Posted on 10/30/2004 11:40:07 AM PDT by SmithL
While Republicans say evangelical Christians provide a cornerstone of President Bush's strength in Tennessee, Democrats contend they are building a religious base for John Kerry, too.
"God is not a Republican, nor is he a Democrat. But I think the teachings of Jesus Christ are more in line with principles of the Democratic party," said Mary Parker, a Nashville lawyer and active Catholic who chairs Tennessee People of Faith for Kerry-Edwards.
On the other hand, Ricky Humphreys, East Tennessee director of the Christian Coalition, said that Bush is more in tune with the values that form the core of Christianity.
"What we're focused on is family values and John Kerry, well, that's just not one of his strong points," said Humphreys, a Church of God minister who lives near Maynardville.
David Kustoff, general chairman of the Bush campaign in Tennessee, said there is no Republican equivalent to the Tennessee People of Faith for Kerry that Parker heads.
"We made the decision to not target churches per se, because we really didn't feel that was appropriate," he said. "But we have targeted social conservatives, working within their various networks to be sure what that people understand the positions of President Bush and John Kerry on abortion, stem-cell research and gay marriage."
The Christian Coalition is officially nonpartisan, though Humphreys acknowledged that churchgoers reading the group's "voter guide" could deduce that Bush is the better candidate. The guide is available at the organization's Web site, www.cc.org, and copies are passed out by the millions at churches nationwide.
For example, the guide lists as one issue "public financing of abortions" and says Kerry "supports" while Bush "opposes." Another is "adoption of children by homosexuals." Bush is listed as opposing the idea while Kerry is listed as "no response."
Parker said she finds the anti-Kerry bias of some religious people "incredibly offensive" and not based on reason. As an example, Parker said she offered a Kerry bumper sticker to "the guy who does my pool service" and was told:
"Oh, no. I'm a Christian and so I have to be for George Bush."
After a 30-minute conversation, she said, the man changed his mind and left with a bumper sticker.
Parker said Bush policies have led to "the least among us being so much worse off than those with abundance," contrary to Christ's teachings of concern for the underprivileged. She said "5 million more Americans live in poverty" now than when Bush began his term and 45 million persons are without health insurance.
She said Republican leaders have made abortion into a "political football" to manipulate voters while the number of abortions has actually increased during Bush's term over previous years.
The Republican-controlled Congress, she said, passed an "obviously unconstitutional" ban on partial birth abortions that has been struck down by Republican-appointed judges, when if an amendment supported by Kerry had been adopted, the law would have been valid.
Parker said she has spoken to several Catholic groups and so far has not found "one single priest" who supports Bush over Kerry.
Humphreys said opposition to abortion is important for a candidate seeking support of conservative Christians along with preservation of traditional marriage between one man and one woman.
Some church members he works with, Humphreys said, dislike any mixing of politics with religion while some are very aggressive on the matter.
His own approach, Humphreys said, is gentle persuasion in personal contact. Ministers must be careful to avoid overt politicking in church or risk loss of their federal tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service.
"There are some radical right-wing Christians," he said. "I try to impress on them the love of Christ, who loves everyone, regardless of how much a sinner he is."
The Web site www.ivotevalues.com provides guidelines on what churches and pastors may do and what they may not do under federal tax-exempt rules. For example, it says it is permissible to "educate on political process and political/social/legislative issues" but not permissible to endorse or oppose candidates.
The only god Democrats worship is satan.
God is a Republican when it comes to prayer, abortion and gay marriage.
LOL!
"But I think the teachings of Jesus Christ are more in line with principles of the Democratic party,"
Yeah. I'm just positive that Jesus would have said it's alrigh to kill innocent babies.
Not to mention Euthenasia on 'suffering' adults.
Yeah. I remember reading that in the new testament (/sarcasm off)
Ah, the irony of religious proclamations by a democrat lawyer.
"God is not a Republican, nor is he a Democrat. But I think the teachings of Jesus Christ are more in line with principles of the Democratic party," said Mary Parker, a Nashville lawyer and active Catholic who chairs Tennessee People of Faith for Kerry-Edwards. "
You cannot be a Christian and vote Democrat.
I watched Laura Ingraham when she subbed for Joe the other night.
She had some atheist author on. His statistics 67 % of Republicans consider themselves religious and 34% of Democrats are.
Democrats are the party of secular humanism, murder of innocents, gay marriage, pedophilia.
Leftists also claim that Jesus didn't care about morals because He was known as "a friend of sinners." They totally ignore that He wanted them to turn from their sin and that He paid a very high price to atone for their sin. Liberals only know a few verses. They like "Judge not lest ye be judged" but not "blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness." They prefer "ye who are without sin cast the first stone" to "go and sin no more."
