Letters to the Editor
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Good people but for bad leaders?
While there are a number of "Democrats Need to Appeal to Evangelicals: And Here's How" books out there--and I'm sure they sell well, as it seems to be a story various people like to read--I have to say I keep coming away from descriptions of them with a sour taste in my mouth.
Almost inevitably, one implication of these books seems to be that "people of faith" (and other such apologetic euphemisms) wandered into an alliance with the Republican right because of poor leadership on the Democratic side, who were a little too absolutist on that whole abortion thing.
So let me get this straight: the reason why scads of self-identified evangelical voters found themselves drawn to the bilk the poor, celebrate earthly success, march in lockstep beneath the banner of patriotism, authoritarian GOP that we know and love today is because they felt a little put off by those who stridently affirmed womens' right to choose (as opposed to saying "I don't approve of abortion personally, but...")?
I guess this book seems to do a little dance around what those of us who aren't "people of faith" find most repugnant about mega-church evangelical culture: that far from displaying the moral behavior characteristic of true spirituality ('ye shall know it by its fruits' and all), what it shows instead is a love for earthly power, materialism, and busy-body self-righteousness that's quite far from, say, Christian humility.
So while it may be a mental relief to be an evangelical and realize, "hey, we're not all authoritarians!", I still wonder if there isn't some more somber mirror-gazing needed. "People of faith" didn't just run away from Gloria Steinem; they ran towards George Bush, and supported him through one of the ugliest periods in American history.
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A reasonable, even obvious article.
But no doubt it won't be heard HERE as the fringe left races in to trash all things religious and Christian.
Hopefully though Democrats will hear it. I think they have actually.
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About Abortion
As someone who worked as a counselor for a rape crisis center for several years, I would like to add this perspective, which may be helpful when talking to Christians.
Most people (and most Christians) believe that victims of rape should not be forced to carry any resulting pregnancy to term.
Yet, rape is not a reasonably legally enforceable exception; in a Pro-Life legal framework, if you have to prove that you've been raped in order to have access to RU486, the legal burden of proof is suddenly upon the victim (the victim is presumed "guilty" until proven innocent in the eyes of the law). Or you would have to get a police officer or doctor to support your claim, which would lead to massive abuse of the system (pro-choice officials willing to lie).
This is all to say that, and make no mistake about it, a Pro-Life legal framework would put the burden of proof upon all rape victims who became pregnant, and would essentially force a protracted legal resolution, advancing the pregnancy far beyond "the morning after."
This is a good illustration for why, even if someone views most abortions as morally wrong, he or she should allow that making them legally impossible would be a huge disservice to a significant but generally unsung (because generally very quiet) group of women.
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Not so fast
Maybe I’m just being petty, but now that the political tide is turning against them, I’m just not ready to forgive and forget the moral, environmental and fiscal crimes of a group of people who rarely admit to fallibility. I genuinely fear that these magic-believers will poison the resurgent New Deal rising in America. They have already nearly turned America into Taliban West with their war on science and compassion. Let’s face it; had we properly funded education, particularly science education (not science facts, but scientific thought), then these magic-believers would have long ago ceased to plague us. I see the war on science that has been waged by the magic-believers as the single largest threat to the continued existence of our nation and, considering human-caused climate catastrophe, to our planet.
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She is right
Democrats will never win over all the religious conservative voters, but if they can increase their percentage enough to win Florida and Ohio, then it could make all the difference.
Abortion is just one theological issue.
Contraception is another. Most Catholics disobey their church.
Unjust war is another--a good one for Democrats.
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converting means you have to talk to them.
but which language can you use?
"you kill babies!" (3 month fetus, iq 2.)
"but you drop bombs on wedding parties in afghanistan, killing 150 grown people who never did you any harm, because maybe some alqaeda jihadist is there. maybe."
the thing is, these evangelicals aren't any kind of christian at all. you can talk all you want to hypocrites, but listening is a waste of time.
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There is no God blah blah blah blah
Flying spaghetti monster blah blah blah blah.
Delusional fundies blah blah blah blah.
Prove it blah.
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you mean convert them?
.....but that's exactly what we're NOT about.Thats a fundamental difference between liberals and fundies.Fundies see a world of sinners , who if presented with Jesus in some way palatable-be it updated language, whiteface, blackface or comic book form ,they could change them in a way that will let the Fundies feel better about themselves and their fellow human , before they can BOTH go find another sinner to convert.The purpose of life is just one big mission and that need to convert is at the core of Christianity.Its a condescending and aggressive in its nature.
Liberals value the curiosity and intellectual discovery that occur when investigating what path to take.They value the side roads and the weird alleys.They see life as a discovery and enjoy existential daring, even when its at the risk of ostracism.To thine own self be true.Above all they value all humans as valuable AS THEY ARE , although of course,they don't always express it well. If you need to be converted to do the right thing in a libs eyes, its not the right thing for you.
if you have to become the other person to reach your goal, you've lost it.