A few issues regarding Donald Trump
Ron Wood's column in the Nov. 2 Herald Leader was instructive, teaching us about the concepts of religious and political leaven. He was then good enough to provide examples, engaging in these practices himself in a thinly veiled defense of Donald Trump.
Rev. Wood compared the Democratic Party to Herod's political leaven, enumerating practices such as dividing society against its segments, and using jealousy and the power of the state to grant favors or imprison opponents. I find this ironic, considering that many of Mr. Trump's statements have not only divided the nation, but also the Republican Party, so much that many no longer support him. He has engaged in these practices in his comments about immigrants, particularly Mexicans; Muslims; women, a Gold Star family, and the handicapped, among others. He has also threatened, if elected, to jail people in the media who report unfavorably about him, and to sue the many women who have accused him of sexual misconduct. It appears that political leaven then exists in both parties, not just the one Rev. Wood dislikes.
Rev. Wood decries that the church has been critical of Donald Trump. Mr. Trump is a serial adulterer. He has also failed to pay some of his contractors and workers their rightfully earned wages. Apparently he does not feel, as stated in Luke 10:7 and 1 Timothy 5:18, that the laborer is worthy of his hire. There are several ongoing fraud investigations into Trump University. His party has been proven to have made attempts to suppress voter registration, yet he claims the election is "rigged."
A church that criticizes Donald Trump for his moral failings is correct in doing so. Rev. Wood is doing a disservice to his readership in comparing the church to Pharisees. It is unfortunate that some have let their animosity toward Hillary Clinton warp their outlook so much that they would be so willing to overlook the serious moral failings of her opponent.
The Democrats have their issues, to be sure. Hillary Clinton's Nixonesque qualities are troubling. But for Rev. Wood to assail the Democrats for doing the things that Donald Trump has been well documented in doing is political leaven at its worst.
By the time this sees print, the election will be over. As a nation, we must then come together to work with each other and our new president, whoever that may be.
Thomas A. Beckett
Siloam Springs
Editorial on 11/23/2016