution of their forebears. How many know the history of the Italian word “ghetto,” that it was originally applied to quarters within towns where Jews were housed, separating them from the greater culture around them?

Certainly, Jews’ concern over the rise of antisemitism is justified, though it’s an over-expansive term since other Semitic peoples engage in “antisemitism,” i.e. Arabs. One of my brothers was even called “Hebe” by so-called friends back in the 1970s. Hatred of Jews has not disappeared and we are witnessing an overwhelming rise of the sentiment among democrats, progressives, and Marxists, as well as age-old adversaries. Other oxymoronic evidence occurs in college Marxists’ detestation of Jews in that the Communist Manifesto was penned by a secular Jew. The self-hate among many of Jewish heritage is hard to comprehend, but is apparent among those who would support terrorist Hamas, Hezbollah, “Palestinians,” etc., who despise all things Jewish and cry “From the River to the Sea,” expecting to obliterate Israel, the rightful Jewish homeland.

The preceding paragraph identifies the core of Trump’s claim that Kamala Harris’ election would end the state of Israel’s existence. Why? Because the Biden-Harris administration has intentionally isolated and demonized Israel rather than Hamas that perpetrated the heinous crimes of October 7, 2023, supplying cover to rapists and murderers of harmless Jewish families and students.

Trump is right. The majority of the world’s nations have taken a stand against Israel, the United Nations essentially reversing it’s 1948 recognition of the state and, as of September 23, 2024, voting itself world governing power. The UN may think it can rule the globe but, at least where the United States is concerned, that is not so.

President Trump and average Christians are staunch supporters of Israel, and will not allow Israel to be stripped of its true and historic place as a sovereign state.

Trump has also been very vocal about his rationale for taking down the Roe v. Wade ruling as properly returning the issue of abortion to that of the separate states. The problem herein is that people on both sides of the political fence have been untaught over the last five decades that the true power of the USA lies with the states, not the federal government. Yet the federal government has ploddingly usurped that power. and the ignorance of citizens and politicians (though it’s debatable that politicians haven’t understood their actions) has allowed it to occur.

Again, Trump is right, that the decision regarding abortion (and other issues, such as education) should remain with the individual states. He has also stated many times that he does not support a national abortion ban because the states must decide.

These are fully throated statements by Trump that corporate media refuse to report, preferring to keep the public, who will not do their own homework, in the dark. This is another instance where tradition plays a role. That of sticking with the old familiar mouthpieces and mantras.

Further, having read through the Bible a number of times, accessing multiple translations and diving into word studies, perhaps I missed it but Scripture that condones ending an unborn child’s life was nowhere evident.

Another side to the argument that tradition drives votes, or lack thereof in the following case, is that there are Christians relying on the teaching that they shouldn’t be involved in politics, that faith and politics don’t mix. Dave Barton of Wallbuilders makes the point in this linked interview, and this column (among many) refutes that concept: Trump’s conviction calls Christians to consider: Was Jesus political?

There is also an idea weaving among many Christians that they have no need to be involved in the political process because they expect to be raptured out of the current situation. This may anger many fellow believers but, if Christians haven’t been removed from the horrific messes Man has caused over the last two millennia – and that includes the execution of six million Jews and millions of Christians, Roma, homosexuals and other minorities by the Third Reich – is it logical to think it’s going to occur now?

What ought to be considered are two things. One, that Jesus did not pray for believers to be swept off the earth but that they endured and were protected (John 17:15) to witness for Christ. Two, as technology has made it possible for the world to be aware of every war and natural disaster across the globe, that does not neutralize the fact that worldwide conflagrations have always been occurring. We are well informed now when it wasn’t possible in centuries past. Technology also indicates why Jesus came when He did: The Christ Timeline.

William Federer points out that waiting to get raptured up is no excuse to lay aside one’s duty to be involved. We are all called to take responsible action in our land and culture. In America, that means all citizens must vote.

Jews and Christians are to be led by the Bible, from the Tanakh to the New Testament, because both state the same regarding acknowledging God, His righteousness and directives for life: Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart...”

and reiterated in Matthew 22:37 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” KJV

It takes courage to re-examine traditional thoughts and practices, and until citizens, whether Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu or other preferred religious affiliation, are willing to do so and take action to intervene, evil will prevail.