"Religious Right R.I.P.

[dvcgirl]

This is a very interesting article IMO. It speaks to the 30 years of failed strategies of the Evangelicals to change our culture through the use of legislation.

I know that the Republican base is struggling right now for a sense of who they are, but IMO, if they try and move too far to the right and continue to embrace these evangelical tactics.....they're in for a very long losing streak.

This is my favorite paragraph

"Too many conservative Evangelicals have put too much faith in the power of government to transform culture. The futility inherent in such misplaced faith can be demonstrated by asking these activists a simple question: Does the secular left, when it holds power, persuade conservatives to live by their standards? Of course they do not. Why, then, would conservative Evangelicals expect people who do not share their worldview and view of God to accept their beliefs when they control government?"


http://townhall.com/columnists/CalThomas/2008/11/06/religious_right_rip

 

[luvs_eeyore]

This is a very interesting article IMO.

The word "article" implies a factual piece. This is simply an op ed. Just because this author wishes something to be so does not mean it is.

People of faith are bound by their convictions to act in a manner dictated by God, not popular opinion or a rapidly declining culture of "it's all about me, me, me". Don't kid yourself -- they will not stop trying to influence policies and politics to return to the founding principles of this country.

ETA: I don't know a single evangelical who has put their faith in the power of "government". We put our faith in the power of GOD.

 

[JonS99]

"Too many conservative Evangelicals have put too much faith in the power of government to transform culture.

As opposed to the left putting too much faith into the power of goverment to do EVERYTHING for EVERYBODY?

 

[dvcgirl]

The word "article" implies a factual piece. This is simply an op ed. Just because this author wishes something to be so does not mean it is.

People of faith are bound by their convictions to act in a manner dictated by God, not popular opinion or a rapidly declining culture of "it's all about me, me, me". Don't kid yourself -- they will not stop trying to influence policies and politics to return to the founding principles of this country.

Sorry.... OP ED.

I respect the convictions of the Religious Right. However, that doesn't mean that they should be a part of government policy. We could have written an article (factual piece) on the failed policies themselves.

Many of us moderate Republicans voted for Obama because of the the Palin pick. The fact that the christian fundamentalist are willing to so fervently support someone who is clearly not qualified simply *because* she is so religious....well, that's scary stuff.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

As opposed to the left putting too much faith into the power of goverment to do EVERYTHING for EVERYBODY?

So two wrongs make a right? Why can't you just defend or refute the actual topic? Although I don't know anyone on the left who wants the government to do everything for everybody as you state. Your hyperbole has gotten the best of you I think.

You know a nut is a nut and those far right people who have "faith" so strong that it transcends all laws, rules and reasonable thought need to be repudiated by the mainstream republican party otherwise as the article opines they will be in for a long, long period of failure, IMO.

 

[Carly_Roach]

Don't kid yourself -- they will not stop trying to influence policies and politics to return to the founding principles of this country.

The founding principles of this country included freedom from religion; freedom to choose which religion you wanted to participate in - or to simply not participate in religion at all.

I believe this was the main reason the Puritans, and many other people of different religions than the Monarchy of their country dictated, fled their lands to come here. Freedom from being persecuted because they believed differently about God.

 

[dvcgirl]

As opposed to the left putting too much faith into the power of goverment to do EVERYTHING for EVERYBODY?

No, I don't see things that way at all. I'm simply advocating for the separation of church and state. And I'm also stating my opinion that the Republican party will be heading in the wrong direction if they follow their base....and lean back to the far right.

The population of this nation is changing. The younger voters are far more liberal than they used to be. Someone sent me a map of what the electoral vote would have been if we only tallied votes by those ages 18-29. The vote would have been 455 Obama to 57 McCain. The christians are losing ground in a big way.

 

[JonS99]

So two wrongs make a right? Why can't you just defend or refute the actual topic? Although I don't know anyone on the left who wants the government to do everything for everybody as you state. Your hyperbole has gotten the best of you I think.

You know a nut is a nut and those far right people who have "faith" so strong that it transcends all laws, rules and reasonable thought need to be repudiated by the mainstream republican party otherwise as the article opines they will be in for a long, long period of failure, IMO.

And the same can be said for people on the left, it just depends on your views. My point is that we as a country now expect the government to do way too much and its hurting the long term strength of this nation.. We as a nation should demand our government to get the hell out of the way, not restrict our potential!

 

[Suzie Zoo]

I don't know a single person who doesn't vote based on personal belief and personal conviction... regardless of what it is.

Attempting to silence people because you disagree with them is scary.

Separation of church and state does not apply to how an individual votes.

 

[dvcgirl]

And the same can be said for people on the left, it just depends on your views. My point is that we as a country now expect the government to do way too much and its hurting the long term strength of this nation.. We as a nation should demand our government to get the hell out of the way, not restrict our potential!

Agreed...but this has nothing to do with the article.

