With Democrats in Congress, are we going to see religious changes?
928001
There's a Muslim in Congress? I wasn't aware. That's pretty cool. I hope religion stops being such a driving force in politics. It was never meant to be.
972878
Yes, Midge. there is and we have to stop it. Especially us Catholics. We can't just change the whole doctrine of the church just for "Tolerance" and "Appeasement" . We need to keep our church whole and traditional. The Catholic church has been pretty black and white in the past, now some of it is becoming gray. I hardly hear much in my church anymore about pro-life issues. Only the small groups do anything about it, but it is no longer preached. What's happening here? Can't be a liberal Catholic!\nGod Bless and Merry Christmas to you!
1141047
I am an active supporter of many democratic party candidates, and I am a christian.  I have been upset with the Republican party in previous years for claiming to be the religious party or "the party of god".  I believe in seperation of church and state and I know there are others out there like me.
986382
I don;t know if they will learn much...They have been this way for awhile. But now there can be a bit of a check and balance with the House...and hopefully in the Senate. Now the Dems. just have to get some stuff done and stick to what the have promised. The Presidential election in 08' has a lot riding on how the Dems do now. I love politics!!!
766129
your question doesnt really make since. and actually, more muslims are democrat than replubican
775653
I think you definitely can be a Christian and a Democrat. Many people have already commented on the separation of church and state. So, I'd like to share why I feel that the teachings of Jesus are more similar to the DNC rather than the GOP.\n\nAs a Christian, I feel that Jesus showed us how to be compassionate by healing the Roman Centurion's daughter, healing the leper, feeding the 5,000, refusing to stone the woman caught in the act of adultery, and healing on the sabbath. Put these items into modern-day social issues, would Jesus tell us to help the people that need assistance?  To me, those principles are not part of the Republican party, they are Democratic.\n\nIn regards to the abortion issue, more and more Christians are joining the ranks of the Democratic voters. A smart party will look at what their voters look for. And the ranks of pro-life democrats are growing. Eventually, the party will have to rethink its views on only supporting pro-choice policies. The difference is that most Christian democrats want to eliminate abortions, not by legislating it, but by going after the root cause of abortions. Because we know that when you resolve the underlying issues, you will eliminate the need for abortions. Making a law only makes it more difficult to obtain one but does nothing to eliminate the root causes.\n\nAs a Christian, I believe we are called to help one another. And because of Jesus' example, I definitely believe that it's the responsibility to take care of the least of these; not take care of the greatest corporations.
591356
There is indeed more than just republican and democrat. Although there isnt a "christian" political party there are parties that are highly based off of christian beleifs... youll just have to look for them.
753445
Democrats are going to betray some one.  Will it be the New Democrats?\nOr will it be their commie welfare base?\nThis will be fun.\nBoth Iran and Al Qaeda say the Democrats owe them for helping them take over Congress.\nIllegals say the Democrats owe them.
1095154
You can't be! That's like being a Catholic Jew...you either believe something or you don't.  There is no gray area.  I think that is America's problem...they vote for the "perks" of whatever it is that is being promised by the two parties (tax cuts, better employment opps, etc.), but not because of the moral beliefs of either party.  And we wonder, when we take God out of the equation, why America seems to get worse as the decades go on...
692173
Jesus told the people who tried to trick him with a taxation question to give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to give to God what is God's.\n\nNow don't get me wrong - politics and religion do intersect. For instance, the behaviour of a country on the world stage, or the way a society reacts to reproductive technology, or deals with crime in a legal system - these are all issues that touch on morality, and to the extent that these things are about morality, a cleric MUST provide the religious perspective on these issues. Too many clergy avoid these topics, and to avoid them is a disservice to the flock.\n\nBut at the same time, clergy must not instruct congregations how to vote. Clergy can frame the great issues, but it is up to the voter to integrate the secular campaigns with the insights given them by faith and, according primacy to one's conscience, make their electoral selections accordingly.\n\nPoliticians have to campaign on the now. Clergy have to preach to the ages. It is for the rest of us, out in the world, to put it all together and make of ourselves the city on the hill!
