The Religious "Right"

The Religious "Right" The Compatibility of Christianity and Republicanism...

Why should a Christian be a Republican? First, no political party should dominate our thinking. Christianity is not just first in my view of the world; it is the only view of the world.

Having said that, it seems important to me to work for and with the Republican Party and not just stand on the edge of the field being critical. No party is perfect, but the Republican Party maximizes my ability to make a difference. So why am I a Republican?

The Republican Party has a glorious past. It was founded to free the slaves. Abraham Lincoln, the greatest president of the United States, was its first president. It has always had an active, evangelical wing. It has never been the party of bigotry and disunity.

The Republican Party has long been comfortable with Western tradition and a sensible Christian civil religious fingerprint in policy. It is no accident that before it went mad, the Episcopal Church could be called the Republican Party at prayer. While a great advocate of social justice causes, it also has always had a high respect for tradition. Republicans produced Theodore Roosevelt, a patrician reformer. Democrats produced Woodrow Wilson, perhaps the worst President of the twentieth century.

The Republicans are the party of government. William Jennings Bryan, three times the Democrat nominee for President, gave great speeches. Republicans ran the nation and made her great. Democrats weep for the poor and produce programs that create more poor. Republicans reduce the number of poor and create citizens. Democrats pit the haves against the have nots. Republicans unite Main Street and Wall Street.

Republicans are the party of the well lived life. The Republican Party respects innocent human life and if it errs, does so in the direction of life. On the other hand, as the rational and religious party, it makes no idol of simply being alive. It takes murder seriously enough to demand the life of the murderer. It knows that a defense of freedom, which brings the death of some brave boys in uniform, is better than a life of slavery. Ronald Reagan was a Republican and only Reagan had the nerve to call communism an unthinkable option.

Republicans believe in liberty and not mere freedom. It understands that every man should have the freedom to do whatever good he can find. On the other hand, it understands that no man has a right to do evil. Republicans are the party of law and order who do not go too far. Republicans would ban abortion, but not ban your right to do business.

Republicans accept that the state does some things well, but that there are other spheres of human authority. Strong families are necessary for a strong Republic. Democrats may every area of life dependent on government; Republicans strengthen other social groups to oppose government run amuck. We are not opposed to government, we govern, but we are opposed to government that prevents good. Democrats are libertines opposed to liberty. They would allow children to access porn in the local public library, but would regulate Dad's business to death. Republicans see no right to evil and would allow local government to regulate the library, but would leave Dad alone to produce wealth. Put simply Republicans are joiners and do-ers. Democrats are whiners and activists.

Is the Republican Party perfect? By no means, no human institution, including Christian ones can be perfect. But a primary vote is the most powerful vote I have and I plan on using it to back the one party that support rational families, a well lived life, and liberty. CRO

thank you.. although we risk flames stating that opinion... I'd vote for him as worst.. and anyone who thinks he was all about freeing the slaves needs to read their history a little closer.. he cared as much about freeing slaves as Kerry does about preserving our 2nd amendment rights.

[Democrats] would allow children to access porn in the local public library, but would regulate Dad's business to death. Republicans see no right to evil and would allow local government to regulate the library, but would leave Dad alone to produce wealth.

The problem is that NEITHER of these government usurpations is legitimate.

Given your answer in #5 I knew it would be but some people don't seem to get it. People who want to stop abortion go with the Republicans and say God is on their side. People who are "concerned" (cough-cough) with the "poor" go with the RATS and say God is on their side. It's a mistake to think God is on either side. That is not what Christianity is all about.

"I wonder how many on this site would vote to have the currency phrase changed to 'In Jesus We Trust'?"

Honestly, I would guess around 25%, Perhaps lower. Christianity is certainly not the only reason to be a Republican, I only pointed out that it's a reason to not be a Democrat.

To answer your question personally, I'm torn. While I'm fine with the wording, I also feel that alienating much of our party by proposing such a thing could end up being a bad decision, just as proposing the opposite from the Rats alienates their support.

Being a Christian and an activist, Republican is as good as it gets. That is, until He shows up.

On another note, turn that question around;

Propose "In Jesus We Trust" at DU.

Now, THAT would be funny.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.