Friends, nothing can provide better sanctuary to his bride, than Christ Jesus. We are works in progress.

Many of us may wonder about the state of our Christian churches in America. Are we strong? Are we weak? Are we defiant? Restless? Confused? Content?

This is a post about politics. And, religion, is politics too.

In 2012, America’s “religious right” was a little bit “lukewarm” – not yet convinced that a Donald J. Trump presidency could so well represent (and defend) our Christian social values (as they began to be so in 2016). Without loyal supporters and V.P. Mike Pence, the movement could not have gotten off the ground.

This victory was God’s will. And many of us still believe it to be our shared destiny in America, for 4 more years.

Some, donated their campaign contributions to the Democrats (yet). Today – in 2020, that investment dynamic has changed. Since 2016, a zeal took root; and, is still there for us to grow from and hand off to the next, beyond a second term.

And, that is much to be happy about. Because, in a close fight (one in which we are outspent by those who find fault) – protecting life and liberty right now, is only getting started. Closure of religious services should not shame any of us into voting against our own interests that are right!

At present date, September 2020, America’s clergy has spent a lot of money in support of Joe Biden’s ticket and the Democrat party in general. Why would this be true?

Some money, far less, they’ve contributed (to present date, in this year) on the Trump/Pence ticket (2020). This is known from data I looked up on nationally & publicly disclosed donation tracking. I know there’s still time. And, regardless, votes matter more than donations do.

What can account for this shame though? The clergy cannot turn a blind eye to policies that support abortion – while speaking against it at the pulpit. It also cannot support candidates (Democrat candidates) with even so much as 1 dollar – who openly support abortion. Can it? Donating money is gesture of approval of policies. No one would donate and invest against his or her best interest (unless he were so confident in victory, that he were appeasing the opponent).

So, what exactly is going on here? Would The Holy Church go against the sanctity of life, in order to secure radical immigration policies? And, if so, which of these clergy members are making such scandalous donations?

Let’s look at America’s Catholic clergy. This Christian clerical body may have a tender fondness for Joe Biden, as he is Catholic, rather than generally Christian. I urge conservative and “orthodox” Catholics though to stay the course; and, to support Mr. Donald J. Trump and Mr. Mike Pence once more. I thank God for them. Without them, we would never have won 2016 in defense of life and growth – not death. And many of us Catholics are making inroads.

Catholic doctrine sides with the policies of the incumbent. Support of life, support of free speech, support of religious liberty, support of familial upward mobility, support of monogamy, security for citizens, sobriety are on this ballot as they were in 2016 (all of which the opposition has contributed to deforming, just as their predecessors did). So, why would any Catholic clergy donate even so much as one dollar to the Democrats?

What I’m saying, is that zeal for Trump is in a tremendously placid state. Where’s the excitement? Where’s the unity? Something seems amiss.

Is my Church experiencing a cognitive dissonance of epic proportion? Is it compounded with a fear of what we could achieve in 4 more years?

Or, is it dissatisfied with both candidates? Well, the Church is as much dissonant within itself, as are the American populous.

Catholics lean “socialist”, in so far that we desire every person to benefit from free healthcare and free education (agendas of the Democrats). Yet, many of us know, that the poor cannot be sustained in such way – they cannot grow by such method and system. History has proven socialism and communism to both be unsustainable. So, why vote for death? That would be failing, erroneous, ideology. Yet, its aim often is lofty: it wishes to mitigate poverty, without letting go of a love for its virtue. How can it not be lofty? Caring well for the poor is extremely paramount.

There are two ways to answer how it can be, that the Catholic Church may in fact enjoy some of the promises made by Democrats. First, we have to see the Christian Church in America honestly, as it truly exists. There is “religious right” (conservatism), there is “evangelical”-(which all Christian churches technically are supposed to be), there is modern-day Protestant Christian, and there are more branches than these which all stem from Judaism and Christ.

