In the fall of 1970, my junior year at Tufts, my roommate invited me to join him at a college-sponsored Catholic retreat. I reminded him that I was Jewish and asked if I would be accepted there. He assured me that the college pastor, Father Fitz, was wonderfully warm and welcoming to all.

The setting was idyllic; a nun’s retreat on the ocean in East Gloucester. I recall swimming in the icy waters in late October, making new friends, staying up all hours talking and enjoying each other’s company. When in formal group activities with Father Fitz, I learned with deep respect what it meant to follow the teachings of Christ. No, I was not tempted to convert. But I felt very comfortable with what I learned to be the values that guided Christ’s teachings.

These principles that Christians are encouraged to follow include being forgiving (turning the other cheek) and generous, showing humility and empathy, valuing truth, and giving love (“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me”).

Since that brilliant experience in East Gloucester, I have had a lifelong respect for those who live their lives, as best they can, according to those values. Of course, many other religions espouse these values as well, but I focus on Christian tenets in particular because the majority of Americans profess to be Christian.

Donald Trump is one of those who professes to be Christian, and millions with strong religious values believe he is the person to lead the nation. This is very confusing to me. Consider the values written above. Donald Trump acts in the exact opposite way for each. He fosters hate and division at every turn. He is vengeful. He shows no ability to demonstrate humility. He is incapable of empathy. He lies more often than he tells the truth. He never turns the other cheek and Lord knows, he is not welcoming to the strangers among us.

In sum, he is the least Christian person in public life. It baffles me how someone who professes to hold strong religious values can support this man.

Peter Rosnick

Conway