anne mikolay 2018This morning, I saw something on the internet that prompted me to question the reasoning of the American people, an image so utterly preposterous I turned to snopes.com for explanation. Snopes confirmed the offending prototype, which drew a parallel between Jesus Christ and Donald J. Trump, was real.

In November, 2018, social media reported that a billboard equating Donald J. Trump with Jesus Christ had been erected in St. Louis, Missouri. The billboard featured President Trump's likeness, coupled with the words "Make the Gospel Smashing Again" and "The Discussion Became Flesh…" The implication here is hard to miss. Information technology's also blasphemous.

Thankfully, after much backlash, DDI Media, the owners of the billboard, removed the advertisement paid for by the facebook group, MGGA (Brand the Gospel Peachy Once more). MGGA had also used the image in question as their facebook cover. Prompted by protests from "liberals and atheists" who allegedly "drowned out the voices of Christians in this land", MGGA airtight their facebook folio, but denied equating President Trump with Christ, stating "we prayed that the facebook folio would be a community for boyfriend Christians to be encouraged at what God is doing in the world and to notice out how they could, like our president, be a part of being God'southward presence in making America slap-up." Additionally, MGGA described its mission as follows: "We believe God has given American Christians His earthly messenger – Donald J. Trump. Nosotros follow his words in faith each day!"

You're kidding me, right? How misguided can Christians be?

Let's break this down. Despite MGGA'south denial, the billboard glaringly and daringly drew a parallel between Donald J. Trump and Jesus Christ. If that was non the intention, MGGA'due south marketing team needs to rethink their strategy going forward.The message they shared on Interstate 170 in St. Louis Canton, Missouri, and daily on facebook, smacked of idolatry. The proof is in the beginning commandment: "I am the Lord your God: you shall not take strange Gods before me." The billboard effectively elevated Trump to a divine status no human is worthy of. No human being is similar Jesus Christ, and no ane should brand such a sacrilegious claim. No homo is to exist worshipped or revered or followed "in faith each solar day".

Additionally, in restricting their mission to "make the gospel great once more" to "American Christians," MGGA is diametrically opposed to the all-inclusive teachings of Christ. An estimated ii.2 billion Christians live throughout the globe. If I recall my catechism correctly, Jesus intended "the practiced news" for all who would open up their hearts and receive it. He didn't specify living in America as a requirement. And while we're discussing God'south messengers on earth, let usa consider the grapheme of those God allegedly chooses to work through, including politicians and clerics, and let u.s.a. acquit in heed the dangers of blind worship and disregarding the fruits of the spirit.

The offensive electronic billboard, yous may correctly point out, was taken down in 2018, and is old news, so why talk nigh it now? Considering its betoken was fabricated and still circulates on social media; its message is alive and well and dangerous. One too many people believe Donald J. Trump is God's perfect messenger on world. Similar MGGA, one too many people, blindly "follow his words in religion every twenty-four hour period". There is but one individual we should unquestionably follow, and it's not Donald Trump.

Information technology is, of form, our constitutionally protected prerogative to support the political candidate of our choice and to limited that support any style we see fit. It is also our responsibility, as Christians, to atmosphere our gratuitous will with reason and respect.

Food for thought:

Matthew 7:16-17 "Ye shall know them past their fruits. Practice men get together grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? All the same every good tree bringeth along fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth along evil fruit."

ane John 2:three-4: "And past this we know that nosotros have come to know him, if we continue his commandments. Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

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Anne Grand. Mikolay joined The Atlantic Highlands Herald as a columnist in 2008. Prior to penning "The Armchair Critic," Anne wrote characteristic articles for The Monmouth Journal. Her work has appeared in national... More by Anne Mikolay