Donald Trump- Part 2

[Rachel333]

I thought he was already Christian. He's talked quite a bit about what the Bible means to him, saying that "Nobody reads the Bible more than [him]." 

[AmazonGrace]

Yeah, it's for the votes. 

Even if he  became a born again Christian for real  he'd still continue to say the same shit, he'd just  find random bible verses to support the same shit. 

I wouldn't expect a religious conversion to give him a better brain. 

[doggie]

1 hour ago, Rachel333 said:

I thought he was already Christian. He's talked quite a bit about what the Bible means to him, saying that "Nobody reads the Bible more than [him]." 

but he does not know the meaning of easter. 

[smittykins]

I remember Trump quoted as saying he's a Presbyterian and "eats the cracker and drinks the wine"(paraphrased; even though Presbys all use grape juice AFAIK.)

[infooverload]

Dobson and the Trump are like two peas in a pod. Both are brash, arrogant, want things done their own way, and have a personal agenda which conforms to their whims. Should be interesting to see how things play out. What worries me is Trump doesn't have a likeable opponent. I am very curious to see who he selects as his vice president.

[RoseWilder]

I would be really fascinated to hear when this bullshit conversion occurred. Let's see, it would have to have been some time in the last few days since right before that he was definitely not turning the other cheek when people insulted him. And he sure as shit wasn't loving thy neighbor, or telling the truth, or giving to the poor. 

It fascinates me that some of the very same people who are perplexed that the church is losing people in huge numbers are the very same people who are buying into this latest stunt from Trump. How do they not recognize that by publicly defending Trump, they're showing the world how morally bankrupt the Evangelical community is?

[CyborgKin]

9 hours ago, SpoonfulOSugar said:

I find this op ed by Michael Farris to be interesting:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/06/23/i-helped-start-the-moral-majority-trump-is-the-opposite-of-what-we-wanted/

"Trump is the opposite of what we wanted."

 

[violynn]

He's treating these Christian leaders who came to talk to him the same way stereotypical rich kids running for Student Body President do:  give them sugary treats, promise things there is no way he can follow through, and pander completely to his audience.  The same result will ensue.

[PennySycamore]

@infooverload,  some of us like Hillary a lot!

[infooverload]

I didn't say Hillary didn't have any supporters. She like Trump has unlikable qualities and doesn't rank well with independents. Honestly neither side put up a moderate who could draw from the middle. I liked what Lois C.K said about why he gave his opinion on Trump. Trump wants to destroy the democracy, and Clinton I worry about her alliances in looking out for the American people.

[samira_catlover]

Re: infooverload's query about a possible VP choice:

Anybody else having nightmares that Trump will pick an evangelical leader or pastor-sort (like Dobson)? (Bolding is mine; sorry about the bigger fontage in the cut and paste)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/06/20/how-can-trump-win-the-many-undecided-evangelicals-we-asked-them/

In his comments, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee said he would end the decades-old ban on tax-exempt groups’ — including churches — politicking, called religious liberty “the No. 1 question,” and promised to appoint antiabortion Supreme Court justices....“I think maybe that will be my greatest contribution to Christianity — and other religions — is to allow you, when you talk religious liberty, to go and speak openly, and if you like somebody or want somebody to represent you, you should have the right to do it,” Trump said. A ban was put in place by then-U.S. senator Lyndon Johnson on tax-exempt groups making explicit political endorsements. Religious leaders in America today, Trump said, “are petrified.”

As president, he said, he’d work on things including: “freeing up your religion, freeing up your thoughts. You talk about religious liberty and religious freedom, you don’t have any religious freedom if you think about it,” he told the group, which broke in many times with applause.

[NeverQuivered]

For VP, My money is on either Palin, Bachmann or Christie. Palin and Bachmann are batshit crazy evangelicals that would get him some crazy Christian votes. Christie was promised something for selling out and endorsing him. 

