Self-identified “evangelical/born again” Americans are still conservative in terms of their social views, but are shifting their concerns left to more “liberal” issues, found a new Beliefnet poll.
Instead of abortion and gay “marriage” being the top two issues for evangelicals, the economy, reducing poverty, and improving the health care system are now some of the “most important” or “very important” concerns for evangelicals.
The economy and cleaning up the government were most often chosen by evangelical respondents (85 percent) as the “most important” or “very important” issue in the Beliefnet poll conducted Jan. 17-23 on 980 evangelicals or born-again Christians.
Following close behind was reducing poverty (80 percent) and improving public education/access to health care (78 percent), which came in third.
Surprisingly, protecting the environment (70 percent) and ending torture (68 percent) rounded off the top five most important issues to evangelicals.
The two topics were at the center of a contentious debate among evangelicals last year when Christian right leaders accused the National Association of Evangelicals of becoming too liberal when it supported environmental activism and adopted a torture statement.
Based on the Beliefnet poll, evangelicals are more concerned about the environment and ending torture than ending abortion (61 percent) and stopping gay “marriage” (49 percent), as the conservative leaders preferred.
But this is not to say evangelicals have abandoned their conservative views or forsaken their Christian Right leaders. A solid majority (65 percent) said that Christian Right leaders sometimes or almost always represent their views.
Moreover, an overwhelming number (80 percent) said Christian Right leaders represented their views on defending religion in public life moreso than their views on “opposing gay ‘marriage’/gay rights.”
Despite their surprising priority of issues, 47 percent of the evangelical respondents describe themselves as conservative versus 14 percent who said they are liberal. Almost 80 percent said they attended church weekly or more, and 84 percent said the Bible is the “inerrant word of God.”
Nearly half of respondents said they had become less positive about both major political parties, but a much higher number said they had become less positive about Republicans.
Almost 60 percent said they favored a more progressive evangelical agenda focused on protecting the environment, tackling HIV/AIDS, and alleviating poverty and less on abortion and homosexuality.
In terms of the presidential race, 28 percent of evangelical respondents preferred Mike Huckabee, more than any other Republican candidate. But John McCain had surprisingly strong support at 21 percent. In terms of favorability, 55 percent had a positive view of Huckabee while 53 percent held positive views of McCain.
Just seven percent of evangelicals said they preferred Mitt Romney, which Beliefnet noted might be due to his Mormon faith.
On the Democratic side, evangelicals far preferred Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton, 31 percent to 12 percent. Eighteen percent preferred John Edwards and 33 percent were undecided.
Interestingly, 27 percent of evangelicals said Obama’s religious views would make them less likely to vote for him, while 22 percent said Clinton’s faith made them less likely to support her.
Only a third of evangelicals said religion was playing too big of a role in the presidential election, compared to two-thirds that said it was not.
The Beliefnet poll was promoted through its website and newsletters. Respondents were not told the poll was about evangelicals, but the organizers compiled responses from those who said they were “evangelical or born again.”
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<<On the topic of "liberal" issues, I believe that it's important to care for the homeless and do what we can to feed, clothe and shelter them. We need to be good stewards of the environment out of respect for God's wonderful creation. We need to improve eduation and the environments in which are kids learn, to eliminate guns, prejudice, and increase free speech and thought in the classroom (i.e. Our kids should be able to discuss God in school if they want to). >>
Funny, but the word of God in the Book of ACTS chapter 2, says that the FIRST Church of the Followers of JESUS(the earliest congregation of believers) did the following:
They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread [c] and prayed together.
Life among the Lord's Followers
43Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. 44All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had.
45They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it.
46Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread [d] together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely,
47while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.
MODERN Christians have completely lost sight of the ACTS and spend their time harping against homosexuals, fighting against civil rights and spending their money on ministries which yeild speratism and divison. Study the abuses that TBN, Focus on the Family, The FRC, The AFA and other false morality policers have done- do they further God's Kingdom? Do they really help anybody but their leaders and staff? NO!
