Young Evangelicals Abandoning GOP Over Iraq, Economy

Seattle Times:

Michael Dudley is the son of a preacher man.

He's a born-again Christian with two family members in the military. He grew up in the Bible Belt, where almost everyone he knew was Republican. But this fall, he's breaking a handful of stereotypes: He plans to vote for Democrat Barack Obama.

"I think a lot of Christians are having trouble getting behind everything the Republicans stand for," said Dudley, 20, a sophomore at Seattle Pacific University.

Dudley's disenchantment with the GOP isn't unique among young, devoutly Christian voters. According to a September 2007 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, 15 percent of white evangelicals between 18 and 29, a group traditionally a shoo-in for the GOP, say they no longer identify with the Republican Party. Older evangelicals are also questioning their traditional allegiance, but not at the same rate.

Read the whole story: Seattle Times

Comments

[Donnat]

It's all fear based.

That's how Bush pulled a fast one in 2004, that's how these churches becomes mega corporations. People who are helpless are naturally more fearful. And who is more helpless than those who are heavily in debt, a paycheck away from living on the street, without a family or neighbors as a support system, and living in a society whose behavior is shaped by a steady media diet of violence and misogyny?

Their existence is fearful and desperate; televangicals ease their worries by telling them that God's favor is a big lottery that you can win if you keep sending your dollars to them.

If they ever for one moment belived they didn't have to buy God, that he is there whether they keep their money in the bank or send it to a millionnaire preacher, these TV phonies would do what Bush has done the past six years, create fantasy monsters to keep them in line.

Muslims, gays, illegal immigrants and 'lefties' are their stable of boogiemen. And boy does it pay.

The goodness of God has nothing to do with money, maybe materialistic America is waking up to that.

[Rippinit]

You sound like Michael Moore, "There are no terrorists - there is no terrorists threat".

Well, I don't think that is naive. I think that is just plain stupid.

[Evelyn]

And you sound like you have a reading comprehension problem. Where do you see "there are no terrorists" in that post?

[mabinog]

"Islamists" or Muslim extremists do intend to do harm to Americans. Most of those in far away places where Americans visit or are currently occupying their homelands. Some wish to do us harm here in the United States.

However not all Muslims wish to do us harm but since many people in this country are so addled with fear that they have backed the most incompetent President in the entirety of our history for eight years and bought into the totalitarian propaganda of the Right many people , like you, make no distinction between Muslims and Muslim extremist. Muslims are THE bogieman for the Right for without a nemesis they can not go about their narcissistic and bigoted lives without something to prop up their shallow exceptionalism.

[larmarch5]

RE:"You sound like Michael Moore, "There are no terrorists - there is no terrorists threat".

Well, I don't think that is naive. I think that is just plain stupid."

We know there are more Timothy McVey's out there, just waiting. We know there are boyfriends and husbands out there with guns. We know there are toxins and poisons being released by our corps. We know the intent of the tobacco companies. Yes, there are torrorists out there -- and they're way closer than we thought.

[stanblack]

Great. More divinely (code for crazy) driven votes from the more vacuous quarter of our population. Am I missing something or is Jesus Christ running for President?

[trollsbwild]

If a religious organization wishes to espouse their political views, just take away their 501(c)(3) exemption and let them pay taxes like everyone else.
Remember separaton fo chruch and state?

[Rippinit]

I agree. Reverend Wright and Obama's church is obviously way out in left field espousing hate for the US and supporting socialist regimes in other countries. Their exemption should definitely be revoked.

[FACINGREALIT]

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER:

Thus another reason Rev Wright was kicked out of the Church Obama attended (separation of church/state issues). Rev Wright did not RETIRE - he was FORCED to leave by the PARISHIONERS because of his political views which threatened the churches 501(c) (3) status. Also, his views were not always progressive. I've listened to Rev Wright here in Houston for several years as their sermons were televised and MOST of them were actually about God and the needs of us to be loving towards one another. But every now and again he would mix his views into what the BIBLE actually said and that is where his and the Churches problems began. There are many POWERFUL people that go to Trinity and If this man was preaching crazy for 20 years like the pundits would wish you to believe - FOX would have all of these tapes and would be advertising a NEW SERIES on the preachings of Rev Wright. They would be PLAYING ALL THESE TAPES - Not just soundbites from a couple. Actually 1 of the tapes being used was Wright quoting an Ambassador Peck/who served under Regan, and the other one was actually bibilical in context (God Damn America) - he even gave the Book and Chapter he was preaching out of but you won't hear that on the news!

[magen]

Christians of all denominations need to learn how to NOT try to legislate their personal beliefs and values upon the people of other faiths, or atheists.

Trying to convert people's hearts and minds to your way is one thing, but legislating that all people adhere to your values, or else they're breaking the law is wrong and you know it. Hopefully this young generation understands how hijacked by crazy right wing politicos christianity in this country has become.

[wolfbato]

About time they saw the light.

[iluvsam]

"I just keep thinking, if Jesus were alive now, he wouldn't necessarily be voting Republican,"


This statement is funny as Jesus would NEVER vote Republican. Jesus was a pacifist; the Repigs are warmongers. Jesus said "give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's"; the Repigs are selfish and disgusting money horders. Jesus took care of the lowest in society; the Repigs are elistist, money grubbing, and despise state sponsored charity works. Jesus kissed the feet of prostitutes; the Repigs want to use the services of prostitutes and then throw the prostitutes in jail. Etc., Etc.

