Trump Posts AI Image of Himself as Pope on Truth Social

[Michie]

There's no mountain, it is just a stupid joke but the president isn't above criticism for making a stupid joke, right?

How is it a bad comparison? It would break the rules here because it is in poor taste and makes light of something that is very serious to a lot of people of faith. Maybe you're personally ok with that but in general, this isn't acceptable behavior from a rebellious teenager, much less from the President of the United States.

Why do you think it's ok for the President to act this way? Wouldn't you expect something more dignified than this?

Sure, that's what all the other threads are for but this one is interesting because of what it highlights in a lot of these Trump threads where there seems to be some inability by some, not necesarilly you, but some here to criticize Trump even for the most obvious things like this dumb joke here. No one is saying he should be impeached over this or anything like that but it's interestin to see Christians and even Catholics take this specific joke so lightly in such recent time since the passing of Pope Francis. I would think a venerated Christian leader such as him would deserve a little more respect than this.

He was not mocking the late pope. What drew me to this thread was the sudden defense of the Church and the pope by people that have criticized the Church and religion in general. It suddenly became convenient to do so because Trump. It was fascinating to see. But I have already explained myself in this thread quite clearly. It was just plain amusing.

 

[Landon Caeli]

We don’t act like Muslim terrorists, as some seem to expect. This appeal to violence and conflict is beneath us.

 

[Landon Caeli]

No, Landon, this was a totally uncool thing to say.

Your reaction to Trump's post.

I am not a Christian. There is much I find wrong with the Catholic Church, but Pope Francis was a good man and Trump's obscene post was an insult to a good man, to millions of Catholics and should be seen as an affront to dignity by anyone with an ounce of compassion and decency.

So you actually *want* Catholics to get mad.... Do you want us to stay mad?

...Why?

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Despite your misinformed views to the contrary, the church has been growing non-stop for 2000 years, includes a third of the planet in its membership, and shows no sign of slowing down.

Trump is trying to attach himself to the winning team.

Where is this growth taking place?

About Three-in-Ten U.S. Adults Are Now Religiously Unaffiliated

Self-identified Christians make up 63% of the U.S. population in 2021, down from 75% a decade ago.

www.pewresearch.org

It would appear that within a US context, it's on the decline. (same is true in Canada and Europe)

So is this "overall growth" you're referring to in the form of perhaps missionary work and converting people in other countries? (in which case, it's not of much noteworthy political advantage here -- having an increased number of Protestants and Catholics in places like Asia, Africa, and South America don't translate into votes for either political candidate here in the US)

 

[durangodawood]

So? I found the sudden interest in the Church and its defense fascinating. You guys love this stuff. Enjoy!

Its not about the Church for me. Its about the appalling state of the US presidency.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Where is this growth taking place?

About Three-in-Ten U.S. Adults Are Now Religiously Unaffiliated

Self-identified Christians make up 63% of the U.S. population in 2021, down from 75% a decade ago.

www.pewresearch.org

View attachment 364506


It would appear that within a US context, it's on the decline. (same is true in Canada and Europe)

So is this "overall growth" you're referring to in the form of perhaps missionary work and converting people in other countries? (in which case, it's not of much noteworthy political advantage here -- having an increased number of Protestants and Catholics in places like Asia, Africa, and South America don't translate into votes for either political candidate here in the US)

I would have thought that me becoming a Catholic in 2023 would have reversed the downward trend.

 

[durangodawood]

I would have thought that me becoming a Catholic in 2023 would have reversed the downward trend.

Id like to think Im a powerful influencer too. But 15 people reading my stuff at CF has so far failed to move the needle.

 

[Ophiolite]

So you actually *want* Catholics to get mad.... Do you want us to stay mad?

...Why?

I have no idea how you could reach that conclusion from my post. I would like people to treat Trump's posting of himself, posing as a pope, with the disdain and contempt it deserves. I would prefer people not be amused by it, as you declare yourself to be, but to be appalled and disgusted. And if you feel that being appalled and disgusted is the equivalent of getting mad (and equivalence I do not agree to) then I should like everyone to get mad at it. The alternative represents support for the act and an abandonment of common decency.

I've answered your question, now please answer mine. Why does it amuse you? Perhaps your amusement is your way of expressing contempt for Trump's action, in which case we are arguing the same position.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Id like to think Im a powerful influencer too. But 15 people reading my stuff at CF has so far failed to move the needle.

Waoah, wait, you have 15??!! I only have 8!! (And that includes three relatives and four socks puppets).

 

[Ophiolite]

So? I found the sudden interest in the Church and its defense fascinating. You guys love this stuff. Enjoy!

Michie, it is not about an interest in the Church, it is about an individual who is in the position often described as The Leader of the Free World, posting a disrespectful image that trivialises an individual, recently deceased, in a egotistical and inappropriate manner. I expect more of my leaders and, based upon the kindness you showed me on a personal matter several months ago, I expected considerably more from you.

 

[Landon Caeli]

Waoah, wait, you have 15??!! I only have 8!! (And that includes three relatives and four socks puppets).

I'm that one guy Aryeh... It's me.

Best buds 4 eva...

 

[Aryeh Jay]

I'm that one guy Aryeh... It's me.

