"I am a conservative Christian and I vote ... Democratic"

For those whose friends or relatives believe that "GOP" actually means "God's Own Party"... What do you think they would say about this man's point of view?

http://www.startribune.com/viewers/story.php?template=print_a&story=4903812

Rob Johnstone: The Bible tells him so
GOP doesn't reflect his Christian beliefs -- or get his votes
Rob Johnstone
July 31, 2004

I am a conservative Christian and I vote ... Democratic.

A fellow congregant spoke his heart to me when he said, "I don't know how you can call yourself a Christian and vote for a Democrat." The subtext, of course, was to equate voting for a Democrat with committing a sin. I was troubled but not surprised by the comment.

<snip>

But what of Christian virtues such as love, mercy, peace making, compassion for the weak and poor, considering others as more important than yourself and personal service? In what way does the GOP support those concepts? And this whole idea of cutting taxes to keep more of "my money" (something of an oxymoron to a Christian)? In what way is this not a form of selfishness? Especially when those tax cuts remove services from poor children, education and support for the mentally ill?

<snip>

So I do my best to look at the big picture and align my vote with those who best represent the qualities of mercy, service and peacemaking. It is not easy, but the candidates I vote for are seldom Republicans ... because they don't best reflect my beliefs.

So, to answer my fellow congregant, it is because I call myself a Christian that I find myself voting primarily Democratic. I choose to vote my principles. And I urge all people of faith to do the same.

More...

if I thought I would find more Christians like this one there.

I am, by even the most generous description, a very conservative Christian. I believe in the Bible as the inspired word of God. I interpret it literally and believe its teachings should govern my actions. And I have not committed intellectual suicide as a result of my beliefs.

The part about not committing intellectual suicide is my favorite. Why is it that mostly, when people find god, they lose their mind? I would like to see more publicity for Christians like this one. The press only covers the extremists, the rest get lost in the shuffle. Gives religion a bad name.

There's at least one major denomination that traditionally has NOT required their pastors to get a seminary education, thus just passing on ignorance from one generation to the next.

It's also difficult for so many people to be the least bit objective when it comes to religion, especially since it's often tied to our most visceral, emotionally-laden moments of life. And lots of people have been indoctrinated with certain images of God and unrealistic expectations/guilt almost since the cradle. That's one of my pet peeves because those people almost have to be de-programmed before they allow themselves to think like the author of that article.

And I agree - I wish there were more people like him in churches. He sure seems not to fit the stereotype about religion & politics.

about being a Christian. She is a very intelligent person, but not when it come to religion (or, not unconnectly, in my opinion, when it comes to politics). If I question Christian beliefs, just in the spirit of having a good intelligent conversation, she gets a really terrified dear in the headlights look. When I question her about individual political issues, she is quite liberal, but she always votes republican. I think her inability to question her religious faith is related to her inability to make an intelligent political choice. It has been driven into her that republicans are godly and you don't question god.

God a lot and didn't get "left behind" by God at all. In fact, they messed up pretty badly, but God was faithful to them.

I don't know where people in the church, in Christianity, got the idea not to question God. That's projecting our own insecurities on the Almighty. Tell your friend that God is big enough to take lots of doubts & questioning & even anger, and that actually indicates that you are taking things quite seriously - enough to really have an argument. (In a dream, Jacob wrestled w/ an angel and came out with an injury but it was worth it because he was stronger as a result of it.)

in how we were raised. In my family, we were taught to question everything 'cause it is the only way to know if things are right and true. A diversity of opinions were tolerated and even encouraged. In my friend's family, voicing a minority opinion got the bejesus beaten out of you. She is very bright and reads allot, so I have hope for her. I gave her the book 'Life of Pi' http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0156027321/qid=1091705784/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/104-8975585-0894329, which is basically a fable about faith and god, and she was much taken with it. So I think she is slowly seeing that faith is durable enough to withstand questions.

...but what about the social policies? I know really religious people hate abortion, & gay marriage.