In the U.S. do`es personal religious belief always go hand in hand with a right of centre political stance ?

Question

I`m from Belfast,Northern Ireland,but on browsin through this forum i`v become aware that many users here are from th States,arguably th most influential politcal players on th global scene,and what concerns me is a common theme of th right being accused of small-minded argument based on psuedo-religous beliefs,and th left similarily being accused of godless immorality in their decision making process`s.

So whats going on over there?
Why this mutual intolerance of those on th opposite end of idealogical thought,I`m genuinely concerned because my own land has seen hellish atrocity perpetuated for political cause,which has then been justified on religous grounds and i wonder if a superpower like America is showin signs of similiar sectarianism.
Are there no faith-centred people on th left,and where are th secularists that form th right ?

Of course i`m also interested in th opinions of individuals of other nations,for their perspective on US and their own homelands.

Answer 1

I appreciate you sharing your concern over this. My boss was in Ireland during some of the really bad violent years, and I can definitely see that being a scary thing.

I don't think it's always that way - but I am with you in being concerned about the widening gap between the two main parties. I think it's definitely time for a strong, moderate, third party to come up.

Answer 2

yes Saint ... it sometimes seems like it's all a game over here... "let's see what group is the largest and rally their vote" it doesn't carry a lot of weight anymore... you really can't believe what they SAY that they believe.. there is so much "flip flop" on public opinion and as with most politicians... they seem to "flip flop" to appease the masses.. it's better to look at their voting record!

and yes.. there are some Liberals (the "left") that have a deep faith, just as they're are some Conservatives (the "right") that have a more liberal view of things.. take Gov. Schwarzenager for example ... it's still just a game of votes ...

sorry about your nation's issues xx shame we are viewed as nothing but a bunch of bullies.. not all of us share the same world view as those that lead us..

:: shrug:: just a thought

btw? LOVE how you don't type the E in the word the .. i.e.~ th ...and your punctuation is emmaculate!

:: smiles and skips off:::

Answer 3

It is clear as crystal to see that the Bush/Cheney/Rove administration have used Christianity as a vehicle to initially get into power, stay in power, and use this as an artificial platform to pass legislation/policies that would not otherwise be permitted through congress. So because they adopt a 'Christian' position, they automatically have the majority on their side. Smart eh?

But if you look carefully at this carefully orchestrated 'Christian' bravado, there is not much substance to it. First of all, Bush didn't really get religious until he decided to run for president. In several interviews, Bush said that the person he most admires is "Jesus Christ", but when pressed by the interviewer as to why, he was unable to respond meaningfully. Cheney and Rove only say that they are religious periodically, and then other times, say they aren't. So are the leading Neoconservatives of Washington really that religious?

In fact, if Bush and Co. had not pushed a 'Christian' agenda forward to begin with, we would not be having this discussion - because he would not be in power. It is that unequivocal. In November, the Christians actually punished Bush in the mid-term elections, for the exact reason that he was pursuing a non-Christian agenda.

So to answer your question, the right is actually as godless as the left.

Answer 4

Hi St. Afleb:)

If I understand your question correctly, IMO there is this misconception that the American vote is influence by religion, my general impression as a voter is that:

1. depends where you are: people in the south and Midwest tend to be generally more religious than the northeast and the west, that does not mean however that both sides are polarised, (ex: my brother-in-law is a gay republican (republicans generally are more towards traditional values, religion etc, certainly not gay friendly) so how did that happen w/ my brother-in-law, who knows;)?, I myself am registered as nonpartisan)

2. Secondly despite the sensational headlines people are widely secular here and now more than ever, seeing the fiasco with the different scandals of various church leaders and the republican controlled congress, people at least politically are taking more of a "purple" approach. By "purple" I mean that they're not being necessarily faithful to one party (red republican + blue democrat=purple lets work together)

3. I'm not denying that for many people religion influences their vote, but when you talk to your regular Joe blow in the street, they are more concerned about the price of gas, jobs going overseas and Iraq and I don't see religion having anything to do with those issues.

Anyway that's my 2 cents, personally religion is something private and has never influenced my vote.

I hope that helps and take care.

Answer 5

Just note this,
Not all americans agree with the polotics of our countey,
With that said, This is how it is ( pretty contradictory)
Plotics are trying this whole "politicallty correct" thing, by taking religion out of schools and the government. People are trying to change a 250 year old pledge, just because it says "under God"


But yet thety will NEVER in a million years elect a presidant that is not christian, or a Church based religion.


So yes and no to your question, now you see why a lot of americans have been comming to europe.
my girlfriend is actually of Northern Ireland heratige. her dad has been teaching her about the british ocupation since before she could remember. And for that I say

"Give Ireland back to the Irish,
Don't make us have to take it away.
Give Ireland back to the irish,
Make ireland irish today"

Answer 6

I agree with you completely, and i am from canada. the country north of the us. i think that the us is becoming less of the nation it was when it was founded. they are the worst nation in the world for blaming all their problems on religion and other countries. but with your country, a simple solution could be aheived. the best way to stop the fighting is to get the top leaders of all sides together and call a ceace fire for nogotiations. peace is an atainable goal and will be the thing everyone wants, right?
if enough of your people want peace bad enough, then it will be a great cause. they could even become martars for peace instead of violence. i would like to hear mor of that beautiful; country called ireland.

Answer 7

That people on the left are all non-religious is a myth perpetuated by the right (as you say, "accused of" -- those are mere accusations, not at all based on reality).

Most Americans are religious; most Americans are liberal.

The religious left, however, don't believe in imposing their religion on everyone else.

It's just the few wing-nuts of the religious right that believe only they speak for god, and they have to force everyone else to live, think, and feel as they do.

I, myself, am godless, but many, many people on the left are religious -- Bill Moyers is one fairly prominent example that springs to mind.

Answer 8

When Tony prayed with George at Camp David, was he as middle of the road as he led us to believe.... I think not, and I think your hypotheses and assumptions are correct.

Excuse the cynicism....

Answer 9

No not necessarily. You can be liberal and committed.

Answer 10

not really