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Why the Religious Left and Democratic Faith Outreach is More Than PR

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FLNonny writes:
"You mention Catholic groups that are NOT Catholic. They are political groups with posers. RESEARCH, Please! The number one issue in the Catholic faith is the santity of life issue; if a "group" works for abortion, it is NOT a Catholic group regarless of how much it pretends to be..."
Speaking of research, do you have any showing that the Catholic groups mentioned in this post--Catholic United and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good--work for abortion? Seems to me that they have a different take on how to fight abortion--by providing more government support to pregnant women, for instance--than the traditional anti-abortion rights strategy of conservative Catholic groups, but that doesn't mean they're pro-abortion.
I'm fascinated by the idea that a political position can deem you an unbeliever in the eyes of believes like FLNonny, even though FLNonny objects to injecting secular/political terms into religious discussions.

Dan Gilgoff of NY 11:09AM December 29, 2008

I'm an HONEST CHRISTIAN; at least I'm trying very hard to be such.
I don't know the answer to most questions. But I know enough to realize that those, such as FLNonny, who assert that they DO know the answers are not to be believed or trusted. They are, in most cases, simply passing on dogmatic answers supplied by some "authority" figure or other. Goodness, there are a wild variety of such "authority" figures around now and down through the ages. Unfortunately(?) they seldom agree with each other on much.
Beware of anyone who claims to KNOW what GOD KNOWS. They typically have confused themself with a deity. Somewhow it sounds more convincing to put one's ideas or beliefs into the mouth of a God.

Asinus Gravis of TX 4:39PM December 28, 2008

The Kennedys made their fortune selling hard liquor.
The nameless poster is the conscience of the US !!!!! ????
Obama wants this kind of vitriol to stop.

J. of CA 9:29PM December 27, 2008

UGH. You mention Catholic groups that are NOT Catholic. They are political groups with posers. RESEARCH, Please! The number one issue in the Catholic faith is the santity of life issue; if a "group" works for abortion, it is NOT a Catholic group regarless of how much it pretends to be. One of the groups you mentioned is even backed by $ from far left political groups. Additionally, there is no "left" or "right" in the Christian faith; you are using YOUR SECULAR WORDS which do not belong in talks of faith. There will always be "Cafeteria Christians" (those who think it's fine to pick and choose which Christ-teachings they'll honor), but GOD KNOWS the truth. There is but one word on any subject and it is HIS. As for gays, God loves ALL of us, regardless of our sin. But he expects gays to remain celibet. The bible is very clear on man/woman love and marriage. It's very clear on homosexual acts being sinful in the eyes of God. Just because the teachings are not popular, easy or secular, doesn't mean Chrsitians are supposed to abandon them. Jesus didn't abandon us when he allowed himself to die for us! I have two very close gay male friends who live with other men. I love my friends dearly, but as a Christian I do not support their physical acts. I always ask myself WWJD in each circumstance; it's the quickest way to come to the correct answer. As for abortion, EVERY HONEST CHRISTIAN knows the answer to that question!

FLNonny of FL 7:13PM December 27, 2008

All of this fails to take into account that self-identified evangelicals voted for McCain in almost identical percentages as those who voted for Bush in 2004.
The "culture war" issues of abortion, homosexuality, etc., are still defining issues for many/most evangelicals. We're not happy with the Republicans, but we can't vote for a party that is OK with absolutely no restrictions on abortion and which seems to be beholden to the most radically leftist groups in the country.
If the Dems were smart, they would get "out front" on in issue such as pornography or sex-trafficking. That would peel off (some) social conservatives without alienating their pro-abort, pro-gay base.

Warren Smith of NC 2:57PM December 27, 2008

The "religious left" are the church-goers (of many flavors) who this year came to realize that God did not and would not annoint beer dealers (The McCains) to be America's first family. The "religious right", who lost, are the diehards who failed to grasp that obvious spiritual truth.
What also seems to be coming to light now is the breathtaking possibility that apparently Sarah Palin was likewise so spiritually clueless as to bless her daughter, Bristol, to be running with (and pregnant by) the son of the town drug dealer.

of 2:52PM December 27, 2008

Your analysis is interesting and informative in a number of ways.
It bothers me a bit that it seems to confuse electoral politics with the entire range of politics or political action.
In my view there have long been politically active progressive religious groups working on getting policy changes and legislative support for specific social changes--on poverty matters, on homelessness, on health care, on prison reform, on HIVG/AIDS, on immigration, on equal justice, etc.
It remains to be seen whether the more overt involvement in electoral politics will be more productive on these policy matters than was the case before.
I also missed in your analysis attention to the work of the more moderate evangelical leaders such as Jim Wallis, Ronald Sider, Richard Cizik, Tony Campolo, and Joel Hunter. Whether they were involved directly in electoral politics, they seem to me to have provided a context where the appeal of some of the groups you mentioned could find fertile ground among some Christians.

Asinus Gravis of TX 12:08PM December 27, 2008