[ADoyle90815]

12 hours ago, TeddyBonkers said:

1. Middle Eastern, so Trump would have deported him.

2. Poor, so not worth Trump's time.

3. Charitable, so not something Trump could even wrap his tiny fingers around. (h/t John Oliver)

4. Respected women, so HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I can't even finish that sentence.

5. Allowed himself to be betrayed and arrested by the Romans. Trump criticized John McCain for being a POW.

6. Gave out free stuff like loaves and fishes, as well as wine for that wedding. Trump would call him a socialist.

[kunoichi66]

13 hours ago, Rachel333 said:

I thought he was already Christian. He's talked quite a bit about what the Bible means to him, saying that "Nobody reads the Bible more than [him]." 

I thought he was already Christian too - remember that furore when he tried to claim the Pope wasn't Christian enough?

 

What happened to that?

[PraiseDog]

It's not even worth our while trying to work out where this asshole stands or what he truly believes, on any issue at all. He's a complete narcissist - every other living being is only worthy of consideration as it affects him - every other opinion is only worthy of being listened to if it affects his YUUGE self-aggrandizement. 

[JenniferJuniper]

3 minutes ago, PraiseDog said:

It's not even worth our while trying to work out where this asshole stands or what he truly believes, on any issue at all. He's a complete narcissist - every other living being is only worthy of consideration as it affects him - every other opinion is only worthy of being listened to if it affects his YUUGE self-aggrandizement. 

The Donald is all about profit.  He ran for president so he could sell more of his products and books and advertise his properties (just like he did on Brexit day in Scotland as the prime minister was announcing his exit and the pound and world stock markets were beginning to crash).   When he started to run for president, he was probably thinking of becoming a media mogul by using all that free exposure time to create an audience for it. 

He likely never expected to make it to this point.  He knows nothing about any government, including the US, has no clue about world affairs and doesn't know a thing about history.  He is, however, a master manipulator who has clearly had considerable success this cycle manipulating that element who love his racist, sexist, xenophobic posturing.  

Hopefully, Trump will either find a way to back out or Clinton destroys him come November. But his fans scare me as much as he does, and they aren't going away any time soon.  

[BobTheWalrus]

On 26/06/2016 at 5:20 AM, treehugger said:

I still identify as a Christian, just recently joined the Anglican church.  Honestly, I might believe DJT has had a change of heart if he donates all his wealth to the poor (a very Biblical concept, Jesus told the rich young ruler to do just that), and stepped out of politics to study a little more about his suddenly new-found faith.  After all, most new converts I know (there have been many, missionary parents and all that) cannot get enough of Bible studies and learning about the Bible and it's teachings - and nobody on the campaign trail has time to do that properly.  Most of them also cannot wait to get out there and start doing good deeds.  No Christian has enthusiasm like a new convert.  I see that kind of change in the Donald, I may just believe this.   

However, at this moment... I am firmly in the "it's good for votes" camp.  

I think this is a good summary.  I would expect to see greater humility, and a desire to study the Bible and worship more.  And a greater love for other people.  I wouldn't necessarily expect all his nasty behavior to change overnight, but I would expect to see a genuine desire for God, for the Bible, and for church as well.  When I first became a Christian, I couldn't get enough of the Bible and christian songs, and I talked about it to everyone I knew. Not all the time, but people certainly knew what had happened to me.

Personally I'm sceptical.  It seems a little too convenient in its timing, and I think Trump has the brains to go along with repeating a "prayer of faith" with a famous evangelical leader if he were in the situation, because stories of a conversion will give him credit with voters. I hope it's true, but I'm holding out for the evidence.

[slickcat79]

On 6/26/2016 at 3:46 AM, CyborgKin said:

Another important question is what's in it for Dobson that he'd make such an obviously absurd claim?

It could be something as simple as him scrambling to find a way to justify voting for the Republican candidate without losing evangelical support, and advising others to do the same. Like Smuggar's attempt to support Santorum even though the Duggars are totally anti-catholic. 

12 hours ago, NeverQuivered said:

For VP, My money is on either Palin, Bachmann or Christie. Palin and Bachmann are batshit crazy evangelicals that would get him some crazy Christian votes. Christie was promised something for selling out and endorsing him. 

