Why are so many on the left NOT religious? (abortion, leader, vs)

[mackinac81]

Hey all,

As a left leaning--yet devout--evangelical christian, I find myself in a very small minority among right wing churchgoers and secular leftists, making me wonder why so many on the left are NOT religious. I'm not necessarily saying that it's bad, but I'm just curious.

Of course we could also ask why so many churchgoers are right wing, but this is aimed more at the liberals on this board. Well, I have to go to work, so I'll check back later. Thanks for responding.

mackinac

[burdell]

I'd describe myself as spiritual rather than religious. Religion is a creation of man, therefore subject to all the flaws and weaknesses of man.

[DrJoey]

It is because the current manifestation of "left vs right" politics has used social issues as a wedge.

[chielgirl]

I have no reason to believe in a god thing. There is no proof. And it doesn't matter to me anyway. Who cares?

I find that many self-professed religious people are trying to force their beliefs into the laws of my country. That's certainly a wedge issue for me.

People are people; they get no special consideration from me because they're religious or not, veterans or not, any color, etc.
I don't feel that one person is more special than any other.

[las vegas drunk]

Because organized religion is a joke IMO. It is a bunch of people with an agenda who want to push their beliefs on others. Not only that, I have been to church and found it to be incredibly. I have a lot better things to do other than listen to some guy (who probably molests children) preach to me on Sunday mornings.

[Mr. Joshua]

Because religion stops their agenda in it's tracks.

[cap1717]

Organized religions, of any type, are deeply flawed, and in my opinion, are in the service of special interest groups. Many left leaning people have recognized that the agenda of religious groups has less to do with true spirituality than it does with human greed and the desire to control others, and therefore reject it.

[jackmccullough]

I'm not sure atheism is more common on the left, although I wouldn't doubt it.

My first impression is that because both choosing to take leftist political positions, like rejecting religion, involves rejecting what you've been told by the authority figures that run our society. Someone who is willing to simply accept what is being dished out, and not question what they're told, is more likely to follow the establishment line on both politics and religion.

[miu]

I think that many on the left could be religious, they just keep their spiritual beliefs out of politics. So for instance, they could be christian and personally never ever consider having an abortion... however they do believe in the individual's personal right to choice in the matter. Liberals tend to be thinkers and will form their own opinions and not blindly follow the directives of their church leaders. Liberals believe strongly in the separation of church and state.

Now on the other hand, most black Americans are democrats, and most of them are church-going christians. And for blacks, abortion rights is not as much a concern for them, instead they care very much about their civil rights and having a better quality of life.

[Mr. Joshua]

Originally Posted by jackmccullough

I'm not sure atheism is more common on the left, although I wouldn't doubt it.

My first impression is that because both choosing to take leftist political positions, like rejecting religion, involves rejecting what you've been told by the authority figures that run our society. Someone who is willing to simply accept what is being dished out, and not question what they're told, is more likely to follow the establishment line on both politics and religion.

You mean like that mad bunch of lefties who call themselves Tea Partiers?