While I appreciate Levi Miller and Daniel Miller speaking for conservative Anabaptist voters (“Why Many of Us Voted for Trump,” December), I’m mystified by their blind spots. The new magistrates of the Trump administration represent a wealthy elite who will not address any of the Trump voters’ concerns, unless it’s a bullish economy that serves their own interests. Has the economy become a golden calf for religious folks rather than the ethics of care that Jesus taught?
Anita Amstutz, Taos, N.M.
Ignoring Trump’s Christian nationalism, racism and sexism suggests a straining to avoid the obvious.
Evie Yoder Miller, Goshen, Ind.
Setting aside my doubts that Trump will be good for the U.S. economy, any who gain will be the same who have always gained: the rich. I guess the writers think they may gain something. But what good will it be to gain the whole world yet forfeit one’s soul?
Christina Manero, Wichita, Kan.
The article by two of my dear friends provided new insights and learnings. It would be equally illuminating to see why some of us voted for Kamala Harris. Perhaps a future article could expand on this.
Jep Hostetler, Goshen, Ind.
I’m ending my connection with AW because of the apparent support for White Christian nationalism in the Trump MAGA movement. This was pathetic.
Phillip Swank, Laceyville, Pa.
JD Vance is no role model, except for those seeking to impose harsh patriarchy. Even more troubling is the writers’ minimizing of Trump’s shocking lack of moral character, as witnessed by a lifetime of lies, theft, cheating, immorality and insistence that he is above the law. Trump has slandered and called for violence against those who are not “real” Americans and threatens vengeance against those who seek to hold him accountable. His actions have more in common with Herod’s rule than with the harsh Christendom (better labeled Christian nationalism) that his supporters wish to impose, although the authors wishfully predict it will allow them to carry on with their comfortable lives.
Jeff Gundy, Bluffton, Ohio
The dangers of encouraging hate and dehumanizing immigrants ought to be as important as illusory conversations about inflation. Thank you for printing the article. It shows how far we’ve strayed from our roots.
Orlando H. Redekopp, Iowa City, Iowa
The writers’ very thin rationale is astounding. There is Trump’s four-year record, for starters, and then his promises of even far more negative uses of power — at a time when new scholarship is informing us of the actions in the 1930s of Mennonites and the Make Germany Great Again movement of the Third Reich.
James Miller, Harrisonburg, Va.
The two White men failed to address the obvious reason Trump won: His opponent was a woman of color. We in the U.S. have a disease of which Trump is but a symptom: misogynistic White supremacy.
David A. Wiebe, Kearney, Neb.
This is why young people are leaving the Mennonite church in droves. I wish the authors had the courage to be honest about why they are pleased about another Trump presidency: he is racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic and xenophobic.
Kate Manelis, Facebook comment
The writers admire JD Vance, but the vice president’s character will have little bearing on the second Trump term. Trump’s character is well established: corrupt, cruel and contemptuous of women, minorities and immigrants. The writers imply that Trump will strengthen “Christendom” and provide stability on “marriage, family and sexual norms.” I sense they are hoping Trump will do what he can to harass LGBTQ+ people and women in need of reproductive services. They think Trump will strengthen chances for world peace, but I fear they are confusing world peace with capitulation to authoritarian leaders. Trump openly admires Vladimir Putin. His support for the current government of Israel is well known, and it must be assumed that he will support any military action Israel takes.
Grant Zehr, Washington, Ill.
The Millers claim advancement of Christendom is a reason to support Trump. Anabaptists should be wary of Christendom claims. From the birth of Anabaptism to czarist Russia to conscientious objection in the world wars, governments that claimed God’s anointing treated Anabaptist values and beliefs as the enemy. Why? Because we put Christ first. Biblical Israel tried to combine government and faith when they asked Yahweh for a king. Samuel prophesied kings would serve themselves instead of God (1 Samuel 8). Earthly political movements focus on secular concerns: power, greed and national pride. May we instead focus on Christ and a call to humility, sacrifice and love without borders.
Galen Lehman, Kidron, Ohio
Matt Lehman Wiens, McPherson, Kan.
I appreciate the writers’ humility but question their logic. How does JD Vance have good moral character when he admitted to being OK with Trump’s lie about Haitian immigrants eating pets? The Christians Trump has surrounded himself with have not had any positive influence on his behavior.
Sherri Michalovic, Philadelphia
Hundreds of prominent Republicans have said Trump is morally unfit for the presidency. I find it hard to believe that the people advising him are somehow “Christian.” In the Gospel of Matthew I am instructed on how to treat others. I am not sure what that will mean for me as I stand by the man who recently shingled my house. He is not documented. As soon as the election was over, kids in the local school began talking about who would be kicked out of the country. One thing I do know: We are to take seriously Matthew 25:36-40. To do that, I could not in clear conscience vote for Trump.
Bob Ewert, Mountain Lake, Minn.
We applaud the decision to publish the Millers’ article, giving voice to diverse opinions. The writers neglect to mention Trump’s tax cuts, which raised the national debt and disproportionately benefited those with stock market investments rather than our lower-income neighbors. Will Mennonites support extending tax cuts that advantage the few? We wonder why the Millers ignore Trump’s character. They focus on JD Vance, who may look good to some Ohioans, but would the same people admire the families of Tim Walz or Barack Obama? We join the Millers in praying for political leaders, yet should we not vote for those who come closest to the two great commandments to love God with all our heart, mind and soul and our neighbor as ourself? We are shocked by Trump’s flagrant opportunism (e.g., the Trump Bible) to solicit support from conservative Christians when his conduct is so far from those commands. We join the Millers in their concern about U.S. arms sales, and we call for relief for the people of Ukraine and Gaza and other areas where U.S. arms are used.
Ted Bergey, Lexington, Mass.
Rebecca Pries, Cambridge, Mass.
David Swartz, Newton, Mass.
Have a comment on this story? Write to the editors. Include your full name, city and state. Selected comments will be edited for publication in print or online.