Conservative Columnist: "Religion Is Killing The Republican Party"

[Jetdawgg]

By Kathleen Parker
Wednesday, November 19, 2008; 12:00 AM


[QUOTE]As Republicans sort out the reasons for their defeat, they likely will overlook or dismiss the gorilla in the pulpit.

Three little letters, great big problem: G-O-D.

I'm bathing in holy water as I type.

[B][COLOR="Red"]To be more specific, the evangelical, right-wing, oogedy-boogedy branch of the GOP is what ails the erstwhile conservative party and will continue to afflict and marginalize its constituents if reckoning doesn't soon cometh. [/COLOR][/B]

Simply put: Armband religion is killing the Republican Party. And, the truth -- as long as we're setting ourselves free -- is that if one were to eavesdrop on private conversations among the party intelligentsia, one would hear precisely that.

The choir has become absurdly off-key, and many Republicans know it.

But they need those votes!

So it has been for the Grand Old Party since the 1980s or so, as it has become increasingly beholden to an element that used to be relegated to wooden crates on street corners.

Short break as writer ties blindfold and smokes her last cigarette.
Which is to say, the GOP has surrendered its high ground to its lowest brows. In the process, the party has alienated its non-base constituents, including other people of faith (those who prefer a more private approach to worship), as well as secularists and conservative-leaning Democrats who otherwise might be tempted to cross the aisle.

[B][COLOR="red"]Here's the deal, 'pubbies: Howard Dean was right. [/COLOR][/B]

[B][COLOR="red"]It isn't that culture doesn't matter. It does. But preaching to the choir produces no converts. And shifting demographics suggest that the Republican Party -- and conservatism with it -- eventually will die out unless religion is returned to the privacy of one's heart where it belongs.[/COLOR][/B]

Religious conservatives become defensive at any suggestion that they've had something to do with the GOP's erosion. And, though the recent Democratic sweep can be attributed in large part to a referendum on Bush and the failing economy, three long-term trends identified by Emory University's Alan Abramowitz have been devastating to the Republican Party: increasing racial diversity, declining marriage rates and changes in religious beliefs.

[B][COLOR="red"]Suffice it to say, the Republican Party is largely comprised of white, married Christians. Anyone watching the two conventions last summer can't have missed the stark differences: One party was brimming with energy, youth and diversity; the other felt like an annual Depends sales meeting. [/COLOR][/B]

With the exception of Miss Alaska, of course.

Even Sarah Palin has blamed Bush policies for the GOP loss. She's not entirely wrong, but she's also part of the problem. Her recent conjecture about whether to run for president in 2012 (does anyone really doubt she will?) speaks for itself:

"I'm like, okay, God, if there is an open door for me somewhere, this is what I always pray, I'm like, don't let me miss the open door. Show me where the open door is.... And if there is an open door in (20)12 or four years later, and if it's something that is going to be good for my family, for my state, for my nation, an opportunity for me, then I'll plow through that door."

[B][COLOR="red"]Let's do pray that God shows Alaska's governor the door. [/COLOR][/B]

Meanwhile, it isn't necessary to evict the Creator from the public square, surrender Judeo-Christian values or diminish the value of faith in America. Belief in something greater than oneself has much to recommend it, including most of the world's architectural treasures, our universities and even our founding documents.

[B][COLOR="red"]But, like it or not, we are a diverse nation, no longer predominantly white and Christian. The change Barack Obama promised has already occurred, which is why he won. [/COLOR][/B]

[B][COLOR="red"]Among Jewish voters, 78 percent went for Obama. Sixty-six percent of under-30 voters did likewise. Forty-five percent of voters ages 18-29 are Democrats compared to just 26 percent Republican; in 2000, party affiliation was split almost evenly. [/COLOR][/B]

The young will get older, of course. Most eventually will marry, and some will become their parents. [B][COLOR="red"]But nonwhites won't get whiter. And the nonreligious won't get religion through external conversion. It doesn't work that way. [/COLOR][/B]

Given those facts, the future of the GOP looks dim and dimmer if it stays the present course. Either the Republican Party needs a new base -- or the nation may need a new party.

