The rise of the religious left

[MugenOne]

Which political party’s members are most likely to believe that Jesus will definitely return to earth before midcentury? The Republicans, right? Wrong. The Democrats.

This was revealed by a report issued last week by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.

On the surface it may seem surprising, but, in fact, it’s quite logical. Blacks and Hispanics, two highly religious groups, are a growing part of the Democratic Party. A June 2009 Gallup report found that blacks and Hispanics constituted 30 percent of the party. Recent polling by Pew puts the number at 37 percent.

According to a Gallup report issued last Friday, church attendance among blacks is exactly the same as among conservatives and among Republicans. Hispanics closely follow. Furthermore, a February Gallup report found that blacks and Hispanics, respectively, were the most likely to say that religion was an important part of their daily lives. In fact, on the Jesus question, nonwhite Democrats were roughly twice as likely as white Democrats to believe that He would return to earth by 2050.

Add to this the fact that, according to the 2009 Gallup report, 20 percent of the Democratic Party is composed of highly religious whites who attend church once a week or more, and you quickly stop second-guessing the Second Coming numbers.

Welcome to the Religious Left, which will continue to grow as the percentage of minorities in the country and in the party grows.

People often ask whether the Republican Party will have to move to the left to remain viable. However, the question rarely asked is whether the growing religiosity on the left will push the Democrats toward the right.

nytimes.com/2010/07/03/opinion/03blow.html

This is no rise of the religious left. The numbers who identify themselves as conservative are double that of the liberals. The numbers are steadily rising.
%between%

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I’m confused.

 

[curlycool89]

Which political party’s members are most likely to believe that Jesus will definitely return to earth before midcentury? The Republicans, right? Wrong. The Democrats.

Does that mean that Republicans are smarter then?

Seriously though, before 2050? Sounds more like JWs and Adventists. I think it’s very unlikely that Jesus returns before the end of this century.

 

[1sicht]

Mugen, both of the groups you mentioned are BIG on welfare, so that in itself cancels out any substantive “move to the right.”

 

[seagal]

Not to sound beligerent or anything, but what makes you think that Jesus’ second has anything to do with American politics?

 

[DawnInTexas]

There is a “Lawless One” who is coming. The world is preparing-now.

The essence of Relativism is in the air.

You will be able to recognize the “New Age Religion” due to the absence of God (for those with Spiritual Eyes to See). A false, Godless man-made Peace that will not last (since it is absent God).

Mark Mallett-Dream of the Lawless One

Mark Mallett-Pope Benedict and the End of the World

Mark Mallet-Deluge of False Prophets

The sheep know their Shepherd’s Voice, and He, His sheep.

God Bless.
+Jesus, I Trust In You.
Love, Dawn

 

[TheTrueCentrist]

I always found the religious right concept somewhat discordant. Conservatism is and always has been about protecting people against ideology (i.e. religious views.) The conservatives of today decry perceived attempts by the government to infringe upon individual liberties. This is proper conservatism: primarily concerned with freedom.

The problem is that they then turn around and are absolutely outraged by the suggestion that the US is anything but a Christian nation. They seek to pass morality laws (e.g. outlaw gay marriage and pornography.) Conservatism should reject the claim “Christianity made this country great” and instead preach “freedom made this country great.” A true conservative believes that we are not free unless we are free to ruin ourselves.

The left, on the other hand, has always been more aligned with religious concerns. Liberalism holds as its highest good equality. This is something that the religious should embrace. Has not God made us all equal in dignity? Doesn’t God command us to lower ourselves to lift up the least among us? The government is a powerful force for good, through the government we could help millions of the poor and suffering. But for some reason this idea has not yet stuck with the religious.

 

[curlycool89]

I always found the religious right concept somewhat discordant. Conservatism is and always has been about protecting people against ideology (i.e. religious views.) The conservatives of today decry perceived attempts by the government to infringe upon individual liberties. This is proper conservatism: primarily concerned with freedom.

The problem is that they then turn around and are absolutely outraged by the suggestion that the US is anything but a Christian nation. They seek to pass morality laws (e.g. outlaw gay marriage and pornography.) Conservatism should reject the claim “Christianity made this country great” and instead preach “freedom made this country great.” A true conservative believes that we are not free unless we are free to ruin ourselves.

The left, on the other hand, has always been more aligned with religious concerns. Liberalism holds as its highest good equality. This is something that the religious should embrace. Has not God made us all equal in dignity? Doesn’t God command us to lower ourselves to lift up the least among us? The government is a powerful force for good, through the government we could help millions of the poor and suffering. But for some reason this idea has not yet stuck with the religious.

I think what you’re seeing is what I’d dub “American-influenced Christian Conservatism”.

It’s different here in Canada. You’ll find orthodox Catholics who are in favour of things like Medicare (pretty much the whole country is in favour of Medicare, so no real surprise) and welfare. I’ll admit it’s a different paradigm in Canada though, we were founded upon the idea of “peace, order and good government” while America is “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. I’d say Americans are more “God works through the free market” while Canadians may be more “God works through the government”. Personally, I’d say a little bit of both.

 

[PAboy57]

“But as for that Day and that Hour, no one knows when it will come, not even the angels of God nor the Son, but only the Father.”

• Matthew 24,36

It is just a mixed up world out there no matter how you look at it.

God Bless All. Take care.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I always found the religious right concept somewhat discordant. Conservatism is and always has been about protecting people against ideology (i.e. religious views.) The conservatives of today decry perceived attempts by the government to infringe upon individual liberties. This is proper conservatism: primarily concerned with freedom.

The problem is that they then turn around and are absolutely outraged by the suggestion that the US is anything but a Christian nation. They seek to pass morality laws (e.g. outlaw gay marriage and pornography.) Conservatism should reject the claim “Christianity made this country great” and instead preach “freedom made this country great.” A true conservative believes that we are not free unless we are free to ruin ourselves.

The left, on the other hand, has always been more aligned with religious concerns. Liberalism holds as its highest good equality. This is something that the religious should embrace. Has not God made us all equal in dignity? Doesn’t God command us to lower ourselves to lift up the least among us? The government is a powerful force for good, through the government we could help millions of the poor and suffering. But for some reason this idea has not yet stuck with the religious.

Have you read the US Constitution? The Establishment Clause was made to protect the Church from the State, not the other way round. It was never meant to chase God from public life.

You are gravely mis-characterizing conservatives. We have no wish to protect anyone FROM religion.

I take exception to your characterization of ‘liberals being more aligned with religious concerns.’ What specific detail of ‘religious concerns’ or ‘equality’ is contained in the redistribution of wealth, the murder of unborn babies, and homosexual ‘marriage?’ At least two of these are in the Democrat party platform.

 

[TheTrueCentrist]

Have you read the US Constitution? The Establishment Clause was made to protect the Church from the State, not the other way round. It was never meant to chase God from public life.

You are gravely mis-characterizing conservatives. We have no wish to protect anyone FROM religion.

I take exception to your characterization of ‘liberals being more aligned with religious concerns.’ What specific detail of ‘religious concerns’ or ‘equality’ is contained in the redistribution of wealth, the murder of unborn babies, and homosexual ‘marriage?’ At least two of these are in the Democrat party platform.

I am talking about core ideologies, not temporary issues. The core ideology of conservatism is freedom. The more enlightened conservatives, such as George Will, agree:

colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/171135/june-03-2008/george-will

 

[ishii]

Which political party’s members are most likely to believe that Jesus will definitely return to earth before midcentury? The Republicans, right? Wrong. The Democrats.

This was revealed by a report issued last week by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.

On the surface it may seem surprising, but, in fact, it’s quite logical. Blacks and Hispanics, two highly religious groups, are a growing part of the Democratic Party. A June 2009 Gallup report found that blacks and Hispanics constituted 30 percent of the party. Recent polling by Pew puts the number at 37 percent.

According to a Gallup report issued last Friday, church attendance among blacks is exactly the same as among conservatives and among Republicans. Hispanics closely follow. Furthermore, a February Gallup report found that blacks and Hispanics, respectively, were the most likely to say that religion was an important part of their daily lives. In fact, on the Jesus question, nonwhite Democrats were roughly twice as likely as white Democrats to believe that He would return to earth by 2050.

Add to this the fact that, according to the 2009 Gallup report, 20 percent of the Democratic Party is composed of highly religious whites who attend church once a week or more, and you quickly stop second-guessing the Second Coming numbers.

Welcome to the Religious Left, which will continue to grow as the percentage of minorities in the country and in the party grows.

