Despite Criticism of Pope, Donald Trump Questioned Rival's Christianity

ABC ^ | Feb 18, 2016, 2:55 PM ET | EVAN MCMURRY

[SoConPubbie]

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reacted strongly to Pope Francis' criticism of his immigration policies as "not Christian" this afternoon, calling Francis' questioning of his faith "disgraceful."

But today's battle comes after Trump himself has spent days repeatedly questioning the faith of his biggest rival, Ted Cruz.

"I've never seen anybody that lied as much as Ted Cruz," Trump said at a press conference Monday. "And he goes around saying he's a Christian. I don't know, you're going to have to really study that."

At a Tuesday rally in North Augusta, South Carolina, Trump said Cruz "holds up the Bible and then he lies about so many things."

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All this followed a tweet from last Friday wondering about Cruz's evangelicalism:

How can Ted Cruz be an Evangelical Christian when he lies so much and is so dishonest?- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2016

Pope Francis criticized the Republican candidate in a statement Thursday morning at the culmination of his trip to Mexico. Informed of some of the rhetoric Trump has used regarding immigrants and his proposal to build a wall across the U.S.'s southern border, Francis said Trump's actions were "not Christian."

"A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian," Francis said. "This is not in the gospel."

Trump responded moments after the pope's comments were released. "No leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man's religion or faith," Trump said in a written statement.

[uncitizen]

Again, we all know he was talking about the pope.

[Albion Wilde]

So, you did your homework -- or did you just skim it and say you did? At any rate, you found out that he has, indeed, put his "new" position on his web site, just as you thought he should.

Now, in this post, you're still "shoulding" on him: "If he's made mixed statements in the past, he should make it easy to find the stance that he wants known."

He did what you implied he didn't; but he didn't do it well enough, is what you say now. Looks like you're just not a happy guy.

[D-fendr]

So what did he mean by “no leader, especially a religious leader..”

[uncitizen]

He meant the pope. And probably obama too.

[D-fendr]

Does this mean, by his definition, Trump is not a leader?

Or does it mean, when he becomes a leader, president, he’ll stop “questioning people’s faith”?

There’s really no good answer here for Trump, unless hypocrite is good.

[uncitizen]

He probably isn’t a leader in the sense that he was referring to there. I believe he was talking about heads of state types of people.

[D-fendr]

>>>I believe he was talking about heads of state types of people.

That was my second question: It’s ok for him now, but when he becomes president, it’s not ok and he’ll stop “questioning people’s faith”?

[D-fendr]

Sorry, forgot to run that last one through the Disgronificator.

>>>I believe he was talking about heads of state types of people.

That was my second question: It’s ok for him now, but when he becomes president, it’s not ok and he’ll stop “questioning people’s faith”?

[uncitizen]

Yes, I’m absolutely confident that Trump understands what behavior is acceptable and appropriate in a president and what is not. Unlike the current jerk.

[D-fendr]

Thanks for your reply.

Then, that would be a yes, it’s ok for him now, but when he becomes president, it’s not ok and he’ll stop “questioning people’s faith”?

[D-fendr]

Darn quote... again:

It’s ok for him now, but when he becomes president, it’s not ok and he’ll stop “questioning people’s faith”?

[uncitizen]

Some people might think it’s ok for him now and others might not. It’s debatable I would say. I’m not sure how I feel about it. I guess every aspect of ones life is fair game when they are running as a candidate for president.

However, these kinds of accusations can backfire on the accuser as easily as they can affect the accused. So it’s a risky proposition and it would not be surprising to me if Trump regrets he “went there” on this particular issue which probably isn’t going to get enough bang for the buck.

Trump is not perfect. Neither is Cruz or any other man. The constant attacks on Trump here on FR though is only strengthening the resolve of his supporters. Not because we are stubborn but because we understand that only Trump is strong enough to do what needs to be done for the future of our country. CRuz just isnt ready for the job yet. Maybe in the future but not this time. Thus, if Trump is taken down we are all finished.

It’s not too late for Cruz supporters to change their positions. We won’t mock anyone who does so. We understand people come to understand the reality at different times. We welcome Cruzies who can accept that Cruz’s time is later. It’s time for Donald Trump right now.

