David Sessions writes over at Slate that there is no breakup of Evangelicals because of the Bush Presidency.
This is a highly significant trend within evangelicalism—arguably the evangelical story of the moment. But it doesn't quite have the political implications that the media suggest, namely new stirrings of affection for the Democratic Party. Young Christians are interested in more than "two or three issues," as left-leaning pastor Bill Hybels contends in the Times piece, but they are smart, educated, and usually swing conservative for reasons much deeper than the Big Two (abortion and gay rights). In my time as a student at Patrick Henry College, I have witnessed countless students moderate from "Republican politics is next to godliness" to "we shouldn't be blindly following a specific party or leader." Despite that transformation, not one of them has ever campaigned or voted for a Democrat. They are disenchanted with the GOP for its abandonment of fiscal conservatism and limited government, but they'd consider voting for Democrats an even bigger step back. If there is a political trend to be reported here, it's the fact that increasingly progressive young Christians will almost certainly balance the Republican Party, insisting on a broader focus than clichéd morality battles.
I'm glad that Evangelicals seem to be branching out beyond their primary focus and looking at the bigger picture. That seems to be more than can be said for many other groups.
Still, it concerns me that there is a spirit of "GOP or Bust!" within the Evangelical fold. I don't think it is healthy politically for anyone to stick with a party whether or not it has drifted from its roots. Work toward fixing it, yes, but if it doesn't get fixed, why not vote for a moderate from the other party? That may send the message to the pols that they need to get their act together if they want votes. I also think the Republicans would be much more successful if they did get back to their core issues of small government and fiscal responsibility. They need to renounce torture and empire-building.
1 comment:
Good article and subsequent observations. Thanks for the post.
Often, in the face of blatant injustice and greed, there is a reaction of equal proportion in the opposite direction by followers of leaders gone astray. I think, overall, there is a general reticence toward politics by young people who bear the badge of "Christian." The young Church is looking for eladers they can get behind- the GOP has lost its credibility and the Democrats don't bear enough strength of character to gather the flock.
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