Why are most Christians politically right wing?

[timothyu]

How about one side seeks gain at the expense of others, while the other side puts rights over responsibility?

 

[Albion]

Many countries have more freedom than the U.S.

That's what the steady growth of Socialism in the USA has achieved.

By the way, I hope that you are not counting Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, China, Vietnam, NKorea, etc. etc. on your list. All Socialist states.

And Canada is freer in some respects than the USA but definitely not as free in some others.

You can be prosecuted for posting a Bible verse in public in Canada, for example, but you don't count that as a matter of freedom, I take it. However, you are pleased to be able to go to the hospital in Canada (IF you live the six months it takes to get the surgery, that is. That would never happen in the US.)

 

[Jonaitis]

I never understood this because what the right stands for is not even biblical. Two of the things that are absolutely biblical and correct from the right/conservatism are : 1. Anti-LGBT and 2. Pro-Life. And I agree with this, along with general traditional family values and biblical morality. But everything else in the right wing you can argue is completely against Christianity and what Jesus taught. Everything in the right seems to be based on political identity and culture, not Jesus Christ. So I don't understand why right wing politics caters to Christian evangelicals so much.

The Republican Party's values and distinctives aren't entirely represented in the political figures you come across on the television screen. Look up what we really stand for, and you may find yourself one. Don't look at those that take on the title, look at what the party originally represents.

 

[timothyu]

That's what the steady growth of Socialism in the USA has achieved.

When did they takeaway rights in the last two decades and remove habeas corpus?

 

[Albion]

No, because individual liberties include the right to basic health care

No, it doesnt. Socialists invent new human rights every time they want to sell a new government takeover to the voters. That's all that that is about. Meanwhile, they are taking away already established rights as fast as they can.



o

 

[DM25]

Hi DM25, the right is far more Pro-Life to be sure, but if they are truly anti-LGBTQ, it's news to me (along with an incredibly large number of LGBTQ conservatives, some of whom are my family members and friends).

That said, what is it that you believe is "Christian" about the left? What is it that you believe they do that is ~not~ based on "political identity and culture", but rather, on Jesus Christ?

Thanks!

--David
p.s. - this was a blind post, just FYI. If all of this has already been discussed earlier in the thread, I apologize!

I listed here a bunch of stuff in the right wing that isn't Christian. As for the left, even though what they believe is wrong, at least many of liberals motives are right and they really do want to help people. While a lot of right wingers care more about themselves rather than other people (not all, but many do). You know Jesus Christ would have been considered a liberal at the time when he was preaching the gospel on earth? All of the religious pharisees hated him and accused him of breaking traditional laws. As for what in the left is Christian, the focus on giving back and wealth distribution and socialist aspects definitely are. As well as letting people in away from oppressive countries so we may preach the gospel to them and show them Jesus (of course that's not the motive of most liberals, but at least they are not for completely closing off borders). And some other things like caring for the environment (some liberals worship the creation which is wrong, but respecting and appreciating God's creation is right). And basically caring and looking out for others regardless of their status would be more Christian and in line with the teachings of Jesus. Rehabilitation support programs rather than the death penalty are also more in line with Jesus, as Jesus said anyone could come to repentance so criminals should be given the chance to come to repentance as well just as the apostle Paul did after being a murderous criminal. While the pharisees would want to stone and kill sinners, Jesus saves sinners and doesn't condemn them. I know this is all a generalization, but many of the right wing values, besides pro life and anti-LGBT, are not Christian at all and many other values on the left are. I myself am neither left or right, I am simply a believer in Christ and have an identity in Christ and not so focused on politics. I'm just going by what I observe. What I've seen by both sides.

 

[Monk Brendan]

I just mean traditional marriage basically.

According to which tradition?

Like the practice of polygamy in the OT?

Like one marriage per person per lifetime as the pre-Reformation churches teach?

Even in the Bible itself, there are all sorts of models of marriage, and any of these can be called "traditional".

 

[Sketcher]

I never understood this because what the right stands for is not even biblical. Two of the things that are absolutely biblical and correct from the right/conservatism are : 1. Anti-LGBT and 2. Pro-Life. And I agree with this, along with general traditional family values and biblical morality. But everything else in the right wing you can argue is completely against Christianity and what Jesus taught. Everything in the right seems to be based on political identity and culture, not Jesus Christ. So I don't understand why right wing politics caters to Christian evangelicals so much.

