“I am almost sure that the vast majority of members are conservative, but have no data to back it up, although I have been intimately involved in activities with many members throughout my membership.”
I am not suggesting that the church is in any way, left-wing or liberal. But many Republicans voted for Obama - especially among the wealthy & hip crowd - because they were swept away by the centrist image created by the media (and the whole racial guilt thing).
That is the only explainable I can think of for why North Point would swing that way.
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“I am able to confidently defend any of Andy’s messages, and to whole-heartedly agree with them.”
No doubt. And I seriously doubt that Andy was among those who voted for Obama.
Anything is possible with voting patterns. And as I said, the environment is apolitical so the discussion doesn’t come up. The only indication I have other than personal contact with some of the members that makes me think it’s still mainly conservative is the general audience response that comes spontaneously when certain points are made in a sermon, particularly the two I mentioned that have occurred since the election, at which point Andy will try to assure us that he is not trying to point fingers at either side of the political aisle, clearly through the tone of laughter and like noise, the audience feels (primariy) a certain way. Imagine the Sunday after Georgia (the football team) wins a big game and its mentioned in the announcements, the reaction is sort of the same way with certain comments that support one political side (conservative). Sure there are some Alabama fans, a few Auburn fans who don’t agree, but the majority clap and cheer. Kind of the same thing on the few occasions when a political topic nudges its way in.
Your point about being swept up by the centrist image is a good one. I don’t think that is still the case but it is certainly possible that it was. In fact, God and Country and the 4th of July sermon might have been given because of the concern about Congress and POTUS and the tone of the discussion at the time.
I am curious to see what the view of the service will be next Sunday. It is likely to come up in the service since FLOTUS is speaking this Wed afternoon. I am happy to post again once I hear the reaction from the members.