Conservative Columnist: "Religion Is Killing The Republican Party"

Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker, who received piles of hate mail during the Presidential campaign for questioning Sarah Palin's credentials, has written a column for the Washington Post which also seems likely to court internecine criticism. The piece, entitled, "Giving Up on God," makes a sustained argument that the GOP's courting of the religious vote above all has led the party dangerously astray.

As Republicans sort out the reasons for their defeat, they likely will overlook or dismiss the gorilla in the pulpit.

Three little letters, great big problem: G-O-D.

I'm bathing in holy water as I type.

To be more specific, the evangelical, right-wing, oogedy-boogedy branch of the GOP is what ails the erstwhile conservative party and will continue to afflict and marginalize its constituents if reckoning doesn't soon cometh.

Simply put: Armband religion is killing the Republican Party. And, the truth -- as long as we're setting ourselves free -- is that if one were to eavesdrop on private conversations among the party intelligentsia, one would hear precisely that.

Keep reading.

Comments

[Seacliff]

The Religious Right Fundamentalist EvangelicalChristian Republicans got EXACTLY what they prayed for this year. That the BEST PARTY would win the Presidency in 2008! And the DEMOCRATS WON big time all over the USA! Praise the LORD.

[lauriemann]

Um, they seemed to think that their imaginary friend was going to put them in power again. Palin in particular talked that way. Instead, the American voters sent them packing.

[RobChattaTN]

millions of christians have been voting against the repug for years:
the educated ones who are not so easily deceived and led astray.

[ManWithLantern]

It's not religion which is killing the Repubs, it is the uneducated zealots who interpret religion (and "Patriotism") as THEIR domain.
I hope they keep it up so we can see similar election results in 2010 and 2012.
Most of all I hope the Repubs choose Palin as their standard bearer again so that Apalachia, the Ozarks and Oklahoma will be pleased and fall in line as before!

[newworldman777]

"Most of all I hope the Repubs choose Palin as their standard bearer again so that Apalachia, the Ozarks and Oklahoma will be pleased and fall in line as before!"

Did you see how red the map was after the election? Very red. Disturbingly red. Troublingly red. Obama won because most of those blue states were heavily populated, each with many electoral votes.

My own state of Mississippi was as red as a beak. I am not only ashamed to live among such backward people, but I feel that my vote was wasted. It certainly didn't count under our flawed system of electoral voting. Our state is strictly evangelical, with many of our good ol' Southern Baptist churches having openly supported the election of McCain. What must those parisheners now think, since their prayers were not answered? Maybe this will be a wake-up call to their closed-minded attitudes.

[spartanmom]

newworldman, Living in NY, I used to feel like my vote was wasted. I mean what does one more Democrat mean around here?
But this year I started thinking of myself as part of the 62 percent.

I know thinking of yourself as part of the 40 percent isn't quite as inspiring, but going forward, your vote is way more important than mine.

Hang in there, keep the faith.

See you in 2012

[HesDanTheMan]

See, this is why I am so leary of organized religion in general. The hypocrisy that runs rampant amongst the Religious Fundamentalists is like America's own version of Al Qaida!
If anyone watches Rev. Joel Osteen, you'll see a man that never has a political opinion, he never steps up and judges others, his 1/2 hour service is always very interesting and about the success and prosperity through God.
He will never give an opinion on Gay Marriage, or anything of a political nature.
This is why his church is so successful. He never refers to the "devil" either it's always "the enemy".
I admire Joel Osteen so much.
If the Conservatives would follow along his line of what the Bible truly says about a "Christian", then I think more people would feel comfortable with organized religion.
Unfortunately those like Dobson, Falwell, Rick Warren, they pick and choose those things out of the Bible that put others down. They JUDGE where Joel Osteen does NOT.

[Jenzig]

I'm atheist and I even enjoy Joel Osteen. He seems to give life lessons rather than religious lessons.

[Dystopic]

I'm from Houston, I am a card carrying atheist.

I agree with you about Osteen, he's not a zealot, he is a believer, and should not really be lumped in with Dobson, Falwell, Roberts, etc. He preaches inclusivity and caring for your fellow man.

[seenitall]

...but they all fly first class...

[pavroviandog]

The problem with Osteen is that his church is based on WORSHIPPING FALSE IDOLS...LIKE THE GOLDEN CALF!

[Xgal08]

I'm consider myself one of the Christian left. (Yes, we do exist) I believe in the seperation of church and state. It angers me that the Christian right is really all people see of Christians. We don't all have the "us vs. them" mentality.

