The New Evangelicals - 2008

[rayboyusmc]

I think the person on the talk radio said that they are more interested in Jesus than in politics. I personally don't like the Tony Perkins or the Catholic guy with the bad teeth approach of we are right you are all going to hell or at least Wisconsin.

Washington -- Evangelical Christians remain politically conservative, but many are ranking civil society issues higher than the issues that topped their agenda in the 2004 elections, according to a poll conducted by Beliefnet.

The Web site, an independent publication about spirituality and world religions, polled 980 self-described evangelical Christians about the political issues that most concern them. Stereotypes were shattered when 85 percent placed the economy and cleaning up corruption in government at the top of their lists, closely followed by reducing poverty. Some 78 percent wanted improved public education and health care, 68 percent were against torture. Approximately 68 percent wanted to end the Iraq war, while 46 percent wanted to win the war.

Ending abortion, once a dominant issue for evangelicals, ranked eighth in the Beliefnet sample, while stopping same-sex marriage ranked 11th. Other named issues were sex and violence in entertainment and the media, immigration and aid to Africa.

Although abortion still is important, the survey shows a move away from denial of abortion rights toward less aggressive measures. Sixty-nine percent of those concerned about abortion responded that “changing the culture through education and other means” was the best way to curtail abortions, with only 26 percent in favor of legally restricting abortion rights.

Republican evangelicals preferred Mike Huckabee above other Republican candidates, at 28 percent, although 21 percent found John McCain acceptable. Evangelical Democrats chose Barack Obama by a wide margin over Hillary Clinton, 31 percent to 12 percent.

The complete survey results are available on the Beliefnet Web site.

See also "What Do Evangelicals Want in 2008?"

http://www.america.gov/st/elections08-english/2008/January/20080129170101mlenuhret0.464596.html

 

[mattskramer]

Conservatives are disappearing. They used to have influence decades ago “The Christian Coalition” and “Moral Majority” has some sway during the Reagan years but those times have come and gone. Society is moving to the left and McCain knows it. If die-hard Republicans what to have anything in the next administration, they better vote for McCain and tell the religious right better back off of him.