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Christianity Today, February, 2007 |

Go Figure

Recent statistics on who voted Democrat and churches offering election materials.

Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted 1/24/2007 08:25AM

67%

Voters who never go to church who voted Democratic in 2006.

55%

Voters who never go to church who did so in 2002.

41%

...

41%

White evangelicals who say they are happy that the Democrats won.

50%

Black Protestants ...

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LISA	Posted: January 30, 2007 5:25 PM

Wow! Voted-Republican: All I can add to this commentary is the fact that as a follower of in Jesus Christ, the basic beliefs of our faith need to be put into action. First, the care of unborn children is a direct indication of how other areas of our society prosper or fail. I cannot support the Democratic platform that has consistently dissuaded those who support life to be a front runner for their party. Second, our peacekeeping efforts in other countries are our mandate because of what we have been given as a country. In other words, if we know of atrocities or genocides, etc., we had better make an effort to free those people (Iraq). If not, we will eventually be overcome by those countries. I do not see the Democratice party as a source of support of our military. Finally, I need to be enlightened as to what the Democrats have done to IMPROVE the middle class. I guess their idea is to abort children so the nuclear family shrinks and that is how the middle class will survive?

Carolyn

Posted: January 29, 2007 9:04 PM


Hmmmm. Didn't more people in GENERAL vote Democrat in 2006? Seems to me we had a Republican congress before and now it's Democrat (barely). Not that I'm all that well informed. You know Mark Twain's dictum. There are three kinds of lies: Lies, damned lies . . . and statistics. (And I say, it's nice of you to share your opinions by way of percentages.)

Bert H

Posted: January 27, 2007 10:00 PM

I find it trully amazing that the poitical debate among Christians in America can actually favour one party over another. So much is said about the 'liberalism' of the Democrats, and in these debates so much vile anger is directed at Democrats, yet the there is su strong support for the Republicans as though they can do no wrong, let alone that the 'right to life' party defends the decision to sent Americans to an unjust war that has cost countless lives. Is there room for politics in Christianity or should we not 'make a difference' within our individual spheres of influence? Should we not be seeking truth and justice within our own communities and in the lives we live instead of leaving that to opur elected representatives who have their own agendas and priorities? By all means vote (in Australia we have to!), but vote according to your own concience, and let others vote acocrding to theirs. Bert.

Elias-Vietman era Vet

Posted: January 27, 2007 4:40 PM

I have always been a Democrat and a Fundamentalist Christian and will continue to be. I do not agree with the Democratic Party on many issues. However, I strongly believe that the weak in our society must be protect. Protecting the unborn is needed, however society has many more millions of born and living individuals that need protecting and nurturing. Many Republicans are oblivious of this fact. The wealthy who the Republicans protect and nurture need no protecting they are quite capable of doing that themselves The Democratic party are more in tuned with the needs of the weak, poor and working class. I am not weathy. I am a professional that has always worked for a living, and a Christian that is very concern for the poor and weak in our nation and the world. Many Christians were deceived into voting Republican by politicians who knew which promises to make. Promises that have not been kept. Instead young men and women are lossing their lives in a war for unknown reason.

Eric	Posted: January 26, 2007 2:49 PM

I think the way one votes has nothing to do with their religious affliation. I'm a devout Christian, dedicated to my Savior, Jesus Christ, and as such, I have an obligation to search out the issues and vote for the candidate that I deem most suited for the job. I voted Democrat in the last election and would do it again if the election were repeated tomorrow. Voting Democrat does not make one less of a Christian than voting Republican. The Republicans have lost their evangelical base because of corruption amongst their ranks, and their blantant dishonesty with the American people and their disregard for our wishes regarding the war in Iraq. So, as Christians, we need not make those who voted Democrat feel as if they are less Christian, because such conclusions are just plain mistaken and wrong. We must live the Biblical mandate to 'uplift' those who are weak in the faith and by condemning their choice of candidates is not the way to proceed. God bless, and God Bless America!

kitt	Posted: January 26, 2007 11:05 AM

This is an "about me" culture in which we live. While I do not agree at all with everything the Republican party is or has done, I have to weigh them against Biblical values, regardless of whether or not it might cost me something financially, no matter how much that might be. Do we hand ourselves over to lawmakers that will continue to promote and endorse the things of this world that encourage the moral destruction of our culture? (homosexuality, pagan religions, killing the unborn babies, the list goes on..). By the time we wake up we will be in over our heads and it will be our own faults.. but in the meantime.. we sure showed that Repulican party didn't we? We need to stand with the party that will promote the most to what we believe morally, not financially. Rich and morally bankrupt? No thank you. I'd rather know I voted and prayed for a leader/leaders who will do their best to support what lines up morally with God's Word. That is the bottom line.

