Conservative Christian Vs. The political Christian Right

[AT9]

I don't consider them one in the same. I am Christian and I am conservative. Yet I wouldn't say (and most wouldn't) that I am a follower of the "Chrisitan Right". I think that Christian conservatism is a great belief, however the majority of the Christian Right that I know of, and I know a lot of them, tend to blindly follow whatever the Hanity's and Limbaugh's tell them. That's not to say that I disagree with them or hate them like the left does, but I just try to see things from a less biased viewpoint and I try to see things from as many prespectives as I can before I take a position on something.

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Conservative Christian Vs. The political Christian Right

I'm not sure if "vs" would be a representative of my view.
For me (as an evangelical)... a "conservative Christian" would be Bible believing traditionalist. I know... now define traditionalist. However the part that would not change would be "Bible believing". Kinda like Republicans and Democratic both believing in Democracy.
"Political Christian right"... could represent a political agenda from Christian morality, within scripture that manifests in the voting booth

Are there differences?

Yes.... the polls represent many differing views. For me the biggest difference is a "Conservative Christian" can be many different denominations within Christianity... and the Christian Right is generally a label assigned to the Evangelical Community at large.

What are the perceptions of the Christian Right?

I suppose if your looking from the outside in... or the inside out. I consider myself a Christian Right-winger... and find most who share similar views are, Bible believing, hard working, independent, people who feel pain like everyone else. Those who aren't in the Christian Right see us as a bunch of hypocrites, and accuse us of going around "passing judgement" on others... or so I've been told on more than one occasion.

Is a Conservative Christian presumed to be part of the Christian Right?

I don't think so.... but again... this is from the inside out.

Has the Christian Right helped this country?

Yes.... certainly.... and conversely have hurt our country, but can anyone claim a pure record? Our founding fathers were ''mostly" Christian Conservative (by today's standards) and I'm sure would vote Christian Right in the voting both.

[jufrbo]

Originally Posted by bigthirsty

Are there differences?

What are the perceptions of the Christian Right?

Is a Conservative Christian presumed to be part of the Christian Right?

Has the Christian Right helped this country?

I consider conservative christian denominations to be the Lutherans, Catholics, Episcipalians, etc. But the members of those churches tend to be more politically liberal. Where as a liberal Christian church, AG, Four Square, Calvary chaples, tend to have members that are in the religious right.

Meaning:if you got to an Lutheran church the worship will be very low-key, suits and tie on every one, pretty traditional. But you'll find that the members are more likely to sympathise with gay rights, peace movements, abortion rights etc.

If you attend an AG church you will find pretty upbeat music consisting of electric guitars, etc. and be very hardpressed to find an organ or a hymnal. The congregation will consist of older men in business casual to a younger group wearing tight pants and mohawks. But these churches are the embodiment of the "religious right" The congragation still supports Bush, and would puss for a human life amendment as well as a marriage amendmant.

This is just what I gather as I was raised a little bit Lutheran and a little bit AG. Your experience may be different. Not all Lutheran churches are probably as politically liberal and active as the I one I go to. The AG church I go to is probably one of the less political as we like to keep it seperate, but the ideas of the right are there. (I don't necassarily agree with a lot of it)

If anyone disagrees, I'm interested to hear other opinions.

[censusdata]

The "Christian" Right picks a few Bible passages that support their agenda, while ignoring (or more specifically saying they are no longer relevant) passages which don't.

Example: The New Testament meantions Homosexuality 5 times, and this is enough to make constitutional amendments against it.

There are 20+ passages talking about the evils of being rich, and how the rich should sell what they have and give it to the poor
-- so if you want to ban gay marriage based on 5 passages, why not pass laws against poverty based on 20+ passages?

[cleatis]

Originally Posted by odinloki1

Very true. The media contributes to this a lot but they aren't the only ones. Unfortunately a lot of people want issues simplified to make a nice quick hasty decision instead of thinking about the intricacies of the problem and the actions you have and their impact on others.

For example, you give Wal Mart your business, you help them keep a sweatshop in China going.

You move to AZ to retire and use a lot of water, thats water thats not growing crops in winter for the rest of the nation.

Very complex issues that require a lot of thought and intricate solutions if our society/nation is to stand the test of time. However a lot of people want to simplify things to one idea.

I absolutely couldn't agree more! People want politics to be a matter of convenience further leading to polarization.

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Originally Posted by censusdata

The "Christian" Right picks a few Bible passages that support their agenda, while ignoring (or more specifically saying they are no longer relevant) passages which don't.

Example: The New Testament meantions Homosexuality 5 times, and this is enough to make constitutional amendments against it.

There are 20+ passages talking about the evils of being rich, and how the rich should sell what they have and give it to the poor
-- so if you want to ban gay marriage based on 5 passages, why not pass laws against poverty based on 20+ passages?

I'm am not aware of a constitutional admendment against homosexuals. I'm aware of the proposed Marriage Admendment to protect the santity of marriage.

In addition.... There is a difference between practicing sin and failing to utilize your blessings in a Godly manner. I understand your premise but you reach the wrong conclusion.