Why Religious People Support the President

One might argue that Orthodox Jews and Evangelical Christians are not the only people with religious values. That is entirely true. There are plenty of non Orthodox Jews, mainline Christians, and even some Orthodox Jews with strong religious values who strongly oppose the President. But if one examines what the religious values of each are, there are marked differences in what is emphasized. 

People with a liberal approach to religion will point to humanistic religious values. In Judaism that is called Mitzvos Bein Adam L’Chavero (BALC). Which is our religious obligations with respect to man’s interaction with man. Those of us with a more conservative approach to religion, focus more on the spiritual  realm. Which Judaism calls Mitzvos Bain Adam L’Makom (BALM). Which is Man’s interaction with God.

Both kinds of Mitzvos are important in the eyes of God. BALC is in fact part and parcel of BALM. By violating BALC you are violating BALM as well since both are directives of God.

But despite the fact that BALC is more inclusive than BALM - that does not mean BALC should be ignored or even minimized. The problem is that the religious people with a liberal mindset always use BALC as their guide while minimizing - or in some cases ignoring BALM as though it didn’t exist.

This might help explain why religious people tend to support a President that is the antithesis of BALC.

When a President is seen to protect and support BALM issues, religious people will appreciate it. In a world where humanistic values are the order of the day and spiritual concerns are all but ignored  they will support a President whose policies promote the spiritual. Despite the President’s personal religious failings in BALC. 

That’s because without the spiritual component of BALM, BALC becomes subject to societal definitions. Which makes things like gay marriage, late term abortions at will, and egalitarianism become part of their religious values.  Those of us that believe in both BALC and BALM then see their religious values being attacked.

It should not come as a surprise therefore that when a President opposes societal values devoid of the spiritual component of BALM - that he is supported.

I must admit that I was fiercely opposed to Trump during the election campaign. I could not imagine a man like that becoming the face of America. His near complete abandonment of BALC made him unqualified to be President in my eyes. Which is why I reluctantly voted for his opponent. And was both shocked and disappointed when he won. 

What I did not realize at the time is that unlike past Presidents, Trump kept his promises to the best of his ability. Agree with him or not, that cannot be denied. With respect to Israel, - just as was the case with past Presidential candidates he promised to move the American embassy to Jerusalem. And unlike past Presidents once in office he actually did it. One might quibble with the actual value of doing something like that. But that is beside the point. He promised he would do it and he did.

There is not a doubt in my mind about the support President Trump has for Israel. Nor is there a doubt in my mind that he loves the Jewish people. Especially those that are observant and are far more inclined to support his pro Israel policies. There is also  not a doubt in my mind that he loves his Jewish son in law and his Jewish daughter who married him. 

(Those who might challenge her conversion need to take it up with the Orthodox Beis Din that presided over her conversion. It is not for anyone of us to make that judgment. It is up to the Beis Din that converted her. But that too is beside the point.)

I have changed my attitude about Trump. Not about is personal behavior. That is just as atrocious as it has ever been. But I could not be more pleased with the vast majority of his polices. Especially those which involve issues that are dear to religious people who value not only BALC but BALM as well. His policies enhance our ability to observe BALM. And so far his policies have made him the best friend Israelis have ever had in the White House. At least as far as the vast majority of Israelis are concerned

I’m pretty sure that Evangelical Christians see it pretty much the same way. Which brings me to an editorial in Christianity Today– an Evangelical publication. It vigorously  supported the President’s impeachment. For all the reasons I suggested about his complete disregard for BALC. But as an article in another Evangelical publication, the Christian Post noted - supporting his impeachment is the furthest thing from the minds of the vast majority of Evangelical preachers and their flock. They support the President completely. 

One of their preachers was interviewed last Sunday on Meet the Press and was asked about that editorial and he said the same thing. When asked why they support such a man, he answered that his polices (which Evangelicals enthusiastically support) ‘trump’ his personal behavior by far. When asked to give an example of that, he was quick to point to moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. It may only have symbolic significance. But what a symbol it is!