what’s the matter with Christians?

The other night at Schuler I picked up (and by that I mean picked up, not bought) a book called What’s the Matter with Kansas? I have no immediate plans to read the book, but don’t see why that should stop me talking about it, at least in passing. Its main argument is that Kansans consistently vote for the party which is least likely to protect their own (agricultural, blue-collar) interests, because that party purports to uphold conservative moral values on abortion, gay marriage, or what-have-you. I have, with difficulty, restrained myself from posting a critique of this premise without having read the book; but the reason it drew my attention is that I have recently been wondering why certain sets of political/moral/social beliefs seem to come as an indissoluble package in this country. Are the beliefs of conservatives or liberals, or the platforms of the political parties related functionally? Are they derived from underlying core value systems? Or are they merely cobbled together for political expediency? Is the Kansas factory worker voting for values which ultimately undermine his/her own material position, or have these values been artificially joined with a set of economic policies which bear no necessary relationship to these values? If the latter, what are those of us who are Kansans at heart to do–sacrifice our values in order to (allegedly) improve our material situation? Is it indeed the case that we must choose between our moral values and our own self-interest, and if so what is the alternative?
Growing up, I was given to believe that Republicans were more successful at winning the presidency and such than Democrats because they were more unified. Republicans shared fairly conservative social values, were in basic agreement on laissez-faire economic policies, and believed in a strong national defense as the main (or some might say only) function of the federal government. Democrats, on the other hand, seemed to represent widely varying groups of people with an array of conflicting beliefs and interests, united only in favoring a more interventionist government. Blue collar union workers, civil rights activists, Dixiecrats, feminists, pro-choice activists, various religious groups with rigidly tradional moral values but favoring expanded welfare systems–all were Democrats but one could hardly expect them to agree on much, or even manage to be in the same room together for more than five minutes without fireworks.
I think things have changed, and I see two emblems of this change: Bill Clinton and the rise of the religious right. I think that Clinton unified Democrats, liberals, and moderates as never before. He belonged to a conservative religious denomination, yet consistently favored what one might call secular morality on issues like abortion. He and Gore talked like liberals when it came to the environment, health care, welfare, etc.; but their actual policies appeared to me to be very moderate. Most importantly, Clinton was just the kind of guy everyone liked. When most of us try fence-sitting in an attempt to please both sides, we end up making both sides hate us; but Clinton pulled it off. A lot of people could find at least some common ground with him, and rather than just putting up with the rest of it for political expediency, they heartily forgave him for it. I think Reagan was the same way. There’s no way anyone could get elected, or at least re-elected, with Reagan’s policies today. Maybe that had something to do with the Cold War or a different economic and political landscape, but I think it mostly had to do with his personality. He was way more conservative than, say, our current president; yet he was hugely popular while Bush draws forty kinds of ire from all sides, despite his moderate social policies and the fact that most of this ire is based upon allegations of lying and manipulation which have been proved untrue.
Then there’s the Religious Right. This represents a package of social, moral, and economic beliefs and policies which has, ostensibly, conservative Christianity as a basis; but which includes items which don’t seem to have any logical or necessary relationship to Christianity. Issues such as abortion and gay marriage have clear links to Biblical morality. However, why is opposition to gun control linked to Christianity? Nothing in the Bible or Christian tradition seems to either prescribe or condemn gun control. An individual person might subscribe to both traditional Christian morals and to conservative political beliefs, but there is no logical link between the two, and it seems strange that a political movement based on Christian morals would package them together as though they did.
It seems to me that the effect of the Religious Right has made conservatism more specifically religious rather than secular. I think this has caused alienation of some semi-conservatives and moderates who aren’t Christian or particularly religious; and has led to liberal suspicions that conservatives hope to institute some kind of theocracy. It has also packaged together sets of beliefs that aren’t necessarily indissoluble. To me, conservativism (by which I mean belief in a minimal government) isn’t inconsistent with Christianity–there is plenty of precedent in the Bible for opposition or indifference to government. On the other hand, what most people think of as liberal beliefs, such has helping the poor and defenseless, is mandated by the Bible. In spite of the rhetoric, I’m certain that the latter belief is held by both liberals and conservatives, they just believe in different solutions–governmental vs. private charity.
I have to stick up for beleaguered conservatives on this point by saying that the most conservative people I know are also among the most giving of their time and money to the needy. If everyone was like them, government programs would die off for lack of use! Of course, everyone isn’t, so the problem remains.
To hop back over the fence for a moment in my own inimitable way, I also don’t think the liberal worldview is inconsistent with Christianity, at least pertaining to relief for the poor (whether other aspects of liberalism are inconsistent is a debate for another time and somebody else). In fact, one question I have wondered about lately is why conservative Christians consider legislative solutions to issues such as abortion or gay marriage appropriate, but inappropriate for fulfilling the Biblical mandate to care for the poor. Or perhaps that’s not an accurate characterization…it sometimes seems to me that liberals and conservatives have exactly the same philosophy about the proper role of government, and only wrangle about how this philosophy should be carried out.
The way that issues have been carved up between the Republican and Democrat platforms leads to a quandary for conservative Christians. Those who vote Democrat because of their social policies for the poor might have to compromise on issues such as abortion. This isn’t always the case, of course, but both Kerry and Lieberman, both of whose religious traditions condemn abortion as murder, had to categorize this position as a personal belief that they would not attempt to pursue legislatively if elected, since as a personal belief it should be a matter of individual conscience and not public policy. Now, this position is plausible on some issues, but if you genuinely believe abortion is murder it is much less so (assuming you believe a fetus is a human being, insert any other group of human beings into this line of reasoning–doesn’t sound too good).
On the other hand, however, voting for Republicans based their stance on issues such as these is, in most cases, a vote for limiting government, including programs for the poor (leaving it at that for the moment, without getting into whether or not conservatism favors the rich at the expense of the poor in other ways). It’s tempting to start presenting some argument as to which political philosophy is more consistent with Christian belief and why, but that’s venturing even farther into territory that I’m not qualified to comment on. Let’s just say that I think that neither liberalism nor conservatism is prescribed by Christianity. I think that Christianity is prescriptive of some things that tie into politics, such as justice, freedom of worship, care for the poor and defenseless. It is possible to hold different philosophies about how these should be carried out; but I think that it is unfortunate that the different manifestations of these in the two parties tend to be divisive between Christians. The lines tend to be drawn between social justice vs. personal morality–as Christians there should be no division between the two, and it is too bad that the party structure seems to exacerbate this artificial division and lead to animosity between Christians who, rightly or wrongly, accuse the other group of inappropriately emphasizing one over the other.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 3rd, 2004 at 10:45 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

