Obama could have a prayer among Ohio's white evangelicals
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/19/nation/la-na-ohio-evangelicals-20120520A recent gathering of religious leaders in Ohio indicates that churches don't necessarily march in lock step with the Republican Party. But certain social issues could still make it a tough sell for the president.
May 19, 2012|By Mitchell Landsberg, Los Angeles Times
CINCINNATI — The Rev. Chris Beard is a theological conservative, make no mistake about it. He believes the Bible is the word of God. He believes the Holy Spirit speaks to him directly. He believes, as an article of faith, that abortion and same-sex marriage are wrong.
Still, when a group of religious leaders in Ohio held two days of meetings in Cincinnati recently to talk about economic and racial justice, issues usually associated with the political left, there was Beard, a fourth-generation Pentecostal preacher with a disarming smile, a shaved head and a set of convictions that knock holes in the stereotypes about white evangelical Protestants.
"Conservative biblical interpretation requires embracing the text," Beard said during a break in a daylong symposium on racial equity, a special concern of his. That, he said, "might push us to what society calls progressive engagement."
White evangelical voters are widely presumed to march in lock step with the right wing of the Republican Party. The reality is more nuanced. Some, like Beard, say their faith has led them to question conservative orthodoxy on issues such as immigration, the environment and racial and economic equity.
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Humans are a story telling species. They also have inherent empathy and sympathy for their follow humans, whether they are part of their own tribe, or not. These are inherent and are likely derived as part of our common heritage through evolutionary processes. Furthermore, it is traceable to our other primate cousins, as well as mammalian, and even many so-called lower lifeforms.
Jacob Bronowski spoke of this in his BBC/PBS series The Ascent of Man in conjunction with his explanation of quantum theory, putting it into the political context of 1930's Europe. I posted an OP earlier this week on this.
Here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002714066
Unfortunately, DU missed my point, undoubtedly due to my inability to drive home my point.
The story-telling point is one of Bronowski's main focus in these programs. The political lesson we can take from these things -- which is something all of us here at DU can learn -- is that stories are a compelling way to portray ones message.
It is why programs like Ascent of Man and Carl Sagan's Cosmos were so great.
I think Obama and, especially, Biden have learned this. I see it every day in their speeches and public appearances.
Like Bronowski's last words in the AoM I cited, We have to touch people.
If we don't do that, we're hardly better than our opposition.
As always, thanks for your thoughtful response.
on edit: sorry for my usual rambling. 
light. I still chuckle at finding out my partner and BIL had their own separate relationship...getting together to watch a football game together. Good natured ribbing, each supporting one team or the other, snacks, etc - just what millions of folks do.
