Evangelical Christians 'uncritical' in support for Trump, senior bishop says

[nitpicker]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/28/evangelical-christians-uncritical-in-support-for-donald-trump-says-paul-bayes-bishop-liverpool

Evangelical Christians 'uncritical' in support for Trump, senior bishop says

Harriet Sherwood Religion correspondent

@harrietsherwood

Thu 28 Dec ‘17 00.01 GMT Last modified on Thu 28 Dec ‘17 00.55 GMT

A senior Church of England bishop has lambasted conservative evangelical Christians in the US for their “uncritical support” of Donald Trump, urging them to reflect on how their endorsement of the president relates to their faith. Paul Bayes, the bishop of Liverpool, said “self-styled evangelicals” risked bringing the word evangelical into disrepute, and added there was no justification for Christians contradicting God’s teaching to protect the poor and the weak.

Bayes told the Guardian: “Some of the things that have been said by religious leaders seem to collude with a system that marginalises the poor, a system which builds walls instead of bridges, a system which says people on the margins of society should be excluded, a system which says we’re not welcoming people any more into our country. Whenever people say those kinds of things, they need to be able to justify that they’re saying those things as Christians, and I do not believe it’s justifiable.”

He said he regretted that “people who call themselves evangelical in the US seem to be uncritically accepting” positions taken by Trump and his allies. “Some quite significant so-called evangelical leaders are uncritically supporting people in ways that imply they are colluding or playing down the seriousness of things which in other parts of their lives [they] would see as really important,” Bayes added.

He stressed that not all evangelicals were Trump supporters, saying there were “many, many Christians who are trying to proclaim the gospel as we’ve received it, even if that means political leaders have to be challenged”.
(snip)

Bayes, who has been bishop of Liverpool since 2014, said: “If people want to support rightwing populism anywhere in the world, they are free to do so. The question is, how are they going to relate that to their Christian faith? And if what I believe are the clear teachings of the gospel about love for all, the desire for justice and for making sure marginalised and defenceless people are protected, if it looks as though those teachings are being contradicted, then I think there is a need to say so.”

Bayes was speaking to mark the launch of a new Christian charity, which he is chairing, aimed at eliminating discrimination based on sexuality or gender.
(snip)

[Angry Dragon]

1. The Cult of Trump

[Buckeye_Democrat]

2. I agree with the bishop, but his supporters don't care because...

... they're right-wing authoritarians.

RWA attitudes were the best indication that someone would support Trump, supposedly.

They don't care so much if a "strong leader" doesn't reflect their values personally. Their focus is that the leader will cram their values down the throats of the general population.

Look at the questions in this RWA quiz:
https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/RWAS/

Examples of RWA beliefs:

"Our country desperately needs a mighty leader who will do what has to be done to destroy the radical new ways and sinfulness that are ruining us."

"Our country will be destroyed someday if we do not smash the perversions eating away at our moral fiber and traditional beliefs."

They would support Satan as long as he forced their beliefs/values on everyone else.

[Martin Eden]

3. "bringing the word evangelical into disrepute"

That ship sailed before Trump came along.

Now they are more nakedly exposing their hypocrisy.

[dembotoz]

7. Couple weeks ago guest minister did a call to evangelism

And he meant it in the good old fashioned way.. felt rather uncomfortable. Mainstream Methodist congregation so not a crazed thumper. My how times have changed..

[milestogo]

4. "uncritical" pretty much sums up their style of thought

[2naSalit]

5. Lemmings....nt

[Corgigal]

6. They are going to be hurt soon

Some people don't have empathy because their temporal lobes are damaged. Pain is coming their way, the only thing we on DU have is we're aware of what's happening and are trying to protect our family and friends. They are too busy trying to blame others for their failings, but aren't aware the real problems are coming from above their status.

I think lots of people, or maybe 20 percent of voters are going to be shocked. They might not tell us that, but their actions will.

[Honeycombe8]

8. It comes down to money.

Greed. Safeguarding the exempt status, letting them get away with participating in politics while keeping their tax exempt status, etc. It's about money.

[dalton99a]

9. Conservative evangelical Christians in the US are a hate group

whose leaders are motivated by personal greed and political power.

They couldn't care less about Jesus or what Jesus said

[kimbutgar]

10. Evangelical christians are faux christians who are still the same a$$holes they were before

They were born again.

Whenever I meet someone who’s says they are evangelical or born again I say to them “you’re the word of money not Jesus type Christian.”. Left them speechless the four times I’ve said it.

[47of74]

11. Branch Trumpvidians all bent out of shape about this

I saw this gem that a Branch Trumpvidian posted on facebook in response to the CNN story...



He's not an idol worshiper? What does he think his support of the orange fornicate face is then?