532 Responses to “what’s the matter with Christians?”

Kim says:

September 3, 2004 at 4:35 pm

Hey Michele, good post! I thought you might like this article (http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj0406&article=040610) I read a few months ago in Sojourners magazine about the quandary that some Christians who vote according to their faith find themselves in when it comes to choosing between pro-life Republicans and Democrats who share their views on poverty (and other more progressive issues). The article outlines the compromises these reluctant Christians have to make because neither of the two major parties takes what they consider to be Christian positions on all issues.
And by the way, I haven’t read What’s the Matter with Kansas? either, but I’ve read enough about it to get a nagging feeling that the author is condescending to Kansans and the rest of us. Does he really think that we are all so base and shallow that self-interest should be the prime motivator in how we vote? I think that I often vote against my own self-interest because what’s good for me and my family isn’t necessarily what’s best for the country as a whole. (I’m especially thinking in terms of economic issues, since as Jon and I make more money, we get more back in tax cuts; to be honest, I think there are plenty of underfunded government programs where that money is more needed than my in pocketbook.) Maybe some Kansans feel the same way – that the well-being of the unborn (or whatever else is mentioned in the book) is more important to our country overall than their own economic condition. And if that’s the informed choice they’re making, it seems quite noble to put the greater good ahead of their own self-interest.
michele says:

September 8, 2004 at 10:54 am

Kim, thanks for the link–it was a very interesting article. I thought the book’s premise was rather condescending too. I might just have to read the book, since his premise doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Maybe I’ll post a little book review at some point (if I can find th book at the library–I think it would be contrary to my economic well-being to purchase it 🙂
pokethoz says:

