I am a liberal and a Christian, and so are many of my friends and family members.  But perusing mass media would leave you to believe that combo is impossible.  I know there are lots of liberal Christians out there.  Many Christian denominations have very strong liberal social-justice traditions.  Where are those people?  Why don't they speak up as much as the conservative Christians?  Why don't they have the same political influence?
209904
Intrinsically, most right wing / conservatives can agree on an issue; while most left wing / liberals cannot.  When a right wing speaks, others join in.  When a left wing speaks, others stay away because of their different views.
593435
Well, as a christian who doesn't try to tell others what to believe and how to live I would guess their problems are with the christians who do act that way. Alot of christians think they are doing good by talking about their beliefs but what they are doing is pushing those non christians away.
654326
Hi Reuben,\nWe as Americans have to understand that Christian morals form the foundation of American Judisprudance and American society. The founding men and women of this country also happened to be predominantly Christian. I am not religious myself, but I do believe that it will never be possible to eliminate the theme of religion from Government. \n\nI remember in public high school being alienated for objecting to saying the pledge of allegiance. I was branded anti-American. I objected because I did not believe in the phrase "under God." Nevertheless I was forced to recite the pledge. \n\nMy point is that Christians founded this country and Christians run it for the most part. Life just isnt fair sometimes. It's sad to believe that in the USA we must make compromises with our moral values to acomodate the majority. But when we come to the bottom line, it's not about who's interpertation of the constitution we will accept. It's all about who's making the laws. Who we vote for.
261952
Most liberals are either gay or atheist and that is part of the problem. Liberals believe in the right to abortion, they advocate gay rights, and so on. That is why when Christians stand up for values and morality liberals can't stand it, because the Bible speaks of truth and the truth hurts. \n\nThere has to be a balance in goverment too much liberalism is very dangerous ground. The same with conservativism too much of it is very dangerous too.
675605
Actually, most of the huge churches (mega-churches) tend to be conservative, non-denominational Protestant ones.  According to a report from Coral Ridge ministries (a Presbyterian organization) the following is true of liberal-leaning churches:  membership in the Presbyterian Church USA fell 11.6 percent in between 1990 and 2000. The United Methodist Church was down 6.7 percent; the Episcopal Church USA lost 5.3 percent; and the United Churches of Christ declined 14.8 percent.\n\nAll of these churches have a liberal bent, generally have abandoned the authority of Scripture,along with the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and in many cases, have created a "god" in their image, rather than the other way around.  They have degenerated into social clubs and advocacy groups, rather than a place of worshiping Jesus Christ.\n\nConservative churches on the other hand, maintain the authority of Scripture as an absolute standard, which is a primary difference.  They usually hold to an orthodox, historic Christian faith practice.
405513
As a Christian, I'd say that the morally bankrupt don't want us to speak out because they don't want to be limited by our morality.  I would say that most non-Christains are morally sound, but there IS evil in the world. One cannot be an active Christian in any context without being attacked, because darkness hates the light.  That's why we have to put on the armour of God every day.\nI'd also say that I'm a moderate Democrat, and I know Christians who are liberal Democrats.  It is too bad that some people in any belief system can't tolerate those who disagree with them, even when it's a matter of opinion and not morality.
598731
Liberals identify with Jesus's compassion and the way he was always there to help the poor, the sick, and those without a political voice.  Liberals often claim conservatives don't care about the poor, but in reality conservatives simply believe the poor are better helped through private charities rather than through government programs which are often impersonal and wasteful.
517396
I see your point and have wondered that myself.  \n\nI know my 12 step group is more "religious" than my church as far as repeated traditions and regular meetings.  There is a set of beliefs, a text that all use, traditions, etc.\n\nHow about politics.....wouldn't democrats or republicans fit into this as well??\n\nGreat question, my answer is I dont really know when that point is crossed, but I appreciate your logic.\n\nDavid
319455
In USA (not anywhere else), Christian right and republicans have brought their dogmatic beliefs into our daily life, whether we want it or not. Example - Intelligent Design being taught in school; Govt. opposition for Condoms/ Birth control/ abortions etc; Faith based initiatives using taxpayer dollars etc.\n\nAs a liberal, and traditionalist, and people believing in the scientific principles, this is something to be opposed. \n\nHowever, this also translates into - opposing religion, or Christian ideals. So, it may seem liberals have become dogmatic. But this is not so. \n\nWhen the intrusion of religion into our daily life stops, then liberals would also begin to appear less dogmatic.
