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There are many, many Christians within the ranks of the left. The difference is the left doesn't use religion as a bludgeon against anyone not following the rigid dogma practiced by many on the right.
Left-leaning voters, whether Christian or not, actually practice the tenets of the religion--do unto others, turn the other cheek, whatsoever you do to the least of My brothers, you do unto Me--than those who wear their Christianity on their sleeves but practice the opposite of what it preaches.
The religious right uses their religion as a weapon, not a tool of peace or brotherly love.
Thank you for your post because many people think that all liberals are atheists when in fact the teachings of Jesus are basically what most Liberals believe in.
Well, slavery was once a traditional value. Segregation was too. Women not being able to vote was too. Countless "traditional values" have proven over the history of man to be lesser values for society. There are no absolutes, but this general idea of "traditional values" being the source of wholesomeness and what is right is a complete fallacy. The destruction of traditional values is not always a bad thing, and in MANY cases throughout history has been not just a good but a GREAT thing.
What fiscal liberalism destroys is budgets. And by the way, exhorbitant defense spending to police the globe is part of fiscal liberalism- spend obscene sums of money to give world citizens freedom on the American taxpayer dime, same way spending obscene sums of money to give American citizens economic perks on the American taxpayer dime is considered fiscal liberalism. But in all the talks you hear about liberal spending, very rarely do you hear people willing to call policing of the globe for the liberal spending that it is. There are many fiscal liberals today calling themselves conservative. They want to spend as much as Democrats and likely even more, just on THEIR pet initiatives.
I for one am consistent. I am against policing the globe not only for financial reasons but because we often pick the wrong side. For example we always prop up the radical Islamists in the Middle East. I am also a big believer in ending all foreign aid until we can get our own fiscal house in order.
Here is an example of how the relgious left destroys values and makes things worse. The religious left supports the welfare state. This has destroyed the family in poor areas. Women get pregnant by a thug and then go on welfare. Having so many children grow up without fathers has created a whole host of social problems and dysfunction including crime.
I'm not sure, but I would guess the black church is concerned about the destruction of the black family. The thing is the fiscal policies they (and their members) support have more influence than any preaching they could ever do about the subject.. Of course I realize the relgious left isn't exclusive to black churches.
I for one am consistent. I am against policing the globe not only for financial reasons but because we often pick the wrong side. For example we always prop up the radical Islamists in the Middle East. I am also a big believer in ending all foreign aid until we can get our own fiscal house in order.
Here is an example of how the relgious left destroys values and makes things worse. The religious left supports the welfare state. This has destroyed the family in poor areas. Women get pregnant by a thug and then go on welfare. Having so many children grow up without fathers has created a whole host of social problems and dysfunction including crime.
I'm not sure, but I would guess the black church is concerned about the destruction of the black family. The thing is the fiscal policies they (and their members) support have more influence than any preaching they could ever do about the subject.. Of course I realize the relgious left isn't exclusive to black churches.
Do you have evidence that the religious left supports the welfare state? I don't support people abusing social programs. What I do support is a strong social safety net, so we don't have countless poor and homeless people, while a few lucky and underhanded individuals live in the lap of luxury at everyone else's expense. I support a mix of Capitalism and Socialism, much like Germany or Switzerland. What the conservative right in this country supports, is more in line with Saudi Arabia. The wealthy elite ruling over everyone else, while oppressing anyone that doesn't line up to their social/religious standards.
If by "religious left" we mean Christian denominations with a tendency toward ecumenicism, a concern for the Social Gospel and social justice, and a preference for inclusivity, then we're clearly talking about the Mainline Protestant churches: Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Congregationalist, etc.
These are the Christian churches which your grandparents belonged to, the ones almost every President of the United States belonged to, the denomination of virtually every grand old stone-built church in every American city. Collectively, they are the historical faith of the American people, and woven into the fabric of American society to such an extent that perhaps you simply no longer hear them because you've always heard them.
