Is Donald Trump a Christian? Is the Pope overstepping?

2016-02-18T21:55:00-05:00

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 9:57 PM

2016-02-18T21:57:09-05:00

CSM Charles Hayden Are you asking if it's a fact or if we think it?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 10:01 PM

2016-02-18T22:01:16-05:00

Pope has seriously overstepped. He is a hypocrite. Disclaimer: I'm NOT a fan of Trump.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 10:09 PM

2016-02-18T22:09:31-05:00

CSM Charles Hayden He should not campaign for any candidate. He's out of his lane.

Response by SPC Napoleon Ebarle made Feb 18 at 2016 10:11 PM

2016-02-18T22:11:58-05:00

Speaking of walls and bridges...when is the Vatican wall coming down?
http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2015/09/24/pope-francis-tear-down-the-vatican-wall/

Not a Trump fan...but I do know that whatever his faith is, it is between him and Christ.

Pope Francis: Tear Down the Vatican Wall! - Breitbart

Pope Francis: Tear Down the Vatican Wall!

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Feb 18 at 2016 10:12 PM

2016-02-18T22:12:38-05:00

I think "Yes, Trump is a Christian" and "No, the Pope didn't overstep." However, the Pope's comment does seem inconsistent with previous statements that he has made about not judging people.

I give the Pope the benefit of the doubt here; I think if anyone deserves that, it would be him. Maybe it was an English language hiccup or misinterpretation. His actual wording was "is not Christian". Maybe he really meant something more along the lines of "is not acting like a Christian" rather than "is not a Christian".

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 10:36 PM

2016-02-18T22:36:34-05:00

Hmmm, Politics and Religion? Here we go. To answer the original question with a short answer: “Yes. No.”

Donald Trump has shown a number of times that he may very well be the least knowledgeable of the Christian texts by someone who routinely claims to be a Christian. This makes me lean toward “No.”

The Pope is the leader of the CATHOLIC Church, the largest single denomination, and does not hold sway over the other denominations. If he were able to, what were the PROTESTants protesting? As Martin Luther once said: “I’ve got 95 theses and they’re all essentially about The Pope.” He is also the leader of a Foreign Nation that is surrounded by walls. This makes me lean toward: “Yes, he overstepped.”

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 10:41 PM

2016-02-18T22:41:15-05:00

Pope is out of line, Trump is not Christian, though being Christian is in no way something I look for in a candidate I still won't vote for Trump.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Feb 18 at 2016 11:03 PM

2016-02-18T23:03:52-05:00

I'd say this falls within the pope's lane. Judging whether a persons claims are representative of the faith or not? Yeah that fits.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Feb 18 at 2016 11:10 PM

2016-02-18T23:10:55-05:00

Yes, he overstepped, IMO. Whether Trump is "Christian" or not is irrelevant to me and has no bearing on whether i vote for him or any other candidate for that matter.

I am no fan of the Catholic Church. I'll leave it at that.

Response by Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. made Feb 19 at 2016 12:07 AM

2016-02-19T00:07:20-05:00

The Pope is NOT a ruler / leader of countries. Kings, Czars, Prime Ministers, Presidents , even Dictators.and other titles are responsible for the protections of their countries and to lead their governments. The Pope has overstepped. A person is a Christian based on the relationship they have with Jesus Christ through salvation and it is Christ who will declare who are His own - not other men in the flesh regardless of their religious position, be they an elder, minister, pastor, bishop, priest, cardinal or Pope. (And the multitude of other titles out there).

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Feb 19 at 2016 1:46 AM

2016-02-19T01:46:56-05:00

I personally don't think Trump is a Christian, at least not a true Christian. I feel like he's only using it as a means to boost his own image.

As for the Pope, could have done without the comments he made however I still have far more respect for Pope Francis and what he's done than most people, Trump included, and I'm not even remotely Catholic.

Response by LTC David Brown made Feb 19 at 2016 3:23 AM

2016-02-19T03:23:36-05:00

Of course the Pope over stepped. Mexico has much more draconian immigration laws and enforces them ! Did the Pope condemn Mexico? The Vatican City state has some of the strictest immigration laws in the world, and yes they are enforced. There is something in scripture about the beam in your own eye...