349851
Sorry, there are no authorities about this.\nThere are only opinions based on religion.\nAnd oddly, the religious differ a great deal.\nI've seen hard line conservative Christians say that it was OK, and I've seen very liberal Christians say no way.\nSame with Jews.\nFor me, I have some gay friends, some lesbian friends, and what \nwhat they do has no effect on me.\nLive and let live, as it should say in the Bible.
409133
The Christian Coalition: \n\n- lobbies against homosexual marriage\n- wants to ban abortion\n- lobbies against stem cell research\n- supports Republicans\n\nJesus Christ:\n\n- told everyone to sell all their belongings and give to the poor\n- preached the Word of God\n- showed nothing but love for sinners\n- told everyone to forget worldly distractions\n\nSimilarities between the two? Almost zero.\n\nTherefore, I believe they must be getting the name "Christian" from some other source, cause they certainly ain't based on Jesus' teachings. Perhaps they had a founder named Chris?
668703
Conservative baptists are a fairly united group, just like teachers' unions, labor unions, etc.  Anyone that can align a big block of voters into a united group will attract the attention of politicians.  Conservative baptists are very good at exercising the power their union gives them.  Their platform is a lot clearer and better laid out than either political party (of course, political parties usually have to cater to a more diverse group, which makes laying out a platform agreeable to all a lot more difficult).  About the only area where evangelicals disagree with each other is about what should be done about the environment.\n\nIf politicians word things right, even non-baptist Christians will find their words appealing, even if they wouldn't set up their list of priorities in quite the same order as your conservative baptist groups.
6730
When confronted with that question, Christians  typically cite the passage from Matthew 5:38, "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." \n\nBut the real answer is a bit more complex and has to do with political divisions in America and "the party line." When the Republican Party began seriously courting the Christian voter base they made some, previously ambiguous, positions clear, like the "right to life" position. They, however, retained the some of the old ways, such as capital punishment and many Republican Christians simply go along with the "party line." \n\nYou may also want to ask the question: "Why do Christians vote Republican?"
568100
Conservatives usually don't try to convert others. Instead, they either rant to vent their own spleens or else they preach to the choir. However, although I support the ACLU, I don't think it's right to deny a student the right to talk about God at his high school graduation. After all, the student is simply expressing himself, and not the views of his school or the government that funds his school. I don't think that his mentioning God in any way violates the separation of church and state.
354997
Good link. Christian conservatives are only willing to exend their own propaganda. They are against abortion and gays so they don't care about anything else. Children are dying of hunger around the world, environment is crappy, and disasters happening all around us. You think as good Christian, they would care but they don't. I'll never understand them.
79458
Probably more than anything, those who claim to be 'TRUE CHRISTIANS' couldn't be farther from the truth of the Christ which they claim to follow.  Look at the Christians in America today, they hate anyone who is different from them, ie gay people, minorities, etc.  They will claim to be doing God's work when they kill someone who committed abortion, or anything of that sort.  They are in short, the farthest thing from what they say 'Christ' taught them.  Christ according to the bible would have been a liberal, liberals care about people, they have mercy, they look out for each other.  Conservatives (what most so called Christians are) care only about big business, money and JUSTICE!\n\nThey fight against you because they need a battle to fight, they need to feel like they are doing God's work by bringing you down.  Oh how little they know!
48068
You have some interesting points.  I think the people who you are focusing on are those sadly-narrowminded folks who seem to think their own little brand of Jesus worship is the one and only.  Frankly, my theology and Catholicism are miles apart, yet I have great respect and admiration for their institution and the great strength of their faith.  \n\nAnd as far as Judiasm goes, I find their beliefs run much closer to mine than even some aspects of Christianity--at least the brand some of those same folks preach.  To me, I feel sorry for Jews who are still waiting for the Messiah.  To me, I got a two thousand year head start on knowing and loving Him.\n\nLove--real, unconditional love--must be at the very core of any faith, at least any that puts Jesus Christ at the head of it.  I think there are too many people who love to talk the talk but just cannot bring themselves to walk the walk.  The famous bumper sticker, "What Would Jesus Do" is far too often displayed by people who don't even have the faintest notion of what that is.\n\nJust remember--just because someone has the loudest voice doesn't mean they are telling the truth.  They're just loud.