Did the Pope torpedo Trump?

[Skwim]

"Pope Francis Suggests Donald Trump Is ‘Not Christian’

ABOARD THE PAPAL AIRLINER — Inserting himself into the Republican presidential race, Pope Francis on Wednesday suggested that Donald J. Trump “is not Christian” because of the harshness of his campaign promises to deport more immigrants and force Mexico to pay for a wall along the border.
source​

And why would this matter? Because the pope has tremendous influence over Catholics. So what? Well, Catholics constitute 21% of the Republican Party, which is a sizable number, and I don't think any candidate can afford to loose their support.

source​

 

[metis]

No, I think the Pope helped Trump, especially in the South.

 

[Revoltingest]

Of the few Catholics I know (the ones who haven't become atheists yet), they don't put that much stock in the Pope's proclamations.
But it could have a big effect, since elections are won by fighting over the 1% in the middle.

 

[Skwim]

No, I think the Pope helped Trump, especially in the South.

In what way?

 

[columbus]

ABOARD THE PAPAL AIRLINER — Inserting himself into the Republican presidential race, Pope Francis on Wednesday suggested that Donald J. Trump “is not Christian”

I don't think that this actually happened. I don't speak Mexican, so maybe I am missing something.

The story I get is quite different. A reporter asks, "Donald Trump wants to build a wall across the USA-Mexican border. (This is during an impromptu press opportunity in northern Mexico.) What do you think? ". The pope replied, "I don't know anything about Mr Trump's policies. But Christians build bridges, not walls."
The rest appears to be Republican spin.
And frankly, Catholics are not particularly inclined to do what they're told by the pope. Their rates of birth control usage and support of gay marriage are not that different from the USA norms. The Pope's big deal encyclical, Laudato Si, hasn't made huge waves either.

This is apparently a bigger deal to Trump supporters than most Catholics.
Tom

 

[Skwim]

I don't think that this actually happened. I don't speak Mexican, so maybe I am missing something.

The story I get is quite different. A reporter asks, "Donald Trump wants to build a wall across the USA-Mexican border. (This is during an impromptu press opportunity in northern Mexico.) What do you think? ". The pope replied, "I don't know anything about Mr Trump's policies. But Christians build bridges, not walls."

Here's the logic

No Christian builds walls
Trump builds walls (the implied future action)
______________________________
No Trump is a Christian (or, Trump is not a Christian)
​

The rest appears to be Republican spin.
And frankly, Catholics are not particularly inclined to do what they're told by the pope. Their rates of birth control usage and support of gay marriage are not that different from the USA norms. The Pope's big deal encyclical, Laudato Si, hasn't made huge waves either.

This is apparently a bigger deal to Trump supporters than most Catholics.
Tom

I suggest you watch the video in the link I provided where the Pope says. “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian,” Think he was talking about the Russians and the Berlin wall or Quin Shi Huang and the Great Wall of China?

 

[columbus]

Here's the logic

No Christian builds walls
Trump builds walls (the implied future action)
______________________________
No Trump is a Christian (or, Trump is not a Christian)

So it really is about spin. What the Pope said is not the point. The point is what you think he meant, despite the Pope specifically says, "I don't know about Trump, I know about Jesus".
Is that about right?
Tom

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I'm still surprised people aren't roasting him over having not asked god for forgiveness of his sins. That's a pretty big part of Christian ideology, especially non-Catholics and Orthodox.
As for what the Pope did say, I don't think it'll make that big of a difference for those who have already made up their mind about Trump.

 

[Sultan Of Swing]

"Pope Francis Suggests Donald Trump Is ‘Not Christian’

ABOARD THE PAPAL AIRLINER — Inserting himself into the Republican presidential race, Pope Francis on Wednesday suggested that Donald J. Trump “is not Christian” because of the harshness of his campaign promises to deport more immigrants and force Mexico to pay for a wall along the border.
source​

And why would this matter? Because the pope has tremendous influence over Catholics. So what? Well, Catholics constitute 21% of the Republican Party, which is a sizable number, and I don't think any candidate can afford to loose their support.

source​

Many Republican Catholics (I don't have exact numbers) are unhappy with the current 'liberal' Pope, and I believe his comments will overall help Trump not hinder him, especially given the justification was about building walls, which was a bit silly, and will only anger Republican Catholics more because it makes it appear as if the Pope is condemning anyone as un-Christian who wants more border security and harsher laws against immigration.

 

[buddhist]

Here's the logic

No Christian builds walls
Trump builds walls (the implied future action)
______________________________
No Trump is a Christian (or, Trump is not a Christian) ...​

Therefore the Pope and his god are not Christians either (since they build walls).​

 

[RRex]

If people are smart they will make their own judgments about people based on their own experience instead of relying on the opinion of an old man with an agenda.

 

[Nietzsche]

In what way?

Lots of "anti-Papist" **** still going on around here.

 

[Skwim]

So it really is about spin. What the Pope said is not the point. The point is what you think he meant, despite the Pope specifically says, "I don't know about Trump, I know about Jesus".
Is that about right?
Tom

Okay, explain this spin you're seeing. The pope admits he doesn't know what Trump's policies are but he does know that Trump said he wants to put up a wall to keep Mexicans from illegally entering the USA. This isn't quantum physics.

 

[Baladas]

"Did the Pope torpedo Trump?"
Part of me wishes he had done so, literally.

At any rate, some will listen to the pope, some will be more inclined to support Trump.
Others won't be affect much, or at all by this.
Time will tell.

 

[columbus]

Okay, explain this spin you're seeing. The pope admits he doesn't know what Trump's policies are but he does know that Trump said he wants to put up a wall to keep Mexicans from illegally entering the USA. This isn't quantum physics.

OK.
Did the Pope say that Donald Trump is not a Christian?
It is a yes or no question. The question is not what might the Pope have meant.
Did the Pope say that Donald Trump is not a Christian?
Tom

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Lots of "anti-Papist" **** still going on around here.

Exactly. Outside of haters and Catholics, the only people who really ever hear what the Pope is saying are those who keep up with events (which isn't that many in America), and those he pisses off with his words. And because Catholics are statistically one of the most likely groups to deviate from their religious dogma, it's not like what he says is really going to have a major impact. Even if Fox News covers it, I doubt it will have an influence.

 

[fantome profane]

This will have little impact.

But sometimes when your are close to the edge a little impact can make a lot of difference.

 

[Mycroft]

I would have thought it fairly obvious that Trump is not a christian. But I agree with @fantome profane. It won't make a difference. His supporters don't vote for him because he's a christian, they vote for him because they share in his bigotry.

 

[Mycroft]

"Did the Pope torpedo Trump?"
Part of me wishes he had done so, literally.

I hereby invoke the 34th rule of the Internet.

 

[fantome profane]

I would have thought it fairly obvious that Trump is not a christian. But I agree with @fantome profane. It won't make a difference. His supporters don't vote for him because he's a christian, they vote for him because they share in his bigotry.

Thank you for agreeing with me, but I am not sure you understood me.