This an article on the Republican Candidates religion beliefs. I am only copying a few names because the article is long.
Republican candidates and faith: What have we learned from the campaign? | Christian News on Christian Today
Republican candidates and faith: What have we learned from the campaign?
Donald Trump remains the most high-profile Republican candidate for the 2016 Presidential race. Many commentators expected him to have burned out by now but he is still in the race and polling well. But with this longevity has come increased scrutiny. Twice in the last couple of weeks he's been challenged on his faith.
While eyebrows have been raised at Trump's recent professions of deep faith, every candidate has touched on on spiritual matters during the camapign - some with more ease and experience than others. The way they answer questions about God can be vital to their success or failure as candidates.
In previous years antipathy towards Roman Catholics might have been an area of agreement among candidates. Now, several of the candidates themselves are Catholics, while there are a number of others of various Protestant denominations. But that hasn't prevented Republican-friendly media outlets from railing against Pope Francis during his visit. Instead of focusing on this, the candidates have been questioned on other faith related areas, such as Islam and the Bible. So are the leading contenders for the nomination likely to pass the 'faith test' on the potential road to the White House?
Donald Trump
Trump has frequently referred to the Bible as his favourite book. This may have seemed like a savvy move for his campaign, helping to attract the Christian base of the Republican Party alongside the more pro-business faction that is his natural home. There is only one problem. When he was asked to mention his favourite verse, he declined to do so, claiming it was a private matter. He was then given another softball question about the Bible and this time seemed to make up a verse in Proverbs that doesn't appear to exist. In the same interview, he managed to turn a question about who God is into an answer about how great he is at business deals.
Trump's latest pronouncement on faith saw him declare himself to be an evangelical Christian, saying, "I love them... I mean, I'm one of them, in a true sense. I'm Protestant. I'm Presbyterian."
Ben Carson
For some of the campaign so far Dr Carson has struggled to cut through in the large field of Republican candidates – despite not being a professional politician, and being the only African American candidate. But that has begun to change recently and he made headlines this week with his comments on Islam.Carson said, "I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that."
He has begun to row back from these comments slightly, saying, "If there's somebody who's of any faith, but they say things, and their life has been consistent with things that will elevate this nation and make it possible for everybody to succeed, and bring peace and harmony, then I'm with them." This has been the most significant faith intervention he has made in the campaign. Carson, a Seventh Day Adventist, when asked about God during one of the Republican debates instead chose to focus on race relations in America.
Jeb Bush
The latest member of the Bush dynasty to run for the top office has been vocal about his Catholic faith during the campaign. For example he recently wrote an op-ed for CNN describing how his beliefs have influenced him, "I have witnessed the power of God, through his church, to touch lives and transform the world – both on the world stage and in my own heart. The church has grounded me and my beliefs in a deep way of thinking about mercy, penance and the dignity and potential of every life, young and old, rich and poor, born and not yet born."
However, Bush's opinions on several policy matters seem to be at odds with Pope Francis. For example, on climate change, Bush said, "I hope I'm not going to get castigated for saying this by my priest back home. But I don't get my economic policy from my bishops or my cardinals or my pope... [religion] ought to be about making us better as people and less about things that end up getting into the political realm."
Not only is this an odd way to read Catholic social teaching, it was in stark contradiction to what he'd previously claimed... "As a public leader, one's faith should guide you. In the United States, many people think you need to keep your faith, put it in a security box, if you're an elected official – put it in a safety deposit box until you finish your service as a public servant and then you can go get it back. I never felt that was appropriate."
Republican candidates and faith: What have we learned from the campaign? | Christian News on Christian Today
Republican candidates and faith: What have we learned from the campaign?
Donald Trump remains the most high-profile Republican candidate for the 2016 Presidential race. Many commentators expected him to have burned out by now but he is still in the race and polling well. But with this longevity has come increased scrutiny. Twice in the last couple of weeks he's been challenged on his faith.
While eyebrows have been raised at Trump's recent professions of deep faith, every candidate has touched on on spiritual matters during the camapign - some with more ease and experience than others. The way they answer questions about God can be vital to their success or failure as candidates.
In previous years antipathy towards Roman Catholics might have been an area of agreement among candidates. Now, several of the candidates themselves are Catholics, while there are a number of others of various Protestant denominations. But that hasn't prevented Republican-friendly media outlets from railing against Pope Francis during his visit. Instead of focusing on this, the candidates have been questioned on other faith related areas, such as Islam and the Bible. So are the leading contenders for the nomination likely to pass the 'faith test' on the potential road to the White House?
Donald Trump
Trump has frequently referred to the Bible as his favourite book. This may have seemed like a savvy move for his campaign, helping to attract the Christian base of the Republican Party alongside the more pro-business faction that is his natural home. There is only one problem. When he was asked to mention his favourite verse, he declined to do so, claiming it was a private matter. He was then given another softball question about the Bible and this time seemed to make up a verse in Proverbs that doesn't appear to exist. In the same interview, he managed to turn a question about who God is into an answer about how great he is at business deals.
Trump's latest pronouncement on faith saw him declare himself to be an evangelical Christian, saying, "I love them... I mean, I'm one of them, in a true sense. I'm Protestant. I'm Presbyterian."
Ben Carson
For some of the campaign so far Dr Carson has struggled to cut through in the large field of Republican candidates – despite not being a professional politician, and being the only African American candidate. But that has begun to change recently and he made headlines this week with his comments on Islam.Carson said, "I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that."
He has begun to row back from these comments slightly, saying, "If there's somebody who's of any faith, but they say things, and their life has been consistent with things that will elevate this nation and make it possible for everybody to succeed, and bring peace and harmony, then I'm with them." This has been the most significant faith intervention he has made in the campaign. Carson, a Seventh Day Adventist, when asked about God during one of the Republican debates instead chose to focus on race relations in America.
Jeb Bush
The latest member of the Bush dynasty to run for the top office has been vocal about his Catholic faith during the campaign. For example he recently wrote an op-ed for CNN describing how his beliefs have influenced him, "I have witnessed the power of God, through his church, to touch lives and transform the world – both on the world stage and in my own heart. The church has grounded me and my beliefs in a deep way of thinking about mercy, penance and the dignity and potential of every life, young and old, rich and poor, born and not yet born."
However, Bush's opinions on several policy matters seem to be at odds with Pope Francis. For example, on climate change, Bush said, "I hope I'm not going to get castigated for saying this by my priest back home. But I don't get my economic policy from my bishops or my cardinals or my pope... [religion] ought to be about making us better as people and less about things that end up getting into the political realm."
Not only is this an odd way to read Catholic social teaching, it was in stark contradiction to what he'd previously claimed... "As a public leader, one's faith should guide you. In the United States, many people think you need to keep your faith, put it in a security box, if you're an elected official – put it in a safety deposit box until you finish your service as a public servant and then you can go get it back. I never felt that was appropriate."