You're either sorely mistaken about what the right believes or what Christianity teaches.

Not at all. The right wing is not based on Christian fundamentals. It could be "religion" based, it certainly isn't Jesus based... Pro-guns, anti-immigration, pro-death penalty, free market, anti-socialism, pro-military spending, protectionism, etc. whether you agree or disagree with any of these things, they have nothing to do with Christianity or the teachings of Jesus... Some of these things can be traced back to the Levitical law (like the death penalty) but not the new covenant law taught by Jesus.

Since you're claiming these issues have nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus, the inverse is also true - Jesus didn't teach on national, state, or local policy about guns, immigration, markets, the welfare state, the roll of the military, trade policy, or even the death penalty. Therefore, the left-wing positions on these issues are no more "Christian" than the right-wing positions. Furthermore, many regimes who were left of the Republicans were more authoritarian, more militaristic, and less welcoming to immigrants than the Republicans are, so perhaps left vs right on these issues is the wrong way to think about them.

 

[DM25]

You're either sorely mistaken about what the right believes or what Christianity teaches.

Since you're claiming these issues have nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus, the inverse is also true - Jesus didn't teach on national, state, or local policy about guns, immigration, markets, the welfare state, the roll of the military, trade policy, or even the death penalty. Therefore, the left-wing positions on these issues are no more "Christian" than the right-wing positions. Furthermore, many regimes who were left of the Republicans were more authoritarian, more militaristic, and less welcoming to immigrants than the Republicans are, so perhaps left vs right on these issues is the wrong way to think about them.

No I know what Christianity teaches and the right wing is not following what it teaches except for a couple of stuff (traditional marriage for example). The left isn't following it either except for a couple of stuff (giving back to the poor, etc.) Right wing has become more about paganism disguised as Christian culture, I always wonder why people fall for it. It's not in line with the teachings of the gospel. It is simply a culture and worldly politics and many on both sides, including the right, are fueled with hate and that goes against Jesus Christ.

 

[timothyu]

Since you're claiming these issues have nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus, the inverse is also true -

Jesus said to leave the world of man to itself and not rebel, for they have their only reward. Jesus' followers are supposed to be of the Kingdom and the governance of the Father, not man. He made a clear division, not between man, but between the world of our making and the Kingdom.

 

[Albion]

When did they takeaway rights in the last two decades and remove habeas corpus?

The right to privacy has been seriously eroded. You are spied on now in a way that no one would have believed a generation or two ago. People of modest means are now almost unable to go into business because of the mountain of government regulations. The right to life itself is as basic as right if there ever was one, but the pro-abortion people are unyielding, even when it comes to infanticide. The right to own weapons of self-defense--a Constitutionally guaranteed right--is attacked by liberal politicians every day. Free speech on many campuses is almost extinct. And that's just for starters.

 

[Sketcher]

No I know what Christianity teaches and the right wing is not following what it teaches except for a couple of stuff (traditional marriage for example). The left isn't following it either except for a couple of stuff (giving back to the poor, etc.) Right wing has become more about paganism disguised as Christian culture, I always wonder why people fall for it. It's not in line with the teachings of the gospel. It is simply a culture and worldly politics and many on both sides, including the right, are fueled with hate and that goes against Jesus Christ.

Are you interested in hearing why a theologically conservative Christian would also support the political right, or would you rather throw generalities back and forth? If you want to discuss a right-wing stance on an issue and why I would see it as compatible with Christianity, I'm very willing to do that. If you're not interested in that, what is the point of this thread.

 

[Albion]

No I know what Christianity teaches and the right wing is not following what it teaches except for a couple of stuff (traditional marriage for example). The left isn't following it either except for a couple of stuff (giving back to the poor, etc.) Right wing has become more about paganism disguised as Christian culture, I always wonder why people fall for it. It's not in line with the teachings of the gospel. It is simply a culture and worldly politics and many on both sides, including the right, are fueled with hate and that goes against Jesus Christ.

If those things bother you, just wait until you see Socialism in power. By definition it is against any kind of religion, and especially the ability of Christian churches to engage in charity projects or to speak out for reforms in society.

 

[DM25]

The right to privacy has been seriously eroded. You are spied on now in a way that no one would have believed a generation or two ago.

