NOTICE
By the grace of God, our country narrowly escaped the consequences of an evil act. I am grateful, as I am sure all Americans should be, for the life of President Trump and the failure of his assassination attempt. It is fitting that our emotions rally around President Trump at this grave moment in our nation’s history. I look forward to a passionate and energetic RNC this week to celebrate what Donald Trump’s candidacy means to the American people – more than ever before.
Yet we cannot ignore the fact that last week the RNC Platform Committee failed to deliver a robust, descriptive conservative vision of America. Unfortunately, a manipulative force forced delegates to accept and endorse predetermined language. For most social conservatives, disappointment with policy positions is an understatement, but not a barrier to agreement. The most appalling breach of trust was the process that took place behind closed doors. Censorship won. Free speech was undermined. Frustration ensued, rightly, from delegates who expected subcommittees and input. The core principles of limited government and responsible individualism were betrayed by an anti-American style of persuasion—scare tactics and intimidation executed by Trump’s representatives and RNC staff.
Let me say the silent part out loud. If this is any indication of what a second Trump administration will look like, then politically engaged Christians need to stop and examine any blind allegiance to a man with unprecedented, raw executive power. Dissenting voices are not welcome, even among friends.
In all honesty, I voted for President Trump in 2016 and 2020. Like many others, I rightly justified our support for him because despite his historically offensive personality, his policies would benefit America and protect our rights. There is no doubt that they did! By the common grace of God, the accomplishments of the Trump administration during its first presidency have brought about a historic positive shift in America’s domestic and foreign policy.
But I refuse to remain passive and silent in the face of the disturbingly coercive approach taken by the former president’s team of delegates at the RNC Platform Committee meeting. Let me be blunt. Donald Trump is a politician, a real estate developer, and an expert in celebrity branding. He is not above his responsibilities. I believe I am not alone in this. Many socially conservative Christians share similar concerns and a deep sense of unease about a growing populist movement that demands total allegiance to Donald Trump. Fear of broken relationships and loss of political access to the highest levels of federal and state officeholders keeps many people silent.
Clearly, the biggest obstacle preventing believers from more openly criticizing Donald Trump is that the alternative would be worse. A second Biden administration would only continue the left’s unbridled war on the natural order of male and female binary realities, passing extreme national abortion laws up to the moment of birth and caving in to anti-Israel terrorist sympathizers.
As the RNC convention begins today, former President Trump’s approval ratings among his base will reach historic highs. But his advisers risk undermining his voter turnout in the coming months by deflating the enthusiasm of socially conservative Americans. These voters will pray for the nation out of deep conviction in their faith, but may not participate in this year’s elections. His inner circle of political advisers should not take us for granted.
In this perilous political time, I urge churches to remain steadfast in their mission to proclaim eternal truth, regardless of who is in power. Billions of dollars will be spent to get Americans to vote. The political infrastructure, which benefits from almost unlimited infusions of money, does not need pastors who obey it to win an election. If the church focuses more on getting people to come to the altar to pray, rather than getting people to the polls to vote, America’s best days are still ahead.
The opinions expressed are my own and do not represent any organization with which I am affiliated.
Shawn Hyland has held numerous positions, including Director of Advocacy for the New Jersey Family Policy Center, Executive Director of the Family Policy Alliance of New Jersey, and New Jersey State Coordinator for Christians United for Israel. He was the founder of Move the Earth, a ministry under his leadership dedicated to reversing the tide of biblical disbelief, and was a former candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 3rd District. For more information, visit www.ShawnHyland.com
