Terms are often used loosely and I think that the term evangelical is often used loosely misunderstood. Although the Atlantic article that I will link uses the term evangelical Christian, I think a more precise term for what they are describing is fundamentalist Christian.
My contention is that American fundamentalists have a belief that is more than simply their version of Christianity. It is in reality a blend of their faith, politics and nationalism. As a Christian myself, I would consider myself evangelical even though my beliefs are a long way from the beliefs of fundamentalists such as Faith. it is my contention that in reality American fundamentalists use their faith to justify their politics and their brand of nationalism. They are quite prepared to ditch their Christian beliefs when necessary to support their politics and nationalism.
The following is an article from The Atlantic and here is the link:
Why Do Evangelicals Support Donald Trump?
The point is that Christians of any stripe should be appalled a the idea of a President Donald Trump. As the article points out his life reeks of everything that Jesus condemned. He has gained power by accumulating wealth, he holds racist policies, he is pro-life when it suits him politically, and so on.
His beliefs are not Christian. He claims to belong to a Presbyterian church but doesn't attend. The article had this to say about his faith. Trump knows this and has ramped up his religious rhetoric on the campaign trail. But he has had a difficult time convincing anyone that he is within gunshot of orthodoxy. On the matter of asking forgiveness for sinshardly an obscure Christian doctrineTrump says he’s never done it. I think if I do something wrong, I think, I just try and make it right, hesaidrecently. I don't bring God into that picture. Trumpdeclaredthat his favorite book was the Bible, but when asked to name his favorite Bible verse, The Donalddeclined. And hespoke flippantly of the cornerstone Christian sacrament of communion, saying he feels cleansed when I drink my little wine and have my little cracker.
The fundamentalists who trumpet their Christian faith are quite prepared to rationalize their faith when it comes to their politics or their sense of nationalism. In other words, their politics trumps, (pun intended
) their Christianity.
Any forum you consider suitable.
Edited by GDR, : Just really poorly written. I shouldn't post in a hurry. Thanks nwr
Edited by GDR, : No reason given.
Edited by GDR, : I'll get it sorted yet
He has told you, O man, what is good ; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8