To those who might be called "Conservative Christians", I pose the following?

Question

Which half of that title guides your decisions more?

For instance, you deem it good Christian values to ban abortion in most cases. However, as conservatives, you agree with cuts in spending such as Welfare, Medicare/Medicaid, Head Start, and education in favor of tax cuts for the upper-middle class, big business, and spending on prisons. Additionally, you encourage abstinence-only sex education, which has failed miserably. Is it just me, or does that seem a little incongruous? How do you reconcile your conservative rhetoric with the Christian call to service and social justice?

to Lisa: What, then, is YOUR idea of social justice? It is condescending to believe that most people are "too stupid" to take care of themselves, many of them are truly unable to.

My point on tax cuts is that those who can afford to pay their taxes are given the breaks, whereas the amount of wage tax taken can often make or break someone with a lower average income.

I have not been brainwashed, this question comes to me as I am curious, as a person who believes highly in aiding the needy and destitute and the call to service, what others think of the situation from a standpoint of Christian ideals.

Someone noted that no party favors cuts in education, medicare, etc. My Republican-controlled Ohio General Assembly majorly cut funding to all major social programs and higher education in the state last year, while giving themselves a payraise. Perhaps I have been overly jaded by the actions of my particular state?

Also, I would like to make it clear that I'm not trying to bash one party or way of thinking. (I apologize if it sounded like it.) I, too, am a Christian (Catholic), and to me it seems like social programs are important. I do also give to charities (indeed many Christian in nature, as someone noted) and I have volunteered at the local Right to Life office. Still, I think that programs like Welfare and Medicaid should remain in place, with an admitted necessity for reorganization in terms of stopping system abuse.

Answer 1

Let them eat cake!
Whats good for General Motors is good for America.
Read my lips, no new taxes.
I am not a crook.

Answer 2

They are completely compatible....

Yes, ban Abortion.
Conservative: Life represents a new hope.
Liberal: Life represents a new burden.

Social Welfare. - Jesus never said that the poor should file a claim at the welfare office. He called on INDIVIDUALS to help the widows and orphans, not the Government. Individuals can do this with more efficiency than Government. Both parties benefit from this arrangement.

Sex education. - Abstinence works. Since we (parents) stopped teaching this, we now have 'babies having babies' on a much larger scale that ever. Education should only discuss the 'mechanics' of how the body reproduces. Giving out condoms is NOT education, but a statement of morals (or lack or morals).

Everyone got tax cuts. Give this argument a rest. Since the 'rich' pay more taxes, it is easy to see how they got a 'bigger' tax cut in dollars but the same in percentage.


... and yes, it is just you.

Answer 3

Although I am a "moderate" (both politically and religiously), I'll give you the best answer that I know. First of all NO party supports cuts in education, medicare etc. Federal funding in both have risen every year, even under GOP "rule". That misconception is spun by the Democratic party. ( I get their emails too).

Tax breaks also are not aimed at only the rich, households of $35K (single)/ $60K (married) and more have been getting those cuts, hardly uppermiddle class.( Also propaganda by the left).

Tax breaks have not cut spending in ANY of your fore mentioned programs.

Sex education is determined by local school boards though you are correct in your determination of its success.

The number one largest group of private charities are of Christian faith....for example a cook three days a week between a homeless shelter and a women's shelter. Though they both receive state and fed funding 80% of the volunteers are Conservative Christians while ALL of the PAID administrative people are Democrat.

In your last comment you say you "strongely" believe in helping the needy...What do you do to help?

Answer 4

I soundly believe the poor and hungry should be taken care of. But I don't think our government should be responsible for it. Our current welfare system is a joke. Just go to any grocery store and ask the cashiers how much foodstamp money they see wasted.
Instead of tax dollars being used to give people money, we should be required to give a certain amount to charities who use the money wisely.
But that is the big difference between us and you. You think the government should be the administrator for everything. I think the government should be as small as possible, and we should look for other ways to get things done.
I do not think our government should be the moral police, telling our children where to go to school, deciding who gets help with college and who doesn't, taking half my money in taxes and then spending it with no accountability.
In a lot of ways we are alike. But both sides are colored in an unfair light by the media (and by people on Yahoo), so we think the other side is bad.

Answer 5

I'm a conservative not a Christian. (I'm also pro-choice)

Christian's believe you should not have sex until you're married. With two incomes you would not be eligible for Welfare.

Conservatives believe in Medicare.

Head Start is as effective as abstinence only sex education. There's absolutely no evidence that handing out condoms is any more effective.

Define upper middle class. I'm considered middle class and I have nothing in savings since one of my kids got sick. Additionally, the tax cuts have resulted in greater tax revenue, as they often do. When people have more money, they spend more money making for higher tax payments.

Answer 6

So your idea of social justice is creating huge government programs to take care of America because most people are too stupid to take care of themselves? I like to give people a little more credit than that.
As far as tax cuts... well, how big a tax cut can you give to someone who already pays close to no taxes anyhow? Obviously when you give tax cuts, those who pay the bulk of the taxes are going to get a heftier cut than those who don't contribute.
Do you ever think or are you just completely brainwashed by the liberal media?

Answer 7

I don't go with what the United States terms "Conservative Christians," but yes, I am very Christian and do believe in banning abortion, and disagree completely with a welfare system that hands out taxpayer money to those who refuse to take personal responsibility--I believe in helping out those who cannot help themselves, but you should help out yourself and others as much as you are able. Jesus Christ DID NOT take away personal responsibility: "Go and sin no more," He said to those whom he forgave. He did not say, "Oh, you gave up personal responsibility, so here's some money, and I'll give you more if you do it again."
Now, I know and realize that mistakes happen, and temporary welfare to get people up and going is a great solution. I also understand that there are some who, try as they may, cannot do for themselves as they would like to, but at the same time, they do not try and commit suicide by engaging in self-destructive behaviors and expecting government to bail them out.
I believe in education and not funding a big business who cares very little for actual people, who is whom Christ cared for. Politically, I care little for either party.

Answer 8

you are confusing cuts with reductions in increases. you also need to determine what percentage of the taxes is paid by who. I paid over $20,000 last year and make only $100,000 gross. thats 20%. that does not consider property and sales taxes. lower income people pay less. rich people pay more.

I think the legal system (judicial branch of government) is so legislative that crime is out of control.

abstinence works, it is being trashed by the younger generations as well as the "me" generation who prefer open sex.

Answer 9

As a progressive Christian I just sit back and pity the conservatives.

Answer 10

I will answer.....They take whatever stand that will serve them the best on ayny given day. Its not about religion its about greed and social status.