The Rise of Social Liberalism and G.O.P. Resistance

[Crabtownboy]

Will the trend continue?

There is a fascinating phenomenon taking shape in America: As the country becomes less religious, it is also becoming more socially liberal.

It makes sense that these two variables should closely track each other, but the sheer scale and speed of the change is astonishing.

After a Pew Research Center report earlier this month found that “the Christian share of the U.S. population is declining, while the number of U.S. adults who do not identify with any organized religion is growing,” this week Gallup released a report that found that “more Americans now rate themselves as socially liberal than at any point in Gallup’s 16-year trend, and for the first time, as many say they are liberal on social issues as say they are conservative.”

Gallup has tested the moral acceptability of 19 variables since the early 2000s.



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But Iowa and New Hampshire would be only the first two of a 50-state slog through a Republican electorate that is not necessarily where the rest of the country is — or is going — on religiosity and social liberalism.

There is only so much skipping one can do. At some point, the candidates must face the most conservative voters and one voice must emerge.

This process has not been kind or general-election-friendly for the Republican candidates in the last couple of cycles. But there is no indication that most Republicans — either candidates or voters — have drawn the necessary lessons from those defeats.



http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/o...ocial-liberalism-and-gop-resistance.html?_r=0

 

[Rolfe]

There is a fascinating phenomenon taking shape in America: As the country becomes less religious, it is also becoming more socially liberal.

Is this your personal experience?

 

[Crabtownboy]

There is a fascinating phenomenon taking shape in America: As the country becomes less religious, it is also becoming more socially liberal.

Is this your personal experience?

Not at all. As I have matured in years, traveled to numerous countries, made friends with people from many cultures and gained a better understanding of the teachings of Christ I have become more caring and more discerning of the needs of the poor, the elderly and those who are ill.

I find it sad that those who are moving away from religion are accepting a more Christian attitude toward those in need, the poor, the elderly, etc. than many who say their are Christian. I find a growing number of young people I talk with are rejection what they call organized religion but are not rejecting spirituality nor their sense of responsibility toward others.

What is your experience in this regard?

 

[InTheLight]

From the article:

In fact, the moral acceptability ratings for 10 of the issues measured since the early 2000s are at record highs. Acceptance of gay or lesbian relations is up 23 percentage points over that time. Having a baby outside of marriage is up 16 points. Premarital sex is up 15 points. Divorce and research using stem cells obtained from human embryos are both up 12 points.

Take a look at that paragraph again. The author is trying to say that presidential candidates that soften on these issues will have a better chance of winning. I say BULL. No candidate is going to go on the record and state that they are all in favor of premarital sex causing out-of-wedlock births to increase. Likewise none are going to say that what this country needs is more divorce. (God help us if they do!)

Furthermore, most people don't vote based on a candidate's position on social issues. True, some do, but most are voting pocketbook issues and quality of life issues.

This is another attempt to paint Republicans as out of touch old fogeys. There are reasons to say that, but holding firm on these social issues are not among them.

 

[Jedi Knight]

As I have matured in years, traveled to numerous countries, made friends with people from many cultures and gained a better understanding of the teachings of Christ I have become more caring and more discerning

So why do you support the party of death if you have discernment?

 

[just-want-peace]

So why do you support the party of death if you have discernment?

Indeed!!!!!!!

 

[Revmitchell]

So why do you support the party of death if you have discernment?

Because he is willing to sacrifice unborn children at the alter of a political agenda.

 

[targus]

I find it sad that those who are moving away from religion are accepting a more Christian attitude toward those in need, the poor, the elderly, etc. than many who say their are Christian.

Your article does not talk at all about attitudes towards those in need.

The moral issues that are changing are all pretty much self centered and most are related to sex and sex outside of marriage.

No doubt your idea of someone helping those in need would be Planned Parenthood.

 

[Jedi Knight]

Your article does not talk at all about attitudes towards those in need.

The moral issues that are changing are all pretty much self centered and most are related to sex and sex outside of marriage.

No doubt your idea of someone helping those in need would be Planned Parenthood.

Thus his mask is removed and his nakedness exposed by the REAL discerning of others.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Your article does not talk at all about attitudes towards those in need.

The moral issues that are changing are all pretty much self centered and most are related to sex and sex outside of marriage.

No doubt your idea of someone helping those in need would be Planned Parenthood.

You mean like all of his posts ?

CTBoy likes others to do his charity. Nice call.