# Trump Compared to Jesus Christ **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [September 2, 2023, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502 "2023-09-02T12:47:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/81 "2023-09-03T05:52:00Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I’ve read them. They don’t change what I said. They self-identify as Evangelicals. But, **from a belief perspective** (i.e. not self-identification), they’re the ones abandoning Evangelicalism. > > The concept of “Evangelical Christian” has a particular meaning, and a set of established beliefs that come with it. I wonder if this will lead to a schism and a whole new religion forming? Not sure if that would be a hijack for this thread. Something to ponder though. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/82 "2023-09-03T06:18:28Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > d they’ve gotten more organized and empowered, but the drive behind it has not changed. The leaders need them to fear the outside, so they stay and give power and resources to the leaders. If there is no “outside” to fear, they will _make_ one–I watched this play out over and over in microcosm, as Baptist churches fought, schismed, briefly reunited to libel Catholics, then schismed again back in the 1970s and 80s. Perhaps I didn’t state my question clearly. I’m not talking about the hierarchy. Actually, I’m not making a point at all. I’m asking a question. There are 40 evangelical denominations in the US. The leadership of one of them is comprised of raging haters who pass all sorts of terrible policies: no same-sex marriage, babies born out of wedlock will be sacrificed, etc. This denomination has 1,500 individual churches iacross the US. My question is this: are there any of those 1,350 churches who, with their minister, either ignores or actively fights those odious policies? There are 40 evangelical denominations in the US. I’m interested in objective evidence if there is any. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/83 "2023-09-03T06:23:13Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > There are 40 evangelical denominations in the US. I’m interested in objective evidence if there is any. Did you see [this article](https://www.newsweek.com/evangelicals-rejecting-jesus-teachings-liberal-talking-points-pastor-1818706) posted earlier? I do not think anyone can say “all” evangelical churches are headed this way, but some clearly are. Which leads to a problem of how to distinguish one from another. If all have the same label then they will all be judged by their worst members. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/84 "2023-09-03T06:38:18Z")
I did see it, and it infuriated me, as it always does when I read about these hypocritical, Bible-beating anuses. I wish there were one beside me right now I could argue the Bejesus out of him or her. [This](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/01/opinion/trump-evangelicals.html) NYT piece says 19% of evangelicals did NOT vote for Trump in 2016. It was down to 15% in 2020, according to Pew. I’m guessing 10% in 2024 unless God answers my prayers and Trump kicks it before then…or maybe even if he does kick it. (He’s just pining for the fjords.) ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/85 "2023-09-03T07:13:45Z")
I’d like to hear Trump’s Sermon on the Mount. _Blessed are the donors,_ _For they pay my legal bills._ _Blessed are the Democrats,_ _For they give my supporters somebody to hate._ _Blessed are the Proud Boys,_ _Because they take the fall for me. …_ And so on. In the end, Jesus looked out for others and tried to save yet more others, Trump looks out for only himself, and wants to save only himself. Jesus was giving and generous; Trump is selfish and greedy. There can be no comparison when they are so far apart. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/86 "2023-09-03T12:27:01Z")
I mean, that can’t be real, can it? Not in any meaningful quantity? I know it’s Newsweek and not the Onion, but is it possible this is just an overreaction to a handful of extra-nutters? Because it’s hard to process the cognitive dissonance that would be required to consider the Bible the inerrant word of god AND reject some of Jesus’ teachings. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/87 "2023-09-03T12:31:45Z")
