Trump asks crowd if he should eject non-Christians from Iowa rally.

In a concerning bit of overt religious bigotry GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump threatened to eject non-Christians from a campaign rally held in Council Bluffs, Iowa, earlier today.

Trump, bragging about his support from evangelical Christians, asked the conservative Christians in the crowd to raise their hand, declaring:

Raise your hand, Christian conservatives everybody.

The command was answered with cheers and raised arms. Then Trump’s tone took a more ominous turn. He continued:

Raise your hand if you’re not a Christian conservative. I want to see this, right. Oh, there’s a couple people, but that’s all right. I think we’ll keep them, right? Should we keep them in the room? Yes? I think so.

Trump seemed surprised to find non-Christians at his political rally. And while the whole thing was supposedly a “joke,” it is easy to understand how non-Christians would be uncomfortable with such “joking.”

Trump’s comments were immediately condemned on social media.

In a statement, Ibrahim Hooper, national communications director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Trump’s comments were disturbing. Hopper said:

Given Mr. Trump’s history of targeting religious and ethnic minorities, it is disturbing that he would single out non-Christians during his rally in Iowa. It is clear that his vision of America is one of division and exclusion, not unity and acceptance.

Trump’s “joke” is concerning. Indeed, his rhetoric on the campaign trail frequently promotes something like Christian theocracy.

Last summer, while speaking at the Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority conference, Trump promised to “restore faith to its proper mantle” in U.S. society, while making a not so subtle pitch for Christian theocracy. Pandering to the evangelical audience, Trump said:

We will respect and defend Christian Americans.

For emphasis, and clarity, Trump repeated:

Christian Americans.

Trump told members of the Faith & Freedom Coalition:

We will restore faith to its proper mantle in our society. That’s what we have to do. And we have to do that soon. (Applause) We will respect and defend Christian Americans. Christian Americans. We will give parents control over their schools. So important. We’ll uphold the values our founders gave us, which we’re not doing now. (Applause) …. People who go to church, who work and work in religious charities and so forth and share their values, these are the foundations of our society. We will restore respect for people of faith who dutifully raise their children, follow our laws and rules…

Bottom line: In Trump’s America, non-Christians will be second-class citizens.

“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” – Unknown

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