The Teachings of Jesus and MAGA

Can you be a follower of the teachings of Jesus and be a MAGA? I have wondered that a lot, especially recently. My Christian Ethics professor in college stressed to be ethical one must be consistent. One cannot be a follower of teachings of Jesus and have situational ethics.

I have often heard people who call themselves Christians because they have accepted Jesus into their hearts and for that reason will be “saved”. But, if an individual or church rejects the fundamental teachings of Jesus, have they really accepted Jesus?

So what did Jesus teach? Well, there are graduate degrees on this topic and entire sections in libraries. Whether you take a literal or inspirational view on the teachings in the Gospel, the actual teachings of Jesus are very clear.

What Jesus said is the greatest commandment is “Love God with all your heart” and the second equal commandment is “love your neighbor as yourself”. So who’s your neighbor? The Gospels make it very clear your neighbor is anyone or everyone, especially anyone who needs empathy, compassion, and/or kindness. Look at the parable of the Good Samaritan.

In Minnesota today, those loving their neighbor are all citizens protesting and fighting peacefully against ICE raids and arrests, which many if not most are illegal. Today ICE and ICE’s supporters are the evil and Minnesotans along with other citizens throughout are rejecting the evil they are doing with love and compassion.

Who do you think the Beatitudes speak too, the poor ethnic people who are being detained and arrested, often illegally or ICE agents wearing masks?

I am not opposed to deporting individuals who are here illegally. During the Obama presidency, over 5 million were deported from the country. But our immigration policy has to include compassion and common sense. All the data I have reviewed indicates the vast majority those being arrested, detained and eventually deported have never been convicted of a felony. The data also indicates the majority are working, often at menial low paying jobs and paying local state and federal taxes.

It makes no sense to deport individuals who are not criminals and contributing to our economy and society. One analysis I reviewed indicated that deportions will reduce GDP, increase the federal deficit, negatively affect the economy with labor shortages in many industries and decrease local state and federal tax revenues.

Jesus called us to be companionate, not stupid.

One of the most important teachings from Jesus is Matthew 7:3-5 which essentially says “looks for the log in your own eye before the speck in someone else’s. In Minnesota Governor Waltz is continually being attacked by MAGA for tax fraud while at the same time ignoring their President has been convicted of fraud and all the individuals he pardoned who were convicted for committing massive amounts of fraud. I suspect when each of these individuals pass on and get to the Pearly Gates they will find one line that is just for those who ignored this teaching by Jesus. I am guessing it will be a very slow moving line.

The cornerstone of many churches in America is anti-abortion and anti-homosexuality. Yet, in all the teachings of Jesus he said nothing about either. I repeat nothing. No Jesus focused on the poor, being empathetic, being a good neighbor, loving your neighbor. So why do churches who say they are Christian focus on what Jesus never said and ignore what he actually said. Well my guess is it’s easy and good for fund raising. It’s a lot easier for a group to hate someone than love someone.

A PEW survey in early 2025 found that over 70% of white evangelicals approved of Trump. Well I have never seen or heard Trump say anything remotely close to loving one’s neighbor or being kind or empathetic for that matter.

Jesus was very clear about his love for children. Matthew 18:6 makes it very clear what will happen to anyone who causes harm to children. Global experts have projected that cuts in US global health aid will lead to millions of additional deaths of children over the upcoming year. I have reviewed several analyses that indicate cuts to SNAP done by Trump and Republicans will increase hunger in children which leads to other problems including poor health and inability to learn while hungry. I am guessing when at the Pearly Gates many who were against these programs will find there is a very long very slow moving line for those who ignored Matthew 18:6.

I suspect there will be a lot of people in both lines. I wonder how that works.

The MAGA base clearly worships money and wealth. Much of the legislation pushed thru by Trump is to benefit the very wealthy at the expense of the poor. When Jesus told the wealthy man to give away all his money to benefit the poor, I don’t think he was criticizing wealth in itself but the worship of wealth and the pursuit of wealth over the needs of the poor. In a variety of ways from cutting taxes for the very wealthy to pardoning wealth individuals convicted of of various fraud schemes, Trump and MAGA have shown their love for wealth and disdain for the poor.

When someone calls themselves a Christian today, it means very little. What matters is how they incorporate the actual teachings of Jesus into their daily lives.