I confess, like many others, my state of emotional shock and disbelief at the outcome of our presidential election led me to ask the question: why?

In my finite mind, the result is not logical or even “political”. Some will suggest it was the abortion issue. Others will conclude that it’s all about immigration. And still others will conclude “the economy is bad”. I admit that these thorny social dilemmas played a vital role. They are substantial and should be debated. But I still believe that they are not the catalyst that led this county to elect this individual as the 47th.^th President of the United States.

The character was on the ballot

Well, here I am. Maybe my faith as a member of the episcopate of the church dominates my thought process, or maybe even my fascination with science fiction. But I believe there was and is an overriding issue that catalyzed and solidified the choice of this particular individual; a matter that “supersedes” all others; which surpasses all others; the problem of character or, in this case, the lack thereof. So, I keep hearing “the day the character died” in my head. Now let’s cut through all the superficial details and get to the bottom of it all. “Character” was on the ballot.

I dare not focus on the selected one or even compare him drastically to his opponent. But I am very concerned about the multiplied thousands who voted for and supported this man. The man who orchestrated and perpetuated the horrific attack on the symbol of world democracy – the United States Capitol – where people lost their lives, where rioters defecated in hallowed halls, where official representatives of the people had to run to save life, where chilling calls for “Nancy” sent a signal of terror to some, where a makeshift gallows was built for the incumbent vice president of the United States to be hanged. — all because of a lie and the liar’s displeasure.

Voters, evangelicals shrug off deep moral flaws

However, the overwhelming majority of the electorate dismisses it as nothing. But it’s character. I dare not endeavor to exacerbate or rejudge the matter, but what about Go to Hollywood box where the then-candidate talked about touching and groping women’s genitals. Serious? What if President Obama had said something even remotely similar to this? Or how about the sarcastic laugh about an elderly man (husband of the Speaker of the House) whose head was bashed in with a hammer by an assailant who broke into his residence. It’s the character.

As a veteran clergyman, I am absolutely appalled and even embarrassed that so many of my white evangelical colleagues could even theologically endeavor to justify such insolence. What hypocrisy! Yes, I know about the issue of abortion and transgenderism and the sacred historical aura of the nation of Israel. But it seems the church, mega or not, conveniently forgot about “thou shalt not bear false witness” or “thou shalt not commit adultery.” Or how about loving your neighbor or caring for the less fortunate? I can go on reciting these fundamental principles that have been publicly violated over and over again without repentance because the chosen one can find nothing to repent of. It’s about character!

A telling double standard

Please forgive me, but I must go back and reiterate if it had been a black man who had flagrantly violated that principle, or rather, what would have happened if the rioters who had attacked the US Capitol had members and supporters of Black Lives Matter? The negative stereotyping would be absolutely staggering, and in the case of the US Capitol incident, would have resulted in a massacre of black perpetrators. I join many who say that our democracy, however flawed, is under attack. Now here comes this Project 2025 that the president-elect denies knowing anything about. It’s about character!

Not? Don’t you think so? A man convicted of 34 felonies and found guilty of sexual abuse can rise to the highest office in the land, while others with only one crime and who have served time in prison paying off their debt of society, I can’t even get a job? So yeah, I think that character was on the ballot.

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To all my critics, I am not suggesting that any candidate is flawless. If you’re human, you have flaws. But it becomes the epitome of narcissistic behavior to blatantly and blatantly use racial code words laced with profanity, all because it appeals to an audience. That makes my point. It’s about character. Why do all these appeal to the public? Again, the focus is not on the selected, but on those who wholeheartedly support him.

Our deepest challenges demand nuance, compassion

Now, for the MAGA masses, I fully understand and support the nation of Israel. However, I cannot sit idly by and see thousands of innocent Palestinian women and children killed as collateral. I fully understand the issue of abortion – which means that the issue is inextricably linked to a woman’s health, and we are treading on dangerous territory that interferes with a woman’s individual freedom. And then there is transgenderism — it is a complex concern that cannot be resolved emotionally, but must be approached intellectually with understanding, compassion and, above all, civility.

Finally, I can’t remove the “border”. Immigration is a hot topic. I’m trying to figure out why this issue drives people to guns and violence. Let us not forget that this nation is a nation of immigrants. Immigrants who heard Mrs. Liberty’s call to: “Give me your tired, poor, huddled masses longing to breathe free. The wretched scum on your teeming shore. Send these homeless people to me by storm. I pick myself up. lamp by the golden door’.

This invitation was only extended to those of white descent and not to Hispanics, Latinos, and others—and, of course, to the millions of black people who came to America illegally. Yes, it was legal for Americans, but illegal for the individuals who were the recipients of shameless brutality. But that’s another story. For now, it’s the day the character died or at least was mortally wounded.

Most Reverend Dwane Brock is bishop of Victory Christian Center Cathedral in Erie.

This article originally appeared on the Erie Times-News: Opinion: “Character is dead,” the bishop views the election through a moral lens