Is the fact that he has no redeeming qualities and is morally bankrupt seen as being a positive for these people? A cheating, blustery braggard who blatantly lies constantly, but yet is still listened to for some reason. Does that make him more embraceable somehow? God, if your listening, please call this good man home. Amen. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/88 "2023-09-03T12:46:58Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > I mean, that can’t be real, can it? Not in any meaningful quantity? I have no idea of the numbers but I suspect you are correct to think it is only some few at this point. But, it shows a drift in that direction. The [prosperity gospel](https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/prosperity-gospel) has been a thing for a while now. It started small and has spread and is a part of this. Cognitive dissonance is already well embedded in the evangelical mind so this really is a small step and not a bridge too far for them I think. Indeed, I think they MUST go in that direction. The dissonance is so acute that they simply have to change the narrative. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/89 "2023-09-03T13:00:37Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > My question is this: are there any of those 1,350 churches who, with their minister, either ignores or actively fights those odious policies? Yes, depending on the policy. [Christianity Today](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_Today) is the long-time leading magazine of American evangelical Protestantism. If you start from my Wikipedia link and go on to [ChristianityToday.com](http://ChristianityToday.com), you should find examples. P.S. The non-evangelical leading Protestant magazine is the [Christian Century](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Christian_Century). ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/90 "2023-09-03T13:19:12Z")
If we leave politics out of it (and we almost always do), the group is fine. I’m derided as “the Democrat” in a ball-breaking way but that’s OK. BTW, I’m actually an Independent. I can take it and as soon as any political discussion gets serious it ends pretty quickly. Like most Trumper’s, they can’t back their beliefs and accusations up with any evidence and resort to Hunter’s laptop or something. I resort to facts. That shuts them down but will never change their minds. Anyway, the one response I did get (from a guy who agrees Trump is a POS but still better any libtard) was asking if any another Republican ended up as the nominee, would I vote for him. I said that none of the current crop would ever get my vote. Christie is the only one to call Trump what he is but he is such a flip-flopper that he can’t be trusted. He said “I knew it!” and took this as evidence that I am, indeed, a socialist or something. As an aside, one thing we have in common is that we all have small boats and socialize on them on a regular basis. A couple actually took part in one of those Trump boat parades while we watched from a distance. Talk about a bunch of fanatics! They might as well have had pitchforks and burning torches. A large marina in my area use to have Trump flags flying from every other boat (particularly the $1,000,00 + variety). Last weekend I think I saw one. I’m guessing they’ll reappear next summer. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/91 "2023-09-03T13:47:52Z")
> [@Jegpeg](#): > > does anyone know how Trump got all the evangelicals to believe that everything against Trump is lies from people who want to see him defeated? Well, see, that invokes a pool boy who was fucking a preacher’s wife. Crazy? Let me explain. During the 2016 election, there was a lot of consternation amongst the evangelicals about donald. That largely changed when Jerry Falwell, Jr., a leading evangelical leader (his father had been responsible for much of the organizing of the religious right, and had founded Liberty University, one of the most right wing religious schools in the country) gave a full throated endorsement. > **[Evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr. endorses Trump](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/01/26/evangelical-leader-jerry-falwell-jr-endorses-trump/)** > > The move was expected, but the timing was significant as the Iowa caucuses near. Why would he do such a thing? Well, there’s speculation it was because of blackmail. Falwell’s wife was being regularly screwed by a very young pool boy, and it’s entirely possible this was done with Falwell’s knowledge and approval (he was rumored to like watching). Eventually, that pool boy started receiving lavish gifts and investment opportunities, and people began to suspect what was happening. The theory is that donald used the threat of publicity to secure Falwell’s endorsement. > **[Trump’s Ties to Falwells’ Creepy Pool Boy Sex Saga Revealed](https://www.thedailybeast.com/hulus-god-forbid-reveals-trumps-ties-to-jerry-falwell-jr-and-his-wifes-creepy-pool-boy-sex-saga)** > > The Hulu doc “God Forbid,” out Nov. 1, examines Team Trump’s role in the sex scandal involving pool boy Giancarlo Granda that brought down evangelical kingmaker Jerry Falwell Jr. I’m causally friendly with the guys who made the documentary all about this: > **[God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty](https://www.hulu.com/movie/god-forbid-the-sex-scandal-that-brought-down-a-dynasty-d0c5802f-05ec-4826-9390-f9ceca67f3e0)** > > A Miami pool boy finds himself trapped in a seven-year affair with a charming older woman and her husband, the Evangelical Trump stalwart Jerry Falwell Jr, as he becomes increasingly entangled with the Falwell’s seemingly perfect lives. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/92 "2023-09-03T14:06:58Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > Because it’s hard to process the cognitive dissonance that would be required to consider the Bible the inerrant word of god AND reject some of Jesus’ teachings. Only if you know what’s in the Bible. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/93 "2023-09-03T14:11:04Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Only if you know what’s in the Bible. And have reading comprehension. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/94 "2023-09-03T14:23:12Z")
