Who started the myth that Democrats hate religious people?

I don't hate any religious people, unless and until they gain too much control of the government or society.

I have NO TRUCK with someone being religious, I like the idea of freedom of religion, and freedom from it at the same time, its a balance that must be kept.

Who started the myth that Democrats hate Christians? The republicans, that's who, starting in 1980, I was there, I remember it clearly.

THE REPUBLICANS STARTED THIS MYTH.

And they are still using it now

For the record, I'm an agnostic...

I constantly see "Religion is the opiate of the masses," "Your God is your imaginary friend," "religion is the basis of all evil in the world" here. It doesn't do us any good to put the good people of faith in the same category as the Faux Christians.

i personally believe God is on a par with santa claus, but that doesn't mean i "hat" christians.

it's my opinion, i'm entitled to it, just as christians are entitled to their OPINION that god exists.

pretty simple.

But you're not entitled to impose them on others any more than they're entitled to impose theirs on you. Or at the very least, you could treat them with courtesy.

Now, I'm not saying you have to respect silly claims about God creating the species or Jesus returning from the dead or Rapture or prayer healing or anything that violates the laws of science. Reasonable people of faith (and there are many, many of them) moved beyond that sort of thing ages ago. To paraphrase someone from the Episcopal church, "The tsunami was caused by plate tectonics. The spirit of God can be seen in the reaction of people who want to help."

I don't know if there's a God or not. If there is, He/She/It would "exist" outside the physical realm. But I'm not arrogant enough to claim to know everything about everything, so I treat intelligent people of faith with respect.

Falwell, Osama, and their ilk get the back of my hand (figuratively speaking).

might somehow have formed that impression and started a rumor. Can't imagine how.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll just go start a crusade and kill a few heretics.

Pathetic! True godwarriors slaughter thousands.

Maybe tomorrow I'll slaughter thousands. Now I'll just hvae to settle for... oh... two or three.

:)

Seriously, I don't hate anyone for their belief, assuming they don't cram it down my throat, but in the recent days of trying to teach Creationism as Science, I get a little testy. I do abhor ignorance (incuding my own), and frankly it often goes hand in hand - HOWEVER (before I get flamed) I also know a lot of extremely intelligent religious people, so even though I can't grasp how they reconcile that with belief in the irrational, it's their choice.

I do know that when I am wrong about something, I will admit it and apologize.

Redstone

.....and then spread it throughout the conservative base.:banghead:

How can we reach out to the two worst examples of evangelicals on the earth and their followers when they have historically pushed us away?

problem with fanatical partisans.

Like the Republican dude saying satan messed up his chances of getting elected.

Isn't that us?

And it also explains one very good reason why religion needs to steer clear of politics. Politics is a corrupt business and political people will always seek to pervert religion for their own ends. That much is true of both left and right. Therefore the two need to be kept separate for the sake of religion, because otherwise our religious values will inevitably be corrupted by politicians for the sake of their own lust for power.

I have a real problem imposing your faith -- or lack thereof -- on anyone. And I have no patience with people who use their religion to disregard scientific findings or to promote ignorance.

But there are plenty of intelligent people of faith who don't do those things.

As long as you don't use my tax dollars for your evangelism, and as long as you give me equal rights as an American even though I am not religious, have at it.

Some who may be described as further to the left actaully do seem to express hatred towards "fundies"- but in fairness, they express no more hatred than the fundies have aimed towards them/us. (That does not make it right)

The GOP/media does a good job of painting neutral, secular, pro-Establishment Clause Democrats as anti-God.

For lack of a better term "the far left" does a good job of playing into this stereotype by "hating them back."

I agree with those on this thread who suggest we should tone down our language- but I disagree if anyone is saying we should budge on supporting the Establishment Clause.

Doc

If they deserve it especially. The few bad evangelicals make the whole group look bad, its true.

With the stuff I said when I answered the door after they woke me up one Sunday morning.

Or the time I went around the crowd gathered around a street preacher and told each person separately that I had heard he'd been in prison for molesting little boys.

:evilgrin:

This is one area where, believe it or not, I believe we should use honey & not vinegar.

Now when we are talking about corrupt "televangelists" types- I think that one is pretty safe- as most true Christians & all moderates would agree with us about them.

The Republicans get away with it because they identify religious with fundamentalism which is more of Christian cult thing. Most folks don't know the difference.

We should make a concerted effort tell them. True Christians don't exploit their religious beliefs for power and profit as people like Dobson, Robertson, Land, and Falwell do. And as for the Catholic Church...don't get me started.

I may be mistaken, but I think Father Daniel Berrigan is still alive.

For certain strains of arch-Christianity, if you aren't being persecuted you aren't doing something right. They can't part with their chosen "oppressors", even if the whole world brought them candy and flowers and made their breakfast every day.

as I hang out with religious people from many different spiritual paths. Most all are Democrats, and those who aren't dislike Bush.

Most are like you describe, but some folks very close to me are of the fanatical persuasion and its like losing loved ones sometimes they are so deluded by dogma.

Mystics tend not to get involved in the "distinctions and differences". When one is in Unity, all that doesn't matter a whit. But maybe they tend to have cats because they aren't into dogma :D

Just read.

And anyone who doesnt toe their line is iced out of DU . They wont speak to ya anymore. Really silly . Like childen. Be careful or youll get iced ...

:)

a while back, that 'Hillary Hates God.'

Right-wing-hate-radio has had a bigger effect that most want to admit.

You're either a Wing-Nut or you hate God. Got it?

religious people to keep out of their lives yet many religious people want their faith to influence public policy. Some want a theocracy. Some want to live and let live and keep their religion to themselves.

