Is the Religious Right in America Dead?

[rug]

By AUSCS, Fri, November 16, 2012

I recommend that Americans not exaggerate the Religious Right’s power but don’t underestimate it either.

The role of the Religious Right in the Republican Party and national political life is under a lot of scrutiny these days.

Everyone from Ralph Reed and Richard Land to Billy Graham and Tony Perkins did everything in their considerable power to steer the election to Mitt Romney and other Republican candidates, and they failed miserably. These folks even lost a string of referenda on issues such as taxpayer funding of religion, reproductive rights and marriage equality.

As a result of these losses, some pundits and prognosticators are declaring the fundamentalist political movement to be yesterday’s news. Few are pronouncing the Religious Right “undeniably and reliably” dead this time (as has happened often in the past). But respected analysts are finding it mighty sickly.

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/religion/christianity/quadrennial-question-religious-right-positively-absolutely-dead

[cbayer]

1. I don't think they are dead, by any means, but they are losing their power.

They are threatening to bolt? Where do they say they are going to go? Democratic? I doubt it.

There is an article I posted today about redefining the term "evangelical". IMO, it's important to begin distinguishing between evangelicals and fundamentalists. While they have some things in common, I think more evangelicals are democrats. Per the article, white evangelicals comprised 8% of Obama's vote. I would bet these are the *new* evangelicals and not the fundamentalists.

[rug]

2. No, but this statement is promising:

According to Religion News Service, the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) has concluded that relying on white Christian voters will never again spell national electoral success -- especially for the GOP. PRRI released a survey yesterday about religion’s role in the presidential race.

[cbayer]

4. Yes, imo that is very good news.

[struggle4progress]

3. I'll believe they're gone when we haven't heard much from them for a good long time

"A few days" is not my notion of "a good long time"

[rug]

5. I agree but there's little question their aggressive social agenda was soundly rejected.

Consolidating on this is key.

[Obamamama44]

6. Please 8 lb baby Jesus please!!!!! nt

[rug]

7. 8 lbs?

Aweigh in a Manger

[AndyTiedye]

8. Too Many Robber Barons WANT a Theocracy

They know that under the current system they can only squeeze the rest of us so hard before the people rebel.
A theocracy is absolutely immune to popular rebellion, no matter how repressive it becomes.
No theocracy has EVER fallen to a popular rebellion, in all of recorded history.
This is very attractive to the Koch brothers and some of the other robber barons.

It is argued that the robber barons would not want to live under a theocracy themselves.
They would not have to. They would live ABOVE it, like the sheikhs of Saudi Arabia.

[dimbear]

9. These are supernatural things. They have more lives than Freddy Krueger. n/t

[DakotaLady]

10. This topic got my attention ...

... and my response is - Oh I hope so.

[rug]

11. Welcome to DU!

[DakotaLady]

12. Thank you ...

... after years of lurking decided it was time. I'm still a tad hesitant.

[cbayer]

17. Welcome to DU and to the religion group, DakotaLady.

[edhopper]

13. No

The rank and file of the GOP IS the religious right. And as they contract it will get more so.

[skepticscott]

14. Exactly

The religious right still owns the Republican party, right down to their gonads. No Republican who matters will openly support gay rights, abortion rights, or clear separation of church and state.

[okasha]

15. Wounded, perhaps,

but still on its feet and likely to be the more dangerous for the damage.

[cbayer]

16. Agree. I heard some of their leadership interviewed this week.

They are going to ramp up their efforts both locally and nationally for the next elections. They felt they were outspent and argued that the gains that were made against them weren't real.

The stick in their eye has made at least some of them more angry.