I became a Christian because I needed to change the direction of my life. Christianity saved me from being self-destructive. It saddens me that people don't see the good in Christianity because the religous right are always on tv, sp8uting off negativity.

[patrickgarret]

Hey I'm not religious but thank you for being who you are. There is a huge assumption on the right that "liberals" want to take away your right to worship. I could care less, even if I don't believe. Have your church! GREAT! More power to ya! Just don't tell me what is right or wrong or how to live my life... I appreciate that.

[pavroviandog]

Unfortunately, the fundamentalist-right-wing-theo-fascists consider Christians like you as enemies (if you're not with us...) and a threat to their demagoguery. You are a non-believer to them.

[spartanmom]

(if you're not with us . . )

Interestingly, that oft misquoted phrase originates from Jesus himself.
The thing is that he said "Those who are not against us are with us" (Luke 9:50 (and I did have to go look it up))

[blackspeak]

Anybody dumb enough to believe a "god" can mix with politics, NEVER needs to get elected to public office. god and politics are the "oil and water" of public discourse.

[sueno]

The "holier than thou" attitude the GOP seems to always maintain is deflated-
The way the GOP has used religious has been criminal.
Most everyone has tired of GOP acting as ministers when most are heathens and liars.
Its time for the GOP to "grow-up", be examples that bring people to God,
not their personal conquest for power. Lastly-
they need to take classes on issues of race, the country has changed a lot since the '50's.

[Grannysue]

The problem is the right Wing Wackos used Religion as a means to their end! That's why our forefathers in all their wisdom said No mixing of Religion and State! They knew even way back then that the two are like oil and water. Unfortunately, those with their own agenda will use anything to attempt to tell everyone else how to live their lives!

[lauriemann]

Sadly, mixing politics and religion worked for nearly 30 years. However, Obama won EVERY AGE GROUP except for the people over 60. That says a lot about the future of mixing politics and religion.

[Middleclassvotingbloc]

Parker is so right, and the worst thing about it is that they speak and act with such hate--hate that does not in no why reflect religious values. The GOP has given religion a bad name. If I were from out of space and knew nothing about Christian beliefs, I would not want to be apart of their so call christian life style.

[Puzes]

Separate church and state ... wasn't that the original premis? The bible thumpers forgot or simply don't care because they want to impose their reglious beliefs on everyone. That philosophy has no place in the US government.

[care4mypeeps]

I agree with you, but the reality of it is, according to the bible the religious Elites have always been the Persecuting Power. Remember the Scribes, Pharesee's and Saducee's.

It was Christ who gave them a reality check by calling them out on their hate.

Matthews chpt 23:1-39 KJV Christ takes the relious leaders to the wood shed and gives their ego's a good spanking. The text that really cought my attention was Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites! For Ye Pay tithe of Mint And Anise And Cumin And Have Omitted the Weightier Matters Of The Law, Judgement, Mercy And Faith: these Ought Ye to Have Done And Not To Leave The Other Undone. Wow That was Awesome. Please read the entire chapter so that you can get a Pure veiw of Religion. Christ was awesome as He took the Religious leaders to the Wood shed time and time again.

[Lee323]

Whoa! Some of the commenters on this post sound as strident and dogmatic as the religious fundamentalists.

As a scientist, I find amusing and ingenuous the belief that the human species has an "innate morality." Although civilization has evolved considerably in the last 6,000 years, the biology of the human species has not evolved substantially for 100,000 years. Civility is a rather thin veneer overlying the bald fact of our "survival of the fittest" neurological circuitry. Any parent with small children knows that the "morality" of an untrained child essentially involves selfish "me first." The appalling headlines of "crimes against humanity" around the world currently and through history put a lie to the assumption of "innate morality." Fundamentalists proclaim this is man's "sinful nature," while science takes a more pragmatic view.

In any event, children are taught the values of their society. Our particular society is a rich amalgam of religious, humanistic, and educational ideas and values from which to draw on in socializing and "civilizing" people. It is our unique human struggle to sort through this myriad of ideas and values to allow us to live in harmony and tolerance with others in our society. Furthermore, the evolutionary "gift" of human consciousness and awareness produces the cosmological drive to question who we are and explain why we are here. Although we may eschew particular dogma, never underestimate the value of our rich history of ideas, religious and otherwise, as the prime reason for our civility.

[LisaLisa1234]

Well said!

I think the best example of the "thin veneer of civility" is shown when normally polite people get behind the wheel of a car...in many cases, the veneer quickly vanishes!

