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DonViejo

(60,536 posts) Fri Jan 11, 2019, 11:28 AM Jan 2019

'Brought to Jesus': the evangelical grip on the Trump administration

The influence of evangelical Christianity is likely to become an important question as Trump finds himself dependent on them for political survival

Julian Borger in Washington

Fri 11 Jan 2019 02.00 EST

In setting out the Trump administration’s Middle East policy, one of the first things Mike Pompeo made clear to his audience in Cairo is that he had come to the region as “as an evangelical Christian”.

In his speech at the American University, Pompeo said that in his state department office: “I keep a Bible open on my desk to remind me of God and his word, and the truth.”

The secretary of state’s primary message in Cairo was that the US was ready once more to embrace conservative Middle Eastern regimes, no matter how repressive, if they made common cause against Iran.

His second message was religious. In his visit to Egypt, he came across as much as a preacher as a diplomat. He talked about “America’s innate goodness” and marveled at a newly built cathedral as “a stunning testament to the Lord’s hand”.

The desire to erase Barack Obama’s legacy, Donald Trump’s instinctive embrace of autocrats, and the private interests of the Trump Organisation have all been analysed as driving forces behind the administration’s foreign policy.

more
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/11/trump-administration-evangelical-influence-support

9 replies

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Highlight:

'Brought to Jesus': the evangelical grip on the Trump administration (Original Post) DonViejo Jan 2019 OP

So he wants bring on Armageddon Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Jan 2019 #1

Evangelicals are so virtuous. Girard442 Jan 2019 #2

This is a subversion of the government. The entire Trump administration is... Solly Mack Jan 2019 #3

I've noticed how much they're pushing Pence out lately to reassure base he's there if Trump implodes wishstar Jan 2019 #4

I take great delight when talking with evangelicals - especially in person TlalocW Jan 2019 #5

do they recover in time to say they'll pray for your soul? Hermit-The-Prog Jan 2019 #6

No. A few have tried to argue TlalocW Jan 2019 #7

the mask slips sometimes Hermit-The-Prog Jan 2019 #8

Heh heh. And I say unto thee... Girard442 Jan 2019 #9

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(107,920 posts)

1. So he wants bring on Armageddon

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Fri Jan 11, 2019, 11:36 AM

Jan 2019

But there's nothing to worry about because he and his believers will be raptured up while us heathens will be left behind.

Girard442

(6,070 posts)

2. Evangelicals are so virtuous.

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Fri Jan 11, 2019, 11:44 AM

Jan 2019

For many US evangelical Christians, one of the key preconditions for [the rapture] is the gathering of the world’s Jews in a greater Israel between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River.

Basically, their religion drives them to set the Middle East ablaze and toss Jews into the flames so that the world can come to an end. You know, some days I think they are all Jim Jones.

Solly Mack

(90,762 posts)

3. This is a subversion of the government. The entire Trump administration is...

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Fri Jan 11, 2019, 11:47 AM

Jan 2019

And as such - should be treated for what it is. There is no meeting of the minds with people whose aim is to tear down the country. There is no compromise with such people. Anyone promoting theocracy in any way - from claiming the bible determines your course in an elected role to announcing that you, as a representative of the government, are acting based on your religious beliefs.

Congressional republicans are using this fiasco of a president to undermine the country and the government. You can't make nice with them. No percentage in pretending they care about the country and merely have a different way of showing it.

They are a danger to everything good about America. They have demonstrated this time and time again.

wishstar

(5,268 posts)

4. I've noticed how much they're pushing Pence out lately to reassure base he's there if Trump implodes

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Fri Jan 11, 2019, 11:48 AM

Jan 2019

We're seeing Pence now everyday in meetings and photo ops and interviews to shore up the wavering base since Trump's poll numbers have been falling as he is increasingly erratic. The damning revelations of the investigations have begun to be revealed and will be escalating soon so the WH is clearly trying to keep their base calmer knowing that Pence is waiting in the wings no matter how bad things get for Trump.

TlalocW

(15,380 posts)

5. I take great delight when talking with evangelicals - especially in person

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Fri Jan 11, 2019, 01:24 PM

Jan 2019

That the increase in "nones" and atheists is their fault, telling them for years they attacked a good family man in Barack Obama then rushed to embrace the biggest scumbag on Earth. That people aren't fooled by their claims of holiness and love. Instead people see their hypocrisy and hatred, and it's driving people away from their Bronze-age, goat-herder "morality."

And then I thank them.

TlalocW

Hermit-The-Prog

(33,327 posts)

6. do they recover in time to say they'll pray for your soul?

Reply to TlalocW (Reply #5)

Fri Jan 11, 2019, 01:28 PM

Jan 2019

TlalocW

(15,380 posts)

7. No. A few have tried to argue

Reply to Hermit-The-Prog (Reply #6)

Fri Jan 11, 2019, 01:34 PM

Jan 2019

Some giving me the excuse that Christianity is all about redemption and second chances, and I'll point out they never gave Obama a first one. One of them even told me to fuck off which I thought was great.

TlalocW

Hermit-The-Prog

(33,327 posts)

8. the mask slips sometimes

Reply to TlalocW (Reply #7)

Fri Jan 11, 2019, 01:46 PM

Jan 2019

If you get them riled up, that pious cloak falls away.

Girard442

(6,070 posts)

9. Heh heh. And I say unto thee...

Reply to TlalocW (Reply #7)

Fri Jan 11, 2019, 03:14 PM

Jan 2019

...goest thou and fornicate like the birds of the air with the bread of sweetness that rolleth like unto the wheel of a chariot.

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