What is happening to Protestantism's political influence?

None ^ | 5.21.07 | Dangus

[dangus]

Please! The purpose of this thread is not to suppose one religion is truer than another because of political success! As a Catholic conservative, I'd like to see conservativism better utilize Protestant political talent. I'm not trying to assert any given answer to this question; the one hypothesis I mentioned was meant only as an example. I'm trying to stimulate some political analysis.

Please ping anyone in your respective ping lists who you think would be interested in such a discussion.

[Gamecock]

Interesting question.

I’ll mull it over and get back to you tonight.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Does anyone know Fred Thompson’s religion? I would guess Baptist or something similar, but don’t actually know. Oh, btw, doesn’t Barrack Hussein Obama claim he’s a Christian of some type and attend church? I think Hillary Clinton is a Methodist.

[darkangel82]

I think Hillary Clinton is a Methodist.

I don't think she believes in a god.

[dangus]

I understand that Thompson is a member of the Church of Christ, which is not to be confused with the “United Church of Christ,” which is highly universalist, or the “Church of Christ, Scientist,” which is the denominational name of Christian Scientists.

Thompson’s church is restorationist, and formally nondenominational, whic is to say, anti-denominationalist or pre-denominationalist; it holds that the early church had no denomination, and was substantially corrupted by the emergence of denominations. According to Wikipedia, Churches of Christ are also congregational, typically amillennial, typically Arminian (although many are strongly Calvinist), and often have strictly a capella services.

For more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Christ

[rmlew]

Protest political influence has been going downhill since 1840.
WASP America invited in million of immigrants and stopped reproducing. The 1950's were its last hurray. 1890 to 1924 laid the foundation and the 1965 immigration act was suicide.
Of course Euro-America is following the same pattern.

[Gamecock]

A couple of thoughts:

-Most “Proddies” can’t tell the difference between Mormons, JWs, or any other group. Liberal doctrine has crept in to the point that no one thinks what you believe matters.

-There aren’t as many Christians (RC or Proddies) as statistics would have us believe. 90% (or some such number) claim to be Christian, but why aren’t the churches packed out on Sunday (or Saturday night)? Most people will answer that they are Christian because they aren’t Muslim or Jewish, and they do believe there is a god.* But of course they don’t worship the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, they have the idea that there is some kind of cosmic grandfather who really doesn't care what goes on, and is willing to shower us with parking spaces and $20.00 bills.

So they vote for whoever tickles their ears, just like the god* they worship.

*little g on purpose.

[Upbeat]

The list of governors doesn’t appear to be quite accurate or up to date. It lists Jeb Bush(Florida) as Catholic and a D. The current governor, Charlie Crist, is a Methodist, according to Wikopedia and an R. Corzine(NJ), a D, is not Jewish. Again, according to Wikopedia, he belongs to United Church of Christ.
Your point, however, is a valid one, but not quite to the degree that it seems at first look. During the R control of the House, the leadership for much of the time consisted of Gingrich and Armey, both Baptists. The Supreme Court composition makes your point and I don’t have an explanation for it. Perhaps the President can find a Protestant Evangelical who interprets the constitution the same way that four and sometimes the fifth Catholic on the court does.

[siunevada]

Frankly, I am ashamed of many of America's most powerful Catholics.

If they aren't (mainline, "believe whatever you want") Protestants, they might be termed protestors. The huge majority of them are CINOs, their public actions don't seem to indicate that Christianity has any influence in their thought processes and they publicly repudiate the Church.

[Alex Murphy]

The huge majority of them are CINOs, their public actions don't seem to indicate that Christianity has any influence in their thought processes and they publicly repudiate the Church.

That's funny - what you wrote perfectly describes the majority of the Catholic politicians on the list, too - in which case we should also ask What is happening to Catholicism's political influence?

[siunevada]

what you wrote perfectly describes the majority of the Catholic politicians on the list, too

By CINO, I meant Catholics In Name Only. I know Catholics, and Ted Kennedy is no Catholic.

Okay, okay. If someone absolutely has to claim the imbecilic, depraved Senator as their own, then he's ours. But, can he be saved? Well, all things are possible with God. He looks like a job for some direct and dramatic intervention.

[GoLightly]

Face it, leftists of all “religious” stripes have worked for change, which equates to tearing down the institutions which were the foundation of our nation. They were active, while conservatives slept.

Protestant mindset tends to focus most on things that are local.

[redgolum]

What is interesting, is that until the later 70’s and early 80’s, Protestants had less over all political impact than now. Granted there were more politicians who were Protestants, but many of the rank and file did not vote.

Part of the reason is that neither party really wants committed religious people in its ranks right now. Many of the Catholics you listed are CINO’s, and I suspect that the Protestants are also. Both parties demand allegiance to the party first, and the Church (or church) second. A friend of mine’s father had to step away from some rather outspoken views he had in regard to his faith in order to rise in the GOP.

[Iscool]

I have a relative who was raised Episcopalian...He moved on to a Reformed Church and now attnds a Methodist Church...

He gets very nervous when you mention Heaven or Hell...

He’s a staunch Democrat as well...

This relative considers your pope to be the head of the church on earth...But yet he concludes the ‘religious far right’ are of the devil...

I’m thinking this fella and numerous politicians are all of the same ilk...Religion made it to the sleeve but never reached the heart...

So what’s in a name now a days...

[Unam Sanctam]

I think there are really two different demographics in contemporary Protestantism — traditional Christian believers and “mainstream” liberal seculars who have for all intents and purposes abandoned Christianity.

[polymuser]

Ditto.

[MarkBsnr]

I believe that all five Catholics on the Supreme Court are practicing Catholics.

[siunevada]

I believe you are correct.

That’s five.

Now, the legislative branch. CINO City!

[NeoCaveman]

I think Hillary Clinton is a Methodist.
I don't think she believes in a god.

Of course she believes in a god, she just thinks it is herself.