Is there a ‘Trump effect’ on public morality?

[rug]

By David Gibson | 4 hours ago

(RNS) Americans, and white evangelical Christians in particular, have often distinguished themselves from their cynical Old World cousins by maintaining a high bar for the personal moral behavior of their elected officials.

They also tended to link such rectitude to the ability to carry out their public duties effectively.

But whether it is the ugly language and behavior often displayed by Republican candidate Donald Trump, or some other factor, U.S. voters — especially those same evangelicals — appear to have vanquished their inner Puritan and are now far more accepting of sinning politicians.

That’s the upshot of a survey released Wednesday (Oct. 19) showing 61 percent of Americans now say that “immoral personal behavior does not preclude public officials from carrying out their public or professional duties with honesty and integrity.”



http://religionnews.com/2016/10/19/is-there-a-trump-effect-on-public-morality/

http://www.prri.org/research/prri-brookings-october-19-2016-presidential-election-horserace-clinton-trump/

[TygrBright]

1. They're reporting the study question inaccurately, though...

The question that most of the survey participants actually READ (comprehended, anyway,) was:

“Immoral personal behavior does not preclude public officials from carrying out their public or professional duties with honesty and integrity if the official is a Republican.”

If the official in question happens to be a Democrat, their "immoral personal behavior" continues to be a complete and immediate disqualification from holding public office.

clarificationally,
Bright

[rug]

2. Excellent clarification.

[AmericanActivist]

4. You're right, They have a double standard. nm

[AmericanActivist]

3. Morality encompasses moral conduct which is a virtue.

Being of good moral character. There is a program for school children called "character counts" and it teaches the pillars of character; among these pillars are trustworthiness and respect. Donald Trump is devoid of any of these virtues.

There is a Bible verse that says, "...and by their fruits ye shall know them" and another that describes the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It is interesting this "Trump effect" that indicates rationalization and justification is used to support someone with such a gaping lack of character. Apparently, this "Trump effect" has lowered the bar for acceptable behavior.

I am not bothered by imperfect politicians because they are human and all humans are imperfect. What really bothers me is hypocrisy and many so called "Christians" today are akin to the Pharisees that lived long ago.

Character and moral conduct are requirements in my book. Even those of us who strive for these ideals and fail are doing vastly better than Donald Trump and his ilk.

[Brettongarcia]

5. Clearly white evangelicals now embrace politics over biblical morality