Kathleen Parker's e-mail address is [email]kparker@kparker.com[/email]. [/QUOTE]

[url]http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/18/AR2008111802886.html[/url]

[RutgersJetFan]

[QUOTE]Given those facts, the future of the GOP looks dim and dimmer if it stays the present course. Either the Republican Party needs a new base -- or the nation may need a new party. [/QUOTE]

:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:

[JetsFan2012]

I agree with the sentiment of this article. The Party has definitely lost its way throughout the course of the Bush admin.

[Jetdawgg]

For the duopoly to become a monopoly is not good for America

[King Ryan]

[QUOTE=Jetdawgg;2872030]For the duopoly to become a monopoly is not good for America[/QUOTE]

unless you realize it was already a monopoly, with two right wings, masquerading as a duopoly :yes:

[PlumberKhan]

[QUOTE=Tanginius;2872036]unless you realize it was already a monopoly, with two right wings, masquerading as a duopoly :yes:[/QUOTE]

Easy, Tan.

Everyone is still digesting the fact we just elected an Al Qaeda operative...

[Illinois Jets Fan]

The religious right won Bush two elections. I think it's the vocal fringe that's causing problems, not the vast majority of God-fearing people. Also, to equate Christianity with only white people is ridiculous, as there are tens of millions of non-white Christians in America.

[CTM]

[QUOTE=Illinois Jets Fan;2872071][B]The religious right won Bush two elections. I think it's the vocal fringe that's causing problems, not the vast majority of God-fearing people. [/B]Also, to equate Christianity with only white people is ridiculous, as there are tens of millions of non-white Christians in America.[/QUOTE]

Aided by the fact that Billy BJ the adulterer was just in office..

Kick em the f out I say!!!!

[Jetdawgg]

[QUOTE=Illinois Jets Fan;2872071]The religious right won Bush two elections. I think it's the vocal fringe that's causing problems, not the vast majority of God-fearing people. Also, to equate Christianity with only white people is ridiculous, as there are tens of millions of non-white Christians in America.[/QUOTE]

Obviously, the non-white ones don't vote republican

[Jetdawgg]

[QUOTE=Tanginius;2872036]unless you realize it was already a monopoly, with two right wings, masquerading as a duopoly :yes:[/QUOTE]

Funny:yes:

[MnJetFan]

[QUOTE=Jetdawgg;2872116]Obviously, the non-white ones don't vote republican[/QUOTE]

I know quite a few upper class Black and Latino that voted for Bush and McCain. In fact more Middle Eastern people voted McCain then Obama!

[parafly]

Religion kills many things.

[JetPotato]

[QUOTE=parafly;2873512]Religion kills many things.[/QUOTE]

Enough about the damn turkey video. Jeez.

[parafly]

[QUOTE=Guido Monzino;2873524]Enough about the damn turkey video. Jeez.[/QUOTE]

:D

[Warfish]

So the answer for Conservatives is to become Liberals, spend alot, pander to race and sex groups and abandon all social conservativism.

The old "if you can't beat them, join them" strategy. Brilliant!

[CTM]

[QUOTE=Warfish;2873533]So the answer for Conservatives is to become Liberals, spend alot, pander to race and sex groups and abandon all social conservativism.

The old "if you can't beat them, join them" strategy. Brilliant![/QUOTE]

Where did you get the spend a lot portion from?

[Warfish]

[QUOTE=CTM;2873551]Where did you get the spend a lot portion from?[/QUOTE]

This one isn't the only "conservative" to spout the "be even MORE like McCain" idea of winning elections in print and on radio. Most have also mentioned "start vastly spending on programs people want" as a prime goal, as well as "pander.....I mean undersaaaaand minorites plight and how conservatives caused it" as well.

I'm all for less faith in Conservativism, but these articles are jokes.

[PlumberKhan]

[QUOTE=Warfish;2873568]I'm all for less faith in Conservativism, but these articles are jokes.[/QUOTE]

Classic.

Classicness.

Classification.

[asuusa]

[QUOTE]It isn't that culture doesn't matter. It does. But preaching to the choir produces no converts. And shifting demographics suggest that the Republican Party -- and conservatism with it -- eventually will die out unless religion is returned to the privacy of one's heart where it belongs.[/QUOTE]

I guess ms. parker prefers religious hypocrites to the real thing?

[2009fatman]

[QUOTE=pauliec;2872027]I agree with the sentiment of this article. The Party has definitely lost its way throughout the course of the Bush admin.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. The Terry Schiavo case proved it.