Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) and the American church
TDS exacerbates the already deep political divisions in the country – and if embraced – could be detrimental to the church and its members.
Perspective
Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS), a term coined during the tumultuous presidency of President Donald Trump, has sparked intense debates and discussions. While it is not officially recognized as a diagnosable mental disorder, its impact on individuals and communities cannot be ignored. What are some ways TDS could harm the church in America?
Polarization and Division: TDS exacerbates the already deep political divisions in the country. When people become fixated on their disdain for a political figure, it can lead to bitterness, anger, and an inability to engage in civil discourse. In the church, this polarization can spill over, affecting relationships among congregants. Instead of focusing on shared values and spiritual growth, discussions may devolve into heated arguments about politics and religion.
Idolization and Demonization: TDS often results in extreme views. Some individuals idolize President Trump, attributing almost messianic qualities to him. Conversely, others demonize him, portraying him as the embodiment of evil. In the church, this dichotomy can distort perspectives. Congregants may elevate or vilify political leaders to the detriment of their faith. The focus shifts from worshiping God to worshiping or condemning a human leader.
Loss of Compassion and Empathy: TDS can harden hearts. When people are consumed by their feelings toward a political figure, they may lose sight of compassion and empathy. The church, which should be a place of love and understanding, risks becoming judgmental and unforgiving. Congregants may struggle to extend grace to those with differing political opinions, forgetting that everyone is a work in progress.
Distrust of Institutions: TDS fosters skepticism toward institutions, including the church. When political discourse becomes toxic, people may question the motives of religious leaders who express political views. Congregants might wonder if their pastors are secretly influenced by TDS or if the church is being used as a platform for partisan agendas. This erosion of trust weakens the church’s ability to minister effectively.
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Neglect of Spiritual Priorities: TDS can consume mental and emotional energy. When congregants spend excessive time discussing politics, researching conspiracy theories, or arguing online, they neglect their spiritual growth. The church should prioritize worship, prayer, community, and service. TDS distracts from these essential aspects, leading to spiritual stagnation.
Failure to Engage with the World: The church is called to be salt and light in society. TDS can cause believers to withdraw from engaging with the world. Instead of being active participants in addressing social issues, some may retreat into echo chambers, avoiding conversations with those who hold different views. The church’s mission – to love and serve – gets sidelined by political preoccupations.
While TDS is not a clinical diagnosis, its effects are palpable. The church must guard against allowing political fervor to overshadow its core purpose: glorifying God, loving one another, and reaching out to a hurting world. As believers, we should seek unity, empathy, and discernment, remembering that our ultimate allegiance lies beyond any earthly leader or ideology.
Nicole Shanahan released a commercial on Trump Derangement Syndrome TDS Commercial (click above to view on YouTube).
Are you serious? What an embarrassment to have the term "Baptist" associated with the absurd perspective displayed in this article.
Perhaps a more accurate terminology to describe the problem mentioned here regarding the hyper-divisive elements impacting this nation's culture and the biggest threat to the church would be
"Sin Derangement Syndrome", or "SDS".
"SDS" occurs when born again Christians and their Bible-believing, Gospel-propagating churches, create responses of hate, disdain, and intense anger from those opposed to the concept of Godliness, righteousness, and devotion to Biblical principles.
"SDS" is caused by those Jesus-followers who seek to have government representatives who are most likely to support concepts that are more identified with Biblical principles and consistent with the character of God which are embedded in those political policies sought. True, sometimes the politicians whose place in office would be most likely to result in such principles may themselves be lacking in finesse, political prowess, and refuse to kowtow to the perverted political circus. That political, deep-state, system propagates socialism, Marxism, atheism, sexual perversion, and the abandonment of the concept of "nation-state" in favor of their "globalization" agenda.
How does one identify a true rebel fighting against "the mighty, corrupt, political" system? By the level of persecution they attract. By the fierce attack of the full-force of governmental agencies to eliminate their threat against "the system". Their threat against the corrupt political system become glaringly plain by the full-force weaponizing of the government legal system to unjustly disqualify them from running for elected office, imprison them, and steal their personal finances. And all of this using extremely flimsy charges with no basis that should be apparent to any rational thinking, objective observer.
How did our nation become so blind?
This article represents the confounding reality of how professing Christians can abandon support for those most likely to impact the right for life of "yet to be born" infants, integrity of national borders, maintenance of the created order of gender, protection of citizens, and law and order principles.
Please, tell me if this article represents a majority of those identifying themselves as "Baptist" in this new age, post-Christian, nation. If it does, it's time for me to discard using that label, "Baptist", for myself and become a simple, "Jesus follower".
Rather, it is my prayer that this article instead represents some minority fringe group of wayward, professing "Christians", who have become enchanted by the piper's music which is blindly leading them to abandon the reality of Godliness to instead follow the tune of insane decadence. If that's the case, why don't you "throw off the label" of "Baptist"?