Young and found Jesus? There's a good chance you may be saying, "yes, we can." According to a September 2007 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, 15 percent of white evangelicals between 18 and 29 — those who could traditionally be counted on to vote Republican — say they no longer identify with the Republican Party. (Older evangelicals are also questioning their allegiance, although not as dramatically.) What's turning young evangelicals to Obama?
One seminary student summed it up like this: "I just keep thinking, if Jesus were alive now, he wouldn't necessarily be voting Republican." To see where the schism happens, read more.
Young Christians are just as passionate about the "family values" issues that have traditionally driven Christians to the Republican camp (a study by an evangelical polling organization shows young Christians are actually more conservative than older generations on abortion) but they're also concerned about issues such as social justice and immigration — issues traditionally addressed by Democrats. The crisis of conservatism stems from young evangelicals being "both socially conservative and globally aware." McCain doesn't speak to them on the former issue, so they're searching for a representative on the latter.
Robert Novak has an Op-Ed in the Washington Post today where he highlights McCain's faith-based problem, and questions the role of Mike Huckabee — could he be the religious savior that McCain needs, or does he have devilish intentions? Novak says this, which I find startling:
One experienced, credible activist in Christian politics who would not let his name be used told me that Huckabee, in personal conversation with him, had embraced the concept that an Obama presidency might be what the American people deserve. That fits what has largely been a fringe position among evangelicals: that the pain of an Obama presidency is in keeping with the Bible's prophecy.
Are you surprised by this evangelical phenomenon? Can McCain win over the socially conservative? Should he even try? Would an Obama presidency be a plague of biblical proportions — or heaven on earth?
G Star
Irregular Choice
Jerome Dreyfuss
90% of the students in seminary when my wife went through we VERY left wing democrats. That may just be the denomination, but I have noticed a tendancy for students and just graduated worker tend to be democrats. It makes sense. Those who don't have a lot want everyone to share. They'll get more conservative as they get older
1I think that there has long been a divide for those voting on Christian principles, who both want to take on helping the poor and believe in giving to those in need, but also socially are pushed out by the outspoken on the left (weren't we just talking about planned parenthood pushing people?)...
Obama captured my interest when he came onto the national scene b/c he was able to comfortably embrace religion/spirituality and still be embraced by the Dem base. Bush won over a lot of people through churches, especially the black churches, and I think it will be interesting to see if Obama is a candidate that can bring those people back. Not by pandering or bribing, but by showing that we are a coalition of people with similar needs and interests and that he can meet those needs.
I hope so...
2Although I am glad Evangelicals are involved in politics, voting for someone because they believe he will be an infliction to our nation is medieval at best.
3Can you link the pew study?
4I found it on my own, ok here's what I see - while the Republican affiliation has decreased by 15% since 2001 among 18-29 white evangelical Christians, the independents have increased by 6% and the dems have only increased by 3%. So I don't think it's safe to assume that all these independents would vote Obama?
To be honest, the infiltration of evangelicals into the Republican party has actually made me wish and hope for the rise of the Libertarian party because I am strongly opposed to mixing religion and politics, there's a reason there's a separation between church and state.
5You guys can read it here
6That is fine with me. It could help the Republican party go back to the true Conservative roots! Bye Religious Right
7The plague thing is Hagee-crazy, if you ask me.
And in reference to the Jesus quote, I definitely don't think he'd be affiliated with either party to be honest. Plus there'd be bigger fish to fry than choosing a candidate, imo.
8Sy, You and me both wish there would be a rise in Libertarians. Actually I wish Republicans would go back to being Conservative, but I will take what I can get at this point!
9I agree Sy. Neither party would pass the Jesus test. Both parties would send their lawyers and argue that they could, but that's the problem with spin. Lot's get said, and little gets done.
10Maybe we just nee more Barry...
11
12"To be honest, the infiltration of evangelicals into the Republican party has actually made me wish and hope for the rise of the Libertarian party because I am strongly opposed to mixing religion and politics, there's a reason there's a separation between church and state"
Exactly!
Thanks for saying it, I had not figured this out to be honest. While I still think I'm neither Democrat nor Republican per se, I do think that is a huge reason why I can't commit to Republican. I cannot stand all the religious restrictions that the Republican party endorses, I feel like the Republican party is schizophrenic sometimes, endorsing small government in some but allowing heavy regulation when religion is involved.
The Democratic party is too much all around for me, too much government, too much taxes, too much regulation, too much everything it seems.
I used to identify as a Republican more than anything but the last 8 years of Bush's "spiritual" politics have been a HUGE TURN OFF.
13wwbgd
14What Would Boy George Do??
15exactly
16If Jesus were here, He would tell that student to stop putting words in his mouth. Nothing annoys me more than people talking about what Jesus would say or do so specifically.
This is just so depressing to me I can't think of anything to say about it. Ditto to all of you guys!
17did anyone else get a chuckle out of this part? "One experienced, credible activist in Christian politics who would not let his name be used told..."
All I could think of is, Well, if ONE person says it, it must be true!
18For true cab, I know that's how it goes in my world, one person said it, then it's the truth no matter what!
19I also find it hard to believe that while McCain doesn't speak to the socially conservative, Obama does?
I think this has more to do with the common misconception that Obama is moderate than it has to do with people leaving the Republican party by the boatload...