Our politics are really messed up, I honestly believe that the democratic economic policies (so long as they are not abused) are closer to a Christian perspective, but their position on abortion gay marriage etc. is markedly against it. I keep hearing all of this junk about the candidate who is going to "unite" the parties. This is just impossible. How on earth will they do this? Almost every single issue, Republicans and Democrats say the exact opposite answer. Republicans say cut taxes, Dems say raise taxes, Rep. say finish war, Dem say get out as soon as possible, Abortion and gay marriage, exact opposites. Nearly every issue is so separated.
“Does your favorite candidate promote biblical values? Does the candidate endorse scriptural teachings on marriage, prayer, and the VALUE OF LIFE AT CONCEPTION— or deny the validity of the same? What does he or she say about Jesus? If a candidate does not believe JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN, he or she simply cannot be a Christian.
A candidate can talk till blue in the face about his or her Christianity, but if that candidate doesn’t believe what the Bible says about our Savior, he or she is in essence an unbeliever. Candidates would be wise to learn about the Savior before claiming to be a member of the Body of Christ. Meanwhile, Christian voters would be wise to make sure they are supporting true believers.” From “Finding Soul Brothers” http://findingsoulbrothers.com
God has basically sent one man in this campaign to return us to a nation of law abiders, from a nation of lawbreakers. A man who will follow Romans 13 by following our King, the Constitution, first and foremost.
God is giving us a chance to restore our laws, repent of our evil ways, and a opportunity for healing in our land.
If we want revival in America it will have to start with restoring individual freedoms as guarranteed by Constitutional law. We will have to elect leaders who will follow the law. Not just pay lipservice to the law.
America also has to understand the Constitution is our King, our leader, our guiding light in America. Our leaders must obey it.
For ex. Life is guarranteed by law, you can't abort babies. By Law, guns are allowed to be owned, you can't place a ban on them. Simple laws we simply are not obeying.
If we don't follow the law, we won't have revival or healing in our land.
Why do the editors at Christian Post insist on putting the word "marriage" in quotes when referring to gay marriage? Whether you agree with it or not, gay marriages are legal and do exist in Massachussets, Canada and several other countries. Placing the word in quotes seems quite juvenile to me. I can just see the editors banging on their high chairs.
There is no god; if you believe in a god then you are deluded. Free your mind from such antiquated rubbish and join the 21st century.
>> Only a third of evangelicals said religion was playing too big of a role in the presidential election, compared to two-thirds that said it was not. <<
When considering the number of evangelicals in the country today, that still a LOT of people. What many don't understand is that we are not choosing our candidates because they like the same movies or eat the same breakfast cerial. God is bigger than that, and the moral beliefs He instills in us and guides us on should be the first deciding factor of who we choose to be our national voice. Our views on "religious" topics and governmental issues are NOT mutually exclusive. Political views are a subset of our moral views, and a president's moral character will determine the decisions s/he makes for the best interests of those s/he represents.
On the topic of "liberal" issues, I believe that it's important to care for the homeless and do what we can to feed, clothe and shelter them. We need to be good stewards of the environment out of respect for God's wonderful creation. We need to improve eduation and the environments in which are kids learn, to eliminate guns, prejudice, and increase free speech and thought in the classroom (i.e. Our kids should be able to discuss God in school if they want to). Dealing with these issues first hand as sincerely as we feel them in our hearts will also benefit our credibility to unbelievers, without having to sugarcoat the Gospel. We should still TELL IT LIKE IT IS.
But, we should do this in tandem with the issues we've always held in the utmost importance. Abortion should definitely not be ignored. How we "define" and view life as a nation will affect our respect for eachother and the rest of the world. Homosexuality is a sinful curse that many are victim to, but to be honest ... I'm not sure it's the most important issue of the day, except in the context of keeping the marriage sacrament pure. My conservative views have not changed on the matter. However, besides simply listing same-sex lusts as only one sexual immorality among many, God's Word calls all immorality ... immoral. (Can't get simpler than that, I guess).
Dear God, now that I've told everybody my thoughts on what we "should" do, please fill "me" with the Holy Spirit, for the sake of Your Son, Lord Jesus Christ, and help to follow through on more of these things. I confess to all that I have sinned in my neglect. Your Will Be Done. Amen.