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

[Kache]

Born Again Democrats! The best kind!

We've signed up 3 as precinct captains in our district since they showed up for the caucus. Our caucus was open to Democrats only, so it was easy to harvest the newbies. These people are like any new converts - full of enthusiasm and fire in the belly. What drove these evangelicals to support Obama? Guilt. Shame. Those are good reasons to leave God's Only Party. They are full of hope and praying for change, and singing YES WE CAN like gosple hymn!!

[08timefortruth]

You talk about these new democrats like they are zombies. Your comments "What drove these evangelicals to support Obama? Guilt. Shame. Those are good reasons to leave God's Only Party. They are full of hope and praying for change, and singing YES WE CAN like gosple hymn!!" are actually insulting and dismissive of their faith. Why guilt, why shame? Can't anyone just decide to support him because they believe he is the right person to lead this country.

[Kache]

LOL

No, 08timefortruth, guilt and shame was *their* answer to the question. They are ashamed of their past support for Bush, ashamed of the way they've wandered from their own core beliefs. The Obama campaign has helped them look into the mirror. No, they are not zombies! They are people who are rediscovering themselves. Like Obama say, "This isn't about him, it's about us!"

[nativeeyes]

Evangelicals for Obama... Thanks God they are waking up too....



The GOP set McShame up! McSenile has become the Republican sacrificial lamb..

No Republican wants to be VP but Mitt Romney.. lol!!

McSenile doesn't even like Mormons, lol!!

The Republicans are asking for someone to step up and become a VP,

They all said, "ARE YOU KIDDING"

And your losing your bearings?? You stupid.. lol!!

We don't got a snow balls chance in hel.l of Beating the Democrats in down economy..

McWAR says yeah I know, but I need to get off my Butt and look like I am not losing my BEARINGS..






Isn't Mccain like 1000 years old and wears a depends diaper...

He looks like a uncovered mummy....

McMummy unplugged, lol!

McCain is so old, he still owes Moses $3.00


McShame rides in style on his wife's private jet...

Only because she thinks he will get lost flying Coach with all his pee pee breaks..

And she worries about his comb over... lol!!

[ltfcrazy]

I am not supporting McCain, but you are seriously misguided. Attacking a man for his looks and age is a worthless endeavor. If you disagree with his policy positions then just say so. You don't have to stoop to that level.

[Tonksmom]

I don't know if I'm a younger Evangelical or an older one (I'm Barack's age), but I've ALWAYS been torn on this matter. It's hard for me to vote for someone who is gung-ho pro-choice (I think in most cases, we should be exercising choice BEFORE conception, but I'm not pro-life to the point where I'd refuse abortion to women who've been raped, incest victims, or those who need to terminate pregnancy to protect their own health). But it's also hard for me to vote for someone whose economic plan will push more middle class Americans into poverty, and more poor Americans into early graves, while the rich get richer and pay less taxes. Obama's 2004 speech shows he gets it, and that appeals to me, but I also love McCain's long history of bucking his party and his ethics (NEVER an earmark in his entire career!).

It's going to be a tough vote for me this November.

[zizyphus]

It shouldn't be too tough a decision if you consider that, if McCain appoints the next two Supreme Court justices, they will be able to overturn Roe v Wade and outlaw all abortions for any reason.

We don't want to see little girls forced to bear their father's children, or women who have been beaten into a coma and raped forced to give birth to their rapists offspring in a coma, or women with ectopic pregnancies forced to perish for want of an abortion.

[lewes17266]

ew

[08timefortruth]

Investigate all sides, listen while drowning out ignorance and vote your heart-you won't go wrong.

[c1ee]

Thanks for sharing. I am pro Obama but i appreciate you sharing your perspective. Good to see at least some people voting for the right reasons.

[rowzeer]

If the Republicans really HATED abortions then why didn't they push for more health care. Stats show that were women have access to good health care abortion actually decreases by a large margin. I never understood their reluctance to fund sex ed and family planning.

[Kache]

If Republicans REALLY opposed abortions they would worry about the 2 million embryos a year that fertility clinics throw out in the dipsty dumpster. Oh, but those clinics contributed millions to the RNC last year, is that why no one wants to talk about killing all those test-tube babies??

[Waitaminute]

If you don't like abortions, then why would you consider McCain? After all bomb, bomb, bomb Iran, stay in Irag for 100 years McCain, will kill people just as sure as abortions would. And these are living breathing and walking people.

[Junto]

What a pathetic message board - the majority of bloggers herein spewing their own rationalized hatred - and against fictitious Christian straw men – I will add.

The reason many of us are rethinking participation in the GOP are for other reasons altogether not mentioned – furthermore it goes to show how ignorant Dems are in assuming we would automatically join their ranks – they are so far out of touch with middle class America it would be comical if the ramifications were not so severe.

I am certain there is not a single person here who could tell me off the top of their head which party is the third largest in our country per registered voter?

