Chasing the Wind

10 responses to “Didn't Change Mind; Still Dislike the Left”

1. 

   Kevin

   September 25, 2008 at 11:33 pm

   Apparently you neglected this study from the American Psychological Association (a bona fide education institution): Political Conservatism as Motivated Social Cognition (http://www.why-war.com/files/politicalconservatism.pdf). It’s findings are basically that “the core ideology of conservatism stresses resistance to change and justification
   of inequality and is motivated by needs that vary situationally and dispositionally to manage uncertainty
   and threat.”

   As a devoted Christian, I find it uncomfortable that fear of anything other than God would motivate opinions or policy. (And do not tell me that fear of God forms the basis of conservative immigration policy.) Remember the fruits of the Spirit, which don’t include conservative or liberal in their description.

   And honestly, Democrats don’t dislike conservatives; they are only expressing frustration in what appears to be counter-common sense.

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2. 

   Kevin

   September 26, 2008 at 1:59 am

   P.S. Forgot to add that I enjoyed your Freudian slip in your quote: After all, Democrats stand for so many things Americans hold dear, things like: purging all references to God from the public square …

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3. 

   Michael

   September 26, 2008 at 10:32 am

   I wouldn’t say I “neglected” a study I’d never heard. Still, I give little credence to left-wing people’s criticism of right-wing people. And I would agree with your assessment that Christian faith is neither liberal nor conservative, but it’s my experience that many liberal positions, such as right-to-life, are not compatible with biblical teachings.

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4. 

   Kevin

   September 26, 2008 at 5:42 pm

   I know this is an old post (in fact, I found your blog looking for the study I shared w/ you), so I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

   Last couple of points though:

   1. Like Peter denying Jesus, you’re backing away from something because of what the implications might be. It’s much easier to denigrate an entire group of people than to confront what they have to say – the trait of resistance to change. (Are you also implying that intelligent, educated or scientific individuals are automatically all liberal – definitely not a compliment to conservatives.) Last, this is a research study, not a criticism. Because conservatives as a group tend demonstrate a homogenous philosophy and characterization, scientists wanted to know what spurs that sameness. (Don’t quote me, but I believe they said it was more difficult to study traits and motivations in liberals because of their heterogeneity.) Unfortunately, your canned response didn’t really shed any new light on how conservatives think of themselves in these terms; on the contrary, it rather buttressed the study’s findings. But I’ll keep looking for those conservatives that think outside of the ideological box.

   2. If your idea of liberalism and the right-to-life issue subscribes to the conservative prejudice, then I already know what your thinking. However, as prejudices are, it’s not correct. Liberals don’t relish abortions, quite the opposite – the majority believe it’s not the best solution to a personal problem, but should be available, and that education and contraception are the real answers in preventing unwanted pregnancies.

   Bad day to bring up right to life. I was up wayyyyy too late doing study on this exact topic, and I’ve made some rather surprising counter-culture findings. The Bible actually teaches that causing the death of the unborn is not murder; it is theft. And in turn also teaches that while life may begin at conception, sovereign human (add emphasis there) life doesn’t begin until birth. I don’t have my Bible here nor my references (if interested let me know), but my studies originated in Leviticus and Judaic law (I’ve got to say, well … duh).

   Well, thank you again for your time. May the Spirit we have been blessed with continue to guide and teach you, revealing the wonders and majesty of the Father.

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5. 

   Michael

   September 30, 2008 at 9:08 am

   It’s an old post, Kevin, but my feelings haven’t changed. I feel the liberal left lies to pretend they are like me, then when they no longer need people like me, they attack and belittle people like me. Examples include religious faith. During the 2000 and 2004 elections, “red states” were widely ridiculed that evangelists and people of faith overwhelmingly voted Republican. In 2008, a great deal is made of Obama’s faith, but if he wins the election, I have no doubt further restrictions on the freedom of speech and expressions of religion will be put in place. Same for right-to-life, immigration issues, limited government, welfare, and defense issues. Liberals even try to pretend they are not liberals because they know it has such a negative connotation. This year, they’re calling themselves “progressives.” Conservatives proudly call themselves conservatives.

   Ascribing my beliefs to prejudism won’t help you justify liberalism to me.

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6. 

