How the hell does Bush do so well among Protestants?

[George_Bonanza]

I'd like to blame it all on arch-conservative fundamentalists, but they can't be that influential and large.

Is it because he's a born again? Naturally, many fundamentalists will see him as one of their own and support him unwaveringly. But what about the moderate-to-liberal sects, like the Presbyterian Church USA (who recently made some very left-wing statements regarding Israel), or the United Church? Or how about the Anglicans?

If anybody has an explanation, I'd like to hear it. Is it all because of fundamentalists that the polls are skewered, or is it a broad sentiment across?

[enki23]

1. because "protestants" means "anything but catholic"

and it includes the large and growing portion of the population that is affiliated with extreme christian fundamentalist churches.

[amber dog democrat]

3. Dont forget the Calvinists

theye'd like him too.

[The Hair in my Nose]

12. Calvinists like him...

.... because they have no choice. It was predestined.

[amber dog democrat]

14. Good one!

welcome aboard , Hair.

[JVS]

8. bingo

[TexasSissy]

17. The Catholics like *, too. Bush has a strong lead in Catholic Louisiana.

Earlier it was looking like Louisiana could go either way, but it has settled into almost as strong a lead as * has in Texas, his "home state." And La. has lots and lots of Catholics.

[blackcat77]

2. As an ex-fundie, I think the secret is....

That these folks are taught to accept what they're told and not to think about it too much. That's the way they handle their fairh -- I was actually kicked out of a church for asking questions the pastor couldn't answer -- and that's they way they treat Bush as well.

"God created the world in six days. It's true because the bible says so and if you question it, you're a tool of Satan, spreading lies."

"Saddam had WMDs. It's true because Bush says so and if you question it, you're a tool of the terrorists, spreading lies."

[soothsayer]

4. That's the same reason spy agencies are full of Catholics

We are taught not to question those in authority, so it's ideal for just keeping one's nose down and eyes averted and operating in the dark.

[amber dog democrat]

15. Sympathy for the Devil

If I were Satan, I would be creating fundamentalist churches - and spreading unquestioning intolerance and dogma.

What questions were you asking? Just wondering.

[ButterflyBlood]

5. white Protestants are always heavily Republican

since born again fundies make up about 20% of the population, they probably make up around half of Protestants, so that's one reason. And another reason is naturally all WASPs fall into this category, so they tend to be higher economically and don't have Democratic traditions.

I myself am a white Protestant actually, but I'm a big exception. Of course, from what I've heard my state Minnesota is actually an exception, Protestants are more Dem than Catholics, mainly because most here are Scandinavian Lutherans not WASP fundies.

[George_Bonanza]

6. What's the stance by the Presbyterian Church USA?

Their roots lie in Calvinism (although I think they largely moved away from most of his teachings), but their views are pretty liberal. I would be seriously disappointed if they supported Bush.

[ButterflyBlood]

7. no church can "support" either candidate

they would lose their tax exempt status if they were to come out and all out endorse a candidate. Of course some denominations like the Southern Baptists come as close as possible to crossing that legal line without actually doing so, but most liberal churches stay out of that altogether. I doubt the Presbyterian Church USA has done much politicking at all.

[IconoclastIlene]

9. Because most of them are rich, grim visaged

decendents of the puritans who would have deprived the very freedoms that America provided, if they had had their way.

In the same type and manner that if King George would do if he should get his way.

He is a monarchist. Some folks like that form of government, apparently.

This by the people, for the people, simply bores them.

[George_Bonanza]

10. I figured it out

If you take Evangelical White Protestants out of the mix, then White Protestants register at basically 50-50, similar to other Christians like Catholics. Black Protestants are overhwhelmingly Democratic, something like 80-20, similar along Jewish lines. So if you exclude those dastardly Evangelical White Protestants, then you achieve a pretty good balance of opinion.

[poliguru]

11. Too much misinformation

Many Protestants are nervous about Kerry because he is Catholic, and they think Catholics are idiots. Don't believe me? Look at some of the posts around here bashing Ctholics.

Also, his Hebrew background is a no-no with some Protestants, mainly the more uneducated ones. Catholics aren't so bothered by Judaism.

[DaveSZ]

13. Re: Minnesota

Do you think the Scandinavian heritage of Minnesota has lead to its liberalish traditions?

[poliguru]

16. Possibly

I'm in no way claiming to be an expert in particular religions and attitudes - I just posted my personal observations.

[opihimoimoi]

18. Its the WASP syndrome.....