I Discern a Lack of Discernment

Seeing reality for what it is is what we call discernment. - Lewis B. Smedes

From observing ten years of MAGA and the insanity and cruelty caused by the ill-advised marriage of the Republican Party and the White evangelical sect of Christianity, I have discerned this: Most White evangelicals lack discernment—spiritual or just plain practical.

Who Prompted My Phone Call?

Here’s a case that proves my point: About a month ago, I called a man for whom I had done some writing work several years ago. This man—a devout evangelical and a very nice person—sounded almost ecstatic when he answered the phone. “Jerry!” he exclaimed enthusiastically. “How are you? I was just thinking of calling you. Your call was the work of the Holy Spirit!”

“Oh,” I replied, wondering, surprised, almost shocked. “Why were you going to call me?”

“I’ve been working on a couple of books, and I’d like you to help me with them. It must have been the Holy Spirit who prompted you to call me.”

“Oh, okay,” I responded. “I didn’t call expecting to get more work, I just wanted to see how you are doing. But what will the books be about?”

He explained that the books would be devotionals (Christian inspirational writings). I explained to him that I’d recently given my 30-day notice of my intention to leave my job at a local school, so I would be available to work with him after April 11. He texted me on April 12 asking me to call him so we could discuss the writing project. Following our discussion, he emailed me the preliminary files we’d be working on.

My Disclaimer

The next day, I read the first few pages and skimmed the remaining pages. Then, before beginning my edits, I felt the need to inform him that I am not a fan of our current president. I did this not because of anything I’d read in the files he sent; I did so because I know that most evangelicals are devoted to Donald Trump, and it seemed only right that before we proceed, he should know that I am a harsh critic of the president.

His reply to my news was that God has a long history of using “imperfect people,” and that Trump’s work in stacking the Supreme Court with pro-life justices will result in saving the lives of millions of the unborn.

I spent several days debating with myself about whether to reply to his reply or to just let the conversation quietly expire. I chose to reply. I stated the fact that rather than decreasing the number of abortions, the Supreme Court’s decision that effectively nullified Roe v. Wade and returned abortion laws to the states actually increased the abortion rate.

The Lack of Response

So, the argument that Trump is decreasing abortions is invalid. I also added that abortion rates have been slowly declining for decades, and that the declines have been sharper during Democratic presidential administrations. I linked every one of my statements to sites that show the evidence for those claims. My reply was three days ago, and so far, this devout, nice evangelical has not responded. I doubt he ever will.

I’ve encountered the same arguments and non-responses from other evangelicals ensnared in the MAGA cult. One in particular has told me plainly that as soon as she sees that any of my emails are about Trump, she deletes them without reading them. And she also has stated unequivocally that she will not talk with me about Trump or anything MAGA.

Don’t Bother Me with Facts

She once told me that she knows I can out-argue her on political matters, so she refuses to debate any such topics with me. In reply, I reminded her that she was the one with the genius IQ, and she was the one recruited by MENSA when she was a teen. If I am able to “out-argue” her, it is not because I am more intelligent. Rather, it’s because my arguments are based on facts and logic, while hers are based on beliefs and feelings.

And that is the biggest problem with trying to extricate disciples from the MAGA cult. They refuse to consider facts and logic. They find feelings and beliefs to be more comforting. And that brings me back to my friend who was certain that the Holy Spirit brought us back together to produce the wonderful devotionals he had in mind but who now shuns me as an apostate. If he would talk to me now, I’d ask him these three questions: 1. “If the Holy Spirit prompted me to call you, why did He not warn you that the two of us are not aligned politically and religiously and that you should not work with me?” 2. “Are you sure God speaks to you?” 3. “Do you still believe in spiritual discernment?”