Anonymous

Posted: January 25, 2007 9:08 PM

Regarding this comment, "Why do the "Right Wingers" think that one must be a Republican in order to be a Christian?" Answer: We DON'T think that!!! What we do think is that Christians should not call themselves Christians if they align themselves with Hollywood-supported "liberalism" that is ALL about destroying all morals and standards of decency so people buy more of Hollywood's smut. That is what is driving and funding the Democratic party. People who vote for Democratic candidates supported by Michael Moore, Alec Baldwin, Sean Penn, Rosie O'Donnell, Madonna, and various SCIENTOLOGISTS like Tom Cruise are aiding and abetting today's Sodom and Gomorrah culture. Republicans are far from perfect, but at least they are not trying to destroy all biblical tenets and morality! And, "Mr. Liberal", you'd better get used to the idea that Mormon candidate Mitt Romney has huge appeal despite his religious differences, because he is a man of INTEGRITY and DECENCY.

Pastor R.

Posted: January 25, 2007 7:54 PM


God is not a respecter of persons or parties. The question is are you saved, not what political party you belong to. While we as Christians try to decide what polical affiliation to have, souls are being lost, wars continues to rage and millions are dying of sickness and starvation. We will be held accountable when we stand before God. Wake up Christians.

yvonne

Posted: January 25, 2007 7:50 PM


I see both political parties as ungodly, it just so happens that more Godly politicians are Republican. I see many Republican and Democrat alike lying, cheating, self serving and down right evil! Our only hope is Jesus Christ calling his Church home soon!

Elsie

Posted: January 25, 2007 7:37 PM


I'm always amazed at how Christians break themselves into little 'black' and 'white' boxes. The light of the world, huh? The salt of the Earth, you say? From this angle Christians look a whole lot like everyone else...worse. Why only 1 star: What was the point of these random (meaningless) numbers?

Sue Finley

Posted: January 25, 2007 7:04 PM


I am a Christian and I am also a democrat. There are many democrats who are pro-life but who are against big corporations getting tax cuts before people earning an income at the poverty level. I am disheartened by this idea that because I am democrat, I am not a Christian.

Johnny

Posted: January 25, 2007 3:40 PM

I know that God is not a respecter of persons or political parties. I have voted Republican for most of my adult life because of their official position on abortion. However, I have grown increasingly disgusted with the Republican bias toward the wealthiest Americans and their cyncial appeals to Christians. I am equally appalled by Christians automatically voting for supposedly pro-life candidates no matter what other positions they hold. Abortion is a priority but it cannot the ONLY priority. We must attack the problems that create a demand for abortion - and that doesn't just mean teaching abstinence to teenagers, people. It means accurate birth control info for marrieds AND singles. It also means we must fight poverty, judgmentalism, and domestic abuse. And we must proactively assist women with unexpected pregnancies. Republicans talk about those things but do little about them. They'd rather give tax cuts to CEOs. That's why I'd vote for a pro-life Democrat if they'd just run one.

Scott M.

Posted: January 25, 2007 2:00 PM

I have voted mainly repulican for years. I now, as a conservative pastor, feel that when looking at voting it is no lonnger republican verses democrat, rather it is which is the lesser of two evils. Which person will be more honoring to God. This has to be the foundation for my vote as both democrat and republican seem to be hipocritical, or in other words human. Is going to war honoring God? Maybe. Is supporting abortion and gay rights honoring to God? NO! Therefore, most of the time the republicans will win my vote.

dean	Posted: January 25, 2007 9:11 AM

Socially speaking, a Christian could be a Democrat. For example, one who believes in Christ can favor higher taxes, or more public funding. However, I feel that intentionally alligning yourself with a party or platform that openly supports abortion, homosexual marriage, and the dissolution of Christianity in public places speaks more about one's "faith" than any other aspect of his or her life. I normally HATE when people say "Jesus would/wouldn't vote for this guy", but would he openly cast a vote for a aprty that ACTIVELY SEEKS to legalize partial birth abortions?

JC	Posted: January 25, 2007 12:47 AM

Why aren't there more pro-life Democrats around when considering the significant numbers of Christians in the Democratic Party? Is it that such believers do not hold a biblical world view on the sanctity of human life? Or is it that such believers are content to let their biblical convictions be marginalized by ardent pro-abortion Democratic leaders? Or is it that such believers don't see the life and death of unborn babies as an important issue compared with other "quality of life issues?"

Dave S

Posted: January 24, 2007 9:49 PM

I think it is difficult to categorize Jesus into whatever categorical box may be convenient to the individual. Jesus' message of the kingdom was decidedly political yet confounded the options of the day: conform (Sadducees), separate (Qumran), or rebel (Zealot). He offered a new way of doing things that revolved around his personhood which reflected the Father's- both in this present life and the life to come. Jesus would likely not have been a republican or democrat- confounding the messages of both but resonating with both. Jesus demanded personal morality as well as social justice, which is a message that finds its clouded way in both parties. The church is the vehicle of this kingdom and not primarily politics. But it does no good judging or condemning those who use their American liberties to influence our government. They might love Jesus or they might not, but Jesus' command is to love them anyway. And we must at least respect their voice in the process.

