Trump, Evangelicals, Hypocrisy and Moral Bankruptcy

Trump and scamvangelist Franklin Graham

A new Fox News poll showed that 56 percent of respondents said Trump was “not at all” presidential, 55 percent said he was “not at all” a moral leader, 53 percent said he was “not at all” compassionate or steady and 50 percent said he was “not at all” honest.  Yet one group continues to strongly support perhaps the most immoral individual to ever occupy the White House: evangelical Christians, a group defined by their self-claimed piety and hatred of others.  In addition to supporting Trump, these folks also strongly support the GOP's reverse Robin Hood agenda where the poor are robbed to benefit the rich and the social safety net is slashed. Indeed, their "values" bear little resemblance to the social gospel message of Christ and instead focus of selectively parsed Old Testament passages.   A column in the Washington Post looks at what I view as the warped, hypocrisy filled world of evangelicals. Here are excerpts:

Evangelical Christians voted for Donald Trump in overwhelming numbers. Evangelical support for the president remains relatively firm; indeed, even as others criticized the president’s remarks in the wake of Charlottesville, evangelical leaders rose to the president’s defense. All of this gets under the skin of President Trump’s critics, who cannot believe that men and women who think of themselves as godly can possibly stomach Trump’s behavior. For such critics, the only possible explanation for evangelicals’ continuing faith in Trump is some combination of ignorance and hypocrisy. Conversations with actual evangelical Christians at a recent gathering here — the Hillsboro Family Camp, where families have met annually since 1972 for four days of praise and worship — suggest a different picture.  Echoing the views of many present, one evangelist on hand told me Trump hasn’t let him down. . . . . “He has to fight all of them,” said the preacher, referring to the Democrats and the media.
 Part of the decision by many evangelicals to support Trump for president was attributable to long-standing differences with liberal candidates over social issues. Evangelicals tend to share conservative positions on abortion, gun rights, border security and the fight against “radical Islamic terrorism,” as they usually make sure to phrase it. But more than anything, Trump’s specific pledges to the religious right got their attention.

So far, they think Trump has kept those promises. He has followed up with invitations to the White House, sought inputon court appointments, stood firmly with Israel and signed an executive order expanding religious freedom in regard to political speech.
 Another minister said he grows tired of hearing criticism of Trump on character issues. In the Bible and throughout history, “God uses rulers who aren’t themselves godly,” he said, pointing to the Old Testament example of David, a murderer and adulterer whom God later made king and eventually called “a man after my own heart.” [T]he president also sends more subtle messages on the subject of faith vs. science. For example, when Trump refuses to fully adopt the conclusion that climate change is due to man-made influences, he demonstrates an affinity with evangelical Christians who do not blindly accept every scientific theory. . . . They know many of their beliefs contradict scientific facts and theories.

They also know they are considered by many to be superstitious or ignorant for adhering to their beliefs.

Most evangelical believers don’t condemn Trump for the litany of words or deeds that so disturb others, even when they disapprove. . . . . The only miracle they were promised was the application of the grace of Jesus Christ, which, under New Testament doctrine, washed away their sins. They know Donald J. Trump is not worthy of the grace of God, because neither were they — which, to them, is the mystery and beauty of this undeserved gift.

Few references to the New Testament and an affinity for a man who embraces their celebration of ignorance and bigotry.   Not nice or people worthy of respect or deference.