I normally do not like to talk about politics on my blog. In fact, I have only written one other post with a political nature. And although today’s post is a bit political, it is not a post endorsing or discrediting our president, but one meant to share a few observations, invoke careful thought, and call some to action.
President Trump has been stirring up a tremendous amount of controversy since he took office. It is no surprise. President Trump sports a pretty large personality, which tempts people to either hate him or love him. Either way, he definitely draws a crowd.
His first few months in the White House have garnered some serious attention. From day one, he started spitting out executive orders and wasted no time in addressing polarizing topics, such as religious freedom, immigration, and healthcare. Some people find his gusto comforting, while others are hiding in back closets trembling at what his ink pen will do next.
Today is the National Day of Prayer, and American citizens gathered around their televisions and/or computer screens to witness President Trump sign his latest executive order – Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (whitehouse.gov).
Our Fore-Fathers envisioned the United States of America as a country with protected religious freedoms, which is why they created the First Amendment. Unfortunately, the definition of those protected freedoms is seeming more ambiguous to citizens and governmental officials alike. I think we can all agree that it would be nice to have clarified legislation, but I am not sure as to what extent his executive order is going to help.
As a shrewd leader, President Trump has chosen to marry his religious executive order to a day dedicated to praying for the United States of America. It is a bold move and a smart one.
If his executive order lays the groundwork to see the Johnson Amendment repealed, he will be praised by those who have been cowering to its sharp sword since its enactment in 1954. If the executive order is later dismantled, he is still the president who fought back against the amendment’s restrictions on a day some consider sacred.
It is obvious that he is pursuing an agenda, but it is not yet a clear one. I think his executive order was meant to polarize our nation, and it did to an extent. It drew a faint line between those who oppose political speech in religious pulpits and those who support it. But make no mistake, it was in no way a huge victory.
My eyes are wide open, ready to see President Trump’s exposed agenda. I just hope it turns out to be a beneficial one.
In the meantime, I intend to pray for our president. His business experience is not going to be enough to carry him through 4 years in the White House.
So, for those celebrating today’s order, please continue to pray for him beyond the National Day of Prayer. Those who oppose his actions but are praying people, please pray for him too.
Like him or not, good agenda or not, he is our president.