Liberals think that charity can be legislated but not morality. Conservatives think neither should be legislated but both can be taught and encouraged by the government. Conservatives do think some morality such as laws against murder (abortion included) and theft should be legislated. They think that the gov't should not force moral neutrality on its citizens, but that the people can form their own moral opinions and shape their laws and education areas around encouraging those moral norms. That means it will not be illegal to have certain behaviors face stigmatization by society, even when those behaviors are not criminal offenses. It means that fundamental social institutions like marriage and family can be defined by the people rather than the government via the judicial branch. Etc.
Oh you must mean partial birth abortion is in line with the gospel.
Or maybe you mean colaboration with the enemy is in line with the Gospel.
Or you must mean that commiting adultery with an intern in the wghite house is in line with the Gospel.
You must mean that removing prayer from the schools and removing all references to God the bible and the ten commandments is in line with teh Gospel.
Or you might mean that giving bald faced lies in a campaign is in line with the Gospel.
Now we know that what you say you beleive like the pharisees said they beleive has little to do with the words that Jesus Spoke or the works that he did. As a matter of fact I think Paul the Apostle spoke of this Gospel that you are refering to as "Another Gospel" Not the one that the Apostles taught. The Gospel you beleive in does not contain salvation by the blood of Jesus and no other. The Gospel that you belive does not call abortion, homosexuality, thieves liars or murderers sinners bound for hell.
Yours is a gospel of humanism and good works and in Jesus' Gospel that and two bits gets you no where with God. It is true that God is not Republican or a Democrat, but to soil His name as a covering for your political party's arrogant in your face sins -- is a call for His divine judgement.
Exactly. People who claim the Democrats more closely follow the philosophy of Jesus are just crazy. Jesus advocated charity from the heart, not coersion from "Caeser". He specifically told the parable of the poor widow who gave a small coin to the collection box; and that she gave more because she gave from her need, not her bounty. What graces does anyone get by voting to increase another person's taxes in order to then benefit by getting more government handouts?
I am not a libertarian. I do believe in some of the government programs, but this stupid excuse to justify a vote for pro-abortion Democrats who will not acknowledge the humanity of unborn chidlren; will block the judicial nomination of any believing christian, etc., is nonsense. Jesus said, "Not by their words, but by their deeds shall you know them." Jesus understands what is going on in the world. He must weep.
I know forty two Catholic Nuns across the state line from TN, and I can assure Ms. Parker, they will not be casting their votes for John Kerry.
Young pregnant teen: "Lord, I am greatly troubled. I have sinned against you, and don't know where to turn."
Jesus: "Fear not my daughter, come with me."
Young teen: "Thank you My Lord (tears of joy streaming down her face); I knew you were the only one who would comfort me in this time of pain".
Jesus: "Of course child. Now let us go; I will hold your hand as your child is dismembered in your womb, and it will be good."
Only a sick, perverted person would believe such a scenario.....and they populate the ranks of the Democrat Party.
"Oh, no. I'm a Christian and so I have to be for George Bush."
After a 30-minute conversation, she said, the man changed his mind and left with a bumper sticker.
I suspect that after playing captive audience to that harpy for 30 minutes, he knew there was no other way to escape. What a pain she must be in person! And she found his attitude offensive???
Liberals believe that FDR is a demi-god and will soon rise to the heavens and become a full-fledged God. They expect everyone to tithe to the state (via taxation), and in return be taken care of. In this sense liberals are very religious.
Christians can be found supporting the Democratic Party, and they can be found supporting the Republican Party. And, yes, Christians can be liberals.
God doesn't ask someone to acknowledge his Son is the Risen Lord, repent of their sins, invite Him into their hearts, and pledge allegiance to "Liberalism" or "Conservatism" to seal the deal.
I do believe that as time progresses if someone is committed to Christ and growing as a Christian, they will typically come to be more conservative by a natural default. I also believe if someone evaluates the parties and their positions, they would be forced to admit the Republican Party is more friendly towards expressed Christian beliefs, though no political party could ever be perfectly accomodating towards Christians.
This is why so many Christian Democrats have flowed towards the Republican party the past 20+ years. It is my hope this trend will accelerate among Catholics, minorities, and while not Christians, Jews, if the Dem party continues to further alienate people of faith.
"Democrats contend they are building a religious base for John Kerry, too."
-yes, a religious base among those ignorant regarding faith, those selfishly pursuing feelgood self interest, those avoiding conflict by rejecting and compromising universal Truth for morally relative 'peace', those attempting to relive the permissive hetrosexual sexual revolution in a homosexually and bisexually permissive free for all that the government should finance...
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