[zizyphus]

Constitution Party? No income tax, lots of Bible morals, no health, welfare or education funding?

[Kache]

PLEASE, PLEASE, go join that party. A party full of 20 percent of the population warring with eachother over how many angels can dance on a pin head! Sounds threatening to me - NOT!

[Waitaminute]

I think you are rethinking participation in the republiklan party because swaggering bushes economy is kicking your butts, just as much as it is the rest of us. Yeah, hypocrites facing reality. Its always this way, when the pocket book is strained. People face reality. So yes, i understand the OTHER REASONS you are rethinking the repub party. You are willing to put your phony selfrigheous beliefs aside, when reality smacks you in the face. By the way, i bet abortions have increased. Don't worry, you religious people voted for this jerk and are responsible for the increase.

When and if the economy gets better, you will go back to your phony ways. Being holy rollers.

[pilgrim7]

I consider myself a born-again Christian. I'm a registered Democrat but voted for two Repub presidents and consistently support Sen. Richard Lugar. I voted for Bush Sr. the 1st term. Even though I rejected Bill Clinton's morals, I was fed up with Republican hypocrisy, especially their lack of concern for the poor and the awful hate stances of evangelicals. As a Christian, I couldn't understand why they didn't reach out to Clinton after his fall from from grace and why their faces turn beet red with anger when talking about their favorite topic, politics. So many of them began to be caught in adulterous/homosexual affairs themselves. Although the Bible condemns homosexuality (as well as lying, adultery, fornication, hatred of our fellow man, drunkenness, murder, etc.), the Bible says more about the downtrodden, the poor, social justice, compassion and speaking out for the oppressed, than about homosexuals or murder. Most think Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed because of homosexuality. Here's what the Bible says: "This is what your sister Sodom has done wrong. She and her daughters were proud that they had plenty of food and had peace and security. They didn't help the poor and the needy. They were arrogant and did disgusting things in front of me. So I did away with them when I saw this." (Ezekiel 16:49-50) I don't agree with everything Dems stand for but I don't agree with all my church's views either.

[liberalghost]

Your post makes me think of a smoker who just lost a lung to cancer. You know how dangerous smoking is, but you keep flirting with the temption for just one more deep drag on a filterless Camel. As long as a "sinner" did not use force or go after a child, the sin is none of your business. Too bad you're more interested in being a moral lecturer than a moral example.

As for your references to biblical passages, you fail to grasp it was written by men, not a god.

[pilgrim7]

Which sin are you referring to? Did you not get my post? Neither party is without sin. I just choose the Democratic party over the Republican party. Apparently, I didn't choose your party. Thanks for the love.

[c1ee]

I though pilgrim7's post was heartfelt and genuine. It's obvious you have no respect for other people's opinions.

[CatLadyforObama]

Thank you for your post.

[deadmanlivingstrong]

Evangelical ethos going democratic? Regardless of what "polls" try to say, sway or purport- the whole issue that sits at the core of all of this is agendas. Everyone has it! Every politician has one. Every person who says that they don't have one- has one! Wether it is rights for gays, abortion, prayer in school, money for those affected by Katrina, AIDS, people living below the socio-economic standard... all are agendas. If one side doesn't do it, the other side says they are wrong and vice versa.

We all want the government to make the changes, and when they don't happen then we have a scape goat! Wake up! We are blinded every four years and are bombarded by the agenda of all people. We have the responsibility- we ARE the government. One person at a time. One life at a time. That's what Jesus professed.. personal responsibility and that is the one thing that we can't handle!!

[freerangemessiah]

The Democratic Party should be careful about how many evangelicals they get to cross over -once a bunch get in, they tend to ruin the party. Look what they did to the Republicans! Shameful.

[Rippinit]

Real evangelicals would never vote for someone who condones abortion as a form of birth control. Pretenders on the other hand...

[stanblack]

Real evangelicals chase ghosts and believe in fairy tales. They can keep their votes to themselves.

[transendentilist]

The Evangelicals can believe what they want, as long as they don't try to force those beliefs down my throat. But the entire nature of evangelism is to go out and "convert," all the terrible athiests and Catholics.....et al. This is why they feel "persecuted against."
Throwing Christians to the lions, now THAT was persecution.

[lenoirlady]

There is no such animal as an evengelical. What is that? Tell us all . I'll bet there are some in your circle of friends that wish your mother had used birthcontrol or sumpthin!

[Rippinit]

Never fear. Real evangelicals will not crossover if they understand the issues.