Jesus would be mortified to think someone was voting Republican. They stand for everything he despised in people.

[Felicty]

If Jesus was alive today, the Republicans would kill him.

[iluvsam]

They would call him a tree-hugging, liberal, vegetarian, hippie, weirdo-commie. Like somehow those are all BAD things.

They couldn't relate to Jesus on ANY level. I don't believe that Jesus was/is God, that God exists, or even that Jesus was a real person, but if he WERE he would definately NOT be a Republican. He is the absolute antithesis of everything the Repigs stand for.

[lewes17266]

He would probably live a life like Mother Teresa lived, not wanting any kind of recognition or praise, not interested in image or status or things, not expecting anything in return for his work, which would always for the sake of others.

Your comment breaks my heart.

[Waitaminute]

Thats for sure. Heck they would call Jesus, a bleeding heart liberal. A hippie.

[hinnis]

If Jesus were alive today, his heart would break over Obama's religion:

"Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community ... Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love."

[MajorKong]

Jesus is a lot like Elvis. I love the guy, but the fans really creep me out sometimes.

[lewes17266]

Hey, and there are always crowds trying to make money off of him,even decades after his death

[transendentilist]

If money, or the love of money, is the root of all evil, why are churches always asking for more??????­??????????­??

[Furball]

The Evangelicals are finally realizing that they've been used and pulled around by the nose via a couple of wedge issues? A little slow on the uptake are we?

As an admittedly imperfect Christian, I'm continually amazed at how easy it was for the Bush adm to hide their anti-Christian attitudes and actions under the cloak of righteousness. Christ did NOT stand for torture, war, hate, .....he stood for love, compassion and peace.

[Felicty]

Good for them!

Now, if they could all commit suicide and happily join their Savior in heaven, maybe they can leave the sane world alone. If I had a SuperDuper Friend in heaven, I would not want to even BE on this earth.

[CaptainHowdy]

Seems like some of these loonies are finally paying attention to things like...

THOU SHALL NOT KILL!

[HowietheScreamer]

Or Thou shalt not bear false witness... or covet thy neighbors wife and/or husband. Come to think of it is there a commandment the Repubes haven't broken????

[Rippinit]

You are wrong. The commandment is thou shall not murder. Even though many like to pull it out of context it is also clear in the rest of the Bible that God does not prohibit killing for reasons of immediate or strategic defense.

[lenoirlady]

No, Baby Boy, It clearly says "Thou shalt not kill".

[MainSpark]

"You are wrong. The commandment is thou shall not murder. Even though many like to pull it out of context it is also clear in the rest of the Bible that God does not prohibit killing for reasons of immediate or strategic defense."

Well, now, I guess it all depends on which version one reads, doesn't it? And even then, one might pause to consider who did the translation, etc.

But I have finally heard the real reason for the occupation of Iraq. Here it is: "God does not prohibit killing for reasons of immediate or strategic defense."

Bingo! That's it!! The U.S. invaded Iraq to kill as a means of *strategic defense*! Our strategy is to kill them before they kill us. You know, a variation on the theme, "Kill them there before they kill us here."

[wedgie]

The problem with religion is that it often gets used to do evil things.

(I know, I know. But read it again. It'll grow on you.)

**

[NOLIESPLEASE]

I didn't have to read it again. I already knew that. The problem is NOT ENOUGH AMERICANS KNOW THAT.

[theidaexpress]

But Christians have no problem being hypocrites! Hilarious!!

http://www.theidaexpress.com

[dadw5boys]

AFTER ALMOST 8 YEARS OF WHAT THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT SHOVED DOWN OUR THROATS IN 2000 HOW IS AMERICA DOING?????

Is it a better country? Is it richer? Is it more in debt?
Are the citizens enjoying a better standard of living?

Have we been able to transfer even the simplist technology to poor workers around the world so they can improve they lifes and that of their childrens?

Please tell me how driving millions into hunger and starvation so Corporations can make higher profits help America's image.

[Harrier]

Fiscal Conservative is a subject the Democrats should dive home

[letsgetsmart]

How can you help the brain washed recover? They remind me of a bunch of geese that followed my sister around thinking she was their mom. All scurrying so they won't be left behind. Acting out of fear instead of reason. Prime candidates for sick republican influence. Being a christian seems to have lost all meaning in this present world. It is only a group of people that are in fear of going to a non existent hell. And where did they get this fear? Passed down from the previous generation. Why wasn't the things like helping your poor, sick and down hearted passed along? There has been mention that there will always be poor people, it is part of gods plan. I am sure that the medieval lords told their serfs time and again that it was normal for there to be serfs. Live in a mud hut and give all you produce to the lord. Hey that sounds like a pledge drive for a religious program. When I look at this photo I think she tells herself, "I believe so I won't be hit by a car if I sit in this road with my eyes closed"
Just a foot note for Rippinit, if you get over your Carter fixation and brain washing, please rejoin the human race.

[08timefortruth]

If you do not practise religion that is your choice but you have no right to belittle others because they do. There are worse things to believe in then GOD and worse things to do then pray.

[letsgetsmart]

Maybe it is because I do not understand why you have to read a book to know that you should do your part and help the less fortunate. I donate food to my local food bank and help cook and serve to the homeless as part of something that makes me feel good. I get a high from doing good.