Response by A1C Melissa Jackson made Feb 19 at 2016 4:06 AM

2016-02-19T04:06:14-05:00

I'd have to say that the pope was out of line. He IS the leader of another country- even if it is only a few square miles- so seeking to influence our elections seems- undesirable. The good thing is that people here have the choice to ignore him, or use his opinion to give weight to their election decision. He was out of line, but I think that Trump is making a terrible strategic decision by whipping back at the pope. There are a large number of religious people who venerate the pope, and when he goes into attack mode with such a man- not good. He needs to cool his jets because his public response requires some diplomacy, and this is a perfect example of his potential to be a good national leader. The appropriate response to others who "dis" you is not always to jump up and scream about your feelings being hurt and what you think if them back (the world is not a school yard) and threaten everyone with frivolous lawsuits. I LOVED what Ted Cruise said about it when "The Donald" threatened HIM with a lawsuit!

In any regard, as for whether or not Trump is a Christian- well, his values do not match mine. The greed, the stepping on the little guy and using the plight of some of the most powerless people in the world to further his cause, the narcissistic and bombastic approach- these things just do not fit into my puzzle of what it is to be a believer and a member of the body of Christ. HOWEVER, it is absolutely positively NOT mine to speculate on the quality of his Christianity, or to try to judge what he should be saying about religion and faith in general. Not my role. God can take care of that just fine, so I leave it at his feet.

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Feb 19 at 2016 7:07 AM

2016-02-19T07:07:30-05:00

I see little evidence he has ever been born again.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 7:13 AM

2016-02-19T07:13:36-05:00

Two issue here.
1. Trump is a Christian?
2. Pope should stick his finger in the primary politic?

1. Anyone can hold a bible and said I am a Christian. :) Lets judge him on the fruit of his labor.

2. He isn't even an American!!! does that answer the question? but evenPutin can put his finger in the American politic too ...

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 8:15 AM

2016-02-19T08:15:27-05:00

First, I am not qualified to determine who is or is not a Christian. Second, neither is anyone else.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Feb 19 at 2016 8:39 AM

2016-02-19T08:39:42-05:00

Only God knows whom are the true Christians.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 19 at 2016 8:45 AM

2016-02-19T08:45:07-05:00

Let us look at these questions in reverse.

Is the Pope entitled to Opinions in regard to Faith, and specifically in regards to what makes a Good Christian according to the Tenets of the Bible? I'd say he's the Subject Matter Expert. CWO6 Pope. Can anyone here say that he is NOT the expert when it comes to the Bible and what it says, and how it should be interpreted? What it takes to be a "Good Christian?"

Sure that falls into "No true Scotsman" territory, but I'm willing to give the POPE a pass on this one. As I said, he's sort of the expert in this arena.

Now, as for whether Mr. Trump is a Christian, only Mr. Trump can answer that. Whether Mr. Trump is a "good" Christian, we can look to the Pope for guidance though....

CC: Capt Richard I P. Request logic check.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 8:51 AM

2016-02-19T08:51:09-05:00

Fortunately, the Pope doesn't have carte-blanche to declare who is and who isn't a Christian. He's out of bounds. Last time I checked there was security at the Vatican. Tear down those walls pontiff.

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Feb 19 at 2016 8:57 AM

2016-02-19T08:57:56-05:00

As a Catholic, I find the Pope's remarks to be nonsensical. I don't view the whole 'Vatican is surrounded by walls' thing to be a big deal; those walls have been there for centuries and are historical relics that should be preserved. My problem with his statement is that he seems to think that national sovereignty doesn't matter and that a nation state should have no say in who gets to enter its territory. Moreover, I find it ridiculous that the Pope will take time to criticize Trump, who's not even Catholic, about his Christianity while maintaining a deafening silence on Christians, including so-called 'Catholics' who support legalized infanticide.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 9:01 AM

2016-02-19T09:01:01-05:00

I wouldn't say that the Pope is overstepping, nor would I say that Trump isn't a Christian. It is not my place to judge their hearts. Both men pose an interesting dynamic though. The Pope has spoken out a number of times against Capitalism and for the plight of the poor and downtrodden. Trump, on the other hand is a billionaire who has spoken out against political correctness. In my simple mind, the Pope taps into Catholic spirit and Trump is attempting to tap into the spirit of Americans. Who can really tell whether or not either is or will be successful in their endeavor to reach their audience?

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Feb 19 at 2016 9:18 AM

2016-02-19T09:18:27-05:00

The Pope, along with all Christians, should avoid judging others and proclaiming them not a Christian. All of us make mistakes, screw up, and do un-Christian things. It does not mean we are instantly and irrevocably no longer a Christian.

Response by CWO4 Richard Williams made Feb 19 at 2016 9:38 AM

2016-02-19T09:38:23-05:00

The pope. Wow to me he has overstepped. Keep you old ass in Rome

Response by SFC Justin Scott made Feb 19 at 2016 10:18 AM

2016-02-19T10:18:01-05:00

I will start this by stating, up front, that I am NOT a fan of Trump's. Having said that, here is my question for the Progressive Left whom are applauding the Pope's comments: How can you support the Pope accusing Trump of not being a Christian, but then attack other Christians who accuse Obama of not being a Christian? Or is it that you're okay with being hypocrites?

Personally, I find it appalling for ANYONE to say that Obama is not a Christian, but I find it just as appalling for ANYONE to claim that Trump is not a Christian. NO ONE can say what is in another person's heart. You can question whether or not the actions of the individual are very Christian-like, but to say the person is not a Christian is far beyond what any of us should be doing - particularly as Christians!

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Feb 19 at 2016 11:25 AM

2016-02-19T11:25:24-05:00

I had to go find the Pope's actual commentary before I started typing. Unfortunately, a lot seems to be posted with slanted pen. As I understand, the Pope characterized Trump's position on immigration as "non-Christian." The Pontiff made no direct assessment as to whether Trump was actually a Christian, or not. To this, it is entirely possible for a Christian to do, or say, something that is un-Christian-like. I'd submit that the Pope certainly has the right (and the position) to make such a review. Contrarily, I'd suppose if Hassan Rouhani or Kim Jong-un gave criticism to another party's candidate, we'd all be on board. Just sayin'. The Catholic Church has had a direct influence on politics since the Roman Empire. So what's new here?

Good question, CSM Charles Hayden. Some good responses here, as well.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Feb 19 at 2016 11:27 AM

2016-02-19T11:27:15-05:00

Whether or not Trump is a Christian is a question which I am unqualified to answer.
What I AM qualified to answer, however, is whether or not the Pope gets to dictate US domestic policy, which he does not. I don't see him tearing down the 40' walls around Vatican City. He's out of his lane.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 19 at 2016 11:59 AM

2016-02-19T11:59:24-05:00

The Pope is entitled to his personal opinion, as all of us are. HOWEVER, because of his position, personal opinions will be taken as Church policy. In other words, he needs to watch what he says.....

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Feb 19 at 2016 1:10 PM

2016-02-19T13:10:30-05:00

Yes, the Pope needs to shut up.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Feb 19 at 2016 2:23 PM

2016-02-19T14:23:00-05:00

Faith is the determining aspect of the Protestant church Trump says he is. So yes he is a Christian. He may not be a Catholic, the Pope can make the call on that one. I find it odd that those who maintain walls and security to protect themselves against others feel free to bash those who call out the issue for what it is. It show the Pope's hypocrisy which is disappointing. It highlights Trump, who is an egotistical personality who is not worthy of the press coverage.

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 19 at 2016 7:18 PM

2016-02-19T19:18:23-05:00

It doesn't matter if he is or is not. There is no Constitutional requirement that he be a Christian. (Personally, I'll vote for Kermit the frog first). No, the Pope is not overstepping. Neither is anyone else. The more people who offer their opinions, particularly incendiary opinions, the more it arouses the electorate. Hopefully, the more they are aroused, the more they research. Democracy thrives best in an educated environment where both disagreeable and agreeable comments are welcome. Our opinions should be well-formulated and strong enough to withstand contrary opinions made by others with more fame, influence, or power.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Feb 19 at 2016 8:13 PM

2016-02-19T20:13:00-05:00

The Pope can have an opinion, but I find his walled city state an amusing backdrop to his hypocrisy on this issue.

Response by SSG William Rhodes made Feb 20 at 2016 1:53 AM

2016-02-20T01:53:56-05:00

Trump a Christian? Bahahaha, if that man steps in church, he will burst into flames!! I don't think the pope is overstepping. The Pope is the Catholic world leader representative and as such, it is his duty to shine a light at a controversial issue that will affect not only our country but to the international communities. Now since the Pope didn't make such a remarkable comments about Trump like Putin did, of course now The Pope will be trash around by Trump and his puppets!

Response by Maj Jeff Carson made Mar 13 at 2016 5:59 AM

2016-03-13T05:59:05-04:00