Evangelical flocks on their own at the polls

Evangelical flocks on their own at the polls

By Stephanie Simon and Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
November 15, 2007

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A fundamental shift is transforming the religious right, long a force in presidential politics, as aging evangelical leaders split on the 2008 race and a new generation of pastors turns away from politics altogether.

The result, in the short term, could be a boost for the centrist candidacy of former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, whose messy personal life and support for gay rights and legal abortion have not produced the unified opposition from Christian conservatives that many anticipated.

Over the longer term, the distancing of religious leaders from politics could prove even more consequential, denying the GOP one of the essential building blocks it has used to capture the White House in five of the last seven presidential races.

The shift is evident in this Rocky Mountain community at the heart of the evangelical movement.

"As far as me standing in the pulpit holding a voter guide, that's not going to happen," said the Rev. Brady Boyd, 40, who leads a congregation of 10,000 at New Life Church. He will use his position to teach the Bible to believers. "I won't use it to influence their vote," he said.

That suits many in his congregation just fine. "If he starts talking politics, that makes me very uneasy," said Wolfgang Griesinger, 56, a political independent.

"It's not his place to tell us who to vote for," said Marsha Thorson, 54, a Republican who is leaning toward Giuliani.

more...

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-evangelicals15nov15,0,3707965.story?coll=la-tot-topstories&track=ntothtml

I had to stand in line with all of these wackos with their Bibles and Voter Guides. Pray

And I told myself "Never again".

:spank: :spank: BAD TOM!

Gonna be a lot of sheep without a shepherd milling around on Election Day, wondering what to do.

a - gasp! - Dem! Nah!