What's really happening in the US?

[Bron]

I've been hearing so many stories about rampant republican fundamentalism in the States, I'm really curious about what's actually going on - We didn't used to hear these things, so is it the way it's being reported and things are same as they always were, or have they really gone all theocratic?? Because it sounds pretty way out from out here!

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

I think what you're hearing is, um, not very well informed or balanced reporting.

In my state, WA, our legislature passed a same sex marriage bill, the governor signed it into law, and though it will likely face a referendum challenge this fall, current polling indicates it will stand, 55-45.

Even in the Republican primaries, which are much more conservative than the general public, the Religious Right's fair-haired boy, Santorum, put up a good fight but was ultimately defeated by the moderate conservative Romney.

I do think it likely Republicans will take the White House this election, increase their margins in the House, and possibly retake the Senate... but that will be because of the continuing poor economy and lack of confidence in Obama's ability to improve it, not because of religious or social issues, and certainly not because of any groundswell of fundamentalism.

 

[hedrick]

I agree that we're not about to see rampant theocracy. I do believe, however, that there's been a change in Republicanism. But it's more economic and "red neck" conservatism. It's not fair to saddle Christian conservatism with the Tea Party.

 

[Gnarwhal]

I think what you're hearing is, um, not very well informed or balanced reporting.

In my state, WA, our legislature passed a same sex marriage bill, the governor signed it into law, and though it will likely face a referendum challenge this fall, current polling indicates it will stand, 55-45.

Even in the Republican primaries, which are much more conservative than the general public, the Religious Right's fair-haired boy, Santorum, put up a good fight but was ultimately defeated by the moderate conservative Romney.

I do think it likely Republicans will take the White House this election, increase their margins in the House, and possibly retake the Senate... but that will be because of the continuing poor economy and lack of confidence in Obama's ability to improve it, not because of religious or social issues, and certainly not because of any groundswell of fundamentalism.

I think it depends on the region of the country, but I do agree that the reporting is likely unbalanced.

I've crossed the party line ideologically but I haven't had an opportunity to register yet (although there are representatives on campus almost 24/7 to recruit students into the Democratic ranks).

Ultimately I wouldn't be surprised if you're right and the GOP becomes the majority in Washington again, sadly.

I agree that we're not about to see rampant theocracy. I do believe, however, that there's been a change in Republicanism. But it's more economic and "red neck" conservatism. It's not fair to saddle Christian conservatism with the Tea Party.

Maybe it's where I live (Northern California) that it seems like they are more one-in-the-same. Two years ago I would've completely agreed with you, that the Tea Party and the Christian-right weren't always the same (and it's still essentially not), but where I'm from it seems like it's quickly becoming just that. I abandoned the Republican party because I was becoming more and more disgusted with their petty tactics and games, and there seemed to be a hatred and bigotry amongst conservatives that I just couldn't stand anymore. Not to say the Democrats aren't involved in the same things at times, but I felt this overall sense of immaturity with GOP proponents.

Like Ed Dobson said after he voted for Obama in 2008, he believed Obama was closer to Jesus' teachings. I think for me I find that to be the case with the Democratic party in general compared to the GOP.

 

[Philonephius]

A recent poll revealed that 46% of Americans believe the Earth is 6,000 years old. I personally think that is a very significant problem. If people in our country are so improperly educated that they believe 99.9% of scientists are lying to us, we are in serious trouble, economically speaking.

That said, I do believe the tides are turning. The fundamentalist religious right is losing ground. Romney is a tad more conservative on social and environmental issues than I would like, but I also recognize that he must pander to the "base" (e.g. people who reject climate change) in order to win. All politicians do that. But I am confident Romney would govern from the center.

I'm just thrilled that Santorum or Gingrich didn't win the nomination. Had that occurred, there is a chance that I would have voted for Obama.

 

[sniperelite7]

A recent poll revealed that 46% of Americans believe the Earth is 6,000 years old. I personally think that is a very significant problem. If people in our country are so improperly educated that they believe 99.9% of scientists are lying to us, we are in serious trouble, economically speaking.

Ugh please don't bring that up..i'm liable to snap and go on a rant; one of the guys in my college age church group dragged some book written by a Christian "biologist" that claims to prove evolution is a fraud. Needless to say the teacher jumped all over it, wanting to form lessons around it.

