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View Full Version : WIll Ron Paul Be The Candidate Of The Christian Right?




Sola_Fide
09-15-2010, 01:27 PM
From 2007, but still pertinent today. We Ron Paul supporters face an uphill battle in that we must convince the "Christian Right" that Ron Paul is their candidate in 2012... or there will never be a coalition put together big enough to win the Republican nomination.



In the typical presidential election, conservative Christians who have some understanding of the benefits of liberty and limited government and don’t blindly follow the Republican Party do one of three things: they don’t vote, they "waste" their vote on a third party, or else they hold their nose, close their eyes, stop their ears, and fight a gag reflex as they vote for the Republican candidate because they consider him to be the lesser of two evils. But most of these Christians have short memories, for when the lesser evil turns out to be just as evil as the greater evil, or sometimes even worse, they generally repeat the process all over again.

The newest individual to announce that he is seeking the Republican nomination for president is Ron Paul. He formally declared his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination on March 12, 2007, when he appeared as a guest on C-SPAN.

Ron Paul is a veteran. He is a physician. He currently represents the 14th district in Texas (south of Houston) in the U.S. House of Representatives, a seat which he has held since 1997. He previously represented Texas’s 22nd district in 1976 and again from 1979 to 1985. Dr. Paul was the Libertarian Party nominee for president in 1988. He is the former honorary chair of the Republican Liberty Caucus. He consistently scores a perfect 100 on The New American magazine’s "Conservative Index." He has received many awards and honors during his career in Congress from organizations such as the National Taxpayers Union, Citizens Against Government Waste, Council for a Competitive Economy, and Young Americans for Freedom.

But will he be the candidate of the Christian Right? By the Christian Right’s own criteria, their candidate ought to be Ron Paul.

Ron Paul is a man of faith. He is a Protestant Christian and a regular churchgoer.

Ron Paul is pro-life. As a specialist in obstetrics/gynecology, he has delivered more than 4,000 babies. Dr. Paul is not just an opponent of partial-birth abortion; he is an opponent of abortion itself. He is also opposed to federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

Ron Paul is a believer in family values. Unlike many Christian "leaders" and Republican politicians who have admitted to adulterous affairs and/or been married multiple times, Dr. Paul has been married to the same woman for fifty years. He and his wife have been blessed with five children and seventeen grandchildren.

Ron Paul is opposed to same-sex marriage. Although he doesn’t want to strip homosexuals of their civil rights, he has voted to prohibit federal funding for the joint adoption of a child between individuals who are not related by blood or marriage.

Ron Paul is a patriot. He served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force from 1963 to 1967. He opposes federal court jurisdiction over the question of whether the phrase "under God" should be included in the pledge of allegiance.

Ron Paul is opposed to unrestricted immigration. Because he believes that true citizenship requires cultural connections and an allegiance to the United States, he favors an end to birthright citizenship. And because he believes that it insults legal immigrants, he does not favor amnesty for illegal immigrants in any form. He opposes welfare state subsidies for illegal immigrants that alienate taxpayers and breed suspicion of immigrants. Dr. Paul also believes that all federal government business should be conducted in English.

Ron Paul is opposed to gun control. Not only does he believe that gun control makes people demonstrably less safe, he also thinks it’s a myth that gun control reduces crime. Representative Paul introduced legislation in Congress that would have repealed waiting periods and instant background checks.

Ron Paul is a strict constitutionalist. He never votes for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution. He has consistently voted to lower or abolish federal taxes, spending, and regulation. Congressman Paul was recently recognized, for the tenth year in a row, as a "Taxpayer’s Friend" by the National Taxpayers Union.

Ron Paul is opposed to the United Nations. He has introduced legislation to withdraw the United States from the UN. Dr. Paul believes that the UN is rife with corruption. It serves as a forum for rampant anti-Americanism. Instead of being reformed, the UN needs to be renounced. Dr. Paul is against any kind of world government or new world order.