January 12, 2008 at 10:44 pm

программа создания пакета msi Полиэтиленовые пакеты, пакеты полиэтиленовые, производство пол
иэтиленовых пакетов, производство пакетов, изготовление пакетов, пакеты изготовление, пакеты майка, посуда одноразовая
yahtfortune says:

January 12, 2008 at 11:55 pm

“Discover How To Get Paid BIG BUCKS By Fortune 500 Companies From The Comfort Of Your Own Home…Even If You Have A Limited Educational Background And No Technical Skills!”
>>> http://fortune500.shmyl.com/ >>>
“If You Know How To Turn On A Computer And Click Your Mouse, Then Companies Such As IBM, General Motors, Coca-Cola, And Wal-Mart Want To Pay You Top Dollar Just For Your Opinion On Their Products”
BrovkinPEtrO says:

January 13, 2008 at 3:55 am

Hello All,Dear
Just found an amazing site.
Wanna get free ringtones now? Any phone and carrier supported. Download Now For Free. Tons of Music. Millions of MP3’s.
Come on in: http://www.ringtone-i.net
Success!
BrovkinPEtrO says:

January 13, 2008 at 3:56 am

Good day,Dear
Just found an amazing site.
Wanna get free ringtones now? Any phone and carrier supported. Download Now For Free. Tons of Music. Millions of MP3’s.
Come on in: http://www.ringtone-i.net
Successes All!
pokethoz says:

January 13, 2008 at 4:34 am

производители пакетов Салфетки для завтрака должны быть квадратными со стороной не менее 35 см. Так как ширина большинства тканей составляет 130-135 см, то по ширине можно выкроить три салфетки. Обеденные салфетки должны иметь размер не менее чем 50 х
50 см, поэтому их крой не так экономен. Припуск по краям делается 3 см и салфетки подшиваются на машине или мелкими ручными стежками. Ткани с рисунком на салфетках требуют самой простой подгибки и не нуждаются в специальных отделочных деталях, если выбран стиль смешения ярких цветов и рисунков. Хорошо смотрятся классические сочетания голубого с белым и желтого с белым с цветочными отстрочками по краям. Можно сделать ярко – голубую отстрочку гладью на желто -белой салфетке и положить ее на бело – голубую скатерть с желтой отстрочкой по краю.
pokethoz says:

January 13, 2008 at 8:09 am

производство пластиковых пакетов Российский рынок канцелярских товаров представлен не
сколькими сегментами: офисными принадлежностями, бумажно-беловыми товарами, школьными принадлежностями, деловой галантереей и сопутствующими товарами. Всего на рынке канцтоваров более 3,5 тыс. фирм, в ведущую группу рынка входят 4 компании с оборотом свыше $100 млн., около 30 % корпоративного сегмента рынка принадлежит мелким компаниям
pokethoz says:

January 13, 2008 at 12:07 pm

пакеты изготовление санкт петербург Качественные канцелярские товары и их своевременная доставка обеспечат бесперебойную работу Вашей компании и выполнение всех поставленных задач
pokethoz says:

January 13, 2008 at 6:14 pm

скачать модель пакета Вам качественные хозяйственные товары – туалетную бумагу, сервировочные салфетки, влажные салфетки, зубные пасты и зубные щетки, моющие средства
pokethoz says:

January 13, 2008 at 8:06 pm

технология полиэтиленовых пакетов производство влажных одноразовых салфеток в индивидуальной упаковке (медицинские салфетки, дезинфицирующие салфетки, гигиенические салфетки
rethinias says:

January 15, 2008 at 12:08 am

м первомайская ремонт
worldaviajets says:

January 17, 2008 at 10:06 am

удачная аренда самолета Как известно, полеты самолетов на внутренних и международных воздушных линиях делятся на регулярные рейсы, выполняемые в соответствии с расписанием
worldaviajets says:

January 17, 2008 at 1:29 pm

чартерные рейсы деловая авиация заказ самолёта аренда самолёта бизнес авиация продажа самолётов организация чартерных рейсов класса VIP заказ самолетов… Компания ВИП деловая авиация заказ самолёта аренда самолёта бизнес авиация продажа самолётов организация чартерных рейсов класса VIP заказ
worldaviajets says:

January 17, 2008 at 4:03 pm

удачная аренда самолета Аренда и заказ самолета. Бизнес или деловая авиация. Вам нужен авиа чартер, но Вы не специалист в области деловой или бизнес авиации?! Аренда самолета
worldaviajets says:

