Why do Christians tend to be conservatives?

[directory]

It seems that the large majority of Christians are conservative. What is it about free markets, low taxes, minimal welfare, lax gun control, and strong crime policies that appeals so strongly to Christians? I'm not saying that Christians should be liberal– I'm only asking why those opinions are so specifically attractive to Christians.

 

[SinnerInTheHands]

The free market aspect is mainly based off of the history of the Protestant Work Ethic, which was extremely prevalent among Christians of Reformed background. It shaped modern capitalism, and is worth a google search.

As for the social conservative aspects - that's simply the Biblical position.

 

[Oafman]

This is only true in America.

 

[Armoured]

[citation needed]

 

[Radicchio]

i am not sure that a large majority of Christians are conservative, but rather the most vocal.

 

[AceHero]

Conservatives have immense influence when it comes to Christianity. The rise of the religious right in the 1980s changed the face of Christianity forever. The Christian left exists but is not very influential. We progressive believers tend to keep to ourselves, for better or for worse.

 

[KarateCowboy]

Because "conservative" principles and Christian principles line up. That's why, despite earning 6% less than liberals, on average, 'conservatives' give considerably more of their own income to charity. They're more likely to engage in secular giving, more likely to forgive, more likely to volunteer time, and more likely to return change when given too much at the register. Basically, the 'conservative' worldview is more Christian in nature. The 'liberal' worldview is more statist and Marxist, which is anti-theistic in nature.

Source:
https://philanthropy.com/article/Charitys-Political-Divide/179035

Text of article:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1759256/posts

 

[Marius27]

As for the social conservative aspects - that's simply the Biblical position.

Nope, it's not. Ascribing political attributes to the Bible is ridiculous.

 

[Marius27]

Conservatives have immense influence when it comes to Christianity. The rise of the religious right in the 1980s changed the face of Christianity forever. The Christian left exists but is not very influential. We progressive believers tend to keep to ourselves, for better or for worse.

I think the Fundamentalist movement in the 20th Century really did a lot of damage to Christianity as a whole.

 

[Marius27]

This is only true in America.

Well, it's true in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe too. Of course that's not saying much since they're the most corrupt and violent places in the world. I'd imagine Italy is quite conservative too, due to the influence of the Vatican.

 

[iluvatar5150]

During the late 1970's and 1980's, popular Christian media personalities (Falwell, et al) got in bed with Republican politicians to help each other gain and retain power. Republicans started paying lip service to social positions held by many Christians, while the Christian leadership preached a message intertwining religious doctrine and conservative economics policy, delivering a large voting-block to Republicans. It's been so effective that many conservative Christians can't distinguish between doctrine and policy. There's even a church near me that includes comments about taxes in their statement of faith.

 

[SinnerInTheHands]

Nope, it's not. Ascribing political attributes to the Bible is ridiculous.

Social conservatism is not the Biblical position? Mind you, I'm not talking about fiscal conservatism.

Let's see, the Bible is:

1] Pro-Life

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." [Jeremiah 1:5]

"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them." [Psalm 139:13-16]

"But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased." [Galatians 1:15]

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward." [Psalm 127:3]
​

2] Anti-Gay Marriage

Matthew 19:4-5​

Romans 1:18-32

1 Corinthians 6:9
​

Need I go on?

 

[Crowns&Laurels]

It's not hard to see why Christians tend to lean toward conservatism, as Christianity itself is conservative. It stands on tradition and unchanging ideologies.

This is why liberal Christianity is at best 'meh'. It shifts with the world. What's convicting or piercing of a religious standing that changes- that simply warps into any form to necessitate others?

 

[Oafman]

Well, it's true in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe too. Of course that's not saying much since they're the most corrupt and violent places in the world. I'd imagine Italy is quite conservative too, due to the influence of the Vatican.

Christians in places like Italy will be more socially conservative, but not more fiscally conservative. It's that which is unique to America.

 

[brinny]

...i'm actually a Democrat, although most of what i believe is more in sync with the Conservative Party AKA the Republican Party (as most think of it), however i'm not so sure i should affiliate with either one.....

Both are HUGE political machines, and i sense i'm not alone in being sick ad nauseam in hearing the same ol' shpiels from both sides.

Ugh!

Seriously.

 

[SoldierOfTheKing]

It seems that the large majority of Christians are conservative. What is it about free markets, low taxes, minimal welfare, lax gun control, and strong crime policies that appeals so strongly to Christians? I'm not saying that Christians should be liberal– I'm only asking why those opinions are so specifically attractive to Christians.

The traditionalist-libertarian alliance is a vestigal remnant of the Cold War. Anti-communism was the common ground that held them together. As a result, even today most American conservatives try to be both.

 

[beaverpond]

I may be enrolled as republican, but I find myself as more of an independent when voting. I am conservative by nature and it shows when voting. However, if there is no candidate that fits how I feel because I think they are too liberal then nobody gets my vote...that is right, I just leave the box blank for that office. I am not going to sacrifice my vote by voting for somebody who I don't think should be there. Anybody in my town who knows me knows I am not afraid to voice my opinion on the subject and have encouraged others to do the same. As far as referendum votes go, when it comes to spending money I typically vote no because these are my tax dollars and my tax bill which is already high enough. I don't want to see it go any higher.

 

[Sketcher]

It seems that the large majority of Christians are conservative. What is it about free markets, low taxes, minimal welfare, lax gun control, and strong crime policies that appeals so strongly to Christians?

You might as well ask why people like TV, sex, and bacon. To me, your question answers itself.

 

[ViaCrucis]

It seems that the large majority of Christians are conservative. What is it about free markets, low taxes, minimal welfare, lax gun control, and strong crime policies that appeals so strongly to Christians? I'm not saying that Christians should be liberal– I'm only asking why those opinions are so specifically attractive to Christians.

This is largely a modern phenomenon, and in the case examples you offer a rather American thing.

In fact Christians are both liberal and conservative and in-between, and inasmuch as terms like "conservative" and "liberal" could be said to apply historically this has been the case throughout history.

But at present the observation that the majority of Christian are "conservative" is largely a matter of public perception--and not at all accurate on a global scale--and has to do with how popular religion and politics have been married to one another in a fairly concerted effort over the past several decades.

To that end many Christians have been fed a steady diet of teaching that conservatism is a necessary part of being Christian, which--of course--it isn't.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

It's not hard to see why Christians tend to lean toward conservatism, as Christianity itself is conservative. It stands on tradition and unchanging ideologies.

This is why liberal Christianity is at best 'meh'. It shifts with the world. What's convicting or piercing of a religious standing that changes- that simply warps into any form to necessitate others?

Is this why liberal Christians like Martin Luther King Jr were so apathetic to the social evils of segregation, racism, war, and poverty? They were just "meh" and went "with the world"?

-CryptoLutheran