Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

What is the most politically astute strategy for dealing with fundie right wing bigots?

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU
 
many a good man Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 10:13 AM
Original message
What is the most politically astute strategy for dealing with fundie right wing bigots?
We all want to curb their influence and move this country in the direction of tolerance and civil rights.

They represent a core bloc of voters within the Republican party. They are aligned with and empower the economic royalists and militant imperialists. Without a strong turnout from this base Republicans are incapable of winning a national election. They are the greatest impediment to mankind achieving a better future.

What can be done?

Do we reach across the divide in hopes of finding common ground on a limited set of issues (global warming, hunger, aids, homelessness...)? This might work to peel off a small percentage that would lessen their kingmaking ability.

Or do we make a principled stand and call out bigotry and intolerance in the hope of stigmatizing it? We can appeal to our higher ideals and the desire for freedom and security. Or will this only generate a greater backlash in both the short and long term?

Is there a third way? Are the two approaches mutually exclusive?

IMO we don't have the luxury of time: we are dealing with crises that threaten mankind for generations (or longer). The United States lags behind all civilized nations in too many important respects and we are now the greatest obstacle to progress on the planet unless we can truly start moving in a new direction.


Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
hobbit709 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 10:14 AM
Response to Original message
1. Exile to a desert island with only their bibles to help them survive.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
many a good man Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 11:41 AM
Response to Reply #1
17. How about going the Amish route?
The Amish believe the world is sinful and depraved so they built their own society apart. The Rick Warrens of the world are too self-righteous and want to impose their beliefs on the rest of us. It is time for us to stop coddling and just say no.

Let them set up their own communes where they can stick to their own backward views without dragging the rest of the world backwards. The Constitution allows a huge degree of religious freedom and tolerance. Nobody's stopping them.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
hobbit709 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 02:03 PM
Response to Reply #17
20. Yes, but they won't stay put unless you put them somewhere inaccessible.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
opihimoimoi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 10:18 AM
Response to Original message
2. The answer is quite simple for Opi's Solutions....Education that works Best...
We haven't tried that yet....

the best we could do is No Child Left Behind....and that sucked.....
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Karenina Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 11:03 AM
Response to Reply #2
11. Great solution, Opi! EDUCATION!
This "Spotlight on Warren" spectacle is a great opportunity. WHO IS THIS GUY? Why is he in my face? Who wants him "crowned" as an international go-to guy? :wtf: What is Christian Reconstructionism/Dominionism? Who is into this shit? WHY? The answers to these and other questions will provide an education to those who seek it.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
opihimoimoi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 11:25 AM
Response to Reply #11
14. In this day and age...there is no reason we cannot educate more effectively
than the past...none...

I like to use the 1...2...3 method....

Good Better Best

When deciding...focus on what works best...from all angles

Education can be made easy to do if we try...evidence shows we haven't tried hard enough
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
katmondoo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 10:19 AM
Response to Original message
3. Seems to me all priests, pastors etc are against gay marriage
I haven't heard any religious leaders speak up for gay marriage, a few said OK for civil unions but no one preached for marriage. Why does everything have to lead with a prayer by a church pastor, why not a lay person?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Enrique Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 10:24 AM
Response to Reply #3
6. many churches are in favor of gay marriages
some churches and synagogues perform the marriages.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mudesi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 10:20 AM
Response to Original message
4. NOT GIVING THEM CREDIBILITY is a start (nm)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Donnachaidh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 10:23 AM
Response to Original message
5. If they want IN on the political process, let them pay TAXES
We have corporations too big to fail, which need to be busted up. We also have mega-churches, too big to ignore, that also need to be busted up.

Let them follow in Christ's footsteps. Give the preachers robes and sandals, take everything else of value and sell it off to feed the hungry, house the homeless, educate the children.

