Why do most Christian groups support the right of politics? And no not all do of course!
Is it just because of issues like abortion and stem cell research - what are the other factors?
Full Version: Christians on the political right
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Possibly because many fundamentalists and biblically based christians do believe that the laws and principles of the bible are a good starting place for the effective governance of society.
Many "modernists" see such principles as out of date and perhaps even dangerous, so they match them to the traditional right wing of politics (individualism, competitiveness, hierachical laws and authority.)
However it could be argued and has in fact been applied in many third world countries, that true christianity is inately left wing.
Ie; socialist, wealth sharing, caring for others , creating laws/ rules based on the benefit of the majority, even at some cost to individualism.
Back when right wing was a criticism, in the 60s and 70s, many people labelled christianity as right wing to tar it with the same negative brush> Now socialism and left wings are on the political outer, and right wing christians, along with think tanks, can proudly hold their banners high once again.
Many "modernists" see such principles as out of date and perhaps even dangerous, so they match them to the traditional right wing of politics (individualism, competitiveness, hierachical laws and authority.)
However it could be argued and has in fact been applied in many third world countries, that true christianity is inately left wing.
Ie; socialist, wealth sharing, caring for others , creating laws/ rules based on the benefit of the majority, even at some cost to individualism.
Back when right wing was a criticism, in the 60s and 70s, many people labelled christianity as right wing to tar it with the same negative brush> Now socialism and left wings are on the political outer, and right wing christians, along with think tanks, can proudly hold their banners high once again.
tax breaks . selfishness.
the republican party has never gotten government smaller and has always increased spending.
the bible has no place in politics nor our government , but fundies keep hoping.
the republican party has never gotten government smaller and has always increased spending.
the bible has no place in politics nor our government , but fundies keep hoping.
QUOTE (Mr Walker @ Mar 12 2008, 06:38 AM) 
Possibly because many fundamentalists and biblically based christians do believe that the laws and principles of the bible are a good starting place for the effective governance of society.
Many "modernists" see such principles as out of date and perhaps even dangerous, so they match them to the traditional right wing of politics (individualism, competitiveness, hierachical laws and authority.)
However it could be argued and has in fact been applied in many third world countries, that true christianity is inately left wing.
Ie; socialist, wealth sharing, caring for others , creating laws/ rules based on the benefit of the majority, even at some cost to individualism.
Back when right wing was a criticism, in the 60s and 70s, many people labelled christianity as right wing to tar it with the same negative brush> Now socialism and left wings are on the political outer, and right wing christians, along with think tanks, can proudly hold their banners high once again.
Many "modernists" see such principles as out of date and perhaps even dangerous, so they match them to the traditional right wing of politics (individualism, competitiveness, hierachical laws and authority.)
However it could be argued and has in fact been applied in many third world countries, that true christianity is inately left wing.
Ie; socialist, wealth sharing, caring for others , creating laws/ rules based on the benefit of the majority, even at some cost to individualism.
Back when right wing was a criticism, in the 60s and 70s, many people labelled christianity as right wing to tar it with the same negative brush> Now socialism and left wings are on the political outer, and right wing christians, along with think tanks, can proudly hold their banners high once again.
From my limited understanding of Christianity this is what I would have assumed. One of my christian friends was very shocked when she went to a church meeting when the Tampa drama was happening and said that everyone there agreed with what stance the government took. I had thought that there would be a more compassionate response.
thanks for the lil history lesson Mr Walker - it is good to put things in a historical perspective.
QUOTE (Lt_Ripley @ Mar 12 2008, 06:47 AM)
tax breaks . selfishness.
the republican party has never gotten government smaller and has always increased spending.
the bible has no place in politics nor our government, but fundies keep hoping.
the republican party has never gotten government smaller and has always increased spending.
the bible has no place in politics nor our government, but fundies keep hoping.
I think they have much more influence in the states than here in Australia (which I am grateful for). Although we did have a scandal with the exclusive Brethren who try to influence politics even though they don't vote.
QUOTE (Mr Walker @ Mar 12 2008, 01:38 AM)
Possibly because many fundamentalists and biblically based christians do believe that the laws and principles of the bible are a good starting place for the effective governance of society.
Many "modernists" see such principles as out of date and perhaps even dangerous, so they match them to the traditional right wing of politics (individualism, competitiveness, hierachical laws and authority.)
However it could be argued and has in fact been applied in many third world countries, that true christianity is inately left wing.
Ie; socialist, wealth sharing, caring for others , creating laws/ rules based on the benefit of the majority, even at some cost to individualism.
Back when right wing was a criticism, in the 60s and 70s, many people labelled christianity as right wing to tar it with the same negative brush> Now socialism and left wings are on the political outer, and right wing christians, along with think tanks, can proudly hold their banners high once again.
Many "modernists" see such principles as out of date and perhaps even dangerous, so they match them to the traditional right wing of politics (individualism, competitiveness, hierachical laws and authority.)
However it could be argued and has in fact been applied in many third world countries, that true christianity is inately left wing.
Ie; socialist, wealth sharing, caring for others , creating laws/ rules based on the benefit of the majority, even at some cost to individualism.
Back when right wing was a criticism, in the 60s and 70s, many people labelled christianity as right wing to tar it with the same negative brush> Now socialism and left wings are on the political outer, and right wing christians, along with think tanks, can proudly hold their banners high once again.
Very well said.
