I was a never-Trumper in 2016, although my main motivation was more “heck no, Hil” than anything else. I thought about voting for Hil but, uh, no. I ended up voting for neither.
I have been inclined up to now to vote for Trump in November. I’m hedging on that at the moment, although being jerked around with virus rules and concerns and the current riot mess makes this not a great time for decisions. I’m thinking about taking a personal mental health day and using it to go fishing.
While I miss meeting with the others in my church, our church is pretty much non-political. My small group is not apolitical but we are all old and smart and know better than to get into a political discussion. Several of the group are blue collar big Trumpers. I’d guess that Trump would lose the vote in our total small group, probably 9 to 7. I sense that Trump doesn’t get the female vote in my group.
Al Mohler came out for Trump in mid-April. I’m waiting for a word from Al now. He addresses everything else. Surely he will have something to say about all this. One might question Mohler’s timing. He can hardly flop back to a no-Trumper. He’s got to find some finesse for this one. The prominent SBC Trumpers have been, well, mute lately.
Bart Barber declared that he plans to vote for Trump but that he could reneg based on “nativist extremism.” I’m not sure if there are other things that could change his mind.
Whippersnappers will not remember that there was once a time when there were no network or media types who were conservative. You had the three networks and no cable. George Will is the first conservative on a network that I can recall hearing, although William F. Buckley had his own platform and was the father of modern conservatism. Will wants Republicans to lose in 2020. He’s always made a lot of sense.
Limbaugh carries the pro-Trump load these days but he’s got lung cancer. I don’t know who would influence as many people as he has when his voice is silent. Hannity has been overly shrill for years. After those two there is only a gaggle of tiny voices.
I’m probably the least woke guy on Voices but Biden is a palatable candidate whereas Hil was not. Give the Dems credit for sinking Bernie’s ship before he got the nomination. I wouldn’t have voted for the perpetually angry socialist.
The republic survived eight years of Obama. When he was re-elected, I decided I wasn’t going to spend four years grinding my teeth over his administration. We will survive the rest of this year and the next four no matter how the election goes.
The Southern Baptist Convention is increasingly non-white. It’s unclear to me how the convention survives intact if old white guys rule the roost, although there is no palatable alternative to our Grand Old Convention. The CBN is increasingly a joke and the takeover Calvinist group is the gang that can’t shoot straight. Old white guy gives his opinion here, to be read by mostly other old white guys. It’s all on social media these days. Bah humbug. I’d rather fish and give my chainsaw a workout.
As a famous celebrity likes to say, “We’ll see where this goes.” I don’t know.
…and imagine if we were looking forward to the SBC Annual Meeting next week.
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I think all old white guys must be part beaver. We like cutting trees as a stress reliever.
I have my own private two acre lake that I can see out of the livingroom window, so fishing is a given.
I’m pretty worn out on politics and racism. Chainsaws and largemouth bass sound better to me right now.
I concur. I am an old white lady who loves her chainsaw and bass fishing.
William always enjoy your musings and comments. I do have a question that has begun to bother me as it pops up in many communication venues. I believe you were being flippant/humorous in your comment about old white guys and the age of your church group is mentioned. My point is that identify politics , social messaging and media reporting has made identify descriptions necessary, important , relevant and expected. It is become so ingrained that we just accept that we must id every group with their race, ethnic background or whatever is the popular description of the day is.… Read more »
Thanks, Steve. “Evangelical” has been a very soft term for years, not just since Trump. You’ll get no argument from me on Biden’s shortcomings as a candidate.
William, I understand your comment concerning Biden, but he has srved his country. What has trump
done but sew discord?
Gerald , Trump Record in 3 years: (1)Best economy in 50 years, historic low unemployment rate in years, lowest unemployment rate for backs and Hispanics in years. (before historic virus shutdown. 2. Rebuild a underfunded military 3. Give people of faith a seat at the table, move embassy to Jerusalem, support Israel, 4. Defeat ISIS 5. Appoint conservative justices and lower court judges 6. Make Europe pay its share of their defense 7. Try to enforce our immigration laws opposed strongly by the establishment 8. Established a much needed space force as we are losing that battle to China 9.… Read more »
Dan, your first point was a continuation of what had been happening since 2008, Point two, the USA has a very robust military, are we afraid that maybe Albania will attack us, Point three, support another secular nation, ISIS is still around, As to the eighth point, a space force to battle Martians? Defunded nuclear agreements. And is still a draft dodger who was impeached, just like Bill Clinton.
Gerald, weak , not complete and disjointed answers, more opinion that fact. However I respect you did respond , thanks
Do you really think China is no threat militarily or economic to the USA? Really.
Dan, you are entitled to your opinion, as wrong as it might be (in the eye of each beholder).. First, no, I do not look at China as a military threat. Economically, maybe, but how does rebuilding an army prevent that. Of course, I did not mention the draft-dodgers latest accomplishments: Making a complete hash of the COVID-19 pandemic leading to massive unemployment and the extreme drop of the stock market. When will we emerge from his terrible handling of this? And his other is how he mishandled the murder of Mr. Floyd and its aftermath. Where is his empathy?
Gerald , https://media.defense.gov/2019/May/02/2002127082/-1/-1/1/2019_CHINA_MILITARY_POWER_REPORT.pdf
It takes a 2 minute google search to show the reporting on China military threat. I linked the official long version made for Congress. So your opinion is really literally your opinion based on whatever facts you base it on If your fact checking on China is so weak then your other opinions are suspect. Not trying to high jack W Thornton fine article but there is just too much opinion everywhere that is presented as fact. Google China threat to USA and get back with me. thanks
Dan, I agree that it appears as if we are hijacking Williams thread, and since both of us pick and choose what we opine on, I appreciate your irenic postings, but I must move to more important tasks. Have a blessed life.
