Gallup Poll: In Major Shift, Most Want Government Promoting Traditional Values

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When politicians are out of touch with the voice of the people they have to suffer the consequences find another way to earn a living.The democrats want abortion to be forced by federal funding and erasing the conscience clause.A good evidence is the defeat of pro-life amendments the hyde amendment.They should focus more on the economy of the richest and strongest country of the world:United State of America , and not waste time on focusing on issues with moral and theological impact.

lyndon acosta 11:21PM October 01, 2009

Let's debate this topic. I know many Christians who do not go to church, but they have a deep, spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. They do not have a 'religion' that teaches them traditional values. As a Catholic christian, my religion requires me to attend mass every week, and that's something I have no problem with, in fact, it helps me. It reinforces, the traditional values our country and I hold so dear - a strong family unit; compassion for others in need; desire to be the best person you can be; loving oneself and one's neighbors, be willing to work hard for what you have; don't focus on material gain; discover your own God-given talents and build on them.

Intelligent, thoughtful people understand that religions are run by human beings, therefore are susceptible to human weaknesses, faults, hypocrisys - belief in God, loving God, and wanting to be a good Christian can be done, and is done without any religion. I believe in separation of church and state - Church meaning Baptist, Mormon, Catholic, Jewish, Islam, Hindu, Presbyterian, etc. 'Church' does not mean belief in God and christian principles - the Ten Commandments are universal to all 'higher power' faiths. I don't believe in requiring any atheist or agnostic to change their beliefs or accept any of mine - christian principles are just a blueprint for a loving, successful society. Traditional values don't require a stitch of belief in God...but having love of God as a foundation CERTAINLY makes it easier to be a civilized, caring member of society! And there is NO question, based on history - past and current - that societies and communities become violent, abusive and chaotic when there is an anything goes, moral relativity system in place.

Donna of TX 10:36AM October 01, 2009

Most public opinion polls are BS with a veneer of fake scientific method -- they ask the wrong questions, in the wrong way, of the wrong people, at the wrong time, for the wrong reasons. This poll is a prime example. Whose traditional values are we talking about?

As an example, many people are reflexively opposed to socialism. But ask them if they oppose public schools, police, fire departments, etc., and you get a different answer. Republicans of late seem to love socialism, so long as it's confined to business and the hyper-wealthy, but would never admit to it.

Yet another example. Do you really want to live in a country where government and religion are one? Take a good look around the world before you answer.

Jim of AZ 5:32PM September 30, 2009

'Traditional values' does not mean gun-toting, gay bashing, abortion haters and church slaves, etc - like the bloggers pronounce.

I am a traditionalist who does not like guns, and will get an abortion, if needed. (rape, incest, no fiancial means, health etc. The question of abortion belongs in the hands of the pregnant woman and her doctor - not the government.)

Gays shouldn't be married - they have equal rignts already under the law and in most private situations (hospitals, churches, businesses etc) I happen to like gays very much and have enjoyed their friendship. They do not pose any threst to anybody, but marriage according to history, tradition and the Bible is between a man and a woman. That definition could not be any more clear.

Mores and cultural differences surely exist - but values are universal. Honoring the family unit, learning through education, hard work, honesty, sharing, kindness etc. Those are the values every person on earth should attain and uphold. We can all still be independant and free to choose our mates, our school, our church, our mosque etc within these parameters.

Susan Demidovich of FL 3:30PM September 30, 2009

If you mean by Traditional Values "What's in it for me", you're probably right. Of course traditional values associated with fear and herd instinct are more rampant in times of economic stress. Luckily we have the First Amendment still on the books and hopefully, like a kidney stone in the body politic, this too shall pass.

Morton Kurzweil of FL 3:06PM September 30, 2009

Whose traditions and whose values are they referring to? The gun toting shoot first and ask questions later NRA folks, the maniacal Christian or Catholic right or any other of the hundreds of religions manifesting themselves between our shores. Traditional values as stated by heterosexuals who want all others killed or banished? The tradition of going to NASCAR and getting trashed. There was a while when burning crosses was traditional. Why is it when these "polls" are conducted I nor anyone I know is ever part of the population they surveyed? Do they purposely call the members of "The Church of What's Happening Now" or the Board Members of the NRA or the rosters as supplied by the GOP??? This is too subjective and too dangerous. We're opposed to the government getting involved in our religious and moral beliefs and dictating with whom we sleep or break bread with very things that the GOP and conservatives have been wanting to do for 60 so years all the while decrying larger government and a woman's right to chose. Sounds like hogwash and a lead in to censorship and the taking away of our basic rights.

David Bronx of NY 2:33PM September 30, 2009

unlike the last post I do not expect much out of people who believe in manipulated polls and my values are different than yours because I am a independently thinking person who cares about everyone and could not belong to parties that put there needs above that of America. I am a independent because I have a independent way of thinking which unlike the two major political parties include where I live (America) and not some silly contest or competition. I will vote what I believe in weather my vote ends up in space or not. Because unlike a Borg I vote my conscience. If I am wrong I still vote what I know that is why I cherish a good honest debate which scares most politicians today. President Obama seems to want a good and honest debate but all he gets it seems are demands, distractions And obvious stall tactics. These methods are important to the republicans and it seem to some democrats because big business is running scared and do not know what cords to pull on there puppets.

Myself I would much rather have big Government than big business in charge of America.

It seems odd people are scared of a government that is “For the people by the people” But that could be because America Got distracted with what they thought the American dream is and had no time to be Apart of there own Government. Which allowed those in office to go there own way.

Notice I did not say “those in power” if politicians is in power they need to get out of office, But if they are in office they are there to serve the people.

Don D. Brock

Don D. Brock of AZ 2:05PM September 30, 2009

The goverment and its church slaves need to keep thier big overinflated egoes out of people's personal lives.

thier thier sinsterd of PA 2:00PM September 30, 2009

The issues of abortion and gun control, and most other values, start with the self-centered, God-based, or society-based assumptions--all unprovable. Then the type of evidence used is critical. Does it come from the authority of the Pope, from empirical science, from historical records or traditions. Very complicated! The best exposition of these problems comes, I believe, from Book 4 of the popular free ebook series "And Gulliver Returns"--In Search of Utopia-- it is found at http://andgulliverreturns.info and on the Kindle site.

RJ O'Commor of CA 1:54PM September 30, 2009

You are quite right about the question being meaningless. I think SOME pollsters do it because they themselves do not want to ask many questions where the answer will be "I don't know". I think others do it to PUSH particular agendas by gathering together people who will answer the question the way whomever is paying for the poll service wants the question answered.

As for USNWR trotting this out as though it were newsworthy? In a "God and Country" column? Less than useless.

As for the graph above, what does it tell us?

Muser of NM 1:31PM September 30, 2009

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Dan Gilgoff covers religion for U.S. News & World Report. He is the author of The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Evangelical America are Winning the Culture War, and is a former politics editor at beliefnet. E-mail Dan at godandcountry@usnews.com.

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