Best buds 4-eva...

I knew it all along.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

What makes you say it’s unimportant that the President of the United States is taking time to publicly mock the spiritual leader of millions of faithful Catholics? I think that’s very important. If someone were to post a similar meme here on CF they’d rightly have their post taken down and receive a warning or staff action for being so disrespectful towards the Catholic members on this forum.

With regards to the "importance" aspect...

How I've been reading it (both here and it other places where it's being debated), is that it's not so much about how Catholics would receive it...precisely the opposite. It's how a lot of the secular non-Catholics are pretending to find it offensive that are driving GOP/Catholics to downplay it.

It's something I've actually critiqued some on the progressive wing about before... This "love/hate" relationship with spiritual leaders that's largely contingent on how much said leader is agreeing or disagreeing with their political rivals.


For instance, when a Pope makes a statement about abortion or LGBT issues that aligns with the GOP, the response from some progressives is "Why should we care about what a guy in a funny hat, 4000 miles away, says? Religion shouldn't be influencing politics anyway"

When a pope makes a statement about healthcare or immigration that cuts against the GOP platform, then all of the sudden the Pope's opinion becomes "worth noting".


In a way, Popes are often used as political pawns in that regard. Used as a mechanism to attempt to box political rivals into a corner by throwing it in their face that one of their leaders said something that goes against one of their political positions.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Its not about the Church for me. Its about the appalling state of the US presidency.

I thought Clinton bringing his personal problems into the Oval Office was appalling. But at least he was ashamed of it.
Trump is proud and public. The puerile prank of a photo was intentionally posted by him at a time when Catholics are in grief. As a Catholic I could probably look past it. But in the context of his public history and what he is doing to the country and to the world, I find it especially disturbing.

 

[Michie]

Michie, it is not about an interest in the Church, it is about an individual who is in the position often described as The Leader of the Free World, posting a disrespectful image that trivialises an individual, recently deceased, in a egotistical and inappropriate manner. I expect more of my leaders and, based upon the kindness you showed me on a personal matter several months ago, I expected considerably more from you.

So you are telling me I should be upset by a poor joke? No, I see no reason to be upset about it after researching it from about every angle possible. Should he have done it? No. But is it mocking? No I don’t believe it is. There has been plenty of mean spirited mocking towards the Church from the papacy on down that was never acknowledged before. This does not even leave a mark as far as I’m concerned compared to that. It’s all about who did it. It’s obvious. Wrong is wrong across the board as far as actually disrespecting and mocking the Church. You can’t just pick one incident and suddenly be a defender of the Church because you don’t like the guy who did it. It’s hypocritical.

 

[Landon Caeli]

I have no idea how you could reach that conclusion from my post. I would like people to treat Trump's posting of himself, posing as a pope, with the disdain and contempt it deserves. I would prefer people not be amused by it, as you declare yourself to be, but to be appalled and disgusted. And if you feel that being appalled and disgusted is the equivalent of getting mad (and equivalence I do not agree to) then I should like everyone to get mad at it. The alternative represents support for the act and an abandonment of common decency.

I've answered your question, now please answer mine. Why does it amuse you? Perhaps your amusement is your way of expressing contempt for Trump's action, in which case we are arguing the same position.

In honesty, I'll tell you the answer to your question. I hate political correctness, and I hate seriousness to the point of perfectionism. Sure, I try and do my best in life, but when people take it to a level of discourse that causes conflict, it goes against my conscience. I feel like the Democratic Party has shifted toward a harsh movement that uses the law to push it's strict agenda, when all I want is freedom and peace.

I dont like troublemakers, and Trump represents the force that attacks the very things I hate - so I support what he does.

In this case, making fun of the Church is good for the Church. Other religious people, particularly the Muslims, should follow our lead on how to handle things like this, and stop acting up like entitled brats.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Waoah, wait, you have 15??!! I only have 8!! (And that includes three relatives and four socks puppets).

You mean followers? I have 3, practically off the radar.

 

[durangodawood]

Waoah, wait, you have 15??!! I only have 8!! (And that includes three relatives and four socks puppets).

Its just a guess at how many people look at my words. All my actual "followers" are long gone from CF. I hope I didnt drive them away.

 

[Ophiolite]

So you are telling me I should be upset by a poor joke? No, I see no reason to be upset about it after researching it from about every angle possible. Should he have done it? No. But is it mocking? No I don’t believe it is. There has been plenty of mean spirited mocking towards the Church from the papacy on down that was never acknowledged before. This does not even leave a mark as far as I’m concerned compared to that. It’s all about who did it. It’s obvious. Wrong is wrong across the board as far as actually disrespecting and mocking the Church. You can’t just pick one incident and suddenly be a defender of the Church because you don’t like the guy who did it. It’s hypocritical.

Good taste, forum rules and my past gratitude to you all inhibit any response other than to say I regret that you implicitly find my remarks hypocritical.

 

[Michie]

Good taste, forum rules and my past gratitude to you all inhibit any response other than to say I regret that you implicitly find my remarks hypocritical.

I did not call you out. I find the behavior quite hypocritical from those that themselves have criticized the Church in often very poor taste in the past. Now they are suddenly offended by this silly stunt of Trumps? Sorry. I’m just being honest here.