Posted on 09/11/2019 9:27:17 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
I imagine I’m not the only one this happened to, but still, you hate to see it happen at all. You express your support for Trump on a given issue, and an old friend or acquaintance dumps you. That’s how fiercely they oppose – or even despise – him. How do we best navigate these turbulent waters?
Growing up in a small Jewish community on Long Island, most of my best friends were also Jewish. And like the majority of American Jews, most of those old friends are now liberal Democrats. And a few of those old friends – or neighbors – are my Facebook friends.
That means they see my many posts about controversial cultural issues, like abortion and LGBT activism, and they do not unfriend me.
Others, not surprisingly, did unfriend me along the way, which I fully understand. We weren’t super close, and they didn’t appreciate my views. All clear.
But one in particular, whom I had known since elementary school, somehow stuck around, and every so often he’d post a nice comment to a family update or the like.
Unfortunately, the day came when my support for the President on a particular issue was more than he could take, and that was the end of that.
I wasn’t offended, but I hated to see it happen.
More recently, another childhood friend, named David, posted this in response to one my Trump-related articles: “How can any Christian support such an immoral and divisive man? He’s broken every commandment and has committed all Seven Deadly Sins. Ask yourself two questions....would Jesus support such behavior?
“Would Jesus treat illegals the same way?
“The answer is no to both questions and I question your commitment to Jesus if you support Donald Trump.
“Instant redemption is bull as Trump never seems contrite in his poor decisions.”
How did I respond to a post like this?
It appears that the order of the day is to fight fire with fire, offense with offense. You blast me and I blast you. Forget about substance. About content. About details and facts. And forget about conducting ourselves in a godly manner. Not a chance. Fire away!
But the Book of Proverbs has a relevant word for us here: “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” (Proverbs 15:1, NLT)
I knew his life experience and faith perspectives were very different than mine, and personally, I was glad to see he was still a Facebook friend, despite our differences.
I wrote back, “You definitely represent the concerns of many others, especially non-Christians. Here's the short answer: 1) Donald Trump is NOT our Savior, and for many of us, he was the last choice of the Republicans running for office. But a vote for him was a vote against Hillary, who we believed would be a disaster for our country. 2) While the issue of migrant children is a serious one and needs to be addressed, for us, slaughtering one million babies in the womb [each year] is a massively bigger issue. The brutal and horrific slaughter and torture and displacement of millions of Christians in the Middle East by ISIS and other Islamic militants is a massively bigger issue. The possibility of Iran getting nuclear weapons to attack Israel fits in this same category. And these are just some of the biggest issues to us. That's why we voted for Trump. We felt Hillary would be on the wrong side of all of these. As for immigration, remember that Obama deported far more illegals, at this time in his presidency, than Trump, and the problem of separating children from parents has existed for years before Trump. Christian supporters of Trump simply need to make clear that we want something done that is compassionate and fair. 3) When we excuse Trump's sinful behavior, we discredit our own witness. I agree. But we do NOT compromise our Christian witness when we say, ‘We deplore his past, playboy lifestyle, and we hate his crude and ugly attacks against others, but out of the choices for president in 2016 (or, potentially in 2020), we believe he's the better choice.’ I encourage you to think this through. God bless!”
And how did David respond on Facebook? He wrote, “Michael, thanks for the answer. As you know, we have many issues facing us as a country and as religious groups. There are no easy answers. I’m not sure if prioritizing our response based on religious views is the answer.
“It saddens me to see not one of the responses I got from people here address my two questions about Jesus approving of Trumps actions. I see a herd of Trump apologists who cherry pick their Christian values.
“Michael, I admire you as a person, you serve a very important role in today’s world. Keep up the good work you do! Be well!”
I responded, “Thanks for the kind words. This is the kind of interaction we all need. Much appreciated! And keep raising your voice when you want to weigh in. I always welcome respectful differences of opinion.”
As of today, David and I are still Facebook friends (David, I hope you’re reading this! If you are, encourage Robert to rejoin us!). And the point of me posting this is not to say, “Look at how wise my interaction was!”
The point, instead, is this.
Let’s do our best to communicate. To interact substantively rather than be reactionary. To do our best to hear someone’s heartfelt concerns.
And then, rather than dismissing those concerns as if they were baseless – is that how we want our concerns treated? – to share our point of view with clarity and grace.
In the end, rather than losing friends over views about Trump, we just might gain some.
