‘I believe in the Bible’: Trump courts Christian right

http://www.washingtonpost.com ^ | September 25, 2015 | Jim Colvin

[NKP_Vet]

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump recently showed up at a gathering of Iowa conservative Christian voters with a copy of the Bible in hand.

“See, I’m better than you thought,” he said. Then came a black-and-white photograph from his confirmation to further prove his Christian cred.

“Nobody believes this,” he said to laughs. “What went wrong?”

As the Republican presidential front-runner and billionaire businessman tries to maintain his lead in early polls with rivals gaining, Trump is increasingly courting a wing of the Republican Party that might seem antithetical to his brand: evangelical Christians.

After initially declining the invitation, Trump spoke Friday in front of several hundred social conservative leaders at the Family Research Council’s Values Voter Summit in Washington. He joined a speaking program that includes Republican rivals with long records of dedication to religious causes — among them, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Baptist pastor, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who wants his colleagues to risk a government shutdown to block funding to Planned Parenthood.

Trump brought his Bible along once again, and briefly addressed his faith between attacks on his rivals and Democrats.

“I believe in God. I believe in the Bible. I’m a Christian,” he said. He ended by bemoaning the increased use of the term “Happy Holidays” in place of “Merry Christmas” as a sign that Christianity is under attack. As president, he said, he’d reverse the trend.

In Oklahoma City later in the day, Trump had kind words for Pope Francis as the Catholic leader visited Trump’s hometown of New York. “He is a unifier. He wants to bring people together, and I think that’s a great thing,” Trump said. “That’s what we have to do. We have to bring people together.” He did mention that he disagrees with Francis on global warming.

[ripnbang]

“As the Republican presidential front-runner and billionaire businessman tries to maintain his lead in early polls with rivals gaining...”

---

Man. They don’t give up, do they?

[Resettozero]

Man. They don’t give up, do they?

These poorly-constructed Pravda/Izvestia hit pieces frequently make my eyes glaze over.

[onedoug]

That’s good. But Trump must have been screwing around during then mandatory chapel attendance at NYMA as it surely doesn’t seem that he learned very much.

That being said however, I will vote for him if he is the nominee.

[tflabo]

A few years ago Dr David Jeremiah was holding a conference in NY— I think it was MSG. Anyway the cameras pan the audience now and then and twice they aimed their cameras on Donald Trump sitting in the audience. At the time I thought, ‘thats interesting Trump is there”.

[RitaOK]

I’m with you on that. From the beginning I saw Trump as a secular man, but never doubted that he appeared always to have the fondest of memories of his early years in the Christian faith, his mother, trotting off to Sunday School, and when he was older, his love for Norman Vincent Peale and how the congregation never wanted to leave the church hearing him.

He has a fine background, but success got in the way and between him and his faith. Trump seems transparent on these facts, and does not claim to be more than he actually is on these private internal matters.

That puts him head and shoulders above a lot of us, if you know what I mean.

[CurlyDave]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation

Confirmation is a rite in many religions.

I grew up in the Presbyterian religion and was confirmed in my early teens. Trump would have been confirmed at about the same age since he is Presbyterian.

It is emphasized more in the Catholic Church, but it is not exclusive to that faith.

[hoosiermama]

There is a picture of the Trumps , Palins and Greta and husband John with Billy Graham at his last sermon

[tflabo]

12/7/13——— Dr. David Jeremiah’s fans and friends turned out Thursday night at New York City’s Madison Square Garden to help the California pastor celebrate the release of his Jeremiah Study Bible, the culmination of his 40-plus years in ministry. Joining special guests like NYC’s own Donald Trump were out of town church groups, local couples and even a few teens.........

http://www.christianpost.com/news/david-jeremiah-draws-thousands-to-nyc-for-night-of-celebration-marking-release-of-jeremiah-study-bible-110195/

[hoosiermama]

Those Freepers who join in prayer might want to include Mr Trump’s request for prayer.in their prayers .

[NKP_Vet]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/i-believe-in-the-bible-trump-courts-christian-right/2015/09/25/2653b8ee-63e9-11e5-8475-781cc9851652_story.html

[gov_bean_ counter]

Well said

I am surprised and disappointed at the number of posters here who think they know the man's heart.

[nikos1121]

Does anyone on this forum, that includes all the TRump bashers and haters, actually believe that you can commit to run as a conservative for the presidency as Trump and the others are doing, without the help of God? You can say what we will about our candidates, but I can say with conviction that they are ALL deeply religious people. NOw compare that to the other side.

Trump might be immature in his belief, which is good, as there is room for him to grow and for us to watch him grow.

I’ve listened to just about every speech he’s made thus far, and yes he repeats himself for each new audience, not for us, but I LEARN SOMETHING NEW ABOUT THE MAN EACH TIME.

The others bore me. The others are like apprentices next to him. I say in time we all unite around the man...win the presidency and the next time it will be Cruz or Rubio or Carson etc.

This is the time for Trump.

[hoosiermama]

Thank you

[Resettozero]

Those Freepers who join in prayer might want to include Mr Trump’s request for prayer in their prayers.

Ever since this Trump campaign began and I heard his boldness of non-PC speech, I've prayed for his safety and his being drawn closer in his relationship to Jesus Christ.

God can and does raise up ALL the leaders of nations as He wants (for His purposes)...including Barry Soetoro or whoever.

FReepers, truly, do not forget God is at work in men's affairs and always has been. His ways and thoughts are way above ours...bigtime.

[Resettozero]

No to Rubio, IMO.

[caveat emptor]

‘I believe in the Bible’ [“I believe in God. I believe in the Bible. I’m a Christian,” ]

“Nobody believes this,”....

Not to hard to figure out why.

Language, in re illegal criminal gangs ... at about 40 seconds into the video.

Unapologetic about bankruptcies causing people to lose their savings.

I had no obligation to the people that signed me to give it back....

But what has most galled people like Mr. Robbins, who sank much of their life savings into their dream homes, was Mr. Trump’s suggestion that the collapse of the project was a blessing — because it had allowed buyers to avoid the housing crash and the resulting plunge in home values.

[Politicalkiddo]

Okay, Mr. “I don’t bring God into it” Trump. Believing something and following something are two different things.

[EternalVigilance]

He ended by bemoaning the increased use of the term “Happy Holidays” in place of “Merry Christmas” as a sign that Christianity is under attack. As president, he said, he’d reverse the trend.

Well, I guess you have to start somewhere.

[georgiegirl]

Freepers that have Twitter accounts, please send Trump a tweet and tell him we are praying (and fasting?) for him. He needs to know that. He can draw strength from reading Nehemiah 1-3 about building the wall.

[hoosiermama]

If we are honest with ourselves.we.all.are infants in our beliefs
....today we see dimly as in a mirror...today we see in part. One day we shall.know fully .....

Isn’t that what faith is all about

There are those who don’t understand Trump lack of asking for forgiveness. In some churches (mine and his) We do not believe confessions are necessary. We believe in God’s grace That Christ died for the forgiveness of all our sins particularly those we are not aware.

We are all Imperfect. Trump has no problem pointing out and even laughing about his.