As only American citizens of age can vote in America, this analysis concerns Catholicism-in America. Comprising our Church (practicing and non-practicing), are both registered Democrats and Republicans. From ideological standpoint, there is inherent dissonance. Democrats and Republicans each (both) vote according to some of Catholic teaching, but not all of it. This includes clergy. It is currently impossible to be both Catholic and completely loyal to any one political party in the USA. Though Republican representations are much more aligned with Church doctrine on nearly all issues of concern, in America.

Moral teaching is clear; the agenda and record are clearly in greater unity with Donald Trump’s policies. The policy objectives from which Donald Trump has allowed us to preserve and grow with (despite intense and incessant oppositions from socialists, communists, anarchists, even anti-Christ movements of today), are clearly allowing us to set a thriving example and to live in peace with other nations. The far-left policies and agendas are undeniably more caustic, vitriolic, unhealthy; and will contribute to tremendous volatility and disorder if acted upon and approved of at the ballot box.

Within the Catholic Church, our clergy are not all registered Republican or Democrat. Some of their leanings may in fact conflict with conservative teachings’ more clear ballot choice, as already pointed out.

The same disunity is true among the laity as well. So, how can ideology really be zealous (and united), when some voters just might wish to see refugees come flooding into our nation? Is open border ideology simply a lure, presented by our opposition? Or, do their leftist aspirations justify unseating a conservative champion? Can a Catholic challenger (Biden/Harris/Democrat party), whose policies (with his Vice President who shares those) really preserve freedom and social morality? Can it do so, by transforming our Republic into less of one – so that it resemble other nations? Does the American Constitution matter to our people only during one term, and not in the next?

Perhaps the Catholic Church is at present “tied up”; because it doesn’t have a candidate choice that conforms with its own ideal image? We know we can only vote for our “left foot” or our “right” one; but we want to keep both – figuratively. And, so, clergy donate to both parties! Again, not only are Christians doing this, but our whole nation is! I don’t like that one bit. I’d rather choose the right foot and stick to a good thing going if the feet would otherwise choose two different directions (as they clearly do).

Clergy must be guided by prevailing ideology, as an economist would do and does. When something is working, you keep it going, and you protect it. Momentum should not be disrupted by needless toil and needless gear shifting.

And, with that, the conservative minded clergy must not be bullied into a corner by the liberal clergy who are among the religious in our nation.

Now, I, find it hard and exceptionally rare to criticize the Church. And, denominations seek peace with differing views. Call it “Stockholm-syndrome”, or blind devotion, to never speak against your religious. Whichever that might be, (or neither), criticism only helps the Church grow-and the Church recognizes this truth. It’s tough enough to hear this without serious wound.

The Church is not beyond criticism. The Bible it does speak… is infallible, unlike you or I. No singular mortal is perfectly able to interpret every teaching in it. And, our choices sometimes demonstrate a defiance to teachings – even the most/least proud or most/least sophisticated. Most of us know what is right behavior and right choice. Yes, our elected leaders should be emblematic of near perfect virtue; but the Church should not be willing to sacrifice gains in moral teaching at 2020 simply because the challenger is: technically one of us by religious specificity (Joe Biden). As his agenda may appeal to some Catholics; contributing money to his party clearly opposes our constitutional Republic. We know this clearly, from everything their party has said that they intend to do to our country.

So, Church, show some zeal for the incumbents who have been rightly serving us! Christians of all sects – (those of you who can) ramp up the donations to the President and Vice President. They do NOT condone the killing of the unborn.

Clergy, don’t spend your money on the Democrat party. It seems you’ve spent more Christian money on Democrats, as opposed to Republicans (by more than 3 times at present) (according to an undisclosed source of public campaign contribution data)! We cannot play games!

What have the Democrats done for America during these prior four years, that Donald Trump and Mike Pence have? Of course, you can vote how you wish to, just as I can. We can all place our hopes where we choose to, but, don’t turn to a party with so many ideological flaws. It’s time to continue forward, as we did in 2016. We all have a part to play in securing and maintaining our successes. May God continue to bless America.