I'm pretty sure Palin already said she wouldn't do it. I think even she's self-aware enough to know that she's the kiss of death to a presidential campaign. Agreed about Christie though.

[Walking Cat Bed]

Dobson also endorsed Ted Bundy's Christian devotion.

 

I'm calling fragrant, Naugler-level bullshit.

[Pammy]

Like the rest of you, I think this is total pandering. The chances of this being a real religious experience of "salvation" as the Chriatian religion defines such things -- is vanishingly unlikely.

James Dobson is a has-been wash out whose views are considered outdated (patriarchal) and overly political by the Christian mainstream. He would leap at the chance of being involved with the conversion of a president. There would be good motives there, as well as plenty of ego motivation.

If it's real, I'd expect something similar to what others have mentioned: philanthropy, strong draw towards bible and worship, clingy desire to be mentored, apology speeches, attempts to 'use his influence' to get his followers to either be more godly or come to Jesus. There would probably some flip-flopping (impulsive old-school reactions, and re-thought modifications, delivered with humility). I'd expect him to either drop out or make an announcement of continuing with new values (or something like that).

[Lillymuffin]

On June 25, 2016 at 5:34 PM, samira_catlover said:

According to trending news, anti-gay Christian leader James Dobson (Focus on the Family) has indicated that Trump has recently accepted Jesus Christ as his lord and savior and is a "baby Christian".

(*shrug.* I dunno. IIRC, Saul had one hell of a lousy reputation, but kinda severely changed his mind on the road to Damascus: understand the Holy Ghost has a heck of a lot of power that can be applied as needed, and in the darndest cases.)

But I'd like to hear from others (especially people who formerly/still ID as Christian): what are some of the outward signs that might make you believe DJT has had a change of heart, is exploring a new walk in faith, and is trying to amend his ways?  

There is NOTHING that could convince me he's had an actual spiritual epiphany. Not even if he shaved that dead weasel off his head and had the "666" tattoo it's hiding removed via laser surgery. He's just whoring for votes.

Sadly, there are people stupid, naive, or desperate enough to believe him. Wake me up when it's 2020, please. 

[SnazzyNazzy]

The only time he prays to god or says his name, is when he is porking a Miss USA contestant. 

[JenniferJuniper]

1 hour ago, slickcat79 said:

I'm pretty sure Palin already said she wouldn't do it. I think even she's self-aware enough to know that she's the kiss of death to a presidential campaign. Agreed about Christie though.

I don't think she has any more self awareness than an earthworm. Donald probably told her "Honey, I love ya.  You are beautiful.  Oh, my god, so beautiful.  Just an incredibly gorgeous babe.  But let's face it, you're a loser, and I can only associate with winners."

Christie doesn't have any Washington experience which would probably rule him out, unless no one else with credentials wants it.  He's probably been promised Attorney General though. What a clown.

 

1 hour ago, Walking Cat Bed said:

Dobson also endorsed Ted Bundy's Christian devotion.

I forgot about that!  Well, after all, he was a very pleasant-looking young white man, wasn't he?

[nastyhobbitses]

39 minutes ago, SnazzyNazzy said:

The only time he prays to god or says his name, is when he is porking a Miss USA contestant. 

The fact that at least 3 women have had presumably consensual sex with him disturbs me so much. It reminds me of Kathy Griffin's routine about how the courts should have just automatically awarded Anna Nicole Smith all the money her super old husband gave her if she gave that guy just one handjob.

[Ungodly Grandma]

On 6/25/2016 at 5:41 PM, Shiny said:

Voters. He's not going to get elected unless he "accepts Jesus". It's not a turnaround...it is flat out pandering. 

I was wondering how the Religious Right was going to justify voting for him. Turned out to be easy for him, didn't it?

On 6/25/2016 at 9:13 PM, Geechee Girl said:

NOPE! No ma'am. Not even a testimony written by Jesus himself would make me believe it. When is the full immersion baptism in the River Jordan scheduled?

As soon as they deconstruct Satan's fortress in his heart.