Why Are Those That Are Heavily Christian, Also Heavily Republican? (environmentalists, Obama)

[roysoldboy]

Originally Posted by TempesT68

This is a phenomenon I've never really understood is why those that are heavily christian, are also heavily republicans. If you really think about it besides abortion views, Jesus was a liberal. Not a leftest republican or democrat, but a full-blown green party tree hugging flaming liberal.
The teachings are about living frugally, to help the poor, to only live with what you need and give your unneeded wealth away. To open your doors to the needy and that greed is evil. Even how Jesus is depicted in looking, long hair, beard, sandals, pretty much exactly like hippies of the 60's.
It just seems to make sense that if you are a true follower of the bible, you would be a hardcore liberal, not a conservative.

I was at least as liberal as you are up to my forty second year when the Dems nominated an out and out socialist for President and I was also a good Christian at that time. I changed parties that summer but not religious beliefs. I sure hope that you don't think that was a dirty trick?

[imcurious]

I don't know what current demographics are or if this is/was ever correct, but I understood that a lot of Catholics were democrat. I assumed at the time it was lining up of values of "good works," etc. I know a lot of Mexicans used to be Democrats. I think that might have changed or be changing . . . not sure (and Mexicans used to be heavily Catholic, hence the relationship to my first point . . . same with Italians and many Irish . . . democrat and Catholic . . . I think the tie in is poor immigrant and Catholic . . .

[maskedman]

Originally Posted by TempesT68

This is a phenomenon I've never really understood is why those that are heavily christian, are also heavily republicans. If you really think about it besides abortion views, Jesus was a liberal. Not a leftest republican or democrat, but a full-blown green party tree hugging flaming liberal.
The teachings are about living frugally, to help the poor, to only live with what you need and give your unneeded wealth away. To open your doors to the needy and that greed is evil. Even how Jesus is depicted in looking, long hair, beard, sandals, pretty much exactly like hippies of the 60's.
It just seems to make sense that if you are a true follower of the bible, you would be a hardcore liberal, not a conservative.

So you're saying democrats and liberals give there unneeded wealth away and live frugally?

You also seem to be saying conservatives don't help the poor and don't live frugally?

The only people who seem to give there unneeded wealth away are rich people like Bill Gates.

[AllenSJC]

I think it has more to do with the rise of the Religious Right in the South, parts of the Midwest, and elsewhere in the 1970s.

The Moral Majority, the Christian Coalition, etc.

[roysoldboy]

Originally Posted by stillkit

In the first place, the common depiction of the long-haired, bearded Jesus probably isn't accurate. That's from the Middle Ages and he was painted in what was then the norm. In reality, he probably had short hair, maybe a crewcut after the Roman fashion, and was clean shaven.

As for the orignial question? It's a little more complicated than you might think, but the simple answer is the actions of the Evangelical's, beginning in the late 1970's and early '80's.

Evangelicalism (as opposed to Evangelism) is a political movement created by the likes of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson for the express purpose of literally taking over a political party to ensure a Christian government. The expected outcome is a more "godly" America, where laws based upon the Bible are enforced by that Christian government.

They began working at the precinct level decades ago and, utilizing their own and friendly media sources, pretty much took over the Republican Party to the extent that only "their" candidates got the nod for federal office and a lot of state offices as well. That's not to say that all Republican's are Evangelical's, but it is saying that for several years, they held all the power in that party because of their control of donations and media exposure.

Part of their campaign was aimed directly at Protestant churches via controlling the debate and through willing pastors, especially at some very famous mega-churches. The reason was that the bigger their base of supporters was, the more power they could wield.

They've been very successful at muddying the waters and blurring the line between Christianity and Republican politics. In reality, operatives in both the movement and the party were using each other, but the end result was the elections of Ronald Reagan, G.H.W. Bush and G.W. Bush, along with a host of other politician's who now hold high and influencial offices because of tenure. Using their connections, they reward politician's who go along with campaign money, a committed core of workers and voters and high paying positions in think tanks, influence groups, and public opinion organizations when they are out of office.

Though they've lost some influence in the past few years and, though the original leaders have died or lost their minds, and the leadership has passed to a new generation of Charismatic's and Pentacostal's such as John Hagee, Jan and Paul Crouch, Kenneth Copeland and Rod Parsley, they are still a potent force to be reckoned with.