Thank you for your post because many people think that all liberals are atheists when in fact the teachings of Jesus are basically what most Liberals believe in.
Of course, one could selectively read and interpret Bible in the ways suiting your earthly proclivities, whims and desires. It's really flexible, you pick what you want, kinda spiritual buffet. However, Bible does have a strong egalitarian message of equality among believers (on this Earth), care for the unfortunate (yup, according to the Bible they are entitled for your consideration and help), non-acquisitiveness & sharing, sinfulness of usury, nonacceptance of business practices in the Church, etc. The question is - why American Christianity doesn't care to use these aspects of the Bible in their life and their quest for political power and influence? And why right wing Christian message resonates so well with America (even poor rural American voting Republican each time)?
I understand that USA is predominantly protestant country and protestantism was, among other things, a result of acquisitive longings of post medieval urban societies who developed taste for finer things in life, banking & accumulation, industry and independence (from the rigid rules of Catholic Church) and who were burdened by medieval welfare rules. But American version of protestantism absolutely stands out among other Protestant Churches. It's not a big exaggeration to say that mainstream American Christianity took all the "egalitarian" messages of the Bible, reversed those 180 degrees and adopted an upside-down message as their ideological foundation.
A. Equality? What equality? People are not created equal, thus social inequality is a must, and if you pray hard, play your card right, work hard, capitalize on your talents you can climb that wealth&power ladder yourself. That's a mild message of mainstream Christian America. Those suburban mega churches full of the social climbers have much, much stronger social Darwinistic message of inequality. It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich... That's definitely out of context, according to American Christian mainstream. Your material blessings in this world are a good indicator of your success in the eternity.
B. Beggars and freeloaders deserve what they get, they must have made wrong choices in their lives and deserve to be punished. Nobody is entitled for "welfare", nobody has the right to exist (except fetuses) unless he and his skills are marketable. That's drastic difference between Catholic and Protestant Churches. Catholic Church (at least verbally) acknowledged that every human being has the right to exist regardless of his/her marketability, thus, it's a duty of those who "have" to provide survival basics for those "who don't have".
C. The most Christian Nation on the face of Earth is founded upon usury and run by usurers. Most states scrapped their anti-usury laws.
D. Churches are run as businesses, tax exempt businesses that can make billion$. Priesthood adopted career aspirations/training & licensure, looks, language ! (pay attention to your sermons) and attitudes not unlike those of the upper level corporate management.
Honestly, the Catholic Church in this country does come off as conservative but it's hugely liberal w/r/t the poor and less fortunate. They slammed the Ryan Budget as equally as they slam abortion and gay marriage.
They don't hate Christians. They just hate to hear the Christian message said or shown anywhere where they can see/hear it. They would completely silence the Christian message if they had it in their power to do so. And even when they don't have it in their power, it doesn't mean they won't give it a try.
I don't think anyone hates Christians. I for one just want to keep religion out of politics.
There are many, many Christians within the ranks of the left. The difference is the left doesn't use religion as a bludgeon against anyone not following the rigid dogma practiced by many on the right.
Left-leaning voters, whether Christian or not, actually practice the tenets of the religion--do unto others, turn the other cheek, whatsoever you do to the least of My brothers, you do unto Me--than those who wear their Christianity on their sleeves but practice the opposite of what it preaches.
The religious right uses their religion as a weapon, not a tool of peace or brotherly love.
Do you have evidence that the religious left supports the welfare state? I don't support people abusing social programs. What I do support is a strong social safety net, so we don't have countless poor and homeless people, while a few lucky and underhanded individuals live in the lap of luxury at everyone else's expense. I support a mix of Capitalism and Socialism, much like Germany or Switzerland. What the conservative right in this country supports, is more in line with Saudi Arabia. The wealthy elite ruling over everyone else, while oppressing anyone that doesn't line up to their social/religious standards.
Pretty astute observation.
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