Ron Paul is the premier advocate for liberty in politics today. He believes in absolute religious and political liberty for all Americans. He strongly supports private property rights. He believes that government exists to protect the life, liberty, and property of its citizens.

But even though he appears to live up to the usual criteria of the Christian Right, the question still remains: Will Ron Paul be the candidate of the Christian Right?

As a Christian, I admire Dr. Paul’s principled stand on many issues, but I don’t believe the leadership of the Christian Right will embrace him. I think they love centralization more than federalism. I think they love political power more than liberty. I think they love war more than peace. I think they love politicians more than principles. I think they love faith-based socialism more than the free market. And I think they love the state more than God Almighty.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/vance/vance109.html





The italicized at the end is absolutely true! This is the obstacle that must be overcome by many on the "Christian right" today: their ignorance of liberty, and their love of the State as opposed to God.


Being a Christian (and former neocon) myself, I can tell you that the message of Liberty became real to me when I was shown that I was putting the State before God. I was putting my faith in the State social planners rather than private institutions and the individual. I was putting my trust in a financial system that is based on inflationary theft and debasement, which is a sin. This is a very potent argument to make to a Christian...take it from me.

Vessol
09-15-2010, 01:30 PM
Many Christians will and have already embraced him. The mainstream Christian right will not however. They enjoy trying to legislate and enforce their values on others too much.

Sola_Fide
09-15-2010, 02:04 PM
Many Christians will and have already embraced him. The mainstream Christian right will not however. They enjoy trying to legislate and enforce their values on others too much.



I think that is a rather limited view of mainstream Christianity. If there was ever a time that "mainstream" Christians are waking up to the idea of Liberty, it is now.

This is a case we have to make to them or Ron Paul will never be nominated in the Republican Party. In fact, if I were in charge of Ron's campaign in 2012, I would be targeting the family groups and the churches. If mainstream Christians don't understand that the truly "conservative" position is Federalism and individual Liberty, then all of this grass roots activism won't result in victory. They are target number one IMO.

Toureg89
09-15-2010, 02:07 PM
+1 to above

oyarde
09-15-2010, 02:07 PM
Persons of any faith should be attracted to R. Paul's ideals . If you are a person of real , sincer faith , Liberty should be a priority .

oyarde
09-15-2010, 02:09 PM
Many Christians will and have already embraced him. The mainstream Christian right will not however. They enjoy trying to legislate and enforce their values on others too much.

Those issues that divide are irrelevent if you keep emphasizing the fact that they are state issues .

Sola_Fide
09-15-2010, 02:12 PM
Those issues that divide are irrelevent if you keep emphasizing the fact that they are state issues .

Exactly. 100%

sofia
09-15-2010, 02:13 PM
the huge Israel worshipping element of the "Christian Right" will never accept him....

Justinjj1
09-15-2010, 02:19 PM
Ron Paul should distance himself from the "Christian Right" as much as possible. I really enjoyed when he went on Fox News and dropped that Sinclair Lewis quote “When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”

He should not all of the suddent start pandering to extreme social conservatives, he would probably turn more people off than he would turn on. Besides, they are not near as strong and as cohesive a voting bloc as in the past.

Sola_Fide
09-15-2010, 02:23 PM
the huge Israel worshipping element of the "Christian Right" will never accept him....


There is a growing sentiment in mainstream Christianity that Zionism is wrong. Covenentalism is beginning to be embraced and Dispensationalism is starting to wane.