I'm with you on less government, but I won't vote Republican again if they continue to try and ram their social views down our throats.

 

[Suzie Zoo]

Agreed...but this has nothing to do with the article.

I'm with you on less government, but I won't vote Republican again if they continue to try and ram their social views down our throats.

And I'm sure there are plenty of people who won't vote Democrat as long as they continue to try and ram their social views down out throats.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

That article is pure BS. Sorry OP.

The Moral Majority came to polls to vote for Palin.

McCain's people are the ones that "left" him in the dust for embracing the left.

As far as "30 yrs of failure" that is not true. They elected Presidents, shaped policy, and had a strong voice in our government.

Do I like the Moral Majority? No. However I find his opinion wishful thinking.

 

[dvcgirl]

And I'm sure there are plenty of people who won't vote Democrat as long as they continue to try and ram their social views down out throats.

Well, I wouldn't consider "Live and let Live" to be ramming social views down your throat. I just think people need to keep their social beliefs in church and at home....where they belong.

Mark my words though, the Republicans will be making a big mistake if they continue to tie their fiscal conservative views to the evangelical agenda. Our country is becoming more liberal....

 

[GeorgeG]

While I agree that the Republican candidates do tend to use the "Christian" and "God" cards to the point that it turns many of us off, I have to disagree that they are used to promote incompetent cadidates.

Other than saying that people are free to practice any religion they choose, or not practice at all, I think religion has no place in any campaign or government policy. To stand on "Christian principles," even though they were a part of the founding of this country, is inappropriate. We have evolved, if you will, from those days that came only about 80 years after certain Christian puritans "legally" murdered "witches" in Salem. It naturally follows that the founding fathers were bred from "Christian fundamentalists" and saw following that vein as a means of survival. Just my opinion, though... this is not an article.

 

[dvcgirl]

That article is pure BS. Sorry OP.

The Moral Majority came to polls to vote for Palin.

McCain's people are the ones that "left" him in the dust for embracing the left.

As far as "30 yrs of failure" that is not true. They elected Presidents, shaped policy, and had a strong voice in our government.

Do I like the Moral Majority? No. However I find his opinion wishful thinking.

Yes, but the moral majority has failed in their quest to decrease abortion, affect TV programming and eliminate gay marriage by *using* the legislative process. Completely failed. We have more abortions, TV programming is much, much more racy than it's ever been and we have lots of gay people fighting for gay marriage/civil unions.

And yes, the moral majority came out in droves to vote for Palin. They weren't voting for McCain....they were voting Palin.

And they got their butts kicked......

So, what if they support her again? They'll lose again.

I've actually seen signatures on this board with Palin/Jindal 2012.....scary indeed.

 

[Suzie Zoo]

Well, I wouldn't consider "Live and let Live" to be ramming social views down your throat. I just think people need to keep their social beliefs in church and at home....where they belong.

Mark my words though, the Republicans will be making a big mistake if they continue to tie their fiscal conservative views to the evangelical agenda. Our country is becoming more liberal....

If "live and let live" were truly the mantra of the democratic party we wouldn't be having this conversation.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Mark my words though, the Republicans will be making a big mistake if they continue to tie their fiscal conservative views to the evangelical agenda. Our country is becoming more liberal....

That remains to be seen. The conservative base is just not strong enough to climb on the heap, I am afraid.
They are the "Mavericks", (read outsiders), in Washington.

In addition the Senators are going to be watching their seats to retain them if they do not work with Obama.

He is in a real position of power right now. My guess is that Obama will be the person to move things more to the center much to the chagrin of the Dems and Repubs.

I can't wait to see that.

 

[dvcgirl]

That remains to be seen. The conservative base is just not strong enough to climb on the heap, I am afraid.
They are the "Mavericks", (read outsiders), in Washington.

In addition the Senators are going to be watching their seats to retain them if they do not work with Obama.

He is in a real position of power right now. My guess is that Obama will be the person to move things more to the center much to the chagrin of the Dems and Repubs.

I can't wait to see that.

I think that the economy will force him to the center initially. He's going to have to put off some of his policies initially.....his healthcare plan will probably be postponed. He may have to put off raising taxes for at least a year.

 

[Suzie Zoo]

I'd rather support a losing candidate who I believe in, then support a winning one who shares none of my beliefs. It's not all about winning. If it were, Nader and Clinton would not have received a single vote.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I think that the economy will force him to the center initially. He's going to have to put off some of his policies initially.....his healthcare plan will probably be postponed. He may have to put off raising taxes for at least a year.

Most certainly. I think we are looking at 2yrs of financial hardcore pain to fix the economy. All the Senators and Congress folks want big shiny gold stars on their shirts as they go up for relection.
They have to work together. It is a Catch-22.

When you throw in the wars we are fighting, I can see alot of internal fighting over THAT, Repubs and Dems.

The direction the USA is going to take on the wars is what will be a serious defining direction for Obama's Presidency.