Trump's Feigned Piety Demeans Christianity

I don't think I'm going too far out on a limb when I say that Donald Trump is about as pious as my golden retriever. I suspect his prayers have been limited to asking god to keep the IRS away from his doorstep.

However, the President's pollsters have certainly informed him that what remains of his tattered base consists of white evangelical Christians and conservative Catholics, like his Attorney General, William Barr, concerned about growing secularism in America. So, Trump has taken to holding up bibles and attacking Joe Biden's faith. The problem, however, is that the President is so tone deaf to real piety that his imitation comes off as bad Saturday Night Live satire.

The President unleashed his new attack this week in Ohio saying that Joe Biden would "take away your guns, take away your Second Amendment. No religion, no anything," "Hurt the Bible. Hurt God. He's against God. He's against guns. He's against energy." Apparently Trump was going to add that Biden hated puppies, worshiped Satan, and ate his hot-dogs slathered in mayonnaise, but his aides cautioned against going too far.

Two initial points about Trump's cringe-worthy religious attack on Biden.

1. Do you remember the good old days when Presidents could speak in full sentences?

2. What the hell does "hurt the Bible" even mean?

Joe Biden responded in disgust... and in full sentences, calling Trump's comments "shameful." He probably should have said, shameful moronic blather, but Biden has way more class than that.

Biden, CNN: "Like so many people, my faith has been the bedrock foundation of my life: it's provided me comfort in moments of loss and tragedy, it's kept me grounded and humbled in times of triumph and joy. And in this moment of darkness for our country — of pain, of division, and of sickness for so many Americans — my faith has been a guiding light for me and a constant reminder of the fundamental dignity and humanity that God has bestowed upon all of us," Biden said."

"For President Trump to attack my faith is shameful. It's beneath the office he holds and it's beneath the dignity the American people so rightly expect and deserve from their leaders," he added."

Donald Trump is not the first President to use religious faith as part of his campaign, but he certainly has lowered the bar on piety. Robert Jones of the Public Religion Research Institute made that point yesterday in several tweets.

Twitter: "Trump’s not first to weaponize God-talk, but his instrumental use of Christianity is so transparent b/c it’s not his native language. Seems he’s using Bible as totem, uttering mantras he barely understands (2 Corinthians, “hurt the Bible”) to conjure its power."

"Trump's use of Christian symbols and language is more akin to magic than theology or religion. And it hides much of what’s really being supported by those symbols."

To be fair, Trump doesn't have many cards to play in his reelection bid. His presidency has been a dumpster fire domestically and internationally. And now, even his older white base is deserting him because of his botched Covid-19 response. So, expect a lot more religious gibberish in the coming weeks as he fights to hold on to evangelical Christian voters.

#news #Trump #2020election #religion

By: Don Lam & Curated Content