The Decline of America's Religious Right

[MadsenOMC]

Though I am not religious, I find it ironic that Obama is more comfortable talking about faith than McCain. I think this is an interesting read.

http://www.macleans.ca/world/usa/article.jsp?content=20080625_118623_118623

[SpoonMan999]

I feel it's not that he's more comfortable it's that the more religious voters tend to be more Conservative and it's not a crowd McCain really has to push for. Also, it may even be that McCain doesn't think religion should be a deciding factor when you vote for president. Well...that last bit is my belief but it's a nice fantasy to think a candidate would share that.

[MadsenOMC]

I feel it's not that he's more comfortable it's that the more religious voters tend to be more Conservative and it's not a crowd McCain really has to push for. Also, it may even be that McCain doesn't think religion should be a deciding factor when you vote for president. Well...that last bit is my belief but it's a nice fantasy to think a candidate would share that.

Religious voters have tended to be conservative in the past, but as this article notes, that may be changing. It's a change that could hurt McCain, and he definitely doesn't appear to be comfortable talking religion (something the article also touches upon).

[Homyrrh]

Not ironic, as he's doing the smart thing. The "Religious Right", through the heinous actions of its well-known figures (remember, gentlemen: hate the player, not the game in religion), has a bad rep. His doctrine of Hope and Change (...) would do him well to include reimaging the views of Christianity.

Of course, the 78% of the supposedly 40 million or so Evangelicals in the nation are worth pandering to ;)

[MadsenOMC]

Not ironic, as he's doing the smart thing. The "Religious Right", through the heinous actions of its well-known figures (remember, gentlemen: hate the player, not the game in religion), has a bad rep. His doctrine of Hope and Change (...) would do him well to include reimaging the views of Christianity.

Of course, the 78% of the supposedly 40 million or so Evangelicals in the nation are worth pandering to ;)

It is ironic in that it goes against what has been the norm in recent elections and American politics.

So Obama is pandering? Because he's a Democrat his faith can't be genuine?

[SpoonMan999]

It is ironic in that it goes against what has been the norm in recent elections and American politics.

So Obama is pandering? Because he's a Democrat his faith can't be genuine?

No politician talks about his faith as much as Obama does, in public at least, unless they're using it for political gain. Many politicians before him have done it and will continue to do so after him. He wants the Christian vote, plan and simple.

[Homyrrh]

It is ironic in that it goes against what has been the norm in recent elections and American politics.

So Obama is pandering? Because he's a Democrat his faith can't be genuine?
There's a line in Jon Stewart's book, written four years ago, that envisions an apocalypse revolving the Rapture where God takes all of his believers to heaven and "the Democrats take over the house".

Otherwise, not at all. Be honest with yourself though reagrding faith and politics. Obama breahes promotion of his faith, consequently getting the Evangelical vote. McCain doesn't need it as much and instead panders to minorities.

Faith is not a conviction to politicians at that level. It is an element of promotion on all levels, regardless of party. How many Reps you think actually fit the blanket everyone throws on them about being a Christian party?

[MadsenOMC]

No politician talks about his faith as much as Obama does, in public at least, unless they're using it for political gain. Many politicians before him have done it and will continue to do so after him. He wants the Christian vote, plan and simple.

Of course he wants their vote. So does McCain. They want every vote. Everything they talk about right now is for political gain.

[Homyrrh]

Of course he wants their vote. So does McCain. They want every vote. Everything they talk about right now is for political gain.
This was exactly my response to your previous post.

[MadsenOMC]

This was exactly my response to your previous post.

That does not mean Obama isn't genuinely a person a faith.

[QUENTIN]

Not ironic, as he's doing the smart thing. The "Religious Right", through the heinous actions of its well-known figures (remember, gentlemen: hate the player, not the game in religion), has a bad rep. His doctrine of Hope and Change (...) would do him well to include reimaging the views of Christianity.

Of course, the 78% of the supposedly 40 million or so Evangelicals in the nation are worth pandering to ;)

85 million, they're the biggest group of anything in the whole of the U.S. unless you count "white people" as a group.

[Homyrrh]

85 million, they're the biggest group of anything in the whole of the U.S. unless you count "white people" as a group.
Represent, cracka...

I find it hard to believe those 85 million didn't just check a box. Where'd you grab that, btw? Census?

[Homyrrh]

That does not mean Obama isn't genuinely a person a faith.
Logically you're correct, but the stereotypes on any politician, like that of an atheist a short time ago, are hard to shrug.

[MadsenOMC]

Logically you're correct, but the stereotypes on any politician, like that of an atheist a short time ago, are hard to shrug.

I agree, and I am not saying pandering is never involved, just that it's certainly possible Obama is sincere when it comes to his faith. It doesn't appear to be something he picked up last month or last year.

[MadsenOMC]

Well, McCain is trying.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/06/26/1171065.aspx

[Bourne101]

That does not mean Obama isn't genuinely a person a faith.

Yeah his faith toward Rev. Wright and the white haters! :D

Just playing around, obviously.