Here in Canada the conservatives endorsed spying on people and it was the left wing parties who opposed Bill C-51, which was a bill that allowed for spying and Canadian government agencies to share information about individuals easily. So conservatives don't get a pass on that. Every individual should have the right to privacy.

 

[Albion]

Here in Canada the conservatives endorsed spying on people and it was the left wing parties who opposed Bill C-51, which was a bill that allowed for spying and Canadian government agencies to share information about individuals easily. So conservatives don't get a pass on that. Every individual should have the right to privacy.

You are speaking of the Conservative Party, not Conservatism. Here we go again, failing to keep to the topic, the nature of Conservatism, rather than pointing fingers at particular politicians.

 

[DM25]

If those things bother you, just wait until you see Socialism in power. By definition it is against any kind of religion, and especially the ability of Christian churches to engage in charity projects or to speak out for reforms in society.

Well that is bad but what I mean about socialism is simply the principles of fair wealth distribution like how it's done in Scandinavia. I don't mean oppressive policies against the freedom of religion. I don't believe socialism teaches that unless you have an extreme group and that is their agenda. But that's just conspiracy. It's not proven that that's the goal.

Someone could say the same thing about extreme conservatism and their end-goal being fascism and genocide. It's all speculation and extreme groups. That's not what it stands for though.

 

[timothyu]

The right to privacy has been seriously eroded. You are spied on now in a way that no one would have believed a generation or two ago.

That was post 9/11 right? Who did that?

eople of modest means are now almost unable to go into business because of the mountain of government regulations.

What had corporate takeover done to the nation? Where have the small towns, farms and industries/businesses gone?

The right to life itself is as basic as right if there ever was one, but the pro-abortion people are unyielding, even when it comes to infanticide.

I don't believe in abortion but I also don't believe in the hypocrisy of destabilizing nations in the same breath and killing millions.

The right to own weapons of self-defense--a Constitutionally guaranteed right--is attacked by liberal politicians every day.

Ownership is ok, but self self-determined use of them is not included other than for a specific purpose in that amendment.

Free speech on many campuses is almost extinct

Yes it is a shame the vocal students of the sixties caused a paranoid government to find ways of stifling expression unless it served them.

 

[DM25]

Are you interested in hearing why a theologically conservative Christian would also support the political right, or would you rather throw generalities back and forth? If you want to discuss a right-wing stance on an issue and why I would see it as compatible with Christianity, I'm very willing to do that. If you're not interested in that, what is the point of this thread.

Sorry, yes I am interested and I respect everyone's opinions.

 

[redleghunter]

I listed here a bunch of stuff in the right wing that isn't Christian. As for the left, even though what they believe is wrong, at least many of liberals motives are right and they really do want to help people. While a lot of right wingers care more about themselves rather than other people (not all, but many do). You know Jesus Christ would have been considered a liberal at the time when he was preaching the gospel on earth? All of the religious pharisees hated him and accused him of breaking traditional laws. As for what in the left is Christian, the focus on giving back and wealth distribution and socialist aspects definitely are. As well as letting people in away from oppressive countries so we may preach the gospel to them and show them Jesus (of course that's not the motive of most liberals, but at least they are not for completely closing off borders). And some other things like caring for the environment (some liberals worship the creation which is wrong, but respecting and appreciating God's creation is right). And basically caring and looking out for others regardless of their status would be more Christian and in line with the teachings of Jesus. Rehabilitation support programs rather than the death penalty are also more in line with Jesus, as Jesus said anyone could come to repentance so criminals should be given the chance to come to repentance as well just as the apostle Paul did after being a murderous criminal. While the pharisees would want to stone and kill sinners, Jesus saves sinners and doesn't condemn them. I know this is all a generalization, but many of the right wing values, besides pro life and anti-LGBT, are not Christian at all and many other values on the left are. I myself am neither left or right, I am simply a believer in Christ and have an identity in Christ and not so focused on politics. I'm just going by what I observe. What I've seen by both sides.

Who or what are you defining as “Right winger?” Just need some help digesting your comments as you don’t define who these people are. White Evangelicals?

 

[Sketcher]

Sorry, yes I am interested and I respect everyone's opinions.

OK, then. Give me an issue, and I'll be happy to explain where I stand on it.