NPR: Many Evangelicals Are In 'An Awkward Place' With Trump Atop GOP

[apnu]

Many Evangelicals Are In 'An Awkward Place' With Trump Atop GOP

May 16, 20163:59 AM ET
Heard on Morning Edition
SARAH MCCAMMON

Donald Trump likes to tout his popularity among conservative Christians, who make up a key voting base within the Republican Party. But even with Trump as the de facto nominee, some evangelicals say they're unsure about voting for him — as a matter of conscience.

At Fort Des Moines Church of Christ, a sign on the front lawn reads, "Abortion is America's Holocaust." Inside, after a rehearsal for Sunday's service, Pastor Mike Demastus sat down to talk about the state of the presidential race. He describes Trump as "morally loathsome."

Demastus had backed Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who won the Iowa Caucuses thanks in large part to evangelical support — but in the end, it wasn't enough for the nomination.

"We came up with the worst possible candidate out of all of the choices that we had," Demastus says. "He's the worst."

Even though Cruz has dropped out, Demastus says he plans to write him in come November. Demastus is troubled by Trump's shifting positions on several policy issues. And he's disturbed by a statement Trump made months ago in Iowa, when a pollster asked if he's ever sought God's forgiveness — and Trump said he hadn't.

"He's a reprehensible man. I would classify him as a wicked man," Demastus says.

For Demastus, Trump is no better than likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. He's not alone. While it's true that the real estate developer has picked up substantial support among white voters who describe themselves as evangelical, polling suggests Trump is less popular among those who attend church regularly.

More: http://www.npr.org/2016/05/16/478176365/many-evangelicals-are-in-an-awkward-place-with-trump-atop-gop

[liberal N proud]

1. They must lie in the bed they have made

The allied themselves with radical right wingers, now they are just reaping what they sowed.

[Turin_C3PO]

2. I hope

they stay unmotivated and have low turnout.

[ProfessorGAC]

14. The Write In Is OK Too

It's a wasted vote for Cruz which is as good as staying home. Cruz isn't going to get 70 million write in votes.

[Initech]

3. Trump is the candidate the evangelicals created.

They own him. I'm sick of their bullshit.

[apnu]

4. The Moral Majority made Trump?

I don't think so. He's never been serious about religion anytime in his life. Have they helped create the fertile ground that the Trump weed now grows in? Yes, but he is a weed to the Religious Right, one they can't get out of their garden.

[3catwoman3]

8. But, but, but...

Didn't he say the bible was his favorite book? Surely he wouldn't be lying about that, would he?

[apnu]

10. LOL, true. +1 (nt)

[Initech]

11. Yes he did!

"I love the Bible, no one loves the Bible more than I do! It's the greatest book ever, Jesus was the greatest guy in the history of the world, maybe more so than me! "

[jpak]

5. I pray for them

Bless their little hearts.

[mwooldri]

6. So the family values voters have a choice.

If you have to choose between Clinton or Trump for family values.... Clinton has Trump beat. Along with sticking to her marriage vows. Other women would have kicked their spouses out for cheating. Trump on the other hand is a cheater. Married multiple times.

So if abortion happens to be the one issue one votes on... oops. Remember that when you gamble, the casino normally wins. Trump owns the casino now.... just remember that. The only way to win against the Trump Casino is not to play inside in the first place.

[apnu]

7. Nice Casino metaphor. (nt)

[RadiationTherapy]

9. Well, I am not too worried about evangelicals managing to reconcile a contradiction between

their beliefs and their actions.

[Nay]

12. OH, WELL.

You courted the cray-cray, and now you're complaining it isn't the exact type of cray-cray you like. Better luck next time.

[whatthehey]

13. They call themselves a flock for a reason

They will behave as sheep when it matters. The great evangelical abandonment of unsuitable Republicans has been forecasted as often as the Rapture, and happened as often too. If they didn't abandon a Mormon, which many evangelicals consider a non-Christian sect, they won't abandon a Protestant for being a "sinner".