With the Republican National Convention having come and announced Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for president, the view on Trump has seemingly taken an official change. It's almost palpable. Now all of those in the Republican party who have opposed Trump have warmed up to the idea of him, in the name of avoiding a Democratic president. This is coming even after what was overall a fairly weak speech. What’s most baffling is that many evangelicals who initially opposed Trump have consented to him now that he has been made the Republican nominee. I don’t understand this. Trump’s nomination does not change who he is and how he acts. In spite of writing against my better judgment and running the risk of hurting some of my friends and colleagues’ feelings, I refuse to, as a Christian voter, give my support to Trump even now. I would like to share openly why.

Donald Trump is a demagogue, and that’s the sad and unfortunate truth. He deals almost exclusively in absolutes and does not value other people or people groups in his reasoning. He deals with these people and groups as ideas instead of individuals. He labels and marginalizes groups. He does not always do so explicitly, no. But his policies lead people to believe subconsciously that all illegal immigrants from Mexico are murderers. For example, in his acceptance speech, he mentioned an instance where an immigrant from Mexico went to Nebraska and murdered a recent college graduate. His tactic here was to take an individual to represent the whole. He doesn’t protect the weaker minority groups in America.

Speaking of protecting the weak, Donald Trump gives no indication that he will fight abortion. He has been quite loudly silent. Go read his acceptance speech: he mentions abortion nowhere. He spent the entire speech denouncing immigrants, terrorists and criminals. He was very clear that he wants to protect the industrious American family, but he was absolutely silent when it came to protecting America’s most vulnerable. In fact, Trump has always been silent or weak on abortion. Do no expect Trump to do anything about this issue. These two areas are the major reasons I cannot support Trump, although I could give more if time permitted.

At this point, I know what you’re thinking. He’s better than the other candidate. I am not making comparisons here; that’s to leave the point of this article. I’m speaking against Trump as an evangelical. In fact, the attitude of comparison is what has driven so many evangelicals into Trump’s arms. The leaders of the Republican party are hesitantly endorsing this man because they are afraid of the alternative. Ted Cruz is a perfect example of this attitude. He refused to give his endorsement of Trump, and he was vilified. Supporting an amoral candidate in the name of avoiding another amoral candidate is dangerous. Yet this is the attitude of many Christians. I think that there is a clear reason why.

The Republican Party has generally, especially over the past several years, merged interests with Christians. Both have advocated for protection of religious rights, denouncement of abortion and a stance for traditional marriage. Therefore, many Christians have merged their interests uncritically with the Republican Party. This is problematic when you encounter a Republican candidate who does not necessarily hold to any strong faith or any Christian ideals at all. We’ve confused the Republican agenda and the Christian agenda. I think this can be reduced to a misalignment of our priorities.

Many Christians are worried about having a comfortable Christian life, having a pleasant Christian home, and raising well-behaved Christian kids in a calm, safe environment. This is where Trump becomes appealing. He offers societal villains while painting himself as a messiah. He offers a chance for people to maintain their lives. He is promising to protect your bubble from any radical Islamic needle. Yet this is not the call of Christ. Christ beckons us to “take up our cross and follow” him. That doesn’t mean be willing to take inconveniences or even sorrows in your life. It means be willing to lose even your life to follow him and his purpose.

To those Christians who will not stand with Trump, do not fear. I have said before that our kingdom is not of this world. No matter who takes office, our comfort is from Christ. He is our deliverance. He is our prize. It is not a comfortable life. It is not a pleasant and calm Christian environment. Our interests are merged with Christ; they are not merged with any political party, no matter how much we may believe they are. Our victory will not be won in November. It was won on Calvary when the Son of Man was lifted up and stretched out his arms to receive the punishment for our sins. Let's not mix that purpose with that of Donald Trump to "avoid the other." It's time to double down against Donald.