Trump peddles religious ignorance

[rug]

Donald Trump delivers the convocation at Liberty University on Jan. 18 in Lynchburg, Va. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

By E.J. Dionne Jr.
June 22 at 7:36 PM

Where religion is concerned, Donald Trump’s bigotry is his biggest problem, but his ignorance comes in a close second.

We already know that Trump will say whatever he thinks will appeal to the crowd he is talking to, but calling Hillary Clinton’s faith into question before a group of evangelical Christian leaders Tuesday represented a new low — if such a thing is possible in a campaign that hits those markers on an almost daily basis. Trump’s comprehensive and often factually challenged attack on Clinton on Wednesday is drawing much attention. But his comments on her faith say even more about him.

Trump does not appear to be very religious and seems uncomfortable around the subject. In principle, this is not a problem. The Constitution explicitly forbids religious tests for federal office. Over our history, presidents have varied in their attachment to religion, and there is no surefire way to know whether what a politician says about his or her belief in God is true.

Moreover, many deeply religious people don’t talk much about their faith outside intimate circles. One of the year’s best statements on the matter came from John Kasich (who is, by all accounts, very religious) when he explained why he had not invoked religion much on the campaign trail. “I’d rather have an eternal destiny,” he said, “than try to cheapen the brand of God.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-peddles-religious-ignorance/2016/06/22/ff7e7c80-38af-11e6-9ccd-d6005beac8b3_story.html

[tonyt53]

1. Yesterday, those supposed religious leader were quoting the Bible in support of Trump

Sad thing is those same guys have never done an honest days work. Falwell and Graham for example, were raised in a gated mansion with golden spoons in their mouths. It appears that they like the talk spewing from Trump.

[immoderate]

2. "religious ignorance" is redundant

What religion is not ignorant?

--imm

Edit to add: Not to be construed as a defense of trump!

[rug]

3. For starters, knowing exactly what a religion does and does not hold is a good start.

If you don't know what it actually believes, you're peddling religious ignorance.

It's not about whether you believe it or not. It's whether you can accurately state their beliefs. trump, for one, can't.

[immoderate]

4. I know, there's some irony there.

I mean, is knowing what it does believe, less ignorant than knowing what it doesn't believe? What do I lose if I get the number of virgins encountered in heaven wrong?

And I think you know that what a religion believes(?) is quite different from what each one of its practitioners believe.

In the case of Trump, I readily acknowledge he displays a socially unacceptable set of misbeliefs. He expects to be patronized. His propensity to introspection is nonexistent. But in the long run, it's all a charade, no?

--imm

[rug]

5. It's basic literacy.

People who don't know what others believe are the ones more likely to have biased views about them. Ignorance is the petri dish of bigotry.

I disagree that religion is idiosyncratic. Most people who identify with an ideology, religious or secular, share core beliefs. If it was entirely personal, there would be no such thing as heresy - or Trotskyites.
'
You're right. trump's entire life has been a charade. His achievements are based in large part on illusion, his failures denied.