Why do they equate religion with being a conservative?

[DanCa]

Who was that chick on tweety today that equated with being religious means you have to be anti-gay and anti-choice. Hey I was in church this monring where were they.?

[Jade Fox]

1. Because the media never gives any air-time to.....

moderate and progressive folks of Faith, and has thus convinced themselves they don't exist.

Sigh. It's the same old story.

[DanCa]

3. Thanks everyone

I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way. I am probably just a little bummed because i couldn't get enough sleep.

[KittyWampus]

11. Jade, I think it's also cause progressive/mod faithful just don't WANT to

wear their faith on their sleeves. We pray in private and let others exist in peace.

[mikelewis]

20. Wait... you pray according to the way Jesus taught?

Sacrilege!!!! You're supposed to pray with your wallet like "God" commanded.

[FreedomAngel82]

15. Small correction

every once in a while they will give airtime to Jimmy Carter.

[Jade Fox]

27. True, but they give it to him as a former President...

not as a Liberal man of faith. Nevertheless, he is at least seen, as you point out.

[LeftishBrit]

2. EXACTLY!!!

I'm an atheist, but know lots of religious people who are very left-wing. The Archbishop of Canterbury is very strongly against the war in Iraq; and so, despite his conservativism on some other issues, was the late Pope.

In the 80s, there was some conflict between Maggie Thatcher and some of our bishops, because they regarded her harsh policies toward the poor as wrong and un-Christian.

I suppose I could just about understand that some religious denominations think that they are required to oppose abortion and gay marriage. What I can't understand is the people who think that religion requires them to support war, capital punishment, a flat tax, and right-wing policies on welfare. I haven't come across that in England; but someone in America sent me a 'Christian Worldview' quiz which suggested that these attitudes are necessary for a Christian Worldview!!!

[Taxloss]

13. I remember Thatcher's spat with the bishops.

That was an interesting one. Also, remember the horrible row when Charles suggested dropping the "the" from the title "defender of the faith"? I never thought I'd see the Conservative party, the bishops and humanist groups unite in attacking the heir to the throne.

I personally am an atheist and a supporter of disestablishment. But there's also a long and noble history of parts of British Christianity being extremely progressive and reforming: opposition to the slave trade, the ties between northern congregations and the formation of trade unions, the reforming zeal of various denominations such as the Manchester nonconformists, the benevolence of many industrialists motivated by faith (like Rowntree and George Peabody who was even, gasp, an American), elements of the background of Methodism (despite its small-c social conservatism) and Wesleyans, the role of the church in the foundation of Oxfam - the list goes on and on.

Of course, it has its bad elements and history as well, but that legacy of reform is too deep-seated to be ignored.

And considering the USA's roots in those escaping religious persecution, I'm bewildered by the "religious right".

[Yoda Yada]

4. Because Democrats have ALLOWED that spin to go on.....

...through TWO election cycles! For years Republicans have implied that Republicans believe in God (and/or have faith).....and Democrats do not. What do Democrats say? NOTHING. (And the Republicans always sandwich the implication between discussions on other issues. It just whizzes by the Democrat......WITHOUT QUESTION!)

Democrats need to STOP the discussions, CORRECT the misinformation (and inferrences)...and then MOVE ON to the topic of discussion.

Is it so hard to call a Republican on this?

[AX10]

5. Because Tweety is a right wing/anti-abortion Republican at heart

.

[xchrom]

6. i read from the book of samuel for the 7:45 sevice today

and i'm a motherfucking treehugging, gay, womens rights supporting, anti iraq war, get the troops out now full on liberal.

i'm a fuckin christian radical damn it!

those talibornagains do not speak for me.

oh yeah -- and i cuss like a truck driver, smoke and sleep around.

what can i say:hi:

[SPKrazy]

25. Just Play Safe! n/t

[PWRinNY]

7. They don't understand the difference

between being a social conservative, aka radical, and being a responsible conservative. Once upon a time, being conservative wasn't such a bad thing. Now, to be a "conservative" you have to think the only things that matter are god, guns, gays, abortion, and all the other wedge issues - and you have to want to impose your beliefs on everyone else. It's very selfish.