**Moderating:** Please do not wish/pray death on public figures on the SDMB. This is covered by the SDMB rules. > [@Reorganized SDMB rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reorganized-sdmb-rules/968857/1): > > **Wishing harm on others.** Do not state or imply that any individual or group is deserving of harm. We recognize this rule cannot be strictly applied in discussions of war, capital punishment and the like but urge users to express themselves in moderate terms nonetheless. Do not do this again. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/95 "2023-09-03T15:24:21Z")
I was not talking about the hierarchy in particular; I was describing the psychology that drives these groups in general. And, as I said, there are individuals–including individual pastors–who actually believe in the teachings of Jesus that encourage doing good for others, and some fraction of those do push back. However, the fear of leaving the group is deeply ingrained; you are most likely to see that pushback when those who believe that way are certain they’re in a large enough group that they can say the other faction left _them_. That way, they can avoid the fear of leaving and tell themselves that those other people are bad and part of the bad outside. If the disaffected cannot coalesce into a large enough group, most of them will keep their eyes down, mumble, and pray no one puts them on the spot, even as the rest of the congregation charges off a cliff and carries them along. Because falling off the cliff in the herd is better than being alone in the dark. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/96 "2023-09-03T15:35:39Z")
It occurs to me that Trump was never likely to ride to his inauguration or his arraignment on a donkey. And as for washing the feet of his disciples… ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2023, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/97 "2023-09-03T17:38:10Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > It occurs to me that Trump was never likely to ride to his inauguration or his arraignment on a donkey. Maybe as a symbolic gesture, showing that it was a Democratic witch hunt. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/98 "2023-09-04T14:02:32Z")
I’m cracking myself up this morning trying to picture Trump a) getting down low enough to wash feet and b) Trump getting back up again. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/99 "2023-09-04T14:25:00Z")
In a nutshell, Jesus good DJT evil. Jesus rode an ass, DJT gropes many asses. If you read the Beatitudes, there isn’t a single thing that Donald would be blessed for. Right wing evangelicals love him because he shares their bigotry and xenophobia and is as good a Christian as they are. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2023, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502/100 "2023-09-04T16:06:46Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > As someone who knows a lot of evangelicals, simply by living in the Bible Belt, I can say there are some who openly are against Trump. My cousins, for example, who even lead their own Bible studies at times, were very much anti-Trump. (They even pointed out that the golden statues of him were like the Golden Calf in scripture.) Yes, I have often referred to Exodus 32 in regard to Trump. It’s fun pointing out that God’s response to people worshipping a golden idol was to visit them with a plague. > [@bobot](#): > > So where does the Bible shoehorn in? If it does. > [@Monty](#): > > It is worshipped as an idol, not a book with actual words to be studied, understood, or even applied to one’s life. It’s harder to beat someone with the Bible if you open it first. > [@Atamasama](#): > > Okay, my point still stands. I can’t see Trump taking over the entire religion like that. That’s a fantasy. _Trump_ hasn’t taken over any religion. But the same internal rot that led to Trump’s elevation to office is also pervasive in the right-wing churches as well. > [@Digger11](#): > > Considering that Trump had been a Democrat until fairly recently before his run, Trump has been all over the map. Before he was a Republican, he was a Democrat. Before that, he was Reform Party. Before that, a Republican. He holds no allegiance to any party or its platform, and goes wherever he feels benefits him personally. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-compared-to-jesus-christ/989502.md?page=6)