Webuffy

Posted: January 24, 2007 9:20 PM

We need to get away from the divisive rhetoric that American Christians should or should not belong to one political party. We live in a global world that needs to hear the message of God's power of love through His son Jesus Christ. I for one am sick to death of the politics of the selfish - this is the sin we need to be ridding ourselves of as American Christians not whether or not someone is a Republican or a Democrat. Stop judging and start praying.

Pat Hatch

Posted: January 24, 2007 9:18 PM

I believe that an increasing number of evangelical Christians are beginning to realize that neither party has a monopoly on worthy candidates, and they are beginning to recognize that issues such as a living wage for people who work hard and affordable health care for all are issues that Christians should care deeply about. Unfortunately, the last 6 years have resulted in a steep decline in world opinion of the United States, and a much harder time for American missionaries abroad. Christian leadership should be characterized by honesty, humility and openness.

ND George

Posted: January 24, 2007 7:38 PM

Nobody is more conservative than me, but Bush and his cronies made a democrat out of me--at least voting democratic for the first time in my life, and I have been voting for 46 years. I think American Conservative Christianity has come up with its own brand of politics. I would ask anyone to show me this is New Testament Christianity. Folks, we are only a colony of heaven if we are believers, not citizens of a world that hates God. We are to influence by our lives, not our political beliefs. Lots of radio/TV personalities are getting fat from that misdirected faith. So still beleiving God sets up kings and presidents--and tears down those same kingdoms, I will vote my conscience.

Pastor John

Posted: January 24, 2007 6:31 PM

When I was younger the Democratic party was not liberal as they are now. I used to consider myself a Democrat. The reader that said "Jesus would not be for abortion on demand" is absolutely correct but, at least what I see and read, the Democrat Party stands for "abortion on demand." The speaker of the house has taken that stand, but that is not hte only difference between the parties. The Democratic party in the past was considered the "working man's party" but has been mostly about "big government" which means the "working man" pays more taxes. I remember trying to sell a house in the Carter administration when the mortgage interest rate was 21%...that didn't help me as a working man. Unless it is the fact that the media is biased towards Democrats, I personally don't understand how a Christian aligns himself with that party, though I recognize their right to do so and, still love them as brothers and sisters in Christ. May God bless our nation as we look to him for guidance.

California Al

Posted: January 24, 2007 5:36 PM

I don't see race baiting in this report. I prefer to think of all believers as part of the same church. That said, however, apparently 'black churches' tend to use that platform more frequently than 'white churches' to preach politics as well as the Bible. The most telling figures is that the Democratic party appears to be more attractive to non-church goers, and the number is growing. Draw your own conclusion if you will. But I can understand why non-believers would tend to favor the Democratic party. I can even understand why some Christians would support the traditional Democratic party. What I can't get is how any believer can vote for the Democrats of today who openly promote non-biblical values.

CC Biggs

Posted: January 24, 2007 5:21 PM

I agree with the comments of "voted democrat;Love Jesus. I am a 56 yr. old Southern Baptist. I am very ashamed of my denomination and the "Church" in general. Why do the "Right Winger's" think that one must be a Republican in order to be a Christian? I am convinced that if Jesus were here today, at least two things would be true. 1. He would confound the Dobson, Fallwell, Mohler, Land, etc., crowd because He would have very little in common with them. They would hate Him because they would find that He is and always has been a LIBERAL. 2. They would do just like the Pharisees did when He was here----they hated his guts, and they killed Him! I would imagine that if Jesus were here today He would tell George Bush, Karl Rove, and todays "Religious bunch" something similar to what He said as recorded in Luke 12 "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Parisees, which is hypocrisy..." Jesus would not be for abortion on demand. He'd be all about Love. Get it?

Peter

Posted: January 24, 2007 5:21 PM


These stats prove that Democrats are a mission field that must be engaged. With many conservative and moderate Democrats opposing abortion and gay marriage, believers must prayerfully consider engaging this mission field of voters and party activists and embracing their more biblical positions on issues of social justice.

Lynn	Posted: January 24, 2007 4:29 PM


Aligning a political party with a religion is helpful to no one. Although not an article, the facts in this piece insinuateh that to be Christian is to be Republican.

Lynn Berntson

Posted: January 24, 2007 2:14 PM

The Democrat, Republican, liberal/conservative contrast is simply an attitude toward life, abortion, gay marriage, bigger government, higher tax, hollywood lifestyles and traditional values. More athiests and agnostics vote liberal. Large cities are liberal and the "country" is generally conservative. It is not complicated to understand the difference bewteen urban and rural values. Unfortunately many conservative leaders are on the fence merely following the general consensus. They are not leaders but professional politicians. Our culture is now pro MTV, very "democratic".

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