20Or is that to mean the former issue of social justice?
How does McCain not speak to that?
I just don't really understand that part.
21Ah well, whatever, I'm with you guys, getting the religion out of the GOP is a good thing!
22I don't really get it either cabaker, it seems to me since that people who favor more secular politics would leave the right in favor of Obama not the other way around.
It's like if you are on a diet, the ice cream cone is bad, but the ice cream cake is worse. (not had lunch yet
)
23Barry is rolling over in his grave at what the Republican party has become. He would be making some serious speeches against the religious right, and would probably call himself a Libertarian if it were not for their ideas in Foreign policy, which is really the only thing that keeps me from calling myself a Libertarian.
I
you Barry!
24Good morning ladies & gent.
25I agree w/ a lot of ppl about separating church and state... but don't we all vote for policies based on our moral values? How are we ever disentangled? I disagree with legislating someone else's choices, I'm for less govt interference for the most part, but helping the planet and helping the poor and equalizing the playing field for the disadvantaged appeals to me on a core level.
There is religion, and then there is the state... and then there is how much you want the state to interfere based on your beliefs... and then if you want incentives or if you want the govt to help or if you want to govt to restrict...
26Very well put Cine. If the Libertarians can muster a little support (and hopefully change their forgiven policy) I'm probably going to be leaning in their direction, but until they become more electable, I'm still a Republican.
I hope you're all doing well.
27I think it is great if people that are out side the traditional "obama demographic" are looking into what he really stands for. I think he is a great candidate and offers quite a bit.
I do think that the past 8 years have been really hard on the lower and middle class in the United States, and so it makes sense that people are questioning how much Republican policy actually translates into Christian principles.
I think Obama's Fellowship program is TOTALLY something JWD. Training volunteers to go into communities and make them better. It doesn't cost tax payers any money, but it makes a huge impact in the lives of those that are struggling.
28Morning Hypno! You make me want to
with you, in that picture!
29Hi 3m!
30Jill I think the last 8 years are a horrible representation of Republican policy, and that is why so many Republicans are fed up and going towards being Libertarian.
31So, they're Obama supporters because they believe he will be a sign of the end times? Was that one of his policies? Did I miss that on Meet The Press?
32Yeah Obama's just a regular Pied Piper, stand too close and it'll look like a scene out of 76 Trombones.
I think that the season is ripening for a viable third party. Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain are both Mavericks in their own right and they both offer something different for the Clinton/Bush constituents.
An Obama Presidency won't be heaven or hell, it'll just be different. I for one can't wait to go to Soul Train at the White House.
33Cine, you can join my Republitarian party. We are the bane of all on the left and the right.
This story - although perhaps not portending any real trends given Syako's comments - warms my little heart. This touches on one of the things that I feel is really missing in a lot of socially conservative Christians these days. Jesus was very adamantly for helping the poor and loving and accepting the imperfect. So, support family values, oppose big government, that's all well and good, Jesus certainly didn't put a lot of faith in the government taking care of those who need it. He and his followers took that on. So, what are you doing to carry out that part of his message? I'm not saying that all socially conservative Christians don't. But, it does seem sometimes like that gets a little lost in the wind for some of the vocally religous chunks of the GOP.
34jenn I want in for the republitarian party!
35I don't mind that the republican party was co-opted by the religious right, I mind that the religious right egregiously abandoned all of their religious tenets so completely once they came to power.
36The more the merrier, Syako!
37suh-weet!
38Does anyone know how to adress rac's concern cuz i have the same question she does!
"So, they're Obama supporters because they believe he will be a sign of the end times? Was that one of his policies? Did I miss that on Meet The Press?"
what does that mean? that the Bible prophesied that a half black/half white man with a funny name would become president and then the dogs of Circes would descend upon humanity to devour the unrighteous???
39Maybe it's like the antichrist coming to power before the Son of Man can return? I have no clue nica.
40yea i didnt get that part either...
my brain is having some functioning issues today!
41Thanks for warning us about the dogs of Circes nicachica. I'll have to stock up on my milk bones and begon strips.
42ha that reminds me of the Bud light commercial where dogs can talk. Pretty hilarious.
43I like the one with the Irish clogging Chimpanzees. Could that be an Oman too? Irish clogging Chimpanzees?
44This is why I love CS. You're not going to read a comment that references the "Dogs of Circes" anywhere else on the internet.
45hehe...what can i say? i love obscure references to mythological creatures!
46whoa! Circes really did have dogs! and here i thought i was just joking but i guess i remember more greek mythology than i give my brain credit for...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circe
47i am a seminary / social work student getting my M.Div and my MSW and I can wholeheartedly tell you that I am on Team Obama... and that the majority of my collegues here at school are as well. We're looking for a new language to talk about government and we're ready to suspend our cynacism for a little while. Obama allows us that liberty.
i hate end-time prophesy fanatics and generally disregard those rantings as rubbish, so i can't speak for the eschatology bit, sorry. however, i can say that the number of obama bumper stickers in my church parking lot is pretty high.
48I am more interested in how observant these people are than in what religion they identify with. Many people call themselves members of a religious group without actually following much of what that group says, attending services, etc. In recent elections level of religious participation has been a great indicator of of voting preference, some studies show it as a better indicator than religious affiliation.
49Jenn I am totally joining that party!
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