Why do so many evangelical Christians support former President Donald Trump despite his decades of documented ungodly behavior?

An in-depth report from The Economist shows that it has a simple explanation: They believe that God personally appointed him to rule the United States.

In fact, the report cites a survey conducted by Denison University political scientist Paul Djupe that around 30 percent of Americans believe Trump “was anointed by God to become president.”

  • kersploosh@sh.itjust.worksM
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    6 months ago

    The piece from The Economist that is referenced by the article gets into it:

    In a Pew poll in 2021, more than a third of white evangelicals said the government should stop enforcing the separation of church and state.

    To that end, apostles engage in political activism. They shun the Democratic party (membership is a form of “demonic worship”, Mr Hood has written) and cultivate ties with Republicans. Representatives Marjorie Taylor Green, Lauren Boebert and Mike Johnson, the new speaker of the House, are affiliated with the movement. Mr Trump is central to its plans.

    During the presidential campaign of 2016, Mr Wallnau observed that Mr Trump had already climbed the mountains of media and business and said God had foretold that he would also conquer the government peak. The rest of the apostolic movement quickly endorsed Mr Trump. Several of its leaders advised him during his presidency and formed a “spiritual strike force” called POTUS Shield to protect him from Satan. Many prophesied that he would win re-election in 2020, and their followers believed them. In a survey conducted by Mr Djupe shortly before the election, three in ten Americans believed Mr Trump “was anointed by God to become president”.

    Edit:
    Link to the Economist article: https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2023/12/20/many-trump-supporters-believe-god-has-chosen-him-to-rule
    It’s paywalled.

    • cmbabul@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      No matter the outcome of the election, shit is gonna get messy as fuck when it’s done

      • bbuez@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        Michigander here, following our court’s most recent ruling on permitting him on the ballot, I’m honestly relieved there won’t be protests at the polls in regard to that, but its been fun thinking of a bingo card for 2024