And let those politically hungry preachers WALK, rather than ride in limosines. And if they have a problem with that - set them adrift on an island.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Coyote_Bandit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 10:32 AM
Response to Original message
7. Faith based voters
make political decisions for faith based reasons. That suggests to me that those who do not share their agenda ought to challenge that faith based rationale. Unfortunately, many progressives are both uncomfortable and inept in discussing matters of faith with the detail and respect necessary - and many more dismiss the effort to do so as not being worthwhile.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KG Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 10:32 AM
Response to Original message
8. re-education camps.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
santamargarita Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 10:33 AM
Response to Original message
9. Media reform - calling these fascists out on everything!
~
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KittyWampus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 10:41 AM
Response to Original message
10. Reviewing history: as more gay people came out, more Americans realized it was their family/friends
Edited on Sun Dec-21-08 10:42 AM by cryingshame
who were being persecuted and changed their attitudes.

So it seems the more people are able to find support for coming out, the better.

Also, there are people whose job it is to market products and ideas. They understand group psychology and how to manipulate it using symbols.

Some well-funded national gay advocacy group might want to consider working with a marketing team on coming up with effective slogans and national ads. This would also be a good strategy when faced with an organized opposition like what happened in CA with Prop.

The language you use is really important when addressing the public.

My last suggestion is to scrap going for "Gay Marriage" and start working for Civil Unions For Everyone or Domestic Partnerships For Everyone. Let the states issue a legal contract to any and all couples without the word "Marriage" on it and have the signing of that contract not require any sort of ceremony (not even seeing a Justice of the Peace).
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
NOW tense Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 11:14 AM
Response to Original message
12. The question should be: How do you deal with a group that hopes the end is coming?
Striping off the people whom are willing to listen would probably net about 10%.

People in the "flock" only want to be led, and most will never question what their "leaders" say. They are lead by fear, which is the most powerful tool to control the masses. There biggest fear is change.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
norepubsin08 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 11:18 AM
Response to Original message
13. Wipe them off of the face of the earth!!!!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ayeshahaqqiqa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 11:38 AM
Response to Original message
15. Start by enforcing the Constitution
and taking away tax exempt status from churches where the pastors are telling their flocks who to vote for--or telling them they must confess if they voted for Obama. I think a case can be made for doing the same for any religious organization that spends money and pulpit time to influence specific pieces of legislation, ie Proposition 8.

Next, rescind the law that has allowed media consolidation, and encourage a variety of people to own and operate TV/radio stations--break up the conservative monopolies. Make sure the Internet remains free as more and more folks start getting their news/information online.

Educate people on the history of this country. I started school in 1956, and never had prayers led by a teacher or principal. I dont recall ever seeing Christmas decorations like a manger scene put on public property. I do recall learning about Judaism and that it is important to respect and appreciate other beliefs. I have no clue where people have gotten the notion that in the good old days of the 50s it was otherwise. Oh, and for the phonies who cite a "war on Christmas"--I suggest they look back on laws in MA which made celebrating Christmas ILLEGAL until the 1850s.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Kip Humphrey Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 11:39 AM
Response to Original message
16. Rational approaches fail with True-Believers.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DevonRex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 11:53 AM
Response to Original message
18. They are not mutually exclusive, in my opinion. I have fundy family.
So I know a little bit about them.

For mainstream denominations that tend towards fundamentalism your first idea can work. Like Baptists, Evangelical Presbyterians, maybe even some Southern Baptist churches. I would put the Catholic church in this group because of their inflexibility on lots of issues, but because they do believe in helping the poor and sick we have an "in" that we shouldn't ignore.

For the hardcore fundy churches like Bible churches, community churches, those who believe any mainstream denomination is too liberal, they must be called out for their bigotry.

BUT, I think we have to use the first choice FIRST. Get as many of that group involved in finding common ground as we can. Then those other churches will already be isolated and shown for what they really are. Getting them to reveal themselves is the key.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
CTyankee Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-21-08 12:57 PM
Response to Original message
19. Tough law enforcement against the violent hate crime perps, a gay friendly administration that
makes sure the federal government is responsive to gays rights and that means getting rid of DADT forinstance, legislation to enable gay rights and to rescind DOMA, a gay friendly face to the federal government that hires openly gay people in top positions, and straight people becoming more proactive in their local communities to lessen homophobia and educate the public.

This means everybody is involved. It's the only way. But enforcement of the laws against hate crimes on gays is absolutely essential.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Mon Feb 10th 2025, 10:19 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC