Why do so many Christians sympathize with the right wing?

Question

Don't you think a lot of their basic principles are in direct conflict with the teachings of Jesus? I mean, the left wing emphasizes sharing with the poor, helping those in need, seeking peaceful solutions to problem, while the right wing favours big business and a preoccupation with wealth along with capital punishment and war. So please enlighten me.

For instance, George W. Bush calls himself a Christian, and I've heard many Christians support him.

Answer 1

I do't know why ANYONE would sympathize with the right wing. Even the wealthy must have SOME conscience, you'd think.

Answer 2

Yes - the 'right-wing,' neo-con movement in the west is specifically anti-Christian on many points. Most Christians are not right-wingers. Even in the US, where most fundamentalists reside, they are still in the minority. Unfortunately, they have staunch political backing and the encouragement of the media. Fundamentalists did away with any kind of theological depth or ecclesiastical authority a long time ago. All of their doctrines are matters of choice, and do not require supporting evidence, Biblical or otherwise. Because of this, they easily adopt non-Christian propositions as fundamental doctrines. Capital punishment is a good example. There is no Biblical precedent for it, and it is opposed by the vast majority of 'traditional' denominations. But among neo-cons, it is a matter of (unsubstantiated) theological dogma.

Right-wing Christians in the US are dispensationalists, and number about 27 million. That is less than 2% of Christianity world-wide.

Answer 3

I think that you and I agree on the specific issues you have raised. But instead of starting out with an assumption about Christians, try to talk with people who you don't agree with. You could start out with the practical reasons for helping those in need
(such as keeping our society stable), seeking peaceful solutions to problems (lives do not have to be lost), capital punishment (not an effective way of keeping us safe) etc.

Try to open their minds. Hopefully, the best part of what they have been taught by their religion will do the rest.

Answer 4

Not necessarily.

Don't fall for such rhetoric spawned by politicians and lobbyists trying to influence governments to favor their own interests. They often build straw-men to point at and distract you from what they are trying to accomplish.

You are over-categorizing a very diverse group of people.

No-one wants war. Except politicians. Go beat up on them. Christians get tired of being the straw-men for politicians. Politicians like it when you are writing to christians instead of writing to their congressmen or MPs. It takes the heat off them.

On average, christians are center. Most supporting a sustainable level of social programs to look after those who cannot produce enough to provide for their own basic needs, and also support charitable giving.

Very few are pre-occupied with wealth, other than making enough to meet their own basic needs, just like everyone else.

Many favor a government regulated free market system which would place them in the center, rather than a centrally planned system (a few on the left), or a facist system (no-one, business actually operating government).

Left wing or centrally planned markets have proved low in productivity due to the tendency of planners to have limited information and often corrupt influence from lobbyists. Same thing with facist governments. Right wing is towards Facism, in which the state is run by business interests (which is very different from a free market system). There is too much room for corruption and poor planning, no-one at all wants the far right!
.

Answer 5

I am a Christian I am not against peaceful solutions or helping the poor, but I am adamently against abortion and I cant favor any side that promises to make abortions even easier than they are. I am not in favor of war, not completely against captiol punishment and regardless... big bisuiness has the most $$$$$$$ and will buy their politicians and politicians accept it. All sides help big business. If the democrats were so "for the poor" they'd say "to hell with it" when they take office, tax the DAYLIGHTS out of big business and make sure no one in this country goes to bed hungry.

Answer 6

The right wing is generally a metaphor for conservative Christians. I think what you are asking is why are Christians generally more sympathetic to the Republican Party as opposed to the Democratic Party, which purports to be the peoples party. I think the answer is the political platform of the parties - the Republicans, at least nominally hold more to conservative social positions, such as opposition to abortion, traditional definition of marriage,
a right to bear arms and similar issues.
I am a conservative and I am all for helping the poor, and in fact although I make less than $40,000 a year, I gave away over 25% of my net income last year, and have done this for years.
When it comes to deciding who I give my money to, I want to make that decision myself. I am no fan of any party that wants to be generous with my money.

Answer 7

Well, for one thing I don't agree with your white/black assessment of the "left" and "right"!

Conservatives tend to be Republicans. Liberals tend to be Democrats. Christians are conservatives. They do not agree with abortion, they are not going to vote for gay marriage, and that lets out the Democrats right there. Let's not be silly; one side nor the other has the solution to all things. You have wise and not so wise things being said in both camps. You just have to choose who best represents what you believe.

Answer 8

You need to meet more Christians. The "religious right" ..... is neither.

Answer 9

Don't confuse your opinion with facts. An economist has found it is the conservatives who really care:
http://www.philanthropy.com/free/articles/v19/i04/04001101.htm

Answer 10

we cant know their thoughts
please see politics