There was a joke that got passed around a while back - I'll post it here. It would be funny if it wasn't so true. I know it's a little off topic, but it does go to show the mindset of these people.


1. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime...unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness, and you need our prayer for your recovery.

2. The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq.

3. Government should relax regulation of Big Business and Big Money but crack down on individuals who use marijuana to relieve the pain of illness.

4. "Standing Tall for America'" means firing your workers and moving their jobs to India.

5. A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.

6. Jesus loves you and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.

7. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.

8. Group sex and drug use are degenerate sins unless you someday run for governor of California as a Republican.

9. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.

10. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.

11. HMOs and insurance companies have the interest of the public at heart.

12. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.

13. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.

14. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.

15. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.

16. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.

17. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business.

18. You support states' rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have a right to adopt.

19. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.

20. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.

You don't have to be schizophrenic to be Republican - but it helps

[FreedomAngel82]

18. Oh those are good

And so true. :spray:

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Read Leo Strauss, your answer is in there

and it is quite cynical...

[xchrom]

9. manipulation of the ''virtuous citizen''.

as scary as the alito nomination is -- it's equally if not more so the number people leo sent out into the world to become teachers.

[carolinalady]

10. Personally-I equate Evangelism with conservatism, but the

whole thing is pretty stupid because the Democratic party embraces the tenets of Christianity more so than the Repubs ever have. Jesus was all about helping the poor, tolerance, forgiveness and anti-violence.

[Perky]

12. Evangelism knows no religion.

Fundamentism or perhaps mor succintly literalism. fravitates towards the GOP and conserviative politics.,


But I am am an evengelical and certainly on the legt.

Evangelism only mean that you are one the proclaims Jesus.

[carolinalady]

16. I guess my bias stems from the likes of Robertson and Falwell.

Which I am sure is very wrong. They just boil my blood.

[Perky]

23. There are some overlaps

beween Fundies and avangelicals for sure but think of it this way:

Fundies want to to impose their worldview on non-Christians,

Evangelicals want to save souls without the use of state power we understanf that you can not legislate your way to a moral world.


I think it is arrogant and Phaeisaical to even try because it is abhorrent to the Gospel.

Where I struggle with the uber-left though is that I do not believe that the state has the ability to solve social ills either.

[carolinalady]

24. There are some things that the state can do-I guess in that

respect I am definitely Progressive. For example-big Pharma makes a fortune by producing their drugs out of country paying low wages and minimal taxes. The state can fix that. I am very left when it comes to healthcare. I think there should be a national program. When the state tries to impose their beliefs on me, however, I definitely draw the line. I hate moral police.

[FreedomAngel82]

19. Not totally

Evangelism is about evanglizing and getting out and talking to people about Jesus and his message. It doesn't mean you're a conservative or anything like that. One of my best friends mom said once she was an independent.

[FreedomAngel82]

14. Beats me

I was there too. :hi: I'm pretty religious but I'm not anti-gay nor anti-choice. Very opposite and I'm a proud liberal.

[leftofthedial]

17. they need stupid people, insane people and those proven most gullible

so they label their tent "religion"

[Marr]

21. Because in political terms, it's an accurate description.

The Republican Party tossed caution to the wind in their lust for power, and organized Christian fundamentalists into a voting block. It was a very irresponsible and risky thing to do, and many publicly asked if they wouldn't end up holding a (theocratic, authoritarian) tiger by the tail. They do.

Sure, there are plenty of religious people out there who actually pay attention to their religious teachings and would never support a fundamentalist political agenda. I'd even say they're the majority. But they aren't a voting block.

[thecrow]

22. So they can call us godless liberals.

My RW relative(s) ascribe all sorts of godless things to the left.
If they can get this message out there and repeated people can (and do) think Oh! I want to be on the side of God..

[WinkyDink]

26. Well, there's "Christian", as in "personal relationship"; and

then there's "Christian", as in "following the Sermon on the Mount".
The former allows one to feel good no matter what; the latter demands that one cares for one's fellows.