How does your religion or lack of religion lead you to be a Democrat?

[Bill McBlueState]

I'm an atheist. The major implications of atheism to me are (1) nobody's going to come down from on high to save us or our planet, and (2) there's no mystical means of escape from this world such as an afterlife. All we have is each other, all we have is this world, and all we have is our mortal existence.

To me, the Democratic party is about having faith in a democratically elected government -- the people working together -- to solve problems like poverty, disease, and pollution. Republicans have no such faith in humanity, leaving it to either rugged individualism or the hand of a mystical god to improve each person's life.

I'm curious what the rest of you think.

In light of your religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs, why are you a Democrat (or Green, etc.)?

on edit: fixed typo.

[AuntiBush]

1. Sunday School. Christians

But not full blown, rather live by the golden rules.

My faith could never allow me to not be anything but a Democrat. At that, my religious faith and spiritualism warns me far away from the GOP Republicans. Taking from the poorest amongst us, giving to the richest, sending troops into harms way under lies, etc., etc.

Not what a true God loving, Christ follower is all about and if one doesn't know that, they're a faux Christian.

I oughta know. Was raised by reverands.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. Good question....

Though my wife and I are Christian, we've come to the conclusion that church on Sunday mornings is NOT where to find like minded people (far too many judgers, hypocrites, nasty people). We love the world we've been given to live in - the beauty of nature, etc. We spend our Sundays in nature, in our yard, gardening, kayaking - being close to nature. We feel like our view on religion is ours, and it is not up to us to push it on people, convince people, or judge people - each person has their own journey and decision on this.

We are Democrats because it seems on paper (if not in practice - neither party gets very good grades these days) to have the spirit of helping people, thinking about things, being open minded, valuing intellect and diversity. It is far less mean, far less about greed and money, far less about lock step sameness. So, it works for us....though there must be a better way for a democracy to function than what we've seen lately.

[Bill McBlueState]

7. good point about Democratic practice

For the reasons I listed, good people tend to be Democrats, but the Democrats with the most power aren't necessarily the best people. Or at least, they're so compromised by the need for political power that they abandon core Democratic values like compassion and respect for diversity.

[BOSSHOG]

3. The religion of others forced my move to the left

Radical zealots wanting to force their religion into our laws and constitution pissed me off rightiously. I was baptized Catholic, was an Altar Boy, contemplated the priesthood, but I no longer go to church because with every sermon we were instructed (in so many subtle ways) who to hate. Gays, liberals, democrats, secularists all were trashed from the pulpit. Pissed me off. I'm a veteran and believe we should all cherish the constitution regardless of what we "believe." "Christians" whine about being persecuted when their only complaint is their inability to replace the constitution with the bible. Their religion has made me a wack job liberal democrat who will never vote for a republican for anything.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. You pretty much nailed it for me, except I do think there might be

an after-life. It will truly only be there for those that 'passed the test' here on Earth. I try to live a good life; working to help not only people, but also the other creatures of the planet. I don't cheat, steal, and try hard not to harm anyone nor anything. I admire and agree with the teachings of Jesus as well as others. I just don't believe in God. I think the after-life will take on the characteristics of what ever our heart desires....mine will be the reunion of all my beloved animals.

[sam sarrha]

5. I'm a Buddhist, Buddhism is Not a Religion. you are responsible for your

actions, you will suffer the consequences for everything you do that causes suffering to others.

Buddhists are 'all' Environmentalists, you are going to be reborn into the world you leave behind.

the Democrats have been the peoples party in the past, i hope they state a just cause and a platform that promotes equanimity in all aspects in life. There is a chance they might try to play the RepugNuts game in order to compete with them.. that will be fatal, if we lose it should be standing on our principals and our sails set true on course. not because we didn't do something as good as the worst Fascist Government in the history of the world.

[Options Remain]

6. "they shall know us by our love"

I dunno having the principle of caring for everyone regardless of who they are and wanting the better for them somewhat eliminates the potential of being a republican.

[FSogol]

8. I believed what they told me I Sunday School

about being kind, helping others, etc.

Also, that what Spider-man and the Fantastic Four would have done.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. My belief system

is based upon reading the sacred texts of many faiths to find similarities within them. What I have found is that they all talk of helping others, especially those who are suffering some form of misfortune. I also believe that we are all interconnected, and therefore what is done to one eventually effects the whole. In my lifetime, I have found the Democratic Party to be, by and large, the more compassionate of the two major parties, the most open to recognize that to help one is truly to help all.

[Flirtus]

10. hmmm

I'm a Democrat because of social policy needs in government, I go to church for totally unrelated reasons. I think separation of church and state is a good thing. I don't have faith in the government, ever. Faith means you can turn your attention away and trust it. Never Trust the Government! Fact Checking, Watch Dogging, Checks & Balances, Accountability, all kinds of those things we don't have right now, we need those to ensure good government.

Nobody is going to come down from on high to save us, unless you believe that it already happened with Jesus. Either we are saved or we aren't. You really don't believe in ghosts? Nevermind, all we have is each other - you are right, all we have to work with is our mortal existence. (I could carry on about your use of 'mortal' if there is no 'other.') People who live their lives in order to achieve some other life goal are playing judge and jury, and they are missing the boat. "Love one another" directly equates for me to a fair social policy. I've never thought long and hard about whether I'm interested in social problems because of church. I wasn't raised in a Democratic household, but I was raised in church. So, I know church came first for me.

I hope you don't read more into what I've written than what I meant, a simple statement of my own perception. I am always fascinated with where people draw their own lines of belief or understanding. You are not unusual in your ideas, but I have to say I couldn't put my whole trust in a separate entity (the Church, the Democratic party, Hitler) - the responsibility is with my self. And I fully intend to come back and haunt some folks.

[indigo32]

11. There are alot of ways

religion in one way or another is connected with my politics and vice versa.

I am an atheist at this point 100%. The politics and views of CERTAIN religious people around me were a great asset in helping me reach that conclusion. I'm doubt they'd be happy about that however. Today... I try very hard to temper the knee-jerk reaction to displays of Christian faith their actions have elicited in me, but I'm still an atheist.

On the other hand, I wasn't raised in a fundimentalist church (I simply watched one creep like a virus into every home in my neighborhood but mine, my parents were horrified), and I give the people there some credit for instilling in me the value system I hold today. My parents are good people, loving, honest to a fault, hardworking, open minded. Not, however, people who demonstrated large amounts of generosity. I definitely learned some things in church.

[NMMNG]

12. I have always been a Democrat at heart

Even when I had no official party affiliation I voted Democratic and held Democratic ideals. That was the case when I was a Christian, and it continued to be the case after I became an atheist.

[WoodrowFan]

13. Matthew 25:31-46

Matthew 25:31-46 (New International Version)

The Sheep and the Goats
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."



Sure don't sound like "trickle-down" economics to me. Sounds like you're supposed to actually help those who have less than you and not just give the rich huge tax cuts. Sure don't see anything in there about denying gays or women or anybody else equal rights either.