[BlueDragon]

Again, the unbelievers and Catholics have a built-in hatred for Cruz simply because he is an evangelical.

On a note contrary to that being exclusively the case, I've noticed there are more than a few 'Catholics' here on FR who write supportively of Cruz, including those whom I've noticed have made disparaging remarks about so-called "evangelicals", generally speaking.

On a flip side of that same dynamic, about those same 'Catholics', and to their own personal credit --- towards basis for my own understandings of what could be included within the various motivations for expression of disdain for evangelicals that they (Catholics) may have --- I can express criticisms of my own about that crowd (evangelicals), while possibly being identified as being one of those 'evangelicals'.

But still, as you said, the "major disdain" you mentioned, I do suspect is among factors for some 'Catholics' to be opposed to Cruz. It surely a leading cause and reason among Democrats who have been taught hatred of 'evangelicals' since nearly birth.

[BlueDragon]

I picked one at random out of that list.

Your own textual representation for number six is something of a lie.

In that phrase Cruz ---was not putting those words into Trump's mouth --- as the way you present it appears to imply.

You are a hypocrite. Yet expect people to go chase down links, and listen to youtube vids -- which in the instance of the #6 at least -- do not do establish what you appear to be asserting.

You're posts are like projectile vomit.

[dynoman]

Unlike the title of his book “A Time For Truth” Ted DOES NOT tell the whole truth. He’s deliberately deceptive, a half-truth mixed with deception is a lie. That is NOT principled, and NOT what I expected from reading his book.

People can try to equivocate away from this all they want but the point stands. Ted is NOT being an honest, truthful, and principled candidate.

[DrewsDad]

I haven't heard the term "shoulding" in about 20 years.

It was the Trump supporters that were unhappy because another candidate replayed statements that Trump made at some point, but weren't his "latest" stance. My point was that the burden was on Trump to use his website or some other means to make it abundantly clear what his current position is. Maybe, it's just me, but you have to do a bit of digging on Trump's site to find certain positions that he and his supporters are claiming are distorted.

[Albion Wilde]

Not worth fighting over, at any rate. Someone sent me a link to the OnTheIssues.org site, which gives a handy summary of all the candidates' positions, in case it could be helpful to you. Have a blessed day!

[dynoman]

Lie of omission;

“Also known as a continuing misrepresentation, a lie by omission occurs when an important fact is left out in order to foster a misconception. Lying by omission includes failures to correct pre-existing misconceptions.”

That is exactly what Ted did in those three minutes, and many many times elsewhere.

[BlueDragon]

Unlike the title of his book "A Time For Truth" Ted DOES NOT tell the whole truth.

Having not read the book, I can't vouch for what is said there, one way of the other.

But I can determine that you do not "tell the whole truth" in regards to Ted Cruz in pretty much anything else that you've been harping on regarding the man.

Maybe you got something almost right here or there upon occasion --- but among the flood of all the rest of tainted projectile spew it ended up lost in translation.

That much can be ascertained without leaving the luxurious comfort of my well provisioned, hermetically sealed bunker.

[dynoman]

Lie of omission;

“Also known as a continuing misrepresentation, a lie by omission occurs when an important fact is left out in order to foster a misconception. Lying by omission includes failures to correct pre-existing misconceptions.”

Example of Ted’s lies of omission, seven lies and misrepresentations in under three minutes. That is walking the talk “the most principled conservative in the race”???

Lie 1 - Pro-abortion and supporting partial birth abortion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RHgqFQ85uZs#t=197

Lie 2 - Trump is calling for the same socialized medicine as Sanders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RHgqFQ85uZs#t=216

Lie 3 - pushed partial birth abortion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RHgqFQ85uZs#t=239

Lie 4 - Even as a candidate Donald says we need to have full on socialized medicine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RHgqFQ85uZs#t=298

Lie 5 - at the debates he said we ought to have socialized medicine like Canada and Scotland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RHgqFQ85uZs#t=302

Lie 6 - If you as a republican don’t support socalized medicine you are heartless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RHgqFQ85uZs#t=312

Lie 7 - If you want to see Bernie sanders style of socialized medicine Trump is your guy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RHgqFQ85uZs#t=335