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In this week’s SojoMail, Adam Russell Taylor writes that he’s committed to praying for Trump, loving his neighbors, and working for justice. But right now, it feels hard: As the polls across America closed on Election Day, I felt mostly grateful: Despite real concerns about potential widespread voter intimidation or political violence, most voters experienced a safe and fair process of casting their ballot. But as the results of the election began rolling in, I felt deep unease. After a restless sleep, I felt a noxious pit in my stomach when I woke up in the early morning and learned that former President Donald Trump had been elected to a second term. The news was soul-wrenching. My mind raced to those who would be most impacted by the policies Trump has proposed: the undocumented immigrants he has promised to deport in unprecedented numbers, the LGBTQ+ folks whose civil liberties could be restricted, the refugees who will be affected by a renewed travel ban, people of other faiths who will wonder if religious freedom in the U.S. is only for Christians, women and others who will likely see further attacks on their reproductive freedom, and the political enemies upon whom Trump has said he would exact revenge. Knowing all this, I’ll admit I struggle to face the reality that many in our country — roughly 51 percent of the popular vote, according to current estimates — are feeling some combination of elation, pride, and excitement that their chosen candidate has won. Even in my pain and grief, I know that as a follower of Jesus, I am called to pray for the incoming Trump administration and the people who voted for it. I’m committed to doing that work, but I confess: It feels hard right now. In the weeks ahead, we’ll have time to grapple with the question that has haunted us in various forms since Trump’s first election in 2016: Why wasn’t Trump’s fearmongering, race-baiting, and increasingly fascist rhetoric disqualifying for more voters, especially Christians? And I’m sure we’ll delve into the extent to which racial and gender bias, disinformation, campaign funding, and new voting restrictions — especially those aimed at discouraging voting among Black and brown communities — factored into these election results. These and other important questions need greater examination. But right now, here’s what I think matters most.
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