Charismatic figure? Maybe for the diehard MAGA followers, which is a minority of the electorate. Hang on to his every word? I can't make out his word salad.
He's a dangerous lunatic in control of a nuclear arsenal. Of course people pay attention to what he says and does.
This - 1000 times this.
If he was simply still a TV show host, I'd pay as much attention to him as I do to Alan Sugar.
As it is trump is threatening us all.
Until recently, I have ignored all news and switched off the orange toddler. But lately it's become more frightening than ever.
All the same, I must learn to switch off again. Enough people talk about it to keep me up to date, without me having to watch and listen to such utter carnage mixed with drivvle.
The point has been made - many times - that 'the AntiChrist' is supposed to be an attractive figure. That can hardly be said of Trump...
You'll likely have a difficult time finding a scriptural reference to back up your supposition. Charismatic- yes-- Physically attractive? no where in scripture. Stop reading the Left Behind series.
Trump is certainly a charismatic leader. Even those who despise him hang on his every word as evidenced right here in this thread.
Yes, perhaps I should have used the word charismatic...
He was quite hypnotic and had the ability to manipulate audience emotions, starting speeches quietly before building to a screaming crescendo.
Nazi propaganda cultivated an image of a "saviour" who was both an ordinary man and a heroic figure destined to make Germany great again.
All the same, many observers did not find him charismatic at all, and his rise was also heavily dependent on the use of terror, propaganda, and the deliberate manufacturing of a cult of personality.
Serious attempts to defend Trump go in Purgatory, should there be such a thing.
A "Trump is the antichrist" could hardly be considered any kind of attempt at defending Trump. I don't understand your point. "Serious" question-- where would such a thread be best placed?
-He's boastful
-He survived a serious head wound
-He rides around in 'The Beast'
-He calls down fire from the sky
-The whole world follows after him.
These are just off the top of my head. We could certainly go down the rabbit hole.
"Survived a serious head wound"? A nicked ear?
The car that protects the American president from Americans was called The Beast long before trump.
BTW, I get confused with all the End Times stuff. If the Trumpians want to bring about Armageddon etc., shouldn't The Rapture occur first? And, if so, why are they still here?
Serious attempts to defend Trump go in Purgatory, should there be such a thing.
A "Trump is the antichrist" could hardly be considered any kind of attempt at defending Trump. I don't understand your point.
You were criticized for not engaging in this thread. His point was that this is a Hell thread. It exists for venting; serious engagement isn’t necessary and posters are under no obligation of any kind to mount any sorts of defenses.
Serious discussion, including engagement or defenses of Trump, belongs in Purgatory, not Hell.
In that case, you'll have to forgive me for not paying any attention to criticism here. I'll initiate a thread to seriously discuss the topic in Purgatory, thx.
That would be splendid - I would refer you to my request for a list. See you in Purg!
BTW, I get confused with all the End Times stuff. If the Trumpians want to bring about Armageddon etc., shouldn't The Rapture occur first? And, if so, why are they still here?
Can't speak to Trump's beliefs. He says he is not a Christian. The closest I can come to him is Hegseth. Hegseth identifies as a Christian Nationalist. CNs do not believe in a Rapture per se. They are post millennial. While they do not use the term Armageddon, they do believe there will be a final battle when good triumphs over evil and Christ will finally establish the kingdom on this earth.
I think Hegseth believes this war is part of that final battle. Is it the absolute final battle? Hard to say.
To the point of Trump being the antichrist, I have equated him with Satan, but scripturally, the antichrist comes from within the church. It appears whenever the Gospel is impeded. There have been several events throughout the church's history where people may say the antichrist has appeared. However, since Trump is not from within the church, I cannot point to him as an antichrist.
The point has been made - many times - that 'the AntiChrist' is supposed to be an attractive figure. That can hardly be said of Trump...
Even charisma isn't necessary to be an/the Antichrist. Power and threats work just as well. Get into power by some fluke and the whole thing easily becomes self-perpetuating.
