Conservative Christians-What had led you to your conservative outlook?

Question

My experience with Christ and the scriptures has led me to a more 'left-leaning' viewpoint. I'm just curious what Bible verses or experiences have caused you to have a more conservative/republican point of view.

In the Bible, I see Christ reaching out to the poor, to sinners, abhoring violence, and chastising the 'conservatives' (Pharisees and Saducees) around Him. I'm sickened by the exhaltation of war, big business and personal gain, the denigration of those who are different that political/religous conservatives seem to espouse. I also believe that a free and open (liberal) society is the best place for the faith to flourish.

Answer 1

Conservative connotes unchanging. We tend to adhere to time honored values. I don't see how you can be persuaded to lean to the left from studying the gospel of Jesus Christ. Most everything on the left is in direct conflict with the word of God. Perhaps you feel that leftists are more concerned with the poor which is definitely a charge that our Lord has given us. People on the left often seem to have a special passion for the underdog but their solution is to use coercion to redistribute wealth. Poverty will never be solved by continually taxing some to give to others. A truly compassionate approach is to help the poor become skilled so that they may rise out of poverty. Maybe you are opposed to war. I am also, but don't be fooled by the leftist doves. Right now they are dramatically opposed to the war in Iraq because they see this issue as a means to regain power in Washington. I saw them turn their coats as soon as the effort to free Iraq began.
Look at history and see how many times Leftist governments have caused wars.
Just study things out in depth and not just in the shallow ranting of power hungry extremist in pacifist and humanitarian clothing.

Answer 2

I am a very bible based christian who doesn't fully buy into the Conservative outlook. Remember that Christians can be hearded around by leaders just like any other group. Christians know that God's word is authorative. The Republican party led by Carl Rove (who I seriously doubt has endured the maturing process of Christianity, and would assume he is a baby christian or immature christian) anyway. Carl saw the political opportunity of cultivating the Christian vote. however, I have seen when Chritianinity and big busines are opposed to each other on an issue within the Republican party, BUSINESS always wins.

So the Republican party has agressively courted the Christian vote, whereas Democrats have the hibby jibbies at the thought of even recognizing the authority of scripture or its relevance in politics. Democratic leadership has a thick wall of separation between faith and politics. However, they have begun to cultivate ministers that will say that the Bible supports a more liberal agenda.

So that's why Christians often act politically in the Conservative relm. But its only because there is ineffective leadership to present more pure options for Christians.

Answer 3

The scriptures have both judgement and mercy. One is imperfect without the other.

Just out of curiosity, can you explain how your experience has led you to a more "left-leaning" viewpoint? After all, you ask that of the conservatives. Can't you give an example of what you're talking about, first?

(Additional details)

Why do you think reaching out to the poor is a "left" viewpoint? The "left" just want the most inefficiant body (the government) to handle the redistribution of wealth instead of leaving it to charities. Isn't that, in fact, stealing from the poor, if we are taxed for the purpose of caring for the poor and a large percent of that money goes directly into the pockets of government workers and politicians?

Why do you call the Pharisees "conservatives?" They gave their tithes.

The exaltation of war? You mean people doing what they think is right to defend themselves? The people of a nation are, as a whole, under attack if another people attack one indiscriminately. If you want to quote, "turn the other cheek," I'll be disagreing with your application of that principle.

But Yeshua (Jesus) commanded his disciples to bring swords with them when he was about to face arrest. God is the same as he was in the old testament, who, under some circumstances, commanded war. And David, a man after God's own heart, was not a liberal pacifist.

He never expressed that he abhorred violence.

If there wasn't the possibility of "big business and personal gain," this wouldn't exactly be a free society, would it? Yet you want a society free from that, and you call your dream "a free and open (liberal) society?"

Are there not societies, as you described, in the world today? How are they working out for good, Christian values?

Answer 4

I think that what makes a lot of christians conservative is views on things like abortion and homosexuality. Both things are condemed in the bible and they seem to be the hottest topics in politics these days.. and most conservatives oppose them.

However.. some left-winged people oppose them.

People shouldnt have a left-winged point of view or a right-winged point of view..

Here's a tip.. since there are a few elections coming up.. take all the cantidates, look at what they all stand for, and base your vote on the one that agrees with your views most. So many republicans disregard all the democrats without even finding anything out about them.. they just know they are democrats so they don't want them.

Answer 5

Good question. Our Newman Club moderator was a liberal priest who was almost Communist in his outlook. Always talking about social justice, but had no workable plan. Then I saw a movie of a child being aborted. Poor kid never had a chance. You could see his fear and pain. But liberals don't even notice. They seem more worried about the woman who made the choice to open her legs. Sorry, rape is a very rare cause of pregnancy.

And that is the real problem with liberals. They refuse to actually look at the bigger picture. For them it's all about right here, right now. God is not shortsighted, but liberals are. And they make up stuff. Global cooling, global warming. [Make up your minds!] Save the whales, baby harp seals, and white tigers. [but kill human babies in the womb.] You want dolphin free, vegan diets for everyone, whether they like it or not. You yell 'no nukes is good nukes', and 'no blood for oil', but where is your support for zero point power? You want to save the trees, but the US has more trees today than it did 200 years ago. Everything is a slogan with you. Why think when others can do that for you?

And you look up to murderers like Ted Kennedy [Read Teddy Bare] and exposed liars like Ted Koppel, the New York Times, and Bill Clinton. Then you have the nerve to say 'Bush Lied' when he did no such thing! Your ingenuousness and hypocracy are sickening. And you love to give "Other Peoples' Money" to the poor. Sounds good, until you realize that taking without permission is defined in the Bible as STEALING. I believe God has a thing or two to say about that. I will have nothing to do with your ilk.

Answer 6

I prefer the word *orthodox* over "conservative" because orthodox means someone who sincerely believes in the faith and tries to live it with humility in accordance with God's will. Conservative can be confused with the American conservative political party which although I mostly agree with on the moral issues, I don't think they are very good with the poor and I don't like the way they have been putting down Mexican immigrants. But then again, the Democrats don't do well for the poor either, just mostly a lot of talk which makes them more hypocritical for the way they criticize the Republicans.

Answer 7

Mostly the experience of Being Baptized in the Holy Spirit. Which gives greater hunger and understanding for God's Word. But also, I usually vote Republican for one reason alone.

To stop the Holocaust of the unborn. Until that ends I will vote pro-life. Because on Judgment Day I will not stand before the Father and tell Him(like a WWII German guard) that I did nothing to stop His little ones from suffering.

Answer 8

It depends on what you classify as 'conservative'. It's sounds more like you asking a republican/ political question which in this day and age has really very little to do with Christianity.

Answer 9

we are slaves to the ppl we owe money to, says the bible. so we have to work and pay off bills, the left freely gives out welfare and food stamps....and i know u know what i mean. obesity is about to become a 'disability' so they can draw money. and some lazy liberals have babies as a means of income......this is one thing i'm going to say on this, i could babble on and on, but no one would read this then :)

Answer 10

I'm a Christian because I have faith in Christ; I'm a conservative because of common sense.