And here I am, in dialogue with an elder trying to explain to him why proper exegesis needs to be conducted in order to better understand homosexuality as it relates to Christianity.

 

[Gnarwhal]

Ugh please don't bring that up..i'm liable to snap and go on a rant; one of the guys in my college age church group dragged some book written by a Christian "biologist" that claims to prove evolution is a fraud. Needless to say the teacher jumped all over it, wanting to form lessons around it.

And here I am, in dialogue with an elder trying to explain to him why proper exegesis needs to be conducted in order to better understand homosexuality as it relates to Christianity.

I empathize with your frustration.

 

[hedrick]

I empathize with your frustration.

We need a Like button.

But it's not a lack of education, as far as I can see. It's more like a kind of Christian conspiracy theory.

 

[Nilloc]

We need a Like button.

There is the little reputation button in the right hand corner of the posts. Looks like a lightbulb:

 

[Philonephius]

one of the guys in my college age church group dragged some book written by a Christian "biologist" that claims to prove evolution is a fraud.

It is laughable when YECs publish lists of "scientists" who reject evolution. Not surprisingly, few (if any) of those scientists are even trained in a relevant field - they're mostly engineers and the like. But even with them included, 95 - 97% of scientists accept evolution. That speaks for itself.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

I'm just thrilled that Santorum or Gingrich didn't win the nomination. Had that occurred, there is a chance that I would have voted for Obama.

I wouldn't equate the two. Santorum is a Catholic social conservative who comes very close to being a theocrat. Nominating him would have been the best way, maybe the only way, to get me to vote for Obama.

Gingrich, OTOH, is a Conservative Opportunity Society Republican like the late Jack Kemp. The real problem with Gingrich is that his temperament is too mercurial to be president... or even to run a successful campaign for it. He has lots of good ideas and some bad ones, but lacks the steadiness to see any of them through to completion.

 

[Michaeles]

It is laughable when YECs publish lists of "scientists" who reject evolution. Not surprisingly, few (if any) of those scientists are even trained in a relevant field - they're mostly engineers and the like. But even with them included, 95 - 97% of scientists accept evolution. That speaks for itself.

The statistic for natural scientists ("real" scientists) is over 99%.

 

[someonestupid]

The US economy is collapsing and is pretty much to the point of no return. In certain parts of the country there's a very real threat that some charismatic charlatans and demagogues, who believe in dominion theology, could establish some form of theocratic reign in the likely future scenario where the US dollar loses its world reserve currency status and the price of fuel and food go through the roof!

Whenever a society collapses, in this case western society, the general population looks to utopian ideas as means of escape. Certain sects of Christianity promise their adherents they'll escape this world and Jesus will come down and slaughter the wicked. This idea is wrong because it doesn't live up to reality. There is also a strong secular humanist element in the US that is growing and promises that through reason we will be able to perfect the human species and march toward a better future. Both of these ideas are exploiting impressionable people and making false promises!

In the US you constantly hear the citizenry bickering about illegals, gays, Muslims and unions. This is a direct result of the corporate media constantly driving in to the collective conscious that society's problems should be blamed on the weak. In stead of the US citizenry getting mad at the banks, deregulation, and wall street speculators, we've decided that social issues of little importance are worth the trouble rather than prosecuting those responsible,(the big banks) for our demise.

 

[Philonephius]

Gingrich, OTOH, is a Conservative Opportunity Society Republican like the late Jack Kemp. The real problem with Gingrich is that his temperament is too mercurial to be president... or even to run a successful campaign for it. He has lots of good ideas and some bad ones, but lacks the steadiness to see any of them through to completion.

My problem with Gingrich is that I cannot help but view him as a mere opportunist. I also find it highly objectionable that he was leading the impeachment bandwagon against Clinton while he, too, was having an affair. He is a hypocrite.

 

[Gnarwhal]

My problem with Gingrich is that I cannot help but view him as a mere opportunist. I also find it highly objectionable that he was leading the impeachment bandwagon against Clinton while he, too, was having an affair. He is a hypocrite.

Good point.

 

[Jase]

We need a Like button.

But it's not a lack of education, as far as I can see. It's more like a kind of Christian conspiracy theory.

Too me it certainly seems like a lack of education. That or willfully ignoring evidence to support one's erroneous beliefs.

When you still believe being gay is a choice or the earth is 6000 years old, education is quite obviously lacking.