I always enjoy reading your thoughts.
For me, the country will again be faced fundamentally with a decision between the preservation of freedom and/or a step toward greater freedom for people in the US and around the world, or a step toward control and regulation and a greater loss of freedom.
I am praying for continued peace.
You are a very smart guy. I have no idea these days which party will be better for freedom. I’m ready for less chaos myself.
I do not see myself voting for either candidate at this time. Trump’s recent photo-op leaves me speechless. But Biden’s poor use of language baffles me as well. Confused and befuddled in Southern Oregon
There are things that I know Trump has done that make conservatives extremely happy. What I just do not get is how they defend him no matter what he does. We have nationally known pastors that seem to think he walks on water and can do no wrong. I have no idea what the GOP stands for or what it means to be a conservative anymore besides fighting the democrats. I do not want to live in that politically world.
William, Regarding which party stands more for freedom, I will give you five words to consider: “Little Sisters of the Poor”. As far as surviving eight years of Obama, I think we only did so because the Republicans controlled at least one house of Congress during his tenure, and few progressive laws were enacted ( those that did were harmful to the economy and resulted in loss of freedom). Remember Obama’s promise to Fundamentally (and permanently, he hoped) transform the United States of America? If the Democrats are successful in winning Congress and the Presidency, after four years I predict… Read more »
Check your facts on the Obama years and control of Congress.
You are correct. The Democrats controlled congress during the first two years of the Obama administration. I unfortunately relied on my somewhat (my wife would say very) faulty memory. But I think my points still stand. The current filibuster rule, requiring 60 votes in the Senate also limited the progressive laws that could be passed during the Obama years. Regarding my last point above, expect the Democrats to abolish the filibuster should they win Congress and the Presidency.
We got Obamacare. Cloture rules didn’t stop that. Happy to fact check my friends here.
They almost did. In any case, I said few, not none.
I will vote for President Trump for two reasons. 1) the federal judges 2) the fear of total democrat government.
If Donald Trump bought a piece of bubble gum at the store the pro-Trump people would talk about the tremendous act of courage and leadership he showed in showing America it’s okay to buy gum again. Conversely, the anti-Trump people would decry his act of arrogance and insensitivity by daring to buy gum when he should have been doing something else. My point is no one is looking at Trump objectively anymore but instead views his every action through their pre-conceived lens. The question on how November turns out is which of these emotionally charged groups is most enthusiastic about… Read more »
Now that is a well thought out and balanced summary. just my opinion……
I think Southern Baptists should be just a bit more concerned about the rhetoric that is being spread on social media about Southern Seminary and all the liberals who now run the SBC and why it needs to be taken back. You have some people who are making your denomination look very bad.
I appreciate your comments, William. I’ve also been wondering if Dr. Mohler will speak up re: his recent endorsement of Trump and Republicans as the only viable Christian option. It’s hard to be the “pro-life” party when the president is demanding “domination” of people made in God’s image.
The President said to the Governors in a call with them that the only way to stop the riots is to have force that dominates the rioters.
I would encourage you to go back and listen to his statements first hand, and you will see he is speaking about how to stop riots.
Most of the damage could have been avoided. The Mayors and Governors are getting on board now, but it took them several days, unfortunately. There was mayhem and death and significant damage to people that could have been avoided.
There are no more classic liberals or classic conservatives. What we are left with are Leftists and Trumpists.
I will vote for Trump. I do not like everything he does and says. I will vote for him to be my president and not my pastor. I will vote for him for his policies and for the implementation of his policies. Abortion. That would be enough for me. But it goes on – https://www.frcaction.org/accomplishments Perfect? Not at all. But voting for anyone else or not voting is a vote for the radical, aggressive, pro-abortion, anti-church, anti-family agenda of the Democrat party. I don’t expect or need everyone to agree with me. But I do feel like the point needs… Read more »
You wrote: “But I do feel like the point needs to be made since a number of SBC entity leaders, professors, and staffers advocate against voting for Trump.”
Name “a number” of them.
I would ask what did the last Democratic administration do to our country?
There is no courage anymore. Few Republican politicians have the courage to stand up to Trump. Even fewer evangelical leaders have the courage to stand up to him. He has infected Republicans and evangelicals alike. Stick a rotten apple in a barrel of good ones. We know what happens.
Has anyone considered that if Trump loses the 2020 election, it might actually be his fault?
I’ve been a long time reader of this blog, but never a commentator. First, I want to thank the organizers for the excellent content on this blog. It’s been a blessing for me and many of those with whom I worship. Second, I’ve personally reached the point, as has many of those that I worship with, that support for Donald Trump is an indicator of lacking spiritual discipline and experience, but rather an indication of worship of politics. To be sure, I’m not “pro” democrat. Instead, myself and many of those I worship with are willing to call nonsense, nonsense.… Read more »
It is unwise to assume that those who think differently than you on a subject good Christians disagree about are spiritually deficient somehow. I would recommend trying to learn why they think differently rather casting judgment on them. You don’t have to agree with them but they do need your grace.
Apply that to your non-white interactions. And all interactions if you don’t know their heart.
Jason, Your response is curious as race wasn’t a subject addressed by my original response to you because it wasn’t a component of your original post. It seems obvious that a wise and Biblical Christian practices grace toward everyone of every race as that would be Biblical. I should add that I would have said the same thing to a Trump supporter saying Trump opponents had something spiritually wrong with them. This is a subject many Christians I respect and learn from disagree on so I try to understand their thinking behind their views (For example, Russell Moore and John… Read more »