McCain vs. Obama: Your Vote and Why

[Jack Flak]

Originally Posted by Eileen

Has his VP pick given you pause on this particular point? I believe that McCain is less conservative than Bush himself (not that Bush is really that conservative overall; he's just reasonably socially conservative), but it seems to me that Palin is a huge symbol of McCain's bending over for the religious right. I believe that John McCain is a hero and a man of character, but doesn't it seem like he's sold out to the fundies to you?

Doesn't it potentially describe exactly what I was getting at? McCain isn't the religious right, but he wants that vote.

[ZiL]

Does anyone have a rough estimate of how many fundamentalist Christians there are in the U.S.? I hear so much about the weight of the demographic, but I never know exactly what size it is.

[pure_mercury]

Originally Posted by ZiL

Does anyone have a rough estimate of how many fundamentalist Christians there are in the U.S.? I hear so much about the weight of the demographic, but I never know exactly what size it is.

I've seen estimates that 30-40% of Americans identify themselves as "born-again" or "evangelical" Christians. I would assume that fundamentalists are a sizeable minority amongst that number, but I can't say for sure. Sarah Palin is definitely an evangelical and grew up attending a pretty out-there Pentecostal church, but I don't know that she believes the Bible is literally true. I'd have to see some evidence.

[Jack Flak]

Originally Posted by pure_mercury

I don't know that she believes the Bible is literally true. I'd have to see some evidence.

So few do, as evidenced by the nearly universal harsh skepticism of people who claim to have witnessed supernatural events.

[ZiL]

Originally Posted by pure_mercury

I've seen estimates that 30-40% of Americans identify themselves as "born-again" or "evangelical" Christians. I would assume that fundamentalists are a sizeable minority amongst that number, but I can't say for sure. Sarah Palin is definitely an evangelical and grew up attending a pretty out-there Pentecostal church, but I don't know that she believes the Bible is literally true. I'd have to see some evidence.

It is indeed a pretty sizable number.

That's something I've been wondering too, about Palin.

[Babylon Candle]

Originally Posted by ZiL

It is indeed a pretty sizable number.

That's something I've been wondering too, about Palin.

then if you include the avg joe Christians who are still partial to some religious social ideas...then its gets upwards of 60 to 70% i think.

its scary how people that think middle east Armageddon might be a good thing (bring jesus back) have their finger on the nuclear button

[mlittrell]

neither

just local government

[lowtech redneck]

Originally Posted by Eileen

Has his VP pick given you pause on this particular point? I believe that McCain is less conservative than Bush himself (not that Bush is really that conservative overall; he's just reasonably socially conservative), but it seems to me that Palin is a huge symbol of McCain's bending over for the religious right. I believe that John McCain is a hero and a man of character, but doesn't it seem like he's sold out to the fundies to you?

Obama's associations (religious and political) throughout his career concern me more than McCain' altered relationship with "the Fundies" over the last two years. Both candidates have offerred revisions in order to maximize their appeal, so I would go by their lifetime records as far as this area is concerned.

[lowtech redneck]

Originally Posted by mlittrell

neither

just local government

With the degredation of the 10th Amendment, local government keeps meaning less and less. That's a huge reason why I'm voting for McCain as an indirect means of voting for Supreme Court justices.

[Udog]

Originally Posted by lowtech redneck

Obama's associations (religious and political) throughout his career concern me more than McCain' altered relationship with "the Fundies" over the last two years. Both candidates have offerred revisions in order to maximize their appeal, so I would go by their lifetime records as far as this area is concerned.

I went to Virginia Tech and talked with Michael Vick once. I cheered for him at football games, told my friends he was a good guy, and was at one time proud that he represented my school.

I hope this doesn't come back to haunt me if I ever get into politics.