NPR: Many Evangelicals Are In 'An Awkward Place' With Trump Atop GOP [View all]

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Many Evangelicals Are In 'An Awkward Place' With Trump Atop GOP

May 16, 20163:59 AM ET
Heard on Morning Edition
SARAH MCCAMMON

Donald Trump likes to tout his popularity among conservative Christians, who make up a key voting base within the Republican Party. But even with Trump as the de facto nominee, some evangelicals say they're unsure about voting for him — as a matter of conscience.

At Fort Des Moines Church of Christ, a sign on the front lawn reads, "Abortion is America's Holocaust." Inside, after a rehearsal for Sunday's service, Pastor Mike Demastus sat down to talk about the state of the presidential race. He describes Trump as "morally loathsome."

Demastus had backed Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who won the Iowa Caucuses thanks in large part to evangelical support — but in the end, it wasn't enough for the nomination.

"We came up with the worst possible candidate out of all of the choices that we had," Demastus says. "He's the worst."

Even though Cruz has dropped out, Demastus says he plans to write him in come November. Demastus is troubled by Trump's shifting positions on several policy issues. And he's disturbed by a statement Trump made months ago in Iowa, when a pollster asked if he's ever sought God's forgiveness — and Trump said he hadn't.

"He's a reprehensible man. I would classify him as a wicked man," Demastus says.

For Demastus, Trump is no better than likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. He's not alone. While it's true that the real estate developer has picked up substantial support among white voters who describe themselves as evangelical, polling suggests Trump is less popular among those who attend church regularly.

More: http://www.npr.org/2016/05/16/478176365/many-evangelicals-are-in-an-awkward-place-with-trump-atop-gop