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.

[VanDeKoik]

Groan.

You guys really hated how Trump got the spotlight with the pope comments, so you have to weasel Cruz back into the mix.

[native texan]

On what do you base this premise?

[caww]

Trumps playing “Trump” games and they’re deadly to this country if he wins this primary. He still thinks he can run our nation as he has his businesses........but he’s certainly showing all to well he’s a NY City thug and nothing more....as if we couldn’t see that before he announced.

[dynoman]

[dynoman]

Glenn Beck: God had to kill Antonin Scalia to help put Ted Cruz in the White House
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3398407/posts

Literal Holy Crap: Glenn Beck Says Scalia’s Death Part of God’s Plan to Elect Ted Cruz
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3398277/posts

[dynoman]

Cruz LIES again:

"If Trump is elected the Second Amendment could be 'written out of the Constitution.'"

Seriously dude, WTF???— Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) February 14, 2016

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The irony here is Cruz didn't need to lie. If he had remained honest, he would still be competitive. Liars lie, they can't help it.— Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) February 17, 2016

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I just find it odd that while the typical Cruz supporter is hyper-religious, they are utterly blind to his constant LYING. It's just weird.— Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) February 17, 2016

[rwilson99]

Our Holy Father is doing his best... perhaps in the spirit of Ecumenism to show why the reformation happened.

Ironic that he uses the same stupid, wrong tactics that Donald Trump is using on the campaign trail.

Ironic, that both refuse to speak out against Planned Parenthood.

There is a reason Dante placed a number of Popes in his Inferno.... it’s where they belong.

Yes... I’m Catholic. The Pope on the issue of national security is... much like economics... absolutely positively fallible.

[native texan]

I like your response, Georgia Girl 2! Ditto from Texas.

[livius]

Battle of the massive-ego geezers.

[nclaurel]

Hmmm. Wonder if 2 citizens vying for the same position questioning each other is on the same par as the leader of the Catholic Church worldwide questioning a private citizen of America.

Before some Cruzer jumps on me. I don’t excuse Trump if he questions Cruz religion. I do however question how well Cruz adheres to his principles by using 20 year old videos as if they are current. Christian do fall short of principle at times but are still Christian and can repent.

[uncitizen]

The Pope is allowing himself to be used and he isnt even smart enough to see what a hypocrite he is being exposed for. Typical of a progressive.

[caww]

Trump doesn’t care what the spotlight is regarding him as long as he gets it......the guy would die without the attention.

But it’s noteworthy the article mentions Trumps foolish comments regarding Cruz’s faith so the posters are well in the area of the article by their comments.

[PA-LU Student]

No leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man’s religion or faith,

Lets parse this out shall we,

First No leader
Second in between commas, which generally means you can discard that info and the sentence still means the same, especially a religious leader
Finally Should have the right to question another man’s religion or faith

So if we can eliminate the stuff inside the commas, which are just extra pieces of info pertaining to the first part of the sentence, what Trump said is “No leader should have the right to question another man’s religion or faith,

[caww]

I don’t believe at all the Pope doesn’t realize what he’s saying nor that he’s being used...he well knows the game he’s in and the moves he’s making as his many speeches have certainly attested to the fact he has his own agenda.

[11th Commandment]

Not that any layman can’t.

awesome, so as a layman let me be critical of a man's Christian faith who is twice divorced, one of which he admitted cheating. AND at the same time admits he doesn't ask for forgiveness... he just learns from mistake and moves on...

[tumblindice]

It’s one thing to try and sneak by Constitutional requirements in order to actually hold the office you’re running for, but Cruz needs to make up his mind whether he’s a canad—uh, I mean, candidate for office or an itinerant, tub thumping, Star-born, Loud Shouting, verse-bellowing, God-Voiced, One with the Throat Sweet as the Throat of the Honey-Bird, Great White North, pale imitation of Elmer Gantry.

[mac_truck]

LOL!

[E=MC²]

Trump is despicable. I know the sTrumpets screech about Ted Cruz’s Christianity, BUT which one loses his temper at the drop of any criticism and which one has yet to lose his temper after all the incessant accusations of being a liar from the handmaiden of the father of lies (Trump)???

[Leto]

But it’s not, Trump isn’t the peader of the largest Catholic church on the planet, el popeo is.

___________________________________________________________

Ok I agree the Pope shouldn’t go around questioning the religious beliefs if others, even a serial adulterer like Trump.

So what is it that gives Trumpanzee the right to question the religion of others?

[BlatherNaut]

His weakness is in the head-to-head matchup with Cruz which he is losing by 16 points.

So saith the Murdoch Agenda Poll.