People often ask whether the Republican Party will have to move to the left to remain viable. However, the question rarely asked is whether the growing religiosity on the left will push the Democrats toward the right.

nytimes.com/2010/07/03/opinion/03blow.html

This is no rise of the religious left. The numbers who identify themselves as conservative are double that of the liberals. The numbers are steadily rising.
%between%

Since when do Democrat blacks and hispanics have anything to do with changing the secular leftist platform of the party? Recent history shows as long as they get their handouts (welfare, amnesty, etc.) they’re happy and seem to have no desire to change the Democrats historic secular leftist pro-abortion, gay rights, “everyone’s a victim” platform and mentality. Those who rob Peter to pay Paul can always count on the political support of Paul.

Ishii

 

[Good_News_1]

Here is a great example of campaigning by the religious left:

tv.gawker.com/5621836/providence-mayoral-candidate-gives-worst-on+camera-interview-ever

 

[ishii]

I am talking about core ideologies, not temporary issues. The core ideology of conservatism is freedom. The more enlightened conservatives, such as George Will, agree:

colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/171135/june-03-2008/george-will

Actually the core ideology of modern day American conservatism is freedom and individualism and its really classical liberalism. Conservatism, on the other hand, may be better described by the political philosopher Russell Kirk:

*Kirk developed six “canons” of conservatism, which Russello (2004) described as follows:

1.A belief in a transcendent order, which Kirk described variously as based in tradition, divine revelation, or natural law;
2.An affection for the “variety and mystery” of human existence;
3.A conviction that society requires orders and classes that emphasize “natural” distinctions;
4.A belief that property and freedom are closely linked;
5.A faith in custom, convention, and prescription, and
6.A recognition that innovation must be tied to existing traditions and customs, which entails a respect for the political value of prudence.

(Russell Kirk) grounded his Burkean conservatism in tradition, political philosophy, belles lettres, and the strong religious faith of his later years; rather than libertarianism and free market economic reasoning.*en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Kirk

Going beyond wiki, perhaps what people today refer to as “conservatism” is really a kind of right-wing liberalism (focus on individualism), whereas what we call liberalism is really "left-wing liberalism which values the secular government at the expense of individuals (abortion, e.g.). It seems that traditional conservatism might be interested in social issues rather than economic ones.

Ishii

 

[ishii]

Here is a great example of campaigning by the religious left:

tv.gawker.com/5621836/providence-mayoral-candidate-gives-worst-on+camera-interview-ever

Ouch. His favorite thing to do is go to church? Then how does he stay in the abortion/gay rights party?

Ishii

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I am talking about core ideologies, not temporary issues. The core ideology of conservatism is freedom. The more enlightened conservatives, such as George Will, agree:

colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/171135/june-03-2008/george-will

Enlightened according to whom?

Conservatives conserve. It’s a basic concept.

Do you have any answer to my other points regarding the left’s support of such anti-religious acts as abortion on demand and homosexual marriage?

 

[Catherine_D]

The concept of Social Justice is often raised in this sort of discussion. Interestingly, it is not social welfare that is most important to the poor, it is private property.

The right to private property is among the most important things a poor man can have. If, after all his hard work, he earns enough to purchase property that he can call his own, to live on, or otherwise, but his right to enjoy the fruits of his labor is subject to the whims of others, or to seizure on questionable grounds, then the fruits of his labor have effectively been stolen from him.

There is no freedom, and no protection of the poor, without the safeguarding of private property.

As for whims and questionable seizure ~ we only need to look at the Kelo decision to figure this out. It was shameful. The property owner lost their home, and now the land sits vacant, so it was all for nothing. Yet that previous property owner has never had their former home restored to them.

 

[TheTrueCentrist]

Enlightened according to whom?

Conservatives conserve. It’s a basic concept.

Do you have any answer to my other points regarding the left’s support of such anti-religious acts as abortion on demand and homosexual marriage?

Certainly: because the religious have decided to leave the left to its own devices and embrace the “religious right.” Gay rights and abortion are ideological causes, had the religious actively sought representation by the left, it is likely their policies would change. But its too late, most people who care enough about gay marriage to vote against it probably wouldn’t vote for a liberal candidate even if he were opposed to gay marriage.

 

[Catherine_D]

Abortion is a moral issue, not an “ideological” one.

 

[TheTrueCentrist]

Abortion is a moral issue, not an “ideological” one.

Political ideologies have two dimensions:

1. Goals: how society should work (or be arranged).
2. Methods: the most appropriate ways to achieve the ideal arrangement.

–Wikipedia

So ones belief about the permissibility of abortion is part of ones ideology because it is a statement of how society should work.