It is my belief that the world as a whole would be better off without religion because of the negative things people do in the name of their religion.

I don't hate religious people, I hate the things some of them do.

;)

:shrug:

Enquiring minds want to know. THE OUTRAGE!!! :sarcasm:

That's where the rumor started. By religious people who were attacked for believing in an "imaginary friend".

Those two words can be construed a lot of different ways. The extremists, like those who are pushing for armageddon, are the ones who cause trouble, and that goes for any religion. It's the Christian Extremists in this country, believing they are forever persecuted, who started the lie as a way to gain power. I see them as dangerous because they want to control everything, impose their beliefs on us and force us to live according to their law (bible).

To each his own - that's how it should be. Believe whatever you want but leave me alone.

they must accuse progressives of being un-religious. They are cowards who didn't serve in wars they claim to have supported, so they must smear the service of the brave men and women who did go into harm's way. They have no morals, no ethics, no heart and no soul...so they must accuse others of being bankrupt in these areas.

It's their whole MO...fear, lies and smear...it's all they've got; Heaven knows they have accomplished NOTHING that isn't damaging to our nation. What they call accomplishments are actually disgraces.

They project onto others that of which they themselves are guilty.

...and Newt is the example that springs to mind...blathering about "family values" while divorcing his wife on her sickbed...then being delinquent on child support and alimony afterward...

hmmm...they rail against homosexuality, abortion, etc.

What we need is the dirt on them, and show what hypocrites they are.

And Jesus's whole philosophy was so liberal.

But they opened fire first! (classic rpg game =P )


On a serious note, yeah I never have a problem with religion / religious people.

Only when they make their way into gov't and try to push their "family values" on me.

..."Who does it serve?" Whose interests does it serve to divide the country along religious lines, class lines, racial lines -- who does it serve to divide the country?

Democrats have traditionally been the party of tolerance and inclusion, not the party of atheism. Inclusion and tolerance mean your religion (or lack thereof) is your own business. Of course your behavior in the world is built upon your most deeply held beliefs, whether you call them "morals" or "ethics."

And as to the canard about Democrats despising religion: Like you, I remember when it started. Like you, I remember when the campaign to make "liberal" a dirty word began as well. Newt Gingrich was in the thick of it, but he had plenty of help. I remember.

Hekate

When all of life is god profound,
insane dreamers unawakened no matter,
if all those insane are 6 billion,
minus a few who get it,
judgement comes from roots of fear,
fear those believers stand to take something from democrats,
and that thing is propriety, ego, selfishness and greed,
it is a thing that higher consciousness banishes in light,
and fear like cockroaches running from light,
the true light of god, the immaculate perfect allbeing of intelligent perfection,
the trying endeavours of man, sold by 1000 false prophets, a song of fear.

And the song of fear in no way changes the immortall perfection, and
the grace of a moment of grace and forgiveness, a moment of divine being in the liquid light.
And God is speaking now, is the voice in your head, the voice of your detractor,
and your judge, the writer, the play, the screen, and not god, not any of
those things, not an idea in your mind, no thing. at all.

And people of all politics hate that zeal, it is threatening that someone
would believe in a world of truth beyond the dissassociated nightmare they seek to dominate.
And back to the cultural narrative of christianity, where jesus christ is feared,
for what the true kingdom represents and threatens the establishment mammon of man
and the false prophets. (corporate fascism).

Just, in that zeal, is religion aimed inwardly, witnout violence, towards god, and
is a private thing, not something to use in government.

The "i" thought belongs to who? Surrender the illusion of self and discover
the kingdom... or don't. Free will to surrender to a lord beyond fear, how
threatening is THAT!

:-)

Like with many things, the right likes to take the opinion of a few ideologues in Acedamia and act as if though the average dems is just like them. Fellow non-religious people who bash religious people as morons or mentally disabled don't help. Another origin of the myth is the association of the Left with anti-religion resulting from Marxism.

I know that during the "Moral Majority" days and the Gipper's goons.

But do you recall anything specific?

We christians are under attack by secular humanists, and we found a voice in the republican party, etc. Plus several of my relatives were swept up in fundamentalism.

I don't hate religious people. I do, however, hate that politicians constantly have to pander to them by pretending to be religious themselves (if they are not). I hate the fact that the line separating church and state is eroding. I hate that I have to explain the Establishment Clause to people who ought to know that WE ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN NATION! I hate "creation science"; I hate the scientifically ignorant and intellectually dishonest. I hate that I have to keep explaining that forcing your religion on me or on someone else who does not want it is WRONG. I would have no problem with religious people if they kept it to themselves. Keep it out of government and that includes schools and the Pledge of Allegiance (which no one should have to recite with or without the "Under God" part).

working class and middle class to vote for their economic agenda

They started in on religion and abortion big in the 80's.

The repub elite don't give a shit about anything but money.

But they pander to the fundies and really make hay.

They're putting their own traits on us. We don't believe the whacko things that they do, yet they assume we're going to do the same thing they do: force our way of life on them.

Exhibit A

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=214

One of the great political lies of our time is the idea that the left is somehow more enlightened and tolerant then the right. Conceited and self righteous? Without a doubt yes but when it comes to walking the walk we just don't seem interested.

The attacks started back in the late 70s and early 80s. They really didn't start going with it until the Clinton years-it wasn't Reagan's style to be openly divisive in that way, and Bush I was not a religious conservative.

Having FOX news basically accusing everyone who prefers to wish people "Happy Holidays" over "Merry Christmas" of trying to steal christmas doesn't help.