Josh Hooey is a nutrition junior. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.

Last year I was sitting on a rock admiring Morro Bay with a friend. We were in the middle of a run. I don’t remember how it came up, but I mentioned voting for Kamala, from which came an awkward pause. After confirming I was serious, he said, “Oh … I thought you were joking. You’re Christian, so I just assumed you were Republican.” I knew he was conservative and Catholic, yet this short sentence has haunted my thoughts ever since.

In my few years on Earth, right-wing politics have taken possession of many things that don’t belong to them: the American flag or even the word patriotism, for example. In reality, I am a Democrat, I love America and I am extremely patriotic. I am incredibly thankful for and have a huge admiration for our troops, I respect and am grateful for law enforcement and more than anything, I love my country. 

The right has also, at times, taken hold of Christianity, claiming it for themselves. Being in Christ, however, does not mean voting for a specific political party or aligning with a candidate — it means loving others the same way Christ did. And right now, the only way I see fit to love others through politics is by voting Democrat. Right now, for me, being Christian means voting Democrat.

As a Christian, I don’t get to follow some aspects of Scripture while ignoring others, often leading to hard questions and uncomfortable conversations. Gender and sexual identity is one of the most controversial and politically polarized. I am not a theologian and don’t want to pretend like I have the answer, so I will refrain from making any theological claims. 

I do know, however, that all humans are sinful and that Jesus calls his followers to love and to unity. Not hate or division. I cannot therefore fathom supporting a party that makes any person feel like they should not exist or that they are worth less. If the ultimate goal for Christians is to be in relation with Christ and each other, then loving relationship, not division, is the only answer.

Abortion is another topic often discussed within the context of religion and politics. As I sit here, abortion is not something I feel confident talking about. Although I will never be faced with the choice of whether to end a pregnancy of my own, I cannot sit back and pretend it does not matter. I should not be the one deciding for a woman I have never met if she should have an abortion. As a Christ follower, I see myself less as a rule maker and more as a friend. As someone whom anyone — friend or enemy — can come to and know they will receive love.

The right also misses the mark on immigration, sometimes even missing the target all together. All throughout the Bible is talk of loving thy neighbor and caring for the foreigner. As a Christian, how can I support a party that steals children from parents? That calls people illegal for just existing? Sure, we need rules around immigration, but I refuse to support a party terrorizing groups of people because of the color of their skin, where they were born or the language they speak. 

It should go without saying, and yet I’m saying it anyway — Christian and nationalism are not words that belong together. As a Christian voter and proud American, I feel an obligation to side with the party that supports those who came here in hopes of a safer life, just as Christ accepts each of us into his own family.

Many Republicans I know vote with the economy in mind. In high school, a friend told me his parents were voting for Trump because their business would make more money. For a moment, I would like to ignore the fact that Trump has, in fact, not made things cheaper and has only added to national debt while skyrocketing gas prices. 

Even if prices were lower, Americans are still hurting financially. Under Republican governance, billionaires have become more powerful while the president and his friends amass huge sums of money, all at the cost of everyday Americans. Health care costs have gone up, millions lost EBT while the government was shut down and welfare programs have suffered greatly, all while the people in charge get richer. 

I struggle to imagine a world in which Jesus would be happy about tax cuts for billionaires at the expense of welfare programs. The idea of no hand outs is popular amongst Republicans. Reading the Bible, however, it seems like Jesus was a pretty big fan of hand outs. He performed miracles to feed thousands and routinely healed the sick. It is clear to me as a Christian, that the party I should be voting for is the one doing the most to help those less fortunate than myself, which is far and away the Democratic Party.

And lastly, in light of the Turning Point USA event coming to Cal Poly, I would like to share my grievances against Turning Point and similar organizations. A non-Christian friend recently told me that part of what moved him away from the religion was shows at mega-churches seeming too performative and “blasphemous.” In a similar vein, Turning Point seems performatively Christian; they claim the title because the title sells but preach something very different than the Gospel. 

A truly Christian organization would never make someone feel alienated or unsafe. Jesus was welcoming and loving, not cruel or exclusive. Jesus also warned against the Pharisees, important men who prayed loudly with sophisticated words to gain attention. This reminds me all too much of politicians and public figures using God’s name to gain power and influence but acting in an ungodly way as soon as the choice is given. So next time you hear a conservative influencer or politician flaunt the Bible but act in a way not representative of Christ, know that they don’t represent true Christianity.