WILLisms.com: Trivia Tidbit Of The Day: Part 159 -- The Separation Of Church And State.

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Trivia Tidbit Of The Day: Part 159 -- The Separation Of Church And State.

Religion and Politics-

Some pundits make a habit of predicting the downfall of the Republican Party due to the "religious right." 2006 will see big gains for Democrats because of the Terri Schiavo controversy, or because of Pat Robertson's comments on a Venezuelan tyrant, or because Americans are just fed up with those nasty Republicans forcing their nasty Christian religion down the throats of America.

Back in the real world, it seems like it's the Democrats who have the religion problem with the American people:

Fair-minded independents increasingly view Democrats as hostile to religion. And while some Americans certainly think religious conservatives try too hard to impose their values on the society, far more Americans believe that liberals have gone too far in their quest to eradicate all traces of religion from the public square.

Notice how even African-Americans, even Democrats, even people living in the Northeast, and even secular individuals (not to mention religious folks) are much more likely to say that liberals go too far than they are likely to say that conservatives go too far.

Source:

Pew Research Center.

Democrats are setting themselves up for yet another failure, if they believe they can play the religion card in 2006 and beyond. If Democrats do play that card, it will only remind Americans who may be moderately skeptical of the Christian conservative agenda that the alternative from Democrats is far worse. Ultimately, people want a balance between church and state, and clearly Americans perceive Democrats-- far more than Republicans-- to be responsible for promoting an unhealthy imbalance.

If Democrats are smart, they will "get religion" and stop the hostility toward religion in the public square. Furthermore, if Democrats are smart, they will stop thinking that religion is a net winner for them at the ballot box.

And they will respond, accordingly.

Why do I offer so much free advice to Democrats? Advice they never take?

No idea.

But it is fun to say "I told you so" after crushing electoral setbacks.

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Posted by Will Franklin · 4 September 2005 07:45 PM

Comments

Wow. What does it mