It is hard because usually you only get two choices...example Clinton/Bush...Gore/Bush...Obama/Mcclain.

 

I voted for Clinton because I voted against Bush. Same as the next two. I'd like more choices.

It is hard because usually you only get two choices...example Clinton/Bush...Gore/Bush...Obama/Mcclain.

 

I voted for Clinton because I voted against Bush. Same as the next two. I'd like more choices.

There are plenty of other choices. You just have to make them valid.

My religous beliefs are at the very core of who I am. They absolutely impact how I vote. If they had no impact, they really wouldn't be beliefs, ... just theories.

Former...Ross Perot/Ralph Nadar? We got two choices.

From a Christian standpoint, I don't think its possible to separate your faith from any aspect of your life. If a person can put their faith in Christ aside when making any decisions in life, including political, then I would question the validity of their faith.

 

That doesn't mean we aren't capable of making the wrong choice or a mistake even when we try to use our faith as a guide, so I'm not interested in getting into a list of what choices a Christian should make regarding various issues. My point is simply that a Christian's faith should be central in any decision they make.

 

I would assume that would/should be the case with most, if not all, religions.

 

So, to answer the question...not only can religion influence political beliefs, I would argue that it if your religion is of any importance to you, then it should influence your political beliefs.

Former...Ross Perot/Ralph Nadar? We got two choices.

Nader, Barr, Baldwin, and McKinney were all candidates. It's up to us to make them viable candidates.

Not sure what I could do. I remeber a poster talking up Mike Huckabee a whole lot and Mike wasn't even on the ballot for prez.

 

I first voted in the mid 70s. Didn't care for Nixon/McGovern...Ford/Carter....Reagan/Bush/Clinton/Bush/Obama and mostly men/woman who ran against them. Thats sad I guess for me.

 

I'll write in Nick Saban in three years..maybe :thumb:

Most people make decisions based on their religious beliefs, do I? No, but I am young and those things will come later-I am not saying that I have none-but things like abortion and homosexual marriage do not really bother or concern me much.

 

That seems to be the two issues in politics where people's religious beliefs come into play. Does it really tear at the fabric of America for either acts to go on? Are they really going to cause America's society to run rampant and eventually be the undoing of this country? Doubtful, if you want to base your stance on whether Gay Marriage should be legal on the basis that the constitution defines marriage to be between a man and a woman, that's fine. But if they are based on what your religion teaches, I don't agree with that.

 

Also, I don't see Roe vs. Wade being over turned anytime soon, so that issue should just be dropped.

 

Whew! I'm getting down off my soap box for the evening.

Most people make decisions based on their religious beliefs, do I? No, but I am young and those things will come later-I am not saying that I have none-but things like abortion and homosexual marriage do not really bother or concern me much.

 

That seems to be the two issues in politics where people's religious beliefs come into play. Does it really tear at the fabric of America for either acts to go on? Are they really going to cause America's society to run rampant and eventually be the undoing of this country? Doubtful, if you want to base your stance on whether Gay Marriage should be legal on the basis that the constitution defines marriage to be between a man and a woman, that's fine. But if they are based on what your religion teaches, I don't agree with that.

 

Also, I don't see Roe vs. Wade being over turned anytime soon, so that issue should just be dropped.

 

Whew! I'm getting down off my soap box for the evening.

 

I don't either, but that's only because the GOP doesn't want to lose their No. 1 wedge issue. In that regard, the party is very hypocritical. Just like Dems don't want welfare to be abolished.

Also, I don't see Roe vs. Wade being over turned anytime soon, so that issue should just be dropped.

This logic confuses me. I assume that, in 1900, if someone said that perhaps women should be allowed to vote, your response would have been, "Well, I don't see it happening anytime soon, so that issue should be dropped." And I also assume that the same holds true for issues such as slavery and prohibition, right?

I don't either, but that's only because the GOP doesn't want to lose their No. 1 wedge issue. In that regard, the party is very hypocritical. Just like Dems don't want welfare to be abolished.

The return of Jim's (possibly correct) political issue conspiracy theories! :notworthy:

From a Christian standpoint, I don't think its possible to separate your faith from any aspect of your life. If a person can put their faith in Christ aside when making any decisions in life, including political, then I would question the validity of their faith.

 

That doesn't mean we aren't capable of making the wrong choice or a mistake even when we try to use our faith as a guide, so I'm not interested in getting into a list of what choices a Christian should make regarding various issues. My point is simply that a Christian's faith should be central in any decision they make.

 

I would assume that would/should be the case with most, if not all, religions.

 

So, to answer the question...not only can religion influence political beliefs, I would argue that it if your religion is of any importance to you, then it should influence your political beliefs.

 

Exactly!:thumb:

This logic confuses me. I assume that, in 1900, if someone said that perhaps women should be allowed to vote, your response would have been, "Well, I don't see it happening anytime soon, so that issue should be dropped." And I also assume that the same holds true for issues such as slavery and prohibition, right?

 

 

Absolutely not, I am in no way shape or form in favor of slavery or against women's rights and am offended that you would suggest that. Women's suffrage was brought on by the Progressive movement and the abolition of Slavery was a long time coming. Maybe abortion will eventually be outlawed, but I do not see that happening anytime soon. Especially with the state of our economy, our war overseas in the Middle East and the emminent threat of other nations, abortion is one of the last things people should be worrying about at this point.

Especially with the state of our economy, our war overseas in the Middle East and the emminent threat of other nations, abortion is one of the last things people should be worrying about at this point.

 

Trust and believe, my friend, that the opponents of this practice will find few things they "worry about" more than the permissive killing of innocent children. Our war overseas has not taken nearly as many lives as this country's war on its children.

Absolutely not, I am in no way shape or form in favor of slavery or against women's rights and am offended that you would suggest that. Women's suffrage was brought on by the Progressive movement and the abolition of Slavery was a long time coming. Maybe abortion will eventually be outlawed, but I do not see that happening anytime soon. Especially with the state of our economy, our war overseas in the Middle East and the emminent threat of other nations, abortion is one of the last things people should be worrying about at this point.

 

You know that I was not implying that you are for slavery or women's rights. What I am saying is that it makes no sense to refuse to stand up for what is right because you don't think it will change.

I don't either, but that's only because the GOP doesn't want to lose their No. 1 wedge issue. In that regard, the party is very hypocritical. Just like Dems don't want welfare to be abolished.

 

You nailed it on both sides. For both sides, that is a huge part of their voting block.