January 18, 2008 at 4:39 am

контакт заказа самолета Представители компаний, продвигающие услуги бизнес-авиации на российском рынке
worldaviajets says:

January 18, 2008 at 10:35 am

готовый заказ самолета Информация о расписании рейсов, стоимости авиабилетов. Заказ авиабилетов на чартеры и регулярные рейсы авиабилет чартер стоимость авиабилетов чартерные рейсы заказ авиабилетов. Заказ авиабилетов на регулярные и чартерные рейсы
worldaviajets says:

January 18, 2008 at 4:30 pm

рекламная аренда самолета В самолёте ИЛ-62М с бортовым номером 86945 в этом году на заводе КАПО, с соблюдением всех технических требований КБ и законов строительной механики была проделана баальшая дырка. Вместо дырки установлен грузовой люк, по
днимающийся вверх гидравлическим приводом. Размер дыры достаточен, чтобы туда пролез контейнер или даже конкретный джип (это для сомневающегося “Ulibnutiy”).
– Один из последних выпущенных КАПО 62-ых (ибо осталось заготовок мало, а сколько не скажу – не вашего ума дело) уже полтора года рассекает небо под флагом республики Судан (нынче он как раз с Кубы должен вылететь). В салоне табличка гласит “manufactored 30.12.2004”. Ваш покорный слуга на нём не так давно летал, пока не зайэпался
worldaviajets says:

January 18, 2008 at 9:45 pm

заказ самолета westwind авиаперелеты, авиационные перевозки, чатрерные рейсы, чартеры, заказ авиабилета, … Переезды, офисный переезд,… … авиаперелеты, авиационные перевозки, чатрерные рейсы, чартеры, заказ авиабилета, авиабилеты
TrorieSnite says:

January 19, 2008 at 4:12 pm

Espionage photos of new model Nokia N200 here:
http://zsjablunka.cz/img/galerie/nokia/image.jpg
It not a deceit?
doskaobzd says:

January 19, 2008 at 6:59 pm

объявления укладка плитки компитор
evamePeshex says:

January 19, 2008 at 9:35 pm

Hi:
A lot of programs promise you free access to your credit report, but few give you your credit score as well and most are not totally free. Get instant access to your credit report – FREE! You will find
solutions to improve your credit rating and maximize your purchasing power. This is the best free credit report site I’ve seen.
doskaobzd says:

January 20, 2008 at 8:31 am

продаётся частный дом объявления компетор
doskaobzd says:

January 20, 2008 at 12:59 pm

ljv ceib сделать стартовой На этой бесплатной доске объявлений Вы сможете совершать сделки из рук в руки. Частные и коммерческие объявления совершенно бесплатно. Поиск по доске объявлений: вход в систему
doskaobzd says:

January 20, 2008 at 8:47 pm

изготовление объявлений Киевская доска объявлений. Киевщина доска бесплатных объявлений. Объявления публикуются бесплатно. Имеется быстрый и удобный поиск объявлений. Телепрограмма киевских, украинских и спутниковых
doskaobzd says:

January 21, 2008 at 9:41 am

fdnj vjltkb Универсальная доска объявлений на этой странице Здесь Вы можете бесплатно разместить обявление по тематике нашего Каталога. Универсальная доска объявлений Здесь Вы можете бесплатно разместить любое обявление по тематике нашего
valensds says:

January 21, 2008 at 8:41 pm

get that special valentine gift you always wanted ..
gifts valentines
doskaobzd says:

January 22, 2008 at 2:31 am

объявления создать сообщение подать объявление – удалить объявление Доска объявлений Вы просматриваете объявления для всех городов. … Доска объявлений города Армавир. Администрация не несет ответственности за размещенные объявления
doskaobzd says:

January 22, 2008 at 9:51 am

дать объявление строительство Доска бесплатных объявлений, добавить объявление, бесплатные объявления, добавить бесплатны объявления, разместить объявление, разместить бесплатное объявление
prearkgrourne says:

January 22, 2008 at 8:02 pm

Great site !
I like your fine site
Thank you, I will add it to my bookmarks
best regards
Mark
___________________
egold hyip|
gorgoguituate says:

