Why MAGA doesn't care about Trump's sins, one significant reason...

[DSandra]

The prosperity gospel. Basically the idea that Trump's wealth is a sign that he has been blessed by God. As thus, it doesn't matter how sinful Trump is, God has basically approved of him because he is wealthy.

It is along the lines of a type of interpretation of Calvinism's predestination that wealth is a sign that someone has salvation by God and that if they are poor, it is a sign that they have been damned by God. This is one of the underpinnings of the Puritan / Protestant Work Ethic.



"Three experts on religion discussed the relationship between theology, wealth, and President Donald Trump’s popularity among evangelicals on Monday evening at the Institute of Politics.

This panel, moderated by Shorestein Center Director Nicco Mele focused in particular on a religious belief termed “the prosperity gospel.” Popular among some American Protestants, the prosperity gospel is a concept which holds that material wealth and physical health are signs that an individual is favored by God.

Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church and Reverend Jonathan L. Walton, identifies the prosperity gospel as a belief which “hinges on the principles of sowing material goods and then reaping in return” and which involves “viewing the Bible as a contract between believers and God” that guarantees material security to the faithful."
- https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2017/10/24/trump-prosperity-gospel/

[Sector 001]

1. Religion

[homegirl]

9. The chosen are

DOMINIONISTS--chosen by God to have Dominion over the Earth and all creatures* on Earth.

Currently disguised as MAGA!

*that includes thee and me!

[DSandra]

2. More on the Prosperity Gospel, especially via televangelism

[RedWhiteBlueIsRacist]

3. I have news for them: Trump is a LOST GOSPEL.

He may have lots of dough, but he's not worth a shit. How do I know? Two Corinthians told me!

[NameAlreadyTaken]

4. He wasn't blessed by God,

he was blessed by his dad and then squandered it. Then spent the rest of his life screwing everyone else.

[Mariana]

19. Preach it to the Christians who elected him.

This time around, he got 63% of Protestants and 59% of Catholics.

[multigraincracker]

5. He is the poster boy for the 7 deadly sins.

Lust
Gluttony
Greed
Sloth
Wrath
Envy
Pride

Also fills the bill for the AntiChrist.

[JoseBalow]

6. Blessed be the prosperous, for they don't need to inherit anything

[SunSeeker]

7. WTF If that is what "Prosperity Gospel" is, then it contradicts the teachings of Jesus.

Matthew 19:23-26 King James Version (KJV):
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

[Keepthesoulalive]

10. There are always false prophets

And gullible people willing to follow them.

[JoseBalow]

13. And false messiahs

People make up and rationalize whatever nonsense they want to believe.

[UniqueUserName]

15. I agree with you 100%. But prosperity gospel devotees. . .

. . .will counter that the verse continues, ". . .but with God all things are possible."

Which morphs from possible to probable in their logic. See? God wants me to prosper by having you give me all your money, time and resources. . .

[SunSeeker]

25. That is not how the verse continues. The instruction is to forsake wealth. They are so delusional.

Why even bother with the Bible at this point? They're just making shit up.

Here is the full verse:

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

[UniqueUserName]

28. Bible discussions aren't particularly interesting to me

I've had way too much exposure in my life.

I think it's a fair argument that (26) " . . .with God all things are possible. . ." addresses the question of "Can a rich man be saved?"

And then Peter got a little bit jealous, the unsaid part being: "You mean I didn't have to give up everything?" ----sort of a Wha Wha cry. It seems to me one could say that Peter was saying, "You could've told me that before I gave away everything. . ."

But then Jesus tries to placate him by saying, "You'll get it all back in heaven, a hundredfold over. . ."

[SunSeeker]

29. Proseperity Gospel is not very interesting, for sure.

Such an interpretation does appear to comport with the lessons of the Bible. Peter was not "jealous" of wealth, he was asking what more he could do to get into heaven, not lamenting his forsaken wealth (which he did at Jesus' direction).

The lessons against seeking riches are legion in the Bible, for example:

1 Timothy 6 : 9 – “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”

159 more here such verses: https://www.videobible.com/bible-verses-about-greed#:~:text=1%20Timothy%206%3A9%20%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%9C,people%20into%20ruin%20and%20destruction.%E2%80%9D

Prosperity Gospel is basically idolatry (worship of wealth), with the insidious implication that if you are sick or poor, it is your fault and God is punishing you.

I too have had way too much exposure in my life. Those who push the Bible have always been the worst hypocrites in my experience. The atheists and agnostics in my life have proven to be much more decent human beings, who actually follow the Golden Rule, unlike the Christians I know.

[Maeve]

24. Yes, they already have their reward. They better hope there is no afterlife

[Kablooie]

8. Would that make Musk the messiah?

[Roy Rolling]

11. 100%

And the poor under that doctrine, resign themselves to fatalism. Their future hope is for world war that will fulfill their propaganda prophesy of an end of the world Armageddon.

If they can’t become rich, nobody should.

[C Moon]

12. I think it's hate. MAGA is built on hate.

They'll back anyone who lets them release their hate.

[Martin Eden]

14. This means that Ebeneezer Scrooge did NOT need to redeem himself

Charles Dickens got it all wrong.

So did Jesus, apparently.

[bluesbassman]

16. They never read the red letters in their Bibles.

Matthew 19: 23-24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

[ananda]

17. I think it's because he's a white male.

Period

[Liberal In Texas]

18. They believe the ends justify the means.

It doesn't matter if laws are broken, people get screwed or cheated. Because it is for the greater good that's all mixed up with religion and their philosophy that rich people are better and smarter than poor people.

[intheflow]

20. Y'all quoting the camel/needle passage is good, but this one is better:

“Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are?”
Matthew 6:26

Human worth in inherent, it has nothing to do with worldly wealth.

[Cairycat]

21. His wealth is a sham,

Just like he is.

[DSandra]

22. Fake it till you make it is actually a lucrative strategy in America

Conartists use it. Pretend to be rich and successful and people will make you rich.

[RANDYWILDMAN]

23. Weak sauce

that idea is

[spooky3]

26. "He's a snake, but he's MY snake." Nt

[mucifer]

27. It seemed that in the past the sinning republicans needed to "repent". trump never repents. It's so effed up.

he doesn't even need to fake it like the others did.

[ThoughtCriminal]

30. They want to get away with the same sins

Lie, steal, cheat, adultery, sloth, every sin. They think that with Trump in charge, they too will be able to get away with the same shit. It's why they worship him.