The thing here is which type of Christianity one is really following.It could be assumed that if one is following the tenets spoken of by Jesus,then one could be considered a socialist/humanist...since this type is concerned more with helping others,sharing,seeing past the faults of another..etc.,which are all parts of socialistic/humanistic beliefs or tenets.This would match the "Left Wing" definition of today.
Those that follow the more stringent beliefs set into parts of the O.T. would be seen more as the fire & brimstone types which are more concerned with butting into other's business (as in attempting to stop what the other is doing because the believer doesn't like it...or because it goes against their belief system) than attempting to help others.These are also seen as the "Me me me" types,due to their egos ("I'm better than you are because I follow this..").Both of these fit the current modern definition of "Right Wing".
For me,if I followed Christianity,it would be the Left Wing type.The thing is,I can be that type without needing to follow anything other than my own personal codes.
Speaking only of the United States, I do not think that Christian churches are disproportionately right-wing. Some are, while other are demonstrably left-wing. I defer to those who actually are Christians to speculate about what political party Jesus would join.
During the American-Vietnamese War, cold war protests against American nuclear-weapon possession, testing, and deployment, and civil rights demonstrations, Christian churches were among the most prominent protestors, energetically advocating left wing-positions on those issues.
Pendulums swing, and now people more readily come up with examples of right-wing political activity.
So far as I can tell, the left-wing churches who were so prominent 40 years ago haven't gone anywhere, nor were the right-wing churches born only in the last 20 years or so. What seems to have changed is who gets more publicity, and maybe whose activities most sorely tick off those who disagree with them.
The Vietnamese war was a hot issue in its time. Abortion and stem cell is hot today. The left-wing view was the status-quo shaker in those days, while the right-wing view is the one that sparks more anger today.
Chrisitianity seems always to have been about ticking people off
. Right-wing, left-wing, whatever it takes.
During the American-Vietnamese War, cold war protests against American nuclear-weapon possession, testing, and deployment, and civil rights demonstrations, Christian churches were among the most prominent protestors, energetically advocating left wing-positions on those issues.
Pendulums swing, and now people more readily come up with examples of right-wing political activity.
So far as I can tell, the left-wing churches who were so prominent 40 years ago haven't gone anywhere, nor were the right-wing churches born only in the last 20 years or so. What seems to have changed is who gets more publicity, and maybe whose activities most sorely tick off those who disagree with them.
The Vietnamese war was a hot issue in its time. Abortion and stem cell is hot today. The left-wing view was the status-quo shaker in those days, while the right-wing view is the one that sparks more anger today.
Chrisitianity seems always to have been about ticking people off
. Right-wing, left-wing, whatever it takes.
This is why I love coming here. I learn so much of the history, through so many eyes and point of views. I find it fascinating. Going from the posts of both Mr. Walker and eight bits, I agree, we have had various times, where both parties do have the most influence. I have to remind myself, that even though I see so much of the right wing religion influencing itself today in our politics, I do remember, as a kid, the influence of the other and how it played in our politics and our history. I do see this as a pendulum pattern. Maybe a lot of us do have remember, that instead of feeling threatnend of the politically right thinking they are coming on fast, strong, well, maybe it is their come uppance? (I am taking this from my point of view, now), when the politically left have had a great deal of time in our political history. (my point of view, again.)
That is not say, yeah this is what is best, or important, or not. I also think that that all parties should have influence, or atleast heard, in our politcally system. I just wish, that all parties, think that it's not just their way is best, but have everyone's wishes, beliefs, and concerns in their utmost thoughts. There could be some, who ideas that are dangerous, that would be thought of as best for the American people.
That is not say, yeah this is what is best, or important, or not. I also think that that all parties should have influence, or atleast heard, in our politcally system. I just wish, that all parties, think that it's not just their way is best, but have everyone's wishes, beliefs, and concerns in their utmost thoughts. There could be some, who ideas that are dangerous, that would be thought of as best for the American people.
Republicans don't want to have programs for the poor. If they get Christian Churches to do it then that can get them off the hook. The trouble is Churches and charities can't to an adequate job. Churches also want to force feed the poor their message, in other words you have to join the Church to get help. I will say not all are like that and I have in the past gotten a lot of help from Churches when my wife was sick but not enough to cover what I got in food stamps, Medicare and Medicaid. If I could have gotten the real help I needed I could have kept working and wouldn't have needed any of it, but that is neither here or there. So Republican politicians court the Christians with so called "family values" by being anti; abortion, gay, birth control, porn and etc. But the truth is the Christian Right has been dupe. The republican right is not really interested in true Christian values they worship the gods of cooperate finance, greed and money.
I think it is a poor test to vote for a politician because of his so called religion. As we have seen what a politician says and what they do and believe are often two different things. The funny thing I was involved in politics from age 13 until my late thirties. I knew a lot of the politicians I voted for from the local to the national level, those who I knew were honest and good for the job never seem to get elected. The ones who were filling the voters with a line of bull were the ones who got in. I don't know I guess people are just easily fooled.
IMO
I think it is a poor test to vote for a politician because of his so called religion. As we have seen what a politician says and what they do and believe are often two different things. The funny thing I was involved in politics from age 13 until my late thirties. I knew a lot of the politicians I voted for from the local to the national level, those who I knew were honest and good for the job never seem to get elected. The ones who were filling the voters with a line of bull were the ones who got in. I don't know I guess people are just easily fooled.
IMO
found this -
back from when Bush was running ( and it seems like McCain is picking up where Bush is leaving off - some stories on McCain today say Bushs 3rd term)
back from when Bush was running ( and it seems like McCain is picking up where Bush is leaving off - some stories on McCain today say Bushs 3rd term)
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