Christian right at crossroads

[rebel with a cause]

Source: Associated Press

By RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writer
1 hour, 6 minutes ago



As they court the evangelicals who have become so crucial to their party, Republican presidential candidates are stepping into the middle of a family fight.

Christian conservative activists are more split than ever over whether to keep the movement's focus on abortion, marriage and sexual chastity — or scrap that approach as too narrow.

<snip>

"It's an ongoing debate within the house of evangelicals," said Michael Cromartie, vice president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a conservative Washington think-tank. "It's about how evangelicals present themselves in the public arena."

In November, some Christian conservatives condemned pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren for inviting Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) to speak at an AIDS summit at his church. Obama, campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination, supports abortion rights.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070319/ap_on_re_us/religious_right

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Might be interesting to watch the republican candidate's waffle from one issue to another to try to find the right message for the changing climate in this group. (if there is one?) If the writer is correct and the decision is to be made by individual pastors instead of the tele-vangilist, we can only hope that some of them use their good sense on what is important and not fall into a straight line for the final nominee like they did for bush. Hope springs eternal for some of us, but reality tends to bite us in the butt. ;-)

[tanyev]

1. That's appropriate.

The crossroads is where you go to sell your soul to the devil, as so many Christian conservatives seem to have done.

[Thor_MN]

10. First thing I thought of, when I read the headline

That and the GOP is bind because they are way behind and looking to make a deal.

[gratuitous]

2. They can't do that!

How will the Republicans know how they should pander to the Fundies so as to fool them for another election cycle? (Hint for our lurking fundamentalist friends: You had everything you could possibly want for six years. What practical results do you have to show for it?)

[rebel with a cause]

3. Why they have a war,

a national debt that is humongous, and they think a possible chance for rapture. ;-). If there is any of them lurking here, I would give them something to think about with the idea of the rapture. If you believe in the rapture and if you are one of those who bring about the end of the world, do you really believe you will be going to heaven? Umm, something to think about and I wouldn't want to be you.

For all the atheist and non-christians on the board, the above is a what if this were question and not a what about when question. Don't flame me please. :hide:

[Doctor_J]

9. They have no intention of overturining Roe or enacting the DOMA

If they did, what would they scare the red state ignorant masses with? As you said, they've had 6 years of unfettered control. All they have to show for it is a bloated government and a lot of unemployment. And a lot of dead Muslims. So I guess it hasn't been a COMPLETE waste for the fundies

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rebel with a cause]

5. I'm sorry but I don't like to smell coffee, it makes me sick.

Allergies, you see. :sarcasm:

Anything that happens will be the democrats fault according to the right wingers, no matter what the democrats do. Just my opinion on it. That is how they have played it so far and that will be how they will play it all the way through. If the people are stupid enough to buy it, then there is nothing we can do. but hopefully there has been enough happen that even 51% of the people will not be in their pocket next election. Only time will tell for sure.

[AX10]

6. Decentralization of the CR movement could weaken the GOP.

The GOP has counted on a united "Christian" Right for their "victories" as they are called.

[Demeter]

7. More Like They're On A Cross of Their Own Construction

Which side was the unrepentant criminal on? Jesus's right?

[VegasWolf]

8. Meanwhile I notice fewer and fewer cars at Evangelical Churches each Sunday. Get's

harder and harder to fool the sheep.

[baldguy]

11. Christian or Conservative: pick one

[rebel with a cause]

12. Help the rich or the poor?

What would Jesus do?

[customerserviceguy]

13. While its true

that the fundies really don't have a candidate they consider backable in the top tier of the Republican Party at this point, don't underestimate their ability to be herded into place if faced with any of our top tier Democrats at the top of our ticket. Repuke scare tactics will be in full force by November, 2008, they cannot afford to have the fundies either stay home, or vote third party.

[rebel with a cause]

14. Oh, I don't doubt it at all.

One of our only hopes as far as this is concerned is if some of these churches (especially some of the mega churches) pull away from the fundie beliefs and start to think for themselves. Do I think this will happen, not really.

The other thing that can happen is that people tire of this type of sheep herding religion and stop toeing the line. I think this is the most likely type of change that might happen, but then the question would be will the numbers be enough to make a difference.

Another chance of our beating the fundies is for people who usually don't vote to come out in droves and vote their little hearts out. For this to happen, we would have to have inspire these groups and then we would have to make sure they were allowed to vote. Call in the U.N. if needed. ;-)

[hatrack]

15. Only two directions at this crossroads: left or right

Left: All the problems in the world, mustering the will to do something about them, and (oh yeah, almost forgot!) the collected sayings, parables and advice attributed to an itinerant Jewish preacher from a few thousand years back.

Right: All the attention in the world devoted to people the Thumpers do not know and will never meet and what those people do with their genitals.

Tough decision, huh? Lotsa luck, guys!

[Arugula Latte]

16. Hey fundies -- Keep going straight past the rusted car and the ol' gas pump.

When you see the mini-mart, turn right. Keep going. Yes the road ends at a steep cliff. Plunge over. It's okay, Jebus will save you! Have Faith! Bye bye, fundies! :hi:

[ryanmuegge]

17. If you look at the Christian Coaliton's "legislative agenda"

It's things like making the tax cuts permanent and shit like that. Apparently, Christ has a deep emotional stake in taxation policy.

A few years back, they were funding ads that were opposing Mrs. Clinton's health care plan and stuff like that. Come on. What the fuck does that have to do with Christianity?

On the other hand, they are for net neutrality, so they're not complete baby-eaters, I guess.