What does it say about "white evangelicals" that this is the group that is most steadfastly sticking by Trump amidst a hemorrhaging of support from other groups? (It should be noted that the 68% itself seems to be down from the reported ~80% who voted for Trump.) COVID-19 has shone a spotlight on something that now affects every American viscerally - the mismanagement of a crisis that could have turned out differently. And other groups are finally becoming disillusioned. But ...not a supermajority of evangelicals, who are still "keeping the faith" with Trump!
I really think the answer is to be found, more than any one other place, in "The Trump Prophecy" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Trump_Prophecy). If anyone became convinced that Trump was basically anointed by God to be president against all the odds... that Trump's ascending to the office was not, like in 1 Samuel 8, a choice God's people made DESPITE God's will, but rather, a miracle from God Himself.. then of course such a person isn't going to be quick to let go of something that they saw God's hand in. Other groups who haven't sacralized support for Trump naturally aren't as invested. But for evangelicals to deny support for Trump would be to deny what has become an essential article of faith: that Trump is the savior of Christianity in America, sent by God Himself for such a time as this.
That, unfortunately, is the sticking power of a false prophecy believed, a lie uttered, whether recklessly or maliciously, in God's name and to which credence is given. It is exceptionally hard to dislodge. For this to happen, not only must the deceived acknowledge the truth, they must also acknowledge how deeply they were deceived. And no one likes to admit they were the chump who got taken for a ride. Especially when we had fair warning and it was all so avoidable (Matthew 24:4-5).
"Then I said: 'Ah, Lord GOD, behold, the prophets say to them, "You shall not see the sword, nor shall you have famine, but I will give you assured peace in this place."' And the LORD said to me: 'The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds. Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name although I did not send them, and who say, "Sword and famine shall not come upon this land": By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed. And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword, with none to bury them—them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their evil upon them."'" (Jeremiah 14:13-16).
For more commentary regarding these polling numbers, see here: https://www.pbs.org/…/shields-and-brooks-on-trumps-declinin…
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