Hey, it can’t hurt to dream.
I have come to the conclusion that we will NEVER get along with these people. The Bush years was just as bad. The left brainwashes the masses as well as the Nazis did in the past.The silver lining is that Trump has and is continuing to bring many to our side. Lastly,I will never understand the typical Jewish Liberal American.
I have a few liberal friends and I have lost a few. Most can’t debate coherently and stoop to the name calling and cliches and get mad and take their marbles and go home.
I have a millennial female friend who I have known since she was in high school. She likes to take views that shock people and for some reason will seek me out and start and I will tell her you are wrong and explain why and we will debate, no name calling or being hurtful. She may change her mind, usually she doesn’t but she seems to need validation with her thoughts by hitting me with them.
Her husband is a go-along get-along whatever she says-he’s whipped, and so is her father, she told him to go to hell in high school and told me about it proudly. My response was if you were my daughter and told me that in high school you would be picking up your teeth still, it was disrespectful and you were wrong. Well my grandma said I was right and I did it in front of her and if he punished me she would write him out of the will. I replied then I would have told grandma, write me out of the will and leave me and my wife to raise my child, you are as wrong as she is.
I suspect I am the only male in her life which will tell her no and she is wrong and she keeps coming back for more. After every debate we end with we agree to disagree and if in person will hug and tell each other we love one another and enjoyed the debate, a really rare event when debating leftist.
It is interesting to me that my parents siblings are/were mostly conservative republicans. My read on my parents is that their position is based on abortion. My mom worked for a general practitioner in the 1960’s before abortion was legal in all states. As part of her job, she helped arrange abortions for teen age girls either helping them to facilities in NY or helping them secure them in CT for medical reasons.
My working theory is that because republicans stand on abortion is that it is immoral, my parents cannot accept that. They then look to all the negative they can find on a republican to support their position so they never have to face the fact that abortion is wrong.
I think many die hard democrats have either direct or indirect connections with abortion that causes them to be irrational about their choices.
I do know this.
God would never be on the side that murders a million innocent babies in the womb and outside the womb for convenience.
God as Christ, Son of God for Christians told us that to get to Heaven, it is very difficult...not easy.
You cannot debate someone whose ideas are rooted in emotion. Emotion is subjective and once the emotions get cranked up, up goes the wall.
It is a tough nut to crack. Maybe they are used to their ideas being approved of and regurgitated in the echo chamber blogs that the are part of. It is not unlike a cult.
It is good that you try to debate with your millennial friend. You might eventually break through. Especially when she is a little older and maturity has changed her perspectives on life. Good luck!
The Democrat/Left is like a Religious Cult. They and they alone have the truth. All others are evil. Trump is a Nazi or Worst than Hitler, Stalin or Mao. If you support him you must be evil too and do not deserve to live. I can’t understand why no one han’ts taken a pot shot at Trump? If you believe in your heart this Bull Caca, why wouldn’t you take out a man who is planning on killing Millions of Latinos or Muslims—even at the cost of your own life? Why? Most don’t believe it in their hearts. But a few, do—and they are the fanatics I fear. If they could—they would send us all to the Labor Camps to be worked to death.
Everyone I am around is very aware of the fact that I support President Trump.
I was one of a very few in the immediate area smiling the day after President Trump won the election.
Very few people have cut off contact with me over my support. Most simply know enough not to broach politics around me as I am not one to stand by and say nothing and take their abuse.
I also don't throw my political stance in anyone’s face and keep my opinions to myself unless asked or confronted, which fortunately is rare.
Being a Pariah has its ups and downs.
Annoying liberals no longer speak to you? Some of us have lost our livelihoods.
I hate those damn signs. Although if they are in front of a business, that lets me know not to shop there.
This is why I think things could get really scary after the election if Trump wins. These folks are already showing a propensity to come unglued over the sillyest stuff. It could really push them over the edge. And our side is quite well armed and often carrying.
To this: "How can any Christian support such an immoral and divisive man? He’s broken every commandment and has committed all Seven Deadly Sins. Ask yourself two questions....would Jesus support such behavior?"
I say those are mostly spurious accusations.
What counts is that President Trump, like George Washington, is a man of incredible public virtue.
How can any Christian support such an immoral and divisive man? He’s broken every commandment and has committed all Seven Deadly Sins. Ask yourself, would Jesus support such behavior?
Jesus died for Trump, just like he died for the man asking this question, as well as everyone else.
