how does christian fundamentalism affect american politics?

Answer 1

Christian fundamentalism does not affect American politics any more than any other group. We just try to vote for the person that most aligns with our views and that is usually the Republican party. We are a large block who mostly vote and the conservative candidates usually go after this large block of voters just as the Democrats go after groups like minorities.

Answer 2

Well, first off, Christian fundamentalism has become a hybrid of Biblical literalism, rank capitalism and ultraconservatism. Christian fundamentalism has as much to do with historical Rebublican propaganda and it's cumulative effects over generations as it has to do with biblical literalism. Other countries have Christian fundamentalists, but American Christian fundamentalists are distinct. Their political roots have effected their theology as much as their theology has effected their politics.

The effect of that? I believe that the primary effect is the propogation of knee-jerk nationalism; a sense that America has some divine right to stand alone as an elite global force for God. But woven into all that is greed, bigotry, intolerance and a certain survivalist mentality.

American Christian fundamentalists have a strong "us vs them" approach, not only to other societies and nations, but to a 150 million Americans as well. They are not interested in forming a global community prefaced on respect, tolerance and diversity. Their aim is to conquer the world.

Answer 3

Christian fundamentalism affects American politics in a very negative way.

Answer 4

When you have an evangelical christian as president- in many ways. Ted Haggard met with Bush weekly. That's more than he met with the democrats.

How does it affect politics- strangely, it's quite a shame. As the kind values of the religion, the honesty, integrity that it stands for were terribly abused by those in power. We've seen some of the dirtiest politics in my lifetime from the religious right.

Also- uniquely religious values are now taking away rights of americans. Gay people can now be legally discriminated against because of religious values. Women are losing freedom over their own bodies because of religion.

In a constitutional democracy, the majority viewpoint is not supposed to be able to make laws which go against the constitution. That's why so many states have passed laws to amend their constitutions to ban gay marriage. If it weren't a change in the states constitution- then it would be considered unconstitutional to discriminate against a group of people like this. So- since the majority of people hate gays, we can take away their rights. Next, when the majority of people decide they hate Jews- we'll take away their rights. Hmmm who's next?

Answer 5

it is a sad commentary that many here in defense of there stated aims work to destroy them. This a country if founded on nothing else is founded on the most basic right the right of choice.And my choice is as valid as the neo-nazi or the communist, or the theist or the atheist. You are free to choose as you believe. and you are free to influence both people and the country as a whole in your belief. say that a belief is not valid because you do not believe the same is to deny the very idea of choice. to seek to change others mind through discourse and information is to empower them. and their ability to choose.I f you disagree with a given choice give a more attractive choice

how does that apply to the Question/ well simply put the religious right has given a very attractive choice to many. While not a member of the religious right nor particularly religious personally . I am no fool and realize that a group of individuals who have chosen to express themselves as a group are more influential both in government and society. Certainly the Christian right has offered choices that are very attractive to many and have a significant following. There are Racist Groups that are attractive to many it does that make the choice invalid. NO!. You can disagree with a person or a group but rather than berate them or insult them all of which is likely to alienate them and make them less receptive. the alternative is to offer them a better choice but to deny the validity of one's choice is to deny the very nature of man

Answer 6

Could you define "christian fundamentalism?"

Would that include the Amish? I'm pretty sure they're not terribly political. Ditto most other fundamentalists.

They care about moral issues, and who's to say they're wrong?

Lamplight, I must respectfully disagree. Contrary to popular opinion, Christian Fundamentalists are not particularly interested in warring in the middle east, other than protecting US freedoms from terrorism.

Politics, in general have gone unnoticed until we were pushed into private schools due to the indoctrination of secular humanism into the public schools, and the kicking out of God. In our private educations, we learned the Constitution protected our rights to free speech and free worship.

And then we came of age.

Answer 7

simple, look at the coins and read the words in it "In God we trust"

Basically its written with trust on God. United states has more christians than any other religion so its obvious the God stated here is Jesus for American. Hey I'm not an American or Christian either. Dont take my words as missionary, however I trust only people nobody else. :-)

Answer 8

I'm not sure, other than to say that the religious community impacts politics when the secular community accuses them of it. But then again, what's wrong with that?

If, for whatever reason, George Steinbrenner implores Yankee fans to vote Democratic and they do...well, what's wrong with that? If I'm an atheist and I set up my soapbox in the public square and tell people that my belief in "no-God" tells me to implore everyone to vote for Ralph Snodgrass...what's wrong with that?

Is it OK to proselytize if you're a small time fringe player? Does it then somehow become wrong simply based on the number of people you've been able to influence? This is America. Preach your heart out and I'll decide for myself if I like what you're saying!

What's everyone afraid of?

Edit: 11/15

Hmmm. Two thumbs down for defending free speech! Nothing is more hypocritical than to say you are for free speech, only when you agree with it.

Grow up (both of you!)

Answer 9

christianity affects the individual, which affects a small group, which affects larger groups...etc

Answer 10

It creates more hypocrisy and idiocy.

Most Democrats are pro-choice and pro-assisted suicide and most Republicans are pro-death penalty and pro-war. So they ALL are destroying life. However, the Republicans reached out to the fundamentalist Christians first, and the rest is history.