For Christian's, though, it's another matter.

Unfortunately, most Christian's aren't very familiar with their Bible and far too many don't understand that what the Evangelical's are selling is un-Biblical. All they know is that they talk about social issues such as abortion, gay rights and other things which trip their emotional triggers and they think opposing such things makes them "good" Christian's. They're being sold snake oil and are lapping it up out of Scriptural ignorance. I think this is the manifestation of what Paul warned Timothy to look for during the latter days, when devious and un-Godly teachings would come from within the church and would be received by those with "itching ears," who want to hear what they want to hear.

It has reached the point that for far too many Believers, the idea has taken root that your political leanings define your Christianity, instead of the other way around.

I could go on all day about this, but that's the gist of it. Suffice it to say that some few of us in the Church aren't buying it, but we're suffering ostracization and being cut out of the loop because of it.

I have never supported the Evangelicals you talk about but I did change parties in 1972 when the Dems nominated an out and out socialist for President. I remained a Christian when I changed, as I was one when I was a very liberal Democrat. Do you understand that I was strongly against socialism even back then?

[imcurious]

I think the "moral majority," was simply labeling something that was already there. Not inventing something new.

[NCN]

When it comes down to it, there is no party for Christians. I used to be a registered Democrat, but finally realized I could not be party to or support a party that pushed abortions.

God made everybody, so I don't belong with any party that discriminates by race, color or national origin. I don't really think any party does, but Republicans seem to be more for big business which can sometimes leave some groups out.

I like it that we sometimes have policies that help the poor, but I began to realize you cannot do that when it went so far with Jimmy Carter. It is good to help the poor, but the Bible does say that those who do not work should not eat. USA has too many freeloaders and too few people working. Greed of those living off the rest of us is not Christian.

Greed of companies taking advantage of ignorant and poor is not Christian either.

I think I need to go change my registration to independent, because that is really me.

[Wapasha]

Originally Posted by imcurious

I don't know what current demographics are or if this is/was ever correct, but I understood that a lot of Catholics were democrat. I assumed at the time it was lining up of values of "good works," etc. I know a lot of Mexicans used to be Democrats. I think that might have changed or be changing . . . not sure (and Mexicans used to be heavily Catholic, hence the relationship to my first point . . . same with Italians and many Irish . . . democrat and Catholic . . . I think the tie in is poor immigrant and Catholic . . .

My sister's family is very devoted Catholic, and she told me that before the '08 election, over half the bumper stickers of their church parking lot were for 0bama.

[arleigh]

In my opinion , the long and the short of it is, whom do you serve ?
an idea ?
your self ?
political influence ?
economics ?
a religious invention, picking and choosing the inturpretations most accomodating your lifestyle?
the apostle Paul ?
intellectual trivia ?
the politically correct?
Jesus Lordship under God the Father?
Mohomid?
buda,?
krishna ?
In case you idn't know ,
Jesus established Him self exclusive John 14;6
John 15; He makes very clear just how exclusive.
A serious christian does not operate on His own agenda, the life long effort is in obedience to God, not the government. If there is a conflict , then a decision is required.
Even David warned , cursed is the man that makes flesh his arm, who trusts in the flesh.
I am most concerned though with the things Jesus said, not Paul or any one else. "I must be about my Father's business."

[Wapasha]

Originally Posted by NCN

When it comes down to it, there is no party for Christians. I used to be a registered Democrat, but finally realized I could not be party to or support a party that pushed abortions.

God made everybody, so I don't belong with any party that discriminates by race, color or national origin. I don't really think any party does, but Republicans seem to be more for big business which can sometimes leave some groups out.

I like it that we sometimes have policies that help the poor, but I began to realize you cannot do that when it went so far with Jimmy Carter. It is good to help the poor, but the Bible does say that those who do not work should not eat. USA has too many freeloaders and too few people working. Greed of those living off the rest of us is not Christian.

Greed of companies taking advantage of ignorant and poor is not Christian either.

I think I need to go change my registration to independent, because that is really me.

I think the sheer amount of crony capitalism being conducted by democrats in Washington, these past two years, should amend a lot of people's opinions on which party is for big business.