700576
They will focus almost entirely on making voters happy so they can get re-elected, giving them time to make real changes.  The words, "...and/or sexual orientation" will be added to all legislature which addresses the subject of discrimination.  [No, I am not gay, but I am left-handed and fear that we lefties might be the next minority to be impacted by legislation that DOES establish the govenment as a religious apparatus privileging a particular set of religious beliefs with the net impact of discriminating against a minority.]  I guess I should say that just because someone is a minority doesn't mean we should make laws that discriminate against them.\nDemocrat leadership says they will NOT impeach Bush.  That is a comfort, as I believe that however sloppily he has done it, he is working in the role of a Washington outsider with the best of intentions, and I'm sorry he doesn't have the support of more people.  I can't wait until his term expires, but I don't tend to doubt he THINKS he's doing the right thing.  I have a tendency to tie intent with culpability.  Little character flaw of mine.\nMostly, I believe there won't be many changes.  I would guess we will try to withdraw some assets from Iraq and try to spend some money on education that was tied up elsewhere.  I would like to talk to any policy maker who regards the failure of our government to place a high priority on education as a "good" thing.  Just to ask why.  Maybe they could explain to me, "The new feudalism is good because: ..."  Mmm... Lobby regulation!  I just made that up.  I'm sure the Democrats haven't thought of that.  I'm going to go tell one NOW!
1037999
I think they think they are doing gods will.  As to gods will --- that's for them to decide of course.  I guess it's because they saved up all those Betty Crocker upcs and got those x-ray vision glasses or something.\n\nThey are like sheeple, only blindfolded sheeple.  And, their leaders are leading them off a large cliff.  They have been told to believe they are not blidfolded, but it is gods arms guiding them.  They need no vision for god will be their eyes in the darkness that has surrounded them.  \n\nTheir political party doesn't think they hate so much - they know it.  They know they can play off their religious beliefs. And, if enough of them don't show up ... they can always manipulate the election one way or another.  In 2000 it was hanging chads and the Supreme Court.  In 2004 it was Ohio and voting irregularities to put it mildly.  But, since our govenor, Taft, is a republican he certifed the results despite the problems.  Ohioans are generally sheeple and too few of us spoke out.  \n\nBesides, who cares --- it's only an election, right?  I mean does it really even matter?  It's only gay people...\n\nAnd, its this attitude that makes them anti-christ.  But, I assume their too busy worrying about 6/6/06 and too consumed with the mark of the beast to worry about what is going on in the world today.  After all, Jesus is coming back tomorrow --- and they'll inherit a mansion with streets of gold...and be out of this crappy smog infested sinful place.  Why should they care?\n\nBlindfolded sheeple are very dangerous...
516779
A change in the power structure. When Democrats take control of either the House or Senate, it will be a whole new ballgame.
756412
A third of the Evangelicals voted Democratic in the last election.  I'd say they're moving forward.\n.
810825
Contrary to the popular belief shown in these answers it did not start in the American Congress.  It started in the assembly of France.  Those that sat on the Speakers right were loyal to the Republic and those that sat to the left were seeking to change the government.\n\nThere was no original conection to religion at the start, but there has been an intertwining of personal beleifs since then.
447704
Both parties know that in 2004, the level of Americans’ religious observance determined their votes more than income, age or gender (according to the Pew Research Center). Looking towards the 2006 campaigns, if Democrats offer voters genuine thoughts on faith and God -- without the Religious Right’s hypocrisy or the Bush Administration’s constitutional violations – this could be the year to restore honesty in Congress and humility in political discussions of religion.Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the president and his administration have converged a religious fundamentalist worldview with a political agenda -- a distinctly partisan one, wrapped in the mantle of national interest but crafted by and for only those who share their outlook.
173840
Very.\n\nThe US has gotten way too conservative since 9/11. We were attacked by terrorists, that doesn't mean its time to freak out and turn the US into a Christian version of the Taliban.\n\nWaaay too uptight. \n\nThe pendulum will swing back at some point though. We won't put up with this ultra-conservative nonsense forever.