Religious Left Making Strides

[downtown]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12879318/

Discuss. This is something that I've been talking about for years it seems like....I wonder if it can actually be a political force, or really...do we even want it to be?

Edit: Damn it, computer screwed up. Mods, this is supposed to say Religious Left making strides

 

[De Lorimier]

It's a good news, in a way. In a perfect world the Christian Left and Right would be equals in terms of political forces while occupying a very small place in the political spectrum and circles of influences. Like any faith-based organizations should.

 

[GenMarshall]

I have noticed that the Republican Party tends to have a more religious base while the Democratic Party is more secular. But this is just my observation from what I have seen.

 

[The Yankee]

There was a religious left in the Civil Rights Movement, and there still kinda is, even though the most obvious leaders are not listened too much anymore on the grand stage.

I'm not too surprised like this, given the "monopoly" the religious right had on things in national politics, there was bound to at least be some backlash.

Title fixed, btw.

 

[CaptainF]

According to John C. Green, an expert on religion and politics at the University of Akron, and others, the religious left cuts across almost all denominations, drawing in black churches, liberal Roman Catholics and mainline Protestants as well as Jews, Buddhists, Muslims and people who say they are "spiritual" but not affiliated with an organized faith.

Interesting.

I do hope they are making strides, because regardless of politics, I am getting sick of all this sanctimoniously religious right wing "burn a homo" nonsense. I'd much rather listen to a bunch of chilled out religious folk talk about peace and love and all that good stuff.

 

[Meleager]

It's really quite perplexing the way religion has such an effect on politics in the US. In Australia, there is no such thing as a "religious right" or "religious left" (with the exception of the new Families First Party). There are religious members in both major parties. Religion really isn't an indicator of how people vote.

 

[GenMarshall]

Wait, what is the difference between Religious Right and Religious Left? . Please use the US definition of Right and Left (Conservative and Liberal)

 

[CaptainF]

Wait, what is the difference between Religious Right and Religious Left? . Please use the US definition of Right and Left (Conservative and Liberal)

Evoking either leftist or rightist beliefs with religious overtones.

 

[downtown]

Wait, what is the difference between Religious Right and Religious Left? . Please use the US definition of Right and Left (Conservative and Liberal)

RR-Morality is defined in terms of Gay Marraige and Abortion issues

RL-Morality is defined by other issues, such as caring for the poor, peace issues, education, etc.

 

[GenMarshall]

RR-Morality is defined in terms of Gay Marraige and Abortion issues

RL-Morality is defined by other issues, such as caring for the poor, peace issues, education, etc.

So as a Catholic, I fall in the Religious Moderates? Since I know they advocate bans on Gay Marrages and Abortions as well as caring for the Poor and are against unjust wars.

 

[Meleager]

I don't think Matt's definition is the best one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_right
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_left

I don't think you can necessarily say an entire denomination is either right or left.

 

[The Yankee]

So as a Catholic, I fall in the Religious Moderates? Since I know they advocate bans on Gay Marrages and Abortions as well as caring for the Poor and are against unjust wars.

You as a voter, perhaps. But do remember that not everyone throughout the Church or other churches and religions will follow in the same vein. Some may agree with it, but would also emphasize some parts more than others. Or some would simply leave it up as a governmental decision.

 

[Gingerbread Man]

Religion publically talking about peace and love in politics?

A welcome change from death and 'abominations', if you ask me. Christians working for the better of society, instead of fighting its every move... now that would be something I'd like to see more of.

 

[Erik Mesoy]

Woo-Hoo!

SUPPORT!

(Credits to ProfessorTomoe for image)

 

[Gingerbread Man]

Erik: Dare I liken myself to a fool, but...

In what way is the Japanese character pictured related to political leftyness?

 

[TheBladeRoden]

Because it's Hiragana for "a", duh!

 

[Erik Mesoy]

I was under the impression that it meant "(I) support".

Now we just need a Religious Left political party. And a Religious Right one, so we can get the creationists and christianists out of the Republican party. They're mangling it quite badly.

 

[Gingerbread Man]

Tell them to join the Constitution Party. Never mind its disrespect of religious freedom - it allows for the freedom of the one and only ideology that the religious right cares for...

Or, if in Australia, the Christian Democrats. They're all for theocratic law, too.

 

[IglooDame]

Oh, man. I oppose the principles of the Religious Left to roughly the same degree as I oppose the principles of the Religious Right, if not moreso.

And on a semi-related note, I am henceforth prepending "neo" to the current crop of US left-wingers (thus "neoliberals") since their statist motivations are fundamentally no different than the neoconservatives - in the same way that both the Religious Left and the Religious Right both seek to have elements of their Good Book codified in law purely because "God said so."

 

[De Lorimier]

Funny, up here Neoliberals means hardcore capitalists, fiscally conservatives with tendencies against govermental expenses and environmental protection. They are the root of all evil.