On Wednesday, during the House's debate prior to a full vote on the impeachment of Donald Trump, Representative Barry Loudermilk of Georgia's 11th District compared the Constitutionally-ordained impeachment proceedings with the persecution of Jesus Christ.

"When Jesus was falsely accused of treason, Pontius Pilate gave Jesus the opportunity to face his accusers. During that sham trial, Pontius Pilate afforded more rights to Jesus than the Democrats have afforded this president in the process."

This is, of course, ridiculous.

For one, no one is crucifying Donald Trump. And, secondly, the due process Loudermilk is so concerned about will apply to the president — during his trial in the Senate. Impeachment hearings are not trials and are not violations of due process.

However, I wasn't surprised by Loudermilk's comparison between Trump and Jesus. It's part of a larger move by many on the right to discredit any criticism of the president by turning him into something of a political god.

Loudermilk's comment isn't particularly unique. Last year, for instance, Liberty University helped produce a film called "The Trump Prophecy," in which a firefighter suffering from PTSD believes God is telling him that Donald Trump is destined to become President of the United States. Believing it's his duty to ensure this happens, he starts a national prayer chain that works towards Trump's election.

And then there's Rick Perry, the former secretary of energy, who told the president he was the "chosen one," ordained by God to lead the nation.

"King David wasn't perfect. Solomon wasn't perfect," Perry said in response to criticism of Trump's action.

Trying to apply the medieval "divine right of kings" to Donald Trump, or to any American politician, is dangerous. By comparing Trump to a religious authority, the implication is clear: disagreeing with the president is disagreeing with the Lord God Himself. It is dangerous for a country that is supposed to have a secular government and a separation of church and state to have its officials imply that their president's authority comes not from the people who elected him, but from God.

I say this not out of disrespect for the religious beliefs of Barry Loudermilk, Rick Perry, or anyone else, who all obviously have the right to practice their faiths. What I have an issue with, however, is the strategic deification of a president with the intent to paint him as beyond reproach.

Donald Trump is not God.

Donald Trump is not Jesus.

Donald Trump has no divine authority over anybody.

And saying anything different is a threat to American democracy as we know it.