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rug

(82,333 posts)
Mon Jun 23, 2014, 10:36 AM Jun 2014

Secular and religious progressives can work together

June 23, 2014 - 11:27PM
Barney Zwartz
Religion editor, The Age.

People tend to think of Christian politics as conservative. They identify defining issues as abortion and gay marriage but there is a long tradition of fighting for social justice and progressive causes, from slavery to Pope Leo's 19th century defence of unions, to the civil rights movement, and now asylum seekers.

Of course Christians have been found on both or many sides of these issues, which is hardly surprising given the size of the constituency and the complexity of the issues. But media coverage today tends to focus on the religious right, whether suspicion of Prime Minister Tony Abbott's Catholic inspiration or the influence of the Australian Christian Lobby.

In the US, where the divide between progressive and conservative wings of the church is much sharper, the religious right and the Tea Party dominate discussion, partly because they have far more money and partly because of their influence on secular politics, which seems ever-more firmly entrenched.

But, according to a new report by the respected Brookings Institution, which also has lessons for Australia, the tide is about to turn. The most important factor is demographic, says the report Faith in Equality: Economic Justice and the Future of Religious Progressives - only 49 per cent of religious conservatives are under 49, compared with 66 per cent of progressives. "What's clear is that the religious right is not the wave of the future," the report says.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/secular-and-religious-progressives-can-work-together-20140623-zsiog.html#ixzz35TOYG1By

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Htom Sirveaux

(1,242 posts)
1. Yes, we can, if we as religious people are willing to put our egos aside.
Mon Jun 23, 2014, 11:21 AM
Jun 2014

Secular progressives have a lot of good points to make about the dangers of religion gone bad and the problems they face as a minority subject to bigotry. We should listen and be grateful for the reminder to continually be on our guard against those dangers. And we should have compassion for their complaints without being tempted to "religionsplain" away the things they are saying. That doesn't mean we have to mindlessly agree with every criticism, or get out the leftover medieval whips for continual self-flagellation. It does mean that we should be kinder, more patient, and less defensive than seems necessary.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
2. Nice overview of the issue and could not agree more.
Mon Jun 23, 2014, 11:27 AM
Jun 2014

While I understand the source of distrust among progressive non-believers, I think it is critical that they get over that and begin to form the clearly natural alliances they have with progressive believers.

This battle is fruitless and divisive and it's time to move on and leave those that want to fight for the sake of fighting behind.

Brettongarcia

(2,262 posts)
5. So the atheists here on DU should just give in to Ms. CBayer and the religionists?
Mon Jun 23, 2014, 02:54 PM
Jun 2014

Since compromise always involves everyone ELSE compromising?

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
7. Yes, just give in. You are completely at my mercy
Mon Jun 23, 2014, 03:45 PM
Jun 2014

and the hardy band of religionists that I control.

Resistance is entirely futile.

AtheistCrusader

(33,982 posts)
3. Because in the US, statistically they are.
Mon Jun 23, 2014, 01:10 PM
Jun 2014

"People tend to think of Christian politics as conservative."

So much so they managed to pass a fucking state constitutional amendment in California banning same sex marriage.

pinto

(106,886 posts)
6. The key finding, imo, is that the extreme polarization is eroding. That's a good thing.
Mon Jun 23, 2014, 03:12 PM
Jun 2014

I don't think we all have to agree or even disagree on secular / religious points of view. For progressives, I think it's a personal call.

The Brookings' report notes a larger trend beyond the individual to the broader demographic. "What's clear is that the religious right is not the wave of the future".

That's a good thing. Progressives share so many common goals and objectives. And we are a growing segment of the population, the electorate and the political landscape. Irregardless of religious or non-religious affiliation.

okasha

(11,573 posts)
8. Of course seculsr and religious progressives
Mon Jun 23, 2014, 03:52 PM
Jun 2014

can work together.

Fact is, most secular progressives care about as much what an ally's religion might be. as they do about what that ally had for breakfast.

Real life ain't the intertubes.

 

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)
9. It always annoys me that the media and others assume all Christians are conservative.
Mon Jun 23, 2014, 03:52 PM
Jun 2014

Secular and religious progressives have a lot in common and we should focus on this.

Yes we can argue our differences but we need to focus on our common views more.

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