Comments on: Does conservatism give Christianity a bad name?

By: Spinoza

Spinoza — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:44:08 +0000

For many, Christianity gives conservatism a bad name.

By: Deep Stuff

Deep Stuff — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:10:03 +0000

“The only authentic conservative in the race, Texas Congressman Ron Paul, disqualified himself in the Christian Right’s eyes by taking the teachings of the Prince of Peace too literally, and applying the Golden Rule to foreign policy.”
-William Grigg

Report comment to moderator

By: crusso

crusso — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:41:04 +0000

Although I understand Woodlief’s concerns, he appears unable to differentiate limited-government conservatism from libertarianism. A good article by Robert P George found at First Things (www.firstthings.com) may shed some light.

Report comment to moderator

By: Psalm Singer

Psalm Singer — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:33:36 +0000

Tony,
This piece is truly great thinking on your part. How does Constantine factor into all of this?

Report comment to moderator

By: rjimm

rjimm — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 21:47:23 +0000

Could someone please define “conservatism” for me? I look at big government neocons like Bush and all I see was what we used to call big government liberals. I see people call Huckabee a conservative but what I see is a progressive, with a religious spin, that wants to even greater control given to the government. What is this conversation about?

Report comment to moderator

By: rdean

rdean — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:47:41 +0000

#30: Both Christians and conservatives worry too much about their supposed image

Push mystic prayer in public schools?
Replace science with supernatural?
Write discrimination into the constitution against their own children?
Support the worst president in history? Bush?

Does this sound like people that care about “public image”?

Report comment to moderator

By: Peter Leavitt

Peter Leavitt — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:10:08 +0000

Joel Mark Fourth, I think Christianity runs far deeper than capitalism and one can be a Christian without advocating capitalism. Most people can make these distinctions, even as they may support both.

I agree with this point, without Christianity and other forms of religion, capitalism in itself would not be a viable economic form. Anyone who is motivated purely by economics is a very hollow person.

However, and this gets to Tony’s question to me, the only sure way for able people to escape poverty is to work hard, develops skills, be frugal with money, and prepare for rainy days. In America income mobility studies male clear getind a high school degree and staying married ensure a middle-class future for anyone.

When it comes to individual charity it is well known that Christians are the best givers in our country. If anyone questions this, they might take a look at Prof. Arthur Arthur Brooks of Syracuse U recent studies of charitable giving between religious and secular folk.

The image problem of Christians that Tony speaks about comes far more from the leftist line line that religious and business people care only about themselves, which in our country is just hogwash.

Report comment to moderator

By: Joel Mark

Joel Mark — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:40:56 +0000

#39, HRW,

Speaking as a socialist, I think you are overly biased against what you call “neo-conservative economic policy.” I don’t think you even understand what it is.

First, capitalism is the greatest practical and theoretical cure for human poverty than any other economic system ever applied in human history. The USA is exhibit A to support this. And capitalism works best where there are moral moorings in a culture that run deeper than any economic system.

Second, tell me where on earth the free-market is actually “unfettered.”

Third, I don’t even think genuine Christianity has a bad name at all, period–even though the leftist media constantly tries to give it one.

Fourth, I think Christianity runs far deeper than capitalism and one can be a Christian without advocating capitalism. Most people can make these distinctions, even as they may support both.

Report comment to moderator

By: SteveG

SteveG — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:25:02 +0000

arg

Report comment to moderator

By: SteveG

SteveG — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:24:40 +0000

Tony at #37: Yet still they overwhelmingly say that Christians they know are very interested in conservative politics, but not overly interested in loving their neighbors.

In discussions I’ve had elsewhere, I’ve noted that in general (and this is very much a generalization that won’t apply to everyone) conservatives are much more aware of the big picture than individuals, while liberals are concerned with individuals and less aware of the larger scope.

As a result, a liberal might stand against the war in Iraq because of the deaths and grievous injuries our soldiers and their civilians are suffering, without really considering that it might be necessary to accomplish a greater good. A conservative would support the war effort because of the greater good, but seem to be uncaring about the individual human cost.

I suggest something like this is also at work in these discussions about corporate vs. individual charity. Liberals feel a great deal of compassion for individuals living in poverty, and so want the government to help alleviate it, while conservatives object to the government role due to an awareness of its costs, and therefore seem to not care about those suffering.
Report comment to moderator