Christian forgiveness for Trump?

Evangelical leaders—who once quizzed Republican presidential candidates on whether they use the weasel word gaming to described gambling, seem to be getting less picky about candidates.

In Donald Trump's case, they're talking about overlooking his involvement with gambling, whatever word he uses to describe it.

Family Research Council leader Tony Perkins told Christian Broadcasting Network reporter David Brody, “Given Donald Trump's background in the gambling industry and his flamboyancy, one would not think he would be a fit with Evangelical voters. However, given the wide open field of candidates, strong statements that Trump has recently made on core social issues combined with an overarching desire to see a new occupant in the White House, he may find support among social conservatives.”

Former Christian Coalition director Ralph Reed said, “There is a nascent and growing curiosity in the faith community about Trump. Evangelicals will like his pro-life and pro-marriage stances, combined with his business record and high-wattage celebrity all but guarantee he will get a close look from social conservatives as well as other Republican primary voters.”

Some readers disagreed and posted comments like this on Brody's site:

“His casino operations have filed bankruptcy—twice. … He profited from both of these bankruptcies, but I'm not sure that's the kind of business savvy we want. Especially from running casinos.”

“All I've heard from Donald Trump is Obama bashing, racial slurs. I wouldn't vote for him and don't see why any Christian would. He never talks about issues.”

Southern Baptist Convention vice president Daniel Darling wrote on his website, “How is it possible that some conservative Christians are getting behind a man who made his money off of gambling interests, who has treated his wives like disposable property, and has made a career of narcissism and greed? … Supporting someone like Donald Trump simply because he is ‘wearing the jersey' is a kind of blind loyalty reserved only for sports fandom, not for choosing the most important leadership position in the world.”

World Religion News wrote of Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore, “Moore pointed out Trump's personal issues like being divorced twice, a man linked with casinos and gambling, being aggressive to Mexican migrants, and was even [Trump] unconcerned with the fate of the Christian missionaries who contracted Ebola due to their work.”