[cmp]

Yes, and that 6000 yrs of evolution has brought us to today and the causes of all the turmoil, death and destruction, has brought us to the nucleus. Organized religion. To have faith, as I do, in nothing but my fellow man, and the desire to lead a good comfortable life, not at the expense of someone elses happiness, is what I live by and what I have taught my children. That belief has nothing to do with religion. At least not in my life.

[care4mypeeps]

No! I beg to disagree it is not organized Religion but disorganized Religion which disregards the pure essence of Love being the foundation. God is Love.

[cgri]

I agree with your statement that the human species doesn't posses an "innate morality", however, as an atheist AND a moral individual, I want to make sure that we dispel the myth that morality stems exclusively from religion

[Dystopic]

I am an atheist as well. I feel as though I am a good person, I treat others as I want to be treated, I try to be fair in my dealings and do not condemn others because they choose to believe in god. I just wish the same respect was returned to me.

A moral person is born. Even in the Taliban type area, there are people who know what they are told is wrong, even after being indoctrinated from birth.

And there are people born into a loving and caring envoronment, with all the benefits of "civilized" thought that turn out to be rapists, murderers and tyrants.

The promise keepers have to be constantly reminded to not cheat on their wives, treat them with love and respect. I do not require being told to treat my wife with love, respect and compassion, it is obvious to me. To them I am immoral and confused.

[care4mypeeps]

To every man is given a measure of faith who we chose to credit it to is a different story.

[chaya]

I am a scientist, too, Lee--a biologist. But I disagree with you. We evolved right along with all the other animals, and the point I want to make is that animals are innately moral beings. That is why native americans, for example, studied and learned from animals. Ravens, dolphins, whales, dogs, cats, doves, and the list goes on, all exhibit character traits that the rest of us can only envy. Humans, the most intelligent of species, are also the most potentially ignorant--and ignorance leads to evil. Animals, conversely, are incapable of evil acts. When we say a human is "acting like an animal," we are slandering animals. Humans act the way they do BECAUSE of "our rich history of ideas, religious and otherwise." You may believe if you want to that "civilization" has raised us above the animals, but you will only be harming yourself.

[care4mypeeps]

Chaya how come we have not had a documented case of eye witness testimony of anything evolving? There is eye witness testimony to His birth, baptism by John the Baptist, Christ earthy Ministry, His Death Barial and Reserection. The Tomb is Empty!!!!! Further more there is the Great Dark Day, The Moon Turned to Blood and the Great Lisbon Earthquake all Predicted in the Bible. What about the Wars and rumours of Wars Earquakes, Fires Floods and Pestilence. The Bible even predicted that Homosexuality would grip the World at a time when it was not even Prevelent. So give me a situation in the World and I can point you to the Bible for an accurate description of its warning and solutions.

[Lee323]

The fact that we can have a polite and intelligent discourse on morality, whether innate or not, is evidence of the richness of the evolution of our civilization and ideas.

Native Americans not only studied and learned from animals but they invested tremendous spirituality into their entire world....pantheism, in a word.

You make rather sweeping and subjective statements regarding animal behavior...."animals are innately moral beings;" and "animals are incapable of evil." I'm skeptical that there's any science that has determined the existence of "innate morality" or "evil" in animals, people included. In fact, you have infused a fair amount of spiritual judgment into your arguments....which lends credence to my point that we should never underestimate the value of our rich history of ideas, religious or otherwise :>)

[care4mypeeps]

No matter Who or What you believe in it all takes faith to believe. Even if you believe in nothing at all.

I am honored to believe in a Loving God who created me and fashioned me in His own image.

I am incredible blessed by the Book of instructions called the Bible that He left me as a guide to govern my life and give me insights to why the world is the way it is and His great sacrifice of His life to save lost man, wheather we believe in Him or not.

It is all an act of Faith. I am stoked that I have the freedom of choice to believe or not to believe.
For this reason I choose to believe because it has made my life so much better and gives me the peace that passes all understanding in the face of great difficulty.

[steamboat]

Can you all honestly say the religious folks are influencing only one party?

I say that because Prop 8 passed in California, which is considered a very liberal state. And got the majority of votes in neighborhoods which are basically total democratic voted for the proposition...............Also, read today's Chicago Sun-Times (Thurs., 11/20/08). You'll see that hundreds of inner-city clergy (who are predominantly black and hispanic) protested because the Chicago Public Schools was thinking about creating a high school that would cater to gay & lesbian students. The proposed school, as I understand it, has now been put on the back-burner, as they say. And Chicago is ALL democratic, yet they've caved into the religious folks. Anyway, the article is in today's paper.......These are just 2 examples.