January 22, 2008 at 9:53 pm

http://teensexzoo.info/2.html
Atomeordend says:

January 22, 2008 at 9:59 pm

http://thenakedboy.info/1.html
catalogsuper says:

January 23, 2008 at 7:14 am

каталог почтовых марок michel
каталог says:

January 23, 2008 at 1:49 pm

cnhjbntkmcndj pfujhjlys
каталог says:

January 23, 2008 at 6:34 pm

каталог send message
каталог says:

January 24, 2008 at 8:16 am

каталог связка
каталог says:

January 25, 2008 at 4:30 am

fgntrf jpthrb
каталог says:

January 25, 2008 at 3:06 pm

каталог производителей сувенир магазин
каталог says:

January 26, 2008 at 12:01 am

каталог levis
affiggetego says:

January 26, 2008 at 12:13 am

Hi,
Amazon has a nice offer which ends Monday, Jan. 28, 2008 – you can get 5 HD-DVDs for free
if you buy a Toshiba DVD player.
More about this on Bargain Hunter http://bargains-hunter.blogspot.com
ephethyWharma says:

January 26, 2008 at 10:15 am

http://excellenttit.info/1.html
Agolittinen says:

January 26, 2008 at 7:25 pm

Hi,
Amazon has a nice offer which ends Monday, Jan. 28, 2008 – you can get 5 HD-DVDs for free
if you buy a Toshiba DVD player.
More about this on Bargain Hunter http://bargains-hunter.blogspot.com
gorgoguituate says:

January 27, 2008 at 5:32 am

http://greatfuckfest.info/2.html
jefeEnjoync says:

January 27, 2008 at 2:37 pm

Does anyone know where to get the cheapest ringtones?
A lot of the free ones are older and I want all the new songs as well as old.
Thanks
serooppodia says:

January 30, 2008 at 6:51 am

Some of the other things to remember when searching for a good laptop deal are online rebates, coupons, and other special deals. toshiba laptop sale
EmbamDobsmeda says:

January 31, 2008 at 2:18 am

60 Direct Payday Loans
Aleksandrvrn says:

January 31, 2008 at 3:35 pm

We sell apartments in Russia the city of Voronezh the information is on a site
http://www.flatvrn.ru
Kir says:

February 1, 2008 at 2:46 am

ann margaret nude
dsstester files viewsat
fta files download captiveworks
jeff dunham ventriloquist
lil wayne carter 3 tracklist tracks
death photos of nicole brown simpson
better than xtube
wendy venturini pictures
sheree elizabeth zampino photos
trutech tv reviews
printable bubble letters pencil
boyd cottington hot rods
how to hack gaia gold
carson pirre scott furniture
khaos monster energy myspace layouts
the shield fx 2008
andrea rincon peliculas playboy
dbz mugen characters naruto
server8 kproxy servlet
angel locsin scandal photos
Kir says:

February 1, 2008 at 2:46 am

ann margaret nude
dsstester files viewsat
fta files download captiveworks
jeff dunham ventriloquist
lil wayne carter 3 tracklist tracks
death photos of nicole brown simpson
better than xtube
wendy venturini pictures
sheree elizabeth zampino photos
trutech tv reviews
printable bubble letters pencil
boyd cottington hot rods
how to hack gaia gold
carson pirre scott furniture
khaos monster energy myspace layouts
the shield fx 2008
andrea rincon peliculas playboy
dbz mugen characters naruto
server8 kproxy servlet
angel locsin scandal photos
Kir says:

February 1, 2008 at 8:50 am

bryant electric furnace troubleshooting
melissa peterman weightloss
dgk myspace layouts
benny hanna locations
convert mm to cm centimeter
carson pierie scott furniture
free childrens chore charts
kmart jobs application employers
high resolution stages mugen
coco ice t girlfriend nude
selena quintanilla perez funeral
example of personification
legend of zelda windwaker walkthrough strategy
blank preschool lesson plan forms
katarina witt playboy pictures
beni hannas japanese restaurant
under water welding salary
convert ml to ounces
imvu credit cheats
jessi combs photos

Thessaly's Tooth

what’s the matter with Christians?

532 Responses to “what’s the matter with Christians?”

Leave a Reply