To the point of Trump being the antichrist, I have equated him with Satan, but scripturally, the antichrist comes from within the church. It appears whenever the Gospel is impeded. There have been several events throughout the church's history where people may say the antichrist has appeared. However, since Trump is not from within the church, I cannot point to him as an antichrist.
God forgive us, but enough of the American churches supported him, especially at the beginning before his character became, er, clearer,* that I don't think we can rule him out on this ground.
* Not that anyone paying attention shouldn't have been worried from the start.
Do the Trumpian churches still see him as Saviour and Lord? Very little is heard about them on this side of the Pond, though I may have missed some reporting.
Do the Trumpian churches still see him as Saviour and Lord? Very little is heard about them on this side of the Pond, though I may have missed some reporting.
It prob'ly depends what you define as a "Trumpian church". Conservative Catholics who like his stance on abortion etc? They almost certainly never considered him Saviour and Lord in the first place, just a useful and possibly likable politician to advance their agenda.
OTOH, Paula White, who said of Trump "This is my son, in whom I am well pleased"? Yeah, she probably considers him to be something other than just an ordinary everyday human being.
As for hanging on Trump‘s every word, he is not only the president of the United States, but he is also willing to enact executive orders on a whim, so being aware of what he says is unfortunately necessary, like looking at weather patterns to see where the next catastrophe might strike.
Comments
He's a dangerous lunatic in control of a nuclear arsenal. Of course people pay attention to what he says and does.
This - 1000 times this.
If he was simply still a TV show host, I'd pay as much attention to him as I do to Alan Sugar.
As it is trump is threatening us all.
Until recently, I have ignored all news and switched off the orange toddler. But lately it's become more frightening than ever.
All the same, I must learn to switch off again. Enough people talk about it to keep me up to date, without me having to watch and listen to such utter carnage mixed with drivvle.
Yes, perhaps I should have used the word charismatic...
I bow to your better knowledge of the Bible.
He was quite hypnotic and had the ability to manipulate audience emotions, starting speeches quietly before building to a screaming crescendo.
Nazi propaganda cultivated an image of a "saviour" who was both an ordinary man and a heroic figure destined to make Germany great again.
All the same, many observers did not find him charismatic at all, and his rise was also heavily dependent on the use of terror, propaganda, and the deliberate manufacturing of a cult of personality.
So many parallels.
(With apologies to Goodwin.)
"Survived a serious head wound"? A nicked ear?
The car that protects the American president from Americans was called The Beast long before trump.
That would be splendid - I would refer you to my request for a list. See you in Purg!
Can't speak to Trump's beliefs. He says he is not a Christian. The closest I can come to him is Hegseth. Hegseth identifies as a Christian Nationalist. CNs do not believe in a Rapture per se. They are post millennial. While they do not use the term Armageddon, they do believe there will be a final battle when good triumphs over evil and Christ will finally establish the kingdom on this earth.
I think Hegseth believes this war is part of that final battle. Is it the absolute final battle? Hard to say.
To the point of Trump being the antichrist, I have equated him with Satan, but scripturally, the antichrist comes from within the church. It appears whenever the Gospel is impeded. There have been several events throughout the church's history where people may say the antichrist has appeared. However, since Trump is not from within the church, I cannot point to him as an antichrist.
Even charisma isn't necessary to be an/the Antichrist. Power and threats work just as well. Get into power by some fluke and the whole thing easily becomes self-perpetuating.
God forgive us, but enough of the American churches supported him, especially at the beginning before his character became, er, clearer,* that I don't think we can rule him out on this ground.
* Not that anyone paying attention shouldn't have been worried from the start.
It prob'ly depends what you define as a "Trumpian church". Conservative Catholics who like his stance on abortion etc? They almost certainly never considered him Saviour and Lord in the first place, just a useful and possibly likable politician to advance their agenda.
OTOH, Paula White, who said of Trump "This is my son, in whom I am well pleased"? Yeah, she probably considers him to be something other than just an ordinary everyday human being.
Common ground! On this, perhaps only this, we can agree.
Damn, damn, I'm washing my hair that day!
I hope it holds off; my birthday is just after.