Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Conservative and Liberal Views on religion.

Ustwo · 02-14-2006, 12:07 PM

Tecoyah's thread got me thinking into what makes someone religious and how they precieve themselves.

I think most peoples knee jerk reaction is to think conservatives are more religious than liberals. This is somewhat stressed in the press (recall them erroneously blaming Bush's win in 2004 on 'moral' issues) and fits with the pro-life pro-choice debate as its often Church groups who are speaking out on the pro-life side.

Now perhaps this generalization is wrong. I'm not sure its all wrong, and my feeling would be a nation wide poll would give conservatives an edge on 'religiousness' but it would be far less than some one both sides would think.

I have come to think that the difference though, is perhaps more fundamental. Its not so much a question of asking 'are you religious' but how many on each 'side' view religion as a whole.

I think to the conservative mind, religion is a tradition. It links you to your past, your family, your future, and this tradition is one thing in life which does not change. Your family may have been French farmers, who moved to America, and then opened a restaurant that later became a world wide change, but all of those links in the chain were Catholic (or insert whatever religion fits). They went to church, they sang their songs, they all end up in the same place as equals. There may well be rules in your religion you don't care for, but they are part of this tradition and are to remain unchanged. When any aspect changes it must be done at the HIGHEST levels only, and only with much thought and perhaps divine wisdom.

To the liberal mind, religion is what you make it to be. Perhaps you think 80% of it is good, but you also think abortion is ok or other issues, and you won't let it bother you that the concept is contrary to your religion. You think religion should 'fit the times' and as long as you can make an argument for something, its ok to change it. Each person can have their own personal religion, with their own interpretations of what is taught, and their own outlook. There is no higher authority then ones own personal feelings/ethics of whatever matter is at hand.

When I was thinking of this I thought of some of the Jewish men I know, and fiddler on the roof. In fiddler on the roof when a daughter wanted to marry for love it was ok, but when another wanted to marry a non-Jew her father finally decided that tradition was more important. (Its been a LONG time since I've read it so my interpretation may be wrong). Of the Jewish men I know, those where are politically conservative all were concerned about marrying another Jew, how their families would react, etc. Of those that were politically liberal, almost all of their children married non-Jews and that was fine with them.

I'm not sure if, when it comes to religion, if either approach is right or good. Being inflexible means anything bad stays bad. Being flexible means whats good may go bad, and you have no unifying thoughts, each man is his own island.

I'd be interested in others thoughts on this.

02-14-2006, 12:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ustwo Pissing in the cornflakes	Conservative and Liberal Views on religion. Tecoyah's thread got me thinking into what makes someone religious and how they precieve themselves. I think most peoples knee jerk reaction is to think conservatives are more religious than liberals. This is somewhat stressed in the press (recall them erroneously blaming Bush's win in 2004 on 'moral' issues) and fits with the pro-life pro-choice debate as its often Church groups who are speaking out on the pro-life side. Now perhaps this generalization is wrong. I'm not sure its all wrong, and my feeling would be a nation wide poll would give conservatives an edge on 'religiousness' but it would be far less than some one both sides would think. I have come to think that the difference though, is perhaps more fundamental. Its not so much a question of asking 'are you religious' but how many on each 'side' view religion as a whole. I think to the conservative mind, religion is a tradition. It links you to your past, your family, your future, and this tradition is one thing in life which does not change. Your family may have been French farmers, who moved to America, and then opened a restaurant that later became a world wide change, but all of those links in the chain were Catholic (or insert whatever religion fits). They went to church, they sang their songs, they all end up in the same place as equals. There may well be rules in your religion you don't care for, but they are part of this tradition and are to remain unchanged. When any aspect changes it must be done at the HIGHEST levels only, and only with much thought and perhaps divine wisdom. To the liberal mind, religion is what you make it to be. Perhaps you think 80% of it is good, but you also think abortion is ok or other issues, and you won't let it bother you that the concept is contrary to your religion. You think religion should 'fit the times' and as long as you can make an argument for something, its ok to change it. Each person can have their own personal religion, with their own interpretations of what is taught, and their own outlook. There is no higher authority then ones own personal feelings/ethics of whatever matter is at hand. When I was thinking of this I thought of some of the Jewish men I know, and fiddler on the roof. In fiddler on the roof when a daughter wanted to marry for love it was ok, but when another wanted to marry a non-Jew her father finally decided that tradition was more important. (Its been a LONG time since I've read it so my interpretation may be wrong). Of the Jewish men I know, those where are politically conservative all were concerned about marrying another Jew, how their families would react, etc. Of those that were politically liberal, almost all of their children married non-Jews and that was fine with them. I'm not sure if, when it comes to religion, if either approach is right or good. Being inflexible means anything bad stays bad. Being flexible means whats good may go bad, and you have no unifying thoughts, each man is his own island. I'd be interested in others thoughts on this. __________________ Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.