This is why understanding theological movements is so vital for all of us (including the atheists who support Ron).


http://www.stephensizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/cz.jpg

"Stephen Sizer has written a masterly book on a controversial subject. Some of us have soaked up teaching about Christian Zionism from the footnotes of a Schofield Reference Bible or from Hal Lindsey's bestseller The Late Great Planet Earth, or from the leaders of certain Christian tours to Israel. Probably we have read very little that critically examines its basic assumptions. Sizer sets out to evaluate Christian Zionism critically from a biblical and historical perspective… Sizer's clear thinking, scholarly and reverent critique of Christian Zionism certainly needs to be read alongside the Scriptures, with the utmost seriousness." Canon Gordon Bridger, former Principal of Oak Hill College, 1987-96, (author of The Man from Outside, A Day that Changed the World, Bible Study Commentary 1 Corinthians-Galatians).

Brett85
09-15-2010, 02:24 PM
Ron Paul should distance himself from the "Christian Right" as much as possible. I really enjoyed when he went on Fox News and dropped that Sinclair Lewis quote “When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”

He should not all of the suddent start pandering to extreme social conservatives, he would probably turn more people off than he would turn on. Besides, they are not near as strong and as cohesive a voting bloc as in the past.

Yeah. Ron needs to pander to the huge atheist voting block in the Republican Party.

Sola_Fide
09-15-2010, 02:29 PM
Ron Paul should distance himself from the "Christian Right" as much as possible. I really enjoyed when he went on Fox News and dropped that Sinclair Lewis quote “When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”

He should not all of the suddent start pandering to extreme social conservatives, he would probably turn more people off than he would turn on. Besides, they are not near as strong and as cohesive a voting bloc as in the past.



This is the dumbest thing I have heard yet on this website. Seriously...



I didn't say Ron should pander to them, I said he should target them for conversion to Liberty.


The Tea Party (which is largely Christian) is being stolen from the Ron Paul Revolution by the establishment. We need to target it and steal it back.

oyarde
09-15-2010, 02:29 PM
the huge Israel worshipping element of the "Christian Right" will never accept him....

Not sure of that . To get a feel , maybe a large National poll on some specific foreign policy questions . I think over half the country would , while expressing personal support of Israel , understand our need for more limited involvment. I also think we may find half the country would support more limited involvment and money in foreign aid etc. . Half the country is enough to win . Obama had 52 %.

Sola_Fide
09-15-2010, 02:29 PM
Yeah. Ron needs to pander to the huge atheist voting block in the Republican Party.



Exactly...:)

Thomas
09-15-2010, 02:38 PM
flyer/mail for iowa

silentshout
09-15-2010, 02:41 PM
Ron Paul should distance himself from the "Christian Right" as much as possible. I really enjoyed when he went on Fox News and dropped that Sinclair Lewis quote “When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”

He should not all of the suddent start pandering to extreme social conservatives, he would probably turn more people off than he would turn on. Besides, they are not near as strong and as cohesive a voting bloc as in the past.

I agree.

silentshout
09-15-2010, 02:42 PM
Yeah. Ron needs to pander to the huge atheist voting block in the Republican Party.

Yeah, since not liking the Christian right and their penchant for controlling others makes one an atheist...:rolleyes:

anaconda
09-15-2010, 02:47 PM
The real key is if the Christian right can be turned to see that foreign wars are planned by the elite for nefarious reasons. We need christian fundamentalist leaders to step up and make this case loud and clear. Reinforce with the "all people are god's children" approach.

Brett85
09-15-2010, 02:47 PM
Yeah, since not liking the Christian right and their penchant for controlling others makes one an atheist...:rolleyes:

I don't know what protecting innocent human life has to do with "controlling others."

tangent4ronpaul
09-15-2010, 02:49 PM
Those issues that divide are irrelevent if you keep emphasizing the fact that they are state issues .

Exactly!

Which is why this is such a horrible idea. Dr Paul tried to court the Christian right last time and as to abortion in particular, he went on about his personal views at length than mentioned thet the fed gvmt shouldn't be involved as an an afterthought. We lost TONS of Dem and Independent support because of it.

Don't to that again!

-t

Justinjj1
09-15-2010, 02:50 PM
I just found that clip, haven't seen it in a while. I love Doocey's stuttering reaction at the end.