[biglover]

It affects both parties but with the repulsicans it is even more pronounced because of their religious and social conservatism.

I live in Los Angeles and yes, the most liberal state in the Country allowed this vile Proposition to pass.

Unfortunately, the blacks and latinos who voted Yes on 8 were totally influenced by their priests and pastors, and the fact that they are so brainwashed they take the Bible at its word for everything. It is also lack of education. If Blacks had been properly explained about the human rights issue (after all, who more than Blacks should have understood about basic rights as a human being), they may not have voted for 8. Instead, they thought it was strictly about gay and lesbians marrying. This is totally due to lack of information and education.

I had the Proposition process in Calfornia. I wish they would outlaw it. It is a lousy system

[Dystopic]

California is not the most liberal state. I would put Massachusetts and Hawaii above cali in the liberal scale

[HesDanTheMan]

What a shame that they've put this school on the back burner. If children could go through school not having to worry about discrimination and being bullied for who they are, there wouldn't even be a need for a school like that.
But, one of the ones we have in California allows these children to learn without being scared. They've produced some very smart, and gifted, and talented children too!

[cowtippor]

your example here is flawed because opposition to homosexuality crosses party lines. Just as many people are afraid of homosexuals on the democratic side as on the republican side.

what this column is talking about is which group of people or beliefs makes up the base of the party. In this case, she's arguing that the republican party is overwhelmingly religious in it's thinking, decision making, and policy making than the democratic party.

and California's only perceived as a completely liberal state. if you look at it by county or district, then you'll see that only the major cities of LA and San Francisco are solidly democratic. San Diego, with it's ties and history w/ the navy, leans republican. And a lot of the other areas of california also lean republican.

[Dystopic]

California is not the liberal bastion that some people believe it is, the margins of repubs vs democrats is increasing.

[emsique]

The last sentence in this column states: "Either the Republican Party needs a new base -- or the nation may need a new party. "
I wouldn't mind seeing a party that represented moderates and thinking conservatives. I'm sick of the religious right's influence in our country, not only in government, but in nearly every aspect of our culture. From our justice system, to our attitudes toward same sex marriage, the vindictive tyrant which is the Right's god has far too long mandated how our country functions.

[0emissions]

The WArs of the World have for the most part been about religion.God is still that great man in the sky.
Male not female.
The Goddess has been rising lately. She is earth based. More grass roots kind of MAMA. Believes in democracy and dancing in the streets.

[BPCentrisAmerican]

I have nothing against religious people, my mom was a devote Catholic and proud of it, what she didn’t do, was impose her personal beliefs on others. This was a great quality that she processed, since it allowed her to live and let live, she did not hate gays or people who didn’t live up to her moral ideals, she was compassionate almost to a fault.

The current problem with the Religious Right is they do not seem to pocess this quality, there role in life is to save others souls, weather they want to be saved or not. I know a fundamentalist couple and I like them, but I avoid at all cost any religious discussion. They believe the earth is 6000 years old and faith healing, until the pain becomes so great that they must see a doctor. The husband, who I’ve known since I was 7 is not so far gone that he couldn’t understand that his wife needed a hip replacement, which she fought, due to arthritis. I have huge respect for his intelligence and practical nature; he is a retired air traffic controller who learned his skills in the Air Force, as well as a fairly accomplished motorcycle racer, who raced for Suzuki while stationed in Japan. They came to Jesus after marital problems, while he was stationed in CA and have since become intolerant and unaccepting of people who aren’t saved, I guess I’m the exception.

[Dystopic]

You mom and my mom would probably be 2 peas in a pod. Catholics in general tend to keep religion private, and find it to be classless to talk about religon. Anyone who says that Catholics are evangelical should really do their homework.

While the vatican is against same sex marriage, they do believe in evolution, and do not actually think that the bible should be taken literally.

[BPCentrisAmerican]

The current problem with the Religious Right is they do not seem to process this quality, there role in life is to save others souls, weather they want to be saved or not. I know a fundamentalist couple and I like them, but I avoid at all cost any religious discussion. They believe the earth is 6000 years old and faith healing, until the pain becomes so great that they must see a doctor. The husband, who I’ve known since I was 7 is not so far gone that he couldn’t understand that his wife needed a hip replacement, which she fought, due to arthritis. I have huge respect for his intelligence and practical nature; he is a retired air traffic controller who learned his skills in the Air Force, as well as a fairly accomplished motorcycle racer, who raced for Suzuki while stationed in Japan. They came to Jesus after marital problems, while he was stationed in CA and have since become intolerant and unaccepting of people who aren’t saved, I guess I’m the exception.