[leslymill]

I was a Republican before Bill Clinton performed abominations that maketh desolate. Haven’t voted since (Andrew and Katrina). Can forgive someone voting for Bush once, NOT TWICE. He is like the beast in the book of Daniel with brass-claws and iron-teeth, an off-shoot of Hitler . I was Born Again on our nation bicentennial and left house and family for the Lord, Jesus meant it when he said,” I don’t come to bring peace ,but a sword.” My dad was a Satanist when he returned from Vietnam and went to church with LTC Michael Aquino. I attribute the corruption of the military, and GOP, to their acceptance of Satanism.Google Michael Aquino or Anton LeVey.
It’s a great falling away that has happened to the GOP. Their kind of Christianity Jesus warned us about. I joined the Free Republic back in the 1990’s to rally Clinton's Impeachment. There was a segment of the GOP even then who lifted it’s head against all Islam and targeted their children, insinuating they were unconvertible garbage. Islam and Christianity both mandate great commissions to evangelize the world. Both have extremists. The GOP now boast through preachers like Rod Parsley, tooting a gospel of death that justify Pastor Hagee and Rev Wright, who basically need a Pollyanna lesson in religious correctness like Karl Malden did in the movie.
The right seek to kill in Jesus name, not convert by the light of the Gospel.
OBAMA 08
mcCAIN meet ABLE (yes we can)

[rowzeer]

They didn't do it to the Republicans..the Republicans did it to themselves by pandering for votes

[Kache]

Yeah? They pandered to evangelicals. What part of 2+2=4 don't you get?

[TheDebbieDee]

But apparently, not ENOUGH of them have come to their senses!

[Rippinit]

I doubt the legitimacy of any so called Christian who sincerely recognizes what it means to be a liberal democrat.

[helonias]

LIKE jESUS THE ANTI WAR MONGER?

[dadw5boys]

Older Christians what were you thinking to support these theives?

[Melinda1953]

I am not surprised that these young people are chosing to flee the Republican Party. I was reared
a Southern Baptist and my Mom was a huge GOP organizer in Texas when the GOP was not a political presence. My family was all Republican. I came of age during the Nixon White House and I found early on that my Christian beliefs ran contrary to a party that was geared more toward the economics of depriving the poor, elderly and less fortunate. I became the only Democrat many years ago as the result of this.

I welcome these young kindred spirits. If they are shown that they can make a difference with the partyand that they don't have to abide soley by the "old politics as usual" modus operendi, they will save the Democratic Party from itself. After years of being a neutered party afraid of it's liberal past, it's time to come home to where it belongs. Real Christianity is closer to Liberalism.It's about love they neighbor and help your weaker brethren. Karl Rove wouldn't know Christian beliefs if they bit him on the elbow.

[dadw5boys]

If people would prastice thier religion daily even with hard to deal with fellow Americans then Politicains can't use religion to fool you!

[Rippinit]

Say what you will about Bush. But, everyone should recognize that there has not been a terrorist attack in the US since 911. Have the terrorists tried? You'd better believe it!

When does the end justify the means? Try asking Jimmy Carter. His ends were never justified by his meager means unless one would endorse the idea of emboldening your enemies as a desired outcome.

[liberalghost]

"Say what you will about Bush. But, everyone should recognize that there has not been a terrorist attack in the US since 911. Have the terrorists tried? You'd better believe it!..."

Why? Because you say so? Phffftt. Sayyyyy, do you recall which presidential candidate said that foreigners had reason to hate America?

[helonias]

Say what you will about Bush. and the war that costs $8k a second and all those dead Iraqis who didn't attack us.

[jubo]

Do remember they waited a long time between attacks.

Alas it is besides the point as they achieved their goal.

[dejayel]

So, Bill Clinton was as good a President as dumbya>? Until 9/11 the last time the US was attacked was in 1993, Before that 1941......
So, by your logic (or lack of the same), every President from FDR until the present should be judged just by the number of attacks on the US?
I'm fairly certain the 3rd Reich wanted to attack the US, the Japenese Empire succeeded on attacking a territory (Hawaii). Of course, you're argument is that those attacks were done by non-"terrorists".

Those who do not understand history are condemned to live through it.

[stanblack]

Carter is leaps and bounds ahead of the Bush dunce. Ask Carter yourself.

[dezzertguy]

This is great news. Perhaps, they can form their own political party. If they would Dobson and that bunch would adapt their beliefs and fold into the new party. In that way, the GOP could return to its modern Goldwater roots and once again become a true souce of conservative thought and practice. It seems odd to me that someone could favor social justice but yet hate gays. One old saying that rings true through this experiement with the religious right is politics and religion certainly do not mix.

[BOBONDE]

THANKS YOUNG PEOPLE FOR FINALLY GETTING A CLUE AND SEEING WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOUR PARTY.

[situationcritical]

The biggest part of problem the GOP has ARE THE EVANGELICALS. Not the other way around. The religionistas are the source of the problem. It has been that way for many centuries.

[avicenna]

But it does look like getting some post-secondary education helps clear the mind, eh?

[transendentilist]

The video quality isn't good, but the scene is hilarious:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vOdARZ3bs0k

[transendentilist]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1loyjm4SOa0