YouTube - Ron Paul on Fox & Friends (PT.1of2) 12-18-07 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrkltetQ0x4)

oyarde
09-15-2010, 02:53 PM
Exactly!

Which is why this is such a horrible idea. Dr Paul tried to court the Christian right last time and as to abortion in particular, he went on about his personal views at length than mentioned thet the fed gvmt shouldn't be involved as an an afterthought. We lost TONS of Dem and Independent support because of it.

Don't to that again!

-t

If I am running for President , my personal view on gay marriage is irrelevent , state issue . My personal view on Gays in the military is irrelevent, I am leaving that to the professional military commanders to determine what is best for them,my personal view on abortion is irrelevant , state issue .

oyarde
09-15-2010, 02:54 PM
I am available for staff work , maybe .

oyarde
09-15-2010, 02:55 PM
Those three issues are the big three dividers. They are irrelevent.There is a process in place for them where it should be .

Sola_Fide
09-15-2010, 02:57 PM
Exactly!

Which is why this is such a horrible idea. Dr Paul tried to court the Christian right last time and as to abortion in particular, he went on about his personal views at length than mentioned thet the fed gvmt shouldn't be involved as an an afterthought. We lost TONS of Dem and Independent support because of it.

Don't to that again!

-t

Um. You need to brush up on your history bro. Conservatives used to champion Federalism. Conservative Christians used to want the Federal government OUT of schools, out of their religious life, etc.

LDA
09-15-2010, 03:00 PM
the huge Israel worshipping element of the "Christian Right" will never accept him....

This. Unfortunately, many neo-conservatives are driven by the belief that Jewish people are "God's chosen people," and that we must protect Israel in order to recieve God's blessing.

libertybrewcity
09-15-2010, 03:01 PM
Many Christians will and have already embraced him. The mainstream Christian right will not however. They enjoy trying to legislate and enforce their values on others too much.

The right including the Republicans and Tea Party IS the mainstream. Look at all the Tea Party candidates from Angle to Rubio to Rand Paul. They are all social conservatives. The Christian right is possibly the largest voting block in the nation comprising of 25% of the populace.

Many Christians have embraced him, however, will the LEADERS of the religious right embrace. That is who the Christians take their orders from.

If Ron Paul can get his record out, he will have a chance. If not, Huckabee will take the cake. Many Christians/Republicans in general think RP is pro-choice.

libertybrewcity
09-15-2010, 03:02 PM
If I am running for President , my personal view on gay marriage is irrelevent , state issue . My personal view on Gays in the military is irrelevent, I am leaving that to the professional military commanders to determine what is best for them,my personal view on gay marriage is irrelevant , state issue .

You can dodge the question and say it is a state's issue, but in time you will be forced to take a stance on it. Many voters want to know up front where you stand on it, either yes or no. That is the reality of it.

oyarde
09-15-2010, 03:06 PM
You can dodge the question and say it is a state's issue, but in time you will be forced to take a stance on it. Many voters want to know up front where you stand on it, either yes or no. That is the reality of it.

I would say " it is not something I would personally do , but it is up to the states"

Southron
09-15-2010, 03:06 PM
Many Christians/Republicans in general think RP is pro-choice.

I notice this too. If he runs again he should make his pro-life stance a bigger issue.

LibertyEagle
09-15-2010, 03:07 PM
Um. You need to brush up on your history bro. Conservatives used to champion Federalism. Conservative Christians used to want the Federal government OUT of schools, out of their religious life, etc.

That's right!

oyarde
09-15-2010, 03:09 PM
I notice this too. If he runs again he should make his pro-life stance a bigger issue.

I do not know , each social conservative you pick up there , you could lose an independant .

oyarde
09-15-2010, 03:11 PM
Yeah. Ron needs to pander to the huge atheist voting block in the Republican Party.

I am unaware of this huge block ?