Paul set up early Christians to be stoned, even their leaders. Jesus Christ none the less recruited Paul, changed his heart, lifted him up, and made him the most impressive apostle on record. Paul was a Roman citizen. His status afforded him a platform from which to speak from in perilous times. He was perfect for the job. Trump is perfect for the Job.
Who are we to judge who God allows to lead our nation?
Don't tell me that people who have exhibited bad traits can't reform and become some of the best leaders ever.
There's not a single one of us who deserve salvation on our own merits.
Would Jesus treat illegals the same way?
The answer to this is undeniably yes.
Taxation under Roman rule in Israel was oppressive. None the less, Jesus stated, "Render under Caesar what is Caesar's." He recognized national authority.
Our immigration policies governing our borders and legal entry is simply another example of a governments legal authority, which should be recognized and honored.
This guy is an example of a wayward Christian, meaning well, and missing the message.
This person shouldn’t be using FB..period.
How can any Christian support a Democrat party that releases from jail foreign national child rapists into our communities? For all of President Trump’s faults and foibles he would never do the evil things Democrats do on a daily basis.
How can a Christian remain a demoncRat?
I don't approve of everything the republicans do either, but they aren't participating, no, promoting genocide of the unborn. And that's just one issue...
“Politics is the be all, end all for liberals.”
Identity politics is their religion.
It's the way of the left.
Substitute any group for lesbians and the rule still applies.
One of my sisters is a lesbian. She is very much anti-Trump.
This is just sophistry: a pretext. These people could not care less about submitting to the guidance of Jesus Christ in their own lives.
If it were me, I would ask my liberal friends: where do they get their information from?
If it's from MSM, ask them to consider that mainstream outlets (CNN,NBC,ABC exc..) are more propagandists for the Democrat party, than they are journalists.
They (MSM) are delibrately trying to stir up animosity against POTUS, (Even if this means that they report outright lies-Just one example: How long did they accuse Trump of "Russia, Russia,Russia", when it was actually Her Heinousness who was tangled up with them?).
But probably the best thing lto do is to just not talk about politics. However, in cases where they insist on this subject, don't let them tear POTUS down with name calling. Make them stick to the facts.
One of my relatives had to do this with a group of old friends. They would trash talk Trump every time they went to lunch together.
Relative told them that if they kept doing it, that she would not be going out with them any more. They stopped. (They don't talk about politics at their outings.)
But as for me, in similar circumstances- I asked one of my left leaning friends what she thought of politicians. She said she couldn't stand most of them (both parties).
So I asked her why does she want them to have total control over her life? I explained that the end result of liberal policies is that politicians decide what is best for you, not yourself.
I said that I could never support that. It always ends in misery and disaster- look at Venezuela exc..
I then said that even if she does support leftist politicians conrolling everything, that the queen of darkness would not be a good choice because of decades long massive corruption and other dirty deeds allegations.
I asked her to research the history of the Arkansas crime family, and consider supporting Bernie instead. I'm not sure what she did, (Haven't seen her in a long time.)
I have another friend who insisted that there are many countries with Constitutions just like ours.
I told him to look into it- That there is only 1 USA Constitution. Nothing like it anywhere else. (That's why millions of people try to come here from all over the world.)
He later admitted I was right.
These are examples of why, IMO, it is necessary to engage in political discussions with people, in spite of the discomfort, if not outright Media caused hysteria that can occur.
(Also why it is necessary to publicly display Trump support-just be careful when and how you do it.)
You can still try to get through to someone. Just be respectful, that they might choose differently anyway.
Perhaps you can carry a roll of toilet paper with you in a bag.
If your friend or relative still wants to support Dems/CPUSA(Communist Party USA), you can smile, respectfully say they do have a right to their opinion, but hand them the roll of toilet paper, and say calmly "If your party wins, you might need this".
Then sincerely ask them to look up what happened to toilet paper in Venezuela after the Socialists took over.
(You could also have pics of the poo covered streets in California and remind them that these show how much democrats really "care" about people, once they have total control.)
It is worth it to keep attempting to wake people up. The survival of this nation and our continued freedom depend on overcoming the propagandists lies and distortions, about POTUS, our country and Constitution.
(Not to mention DJT doesn't deserve the daily mountains of crap that are thrown at him by the corruptocrats and their media accomplices. It is truly amazing just how much he's accomplished in spite of this. God bless he and his family for putting up with it and continuing to fight for us.)
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