Religious Liberals Sat Out of Politics for 40 Years. Now They Want in the Game. (Xposted)

[guillaumeb]

This was also posted in the Editorials section)

From the article:

"...........Across the country, religious leaders whose politics fall to the left of center, and who used to shun the political arena, are getting involved — and even recruiting political candidates — to fight back against President Trump’s policies on immigration, health care, poverty and the environment."

To read more:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/10/us/politics/politics-religion-liberal-william-barber.html?ribbon-ad-idx=2&rref=politics&module=Ribbon&version=context&_r=2

[stephensolomita]

1. About Time

If this means that the mainstream is finally growing aware of the Republican devolution and the dangers it presents, then great. There's no middle now. How did that old labor tune go? "Which side are you on, boys, which side are you on."

[guillaumeb]

7. I believe that you have addressed the core issue.

We must all choose, and one hopes that we (mainly) choose wisely.

[d_r]

2. Next comes the right wingers

Telling them that they are not "real" Christians.


Quite from article:::

Frustrated by Christian conservatives’ focus on reversing liberal successes in legalizing abortion and same-sex marriage, those on the religious left want to turn instead to what they see as truly fundamental biblical imperatives — caring for the poor, welcoming strangers and protecting the earth — and maybe even change some minds about what it means to be a believer.

[Igel]

5. Meh.

Neither side considers the other "true Xians."

Neither side would think of me as a good Xian. Which is reasonable, since I think the same of them.

Turnabout's fair play, it gets no quibble from me.

[trotsky]

3. "We're in a real battle for the soul of faith, of Christianity, of this nation,"

No we aren't.

The fact that religious people will NEVER, EVER be able to agree on what their religion IS, means that the struggle will ALWAYS be bad for politics. Both sides screaming "We have to do THIS because God says so!" will lead us NOWHERE but to more of the same.

The largest growing "religious" group of people in this country - larger than even the biggest Christian denomination (Catholics) - are the "nones." Those who don't give a flying fuck about religion. What makes you think that religious overtones will win them over?

[Lordquinton]

4. Can't even get a consensus

On this board.

Each side says they are the true way, and each side has support from the same book. Just get it all out.

[guillaumeb]

6. The largest growing?

At the current rate of growth, the "nones" will be in the majority the day before the sun cools down.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. It's about 1% per year

which accelerated from about 0.5% per year before that: http://www.gallup.com/poll/1690/religion.aspx

So, at the current rate of growth (which is an assumption, of course), that would be a majority about 2050.

[guillaumeb]

11. Assuming that there is no growth in the religious population.

Look at Russia and China for examples of the resurgence of religion in spite of the official policies. So if the growth of "nones" is more than the growth of "believers", China, Russia, and the rate of population growth among believers must be watched.

[muriel_volestrangler]

13. The thread and subthread are about the current rates in the USA, though

(and the official policy in Russia is strongly pro-Orthodox, of course:

http://www.dw.com/en/is-the-russian-orthodox-church-serving-god-or-putin/a-38603157
https://cruxnow.com/ap/2016/12/17/church-state-seeing-eye-eye-putins-orthodox-russia/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulcoyer/2015/05/21/unholy-alliance-vladimir-putin-and-the-russian-orthodox-church/#469217aa27d5

[Lordquinton]

15. Your facts are wrong on Russia

Where Orthodox is the offical policy, and they are actively persecuting LGBTQIA under government authority because of it.

[trotsky]

9. AND the largest.

Meet the ‘Nones,’ the Democratic Party’s biggest faith constituency
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/meet-the-nones-the-democratic-partys-biggest-faith-constituency/2016/02/28/85e5b68e-d588-11e5-b195-2e29a4e13425_story.html

You keep on ignoring them, though. I'm sure that'll work.

[AtheistCrusader]

10. You keep telling yourself that.

Stages of grief and all that.

[guillaumeb]

12. One could respond with a comment about a perceived "need" to feel that one's personal preference

represents some type of progress, or evolution if you will, but both sides will read into this what they truly wish to believe.

[trotsky]

14. One could, if one is totally unable to acknowledge a simple fact.

And is intent on passive-aggressively smearing others.

[guillaumeb]

16. Is this a bit of self-analysis?

Or is it an attack on MY motives?

[trotsky]

17. I bet you can figure it out. n/t