   Kevin

   September 30, 2008 at 3:23 pm

   Before anything else is said, I have to say I get a kick out of Christian-bashers. They used to bother me, as a Christian, but no more. They have become a religion unto themselves, but with skewed observations and thoroughly trite comments. So I really can’t deny any belittlement from a group of people (I have heard self-described conservatives engaging in the same, but not quite in the same numbers).

   However, I don’t really think you meant to say that people of faith voted Republican just because liberals made fun of them. But I’d be more pissed off as a conservative, this administration courted the “religious right” with promises of faith-based initiatives, even as far as inviting them to the White House, and then screwing them over by giving them nothing … nada … zip. Political conservative are equally culpable when it comes to making fun of “religious” people (even so far that a handful of them were laughing hysterically during the above meeting because they knew there was no money in it).

   I think “fighting the good fight” includes taking the stance God has shown despite the slings & arrows (even from the same side). Good grief, think of the sling & arrows just within the Church itself.

   As for Obama, let us memorialize this moment. I’d like to know what has led you to believe that further restrictions would ensue. Even if, as a country, we would never put up with it. Even Bush could only get away with it for so long (unfortunately, after damage had already been done).

   Liberals are not pretending to be anything but. It’s just that in current parlance has become so polluted w/ prejudice and untruth that it connotes something that liberals are not. The only time I hear euphemisms are in the media at large.

   Jab: Nothing else says staid and staunch like conservative. What other word would ever suffice?

   Finally, no one can justify liberalism (the philosophy, not the prejudice). It does it on it’s own. It remains viable, persistent, and yes, even Biblical at times.

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7. 

   Kevin

   September 30, 2008 at 3:26 pm

   Didn’t get to edit the above.

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8. 

   Michael

   October 1, 2008 at 1:50 pm

   However, I don’t really think you meant to say that people of faith voted Republican just because liberals made fun of them. But I’d be more pissed off as a conservative, this administration courted the “religious right” with promises of faith-based initiatives, even as far as inviting them to the White House, and then screwing them over by giving them nothing … nada … zip. Political conservative are equally culpable when it comes to making fun of “religious” people (even so far that a handful of them were laughing hysterically during the above meeting because they knew there was no money in it).

   I agree with you; and no, people of faith don’t vote Republican because liberals make fun of them. People of faith generally vote Republican because liberal policies often oppose the goals of evangelicals.

   As for Obama, let us memorialize this moment. I’d like to know what has led you to believe that further restrictions would ensue. Even if, as a country, we would never put up with it.

   Given the restrictions over the decades of removing prayer from schools, prohibiting the discussion of either creationism or intelligent design, removing historical religious items such as the Ten Commandments display from courthouse lawns, and the ongoing lawsuits to remove “under God” from the Pledge of Allegience and “In God We Trust” from currency, I do not believe Obama will fight for the conservative, Christian ideals I believe in. Obama’s spiritual mentor, Jeremiah Wright, gives insight into Obama’s beliefs.

   Actually, I don’t think McCain will fight for me, either, but I think he’ll be less likely to oppose them.

   Finally, no one can justify liberalism (the philosophy, not the prejudice). It does it on it’s own. It remains viable, persistent, and yes, even Biblical at times.

   If you’re speaking of the political liberalism, left-wing ideology, then we are not likely to ever agree on this subject. Tax-and-spend, welfare state, Roe-v-Wade, and feminism do not appear viable or biblical to me.

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9. 

   Kevin

   October 4, 2008 at 2:03 am

   You must be as old as I am; those liberal taglines are so shopworn as, thankfully, to mean very little to the upcoming generations who can observe for themselves what liberalism/progressive is. They don’t apply anymore in the fashion you offer them. They only serve as boogiemen to conservatives and those who fear.

   They are all sound and fury, signifying … nothing.

   Take care. Bless u!

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10. 

    Michael

    October 4, 2008 at 12:19 pm

    Calling them “boogiemen” doesn’t mitigate immoral mandates from our government decaying families and moral fiber of our nation, nor compelled welfare mandates obliterating the voluntary sacrifices of volunteers, who have given up and now depend on the government for handouts.

    If to the upcoming generations they are only sound and fury, then woe to our future generations wo do not understand the repercussions of today’s bad decisions.

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