Trump: I Don't Think I've Ever Asked God for Forgiveness

7/19/2015 ^ | Todd Beamon

[Kevin C]

Donald Trump said Saturday that "I am not sure that I have" ever asked God for forgiveness, telling the 2015 Iowa Family Leadership Summit that "I just go on and try to do a better job from there.

"I don't think so," Trump, who is Presbyterian, said in response to the question from pollster and summit host Frank Luntz. Trump was among 10 Republican presidential candidates at the daylong event in Ames, Iowa.

"If I do something wrong, I think I just try to make it right," Trump said. "I don't bring God into that picture. I don't. "When we go into church — and when I drink my little wine, which is about the only wine I drink, and have my little cracker — I guess that is a form of asking for forgiveness. I do that as often as possible because I feel cleansed, OK? "But, to me, that is important," Trump said. "In terms of officially, I could tell you absolutely. I don't think in terms of that. I think in terms of, 'Let's go on and let's make it right.'"

When Luntz first asked the question, Trump said that he was Presbyterian and that his pastor was the Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, the author and longtime pastor of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City. He died in 1993 at 95 years old. "That's a tough question," is how Trump began his initial response. "I am a religious person. I'm Protestant. I'm Presbyterian. People are so shocked and they find this out. "I go to church. I love God — and I love my church," he added. "The great Norman Vincent Peale was my pastor. He was so great. He would give a sermon, and you'd never want to leave."

[wideawake]

I can't tell you how many times in my childhood I was told by people in religious orders that I was going to hell.

Ah, the anecdote avalanche. The solipsist special.

I attended 16 years of Catholic school and was never once told that I was going to hell.

That's probably because it is flatly contrary to Church doctrine to say that.

Answer: because you're full of baloney.

Uh-huh.

I'll just say that your tales seem highly implausible to me.

Every child physically and psychologically tortured by nuns and remonstrated without mercy by priests knows exactly what I'm talking about.

The problem is, those children only exist in Hollywood movies.

You seem to have an enormous chip on your shoulder, FZ.

Maybe it seems that way because I'm controlled by an overpowering sense of guilt that I'm unaware of, right?

Your claimed personal experiences are universal, correct?

[wideawake]

I understand that in Oprahland one must never question how someone else represents himself.

What I am questioning is the definition of Christianity - specifically what kind of Christianity involves never asking the Almighty for forgiveness?

Is there even such a thing as sin? If it exists, what is it?

[SoConPubbie]

Donald Trump’s relationship with God is his own business as is yours and mine. So get off the I know who’s a Christian soapbox.

Sorry, but his relationship with God is my business if he want's to be my POTUS.

I won't vote for either an atheist or a Muslim, or even a Buddhist exactly because of their relationship (or lack thereof) with God.

As far as "So get off the I know who's a Christian soapbox" I'm just using the Bible as a measure of who is or who is not a Christian.

The Bible makes it very clear that those who are not forgiven, will not make heaven and being forgiven means you have to ask for that forgiveness.

You're still being a fan-boy and you are still sacrificing your Christian principles to support your preferred POTUS candidate.

[Eddie01]

The Lord’s Prayer covers it. All Christian services receit don’t they?

[Georgia Girl 2]

I’m going to pray for you tonight. :-)

[Georgia Girl 2]

Well Reverend and Grand Poobah of Christianity I and the rest of the committed Christians on this forum will leave you to your rants. :-)

[mdmathis6]

Hey...Trump acknowledges God, knows he’s made mistakes, tries to make them right which is also a form of repentance not just atonement...and acknowledges he’s not the most religious guy in the world. A real world self honest person...how refreshing...! I’ll vote for such a person in a second!

[SoConPubbie]

I’m going to pray for you tonight. :-)

And I will do the same for you my FRiend.

[mdmathis6]

Hey...Trump acknowledges God, knows he’s made mistakes, tries to make them right which is also a form of repentance not just atonement...and acknowledges he’s not the most religious guy in the world. A real world self honest person...how refreshing...! I’ll vote for such a person in a second!

[Tucker39]

I made a MAJOR senior moment boo-boo. It’s FIRST Corinthians 11. Not 2nd. My bad.

[wideawake]

What makes a question a “rant”?

[ColdSteelTalon]

So given that what the above say is accurate, Trump is not really a Christian. He goes through the motions but has no faith??? This is not good for Trump.

[pgkdan]

I said he’s in need of counseling...I didn’t pass judgement on his fitness for office. You need to polish your reading comprehension skills before you take it upon yourself to presume another’s motives.

[EternalVigilance]

This thread is a case study on why we’re in the incredible mess we’re in.

[Marko413]

It was Trump’s claim, not mine. He is the one that said he is a devout follower. Unfortunately for him, genuine people can tell the difference.

This isn’t just for religion, it can be for anything. If someone says they love spicy food, but can’t handle medium salsa, I question their claim. If someone says they are from the south, but only drink unsweetened tea, I question their claim.

When someone says they are a Christian, but have never asked God for forgiveness (kinda foundational for that religion), yes, I question their claim.

[Albion Wilde]

It does sound like he needs to work on his relationship with God and understand the role of forgiveness better. Is it a concern? Yes. It could impact his role model. It could impact a number of things. Is it a deal killer? No.

Agreed. He's running for president, not pope.