How much power and influence do the Christian far right have in America?

[Andreus]

intersting concepts and implications Ive never considered

that would infer that the cold war against the soviets was a religious war, and the religious won the battle

hmmm

never looked at it quite that way, and can't say that i agree or disagree

requires thought though

thanks for the reframe

 

[slobone]

intersting concepts and implications Ive never considered

that would infer that the cold war against the soviets was a religious war, and the religious won the battle

hmmm

never looked at it quite that way, and can't say that i agree or disagree

requires thought though

thanks for the reframe

That is absolutely the way the religious right regard it. When Reagan called the USSR "the evil empire" they took him very literally.

I don't personally think anybody "won" the Cold War. In many ways we were better off then than we are today. At least we knew where to point our missiles.

 

[gsdx]

And in fact, in this year's election, you don't even get to make that choice. All you can do is decide which of two local idiots will do the least harm in Washington.

We've had a similar problem in Canada when electing a new prime minister on occasion. Which one is the lesser of two evils?

 

[slobone]

We've had a similar problem in Canada when electing a new prime minister on occasion. Which one is the lesser of two evils?

In the US it's more likely to be the lesser of two weasels....

 

[chris0626]

At the moment, I believe it's not so much 'power' per se that they have, as 'influence' over those that actually do have power.

As for those voting against gay marriage turning out in greater numbers than those that do... that is entirely true and we can thank Karl Rove for that.

If the majority of the American public would get off their asses, we would find that in numbers, these people represent but a small minority.

But by sitting back and letting them be the focus of attention these past five years, they have allowed them a voice and a sense of power that belittles who and how many of them there really are.

The apathy of the vast number of Americans on this entire issue is as disgusting as are the percentages of people who are actually going out to vote in national elections.

The majority of American voters could silence these condescending no-it-alls that are leading them around by their tails if they would speak out (and get out and vote) instead of sitting in front of the t.v.'s, going to the gym, buying a 5000 sq. ft. house they do not need, and driving in an suv for no reason at all.

All the christian right has to do is see that a gay marriage issue is on the ballot and then their numbers get out the vote while the quasi liberal majority just sit back on election day, not willing to put their votes where their mouths are.

About a month from now we will see just what the American voter is or is not thinking and if he/she display their voting habits of the recent past, then they get what they deserve. They will have no one else to blame but themselve and their
Apathetic behaviour for what comes next until the 2008 election.

They have a chance to speak up now and be heard, let's see if they have the guts to do so and send a message to these minority fanatics that are leading us/we/them around like a bunch of idiots.

I agree with this 100%. People need to stop being 'led' on issues and finally decide for themselves what is in their own best interest. TV and newspapers are only going to give you the story as 'they' see it. Unfortunately, people seem to be getting lazier and lazier and only interested in 'me, Me, ME!' not their kids, their neighborhood, their community, their state, their country as wholes. Apathy is killing this great country.

 

[Rali_hates_Mondays]

Then what about the silent majority of moderate and liberal Christians? Don't you think that gay activists and as many people from the gay community should ally themselves with them? Perhaps inspire them to compete with the far right in terms of numbers of voters? I mean surely they don't want some lunatics discrediting their religion.

 

[chris0626]

Then what about the silent majority of moderate and liberal Christians? Don't you think that gay activists and as many people from the gay community should ally themselves with them? Perhaps inspire them to compete with the far right in terms of numbers of voters? I mean surely they don't want some lunatics discrediting their religion.

And just how, kind sir, do you suggest we do that? (not being a dick, it's an honest question)

Most 'moderates' won't march the streets or cause a stink over anything. Not sure what would inspire them to 'compete'.

 

[slobone]

Then what about the silent majority of moderate and liberal Christians? Don't you think that gay activists and as many people from the gay community should ally themselves with them? Perhaps inspire them to compete with the far right in terms of numbers of voters? I mean surely they don't want some lunatics discrediting their religion.

All this has certainly been happening for quite a while. The Episcopal church, one of the largest and most presitigious denominations in the US, has even risked a schism within the Anglican communion by ordaining an openly gay bishop*.

And there are other churches here as well who've done everything from ordain gay ministers to perform commitment or even marriage ceremonies.

To which the fundamentalist Christians would reply -- who cares? They already didn't recognize these churches as Christian anyway. They have their own very narrow interpretation of scripture, and anybody who disagrees with them is going to Hell, and that's all there is to it.

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*The C of E, or at least the Archbishop of Canterbury, has not supported the American church on this issue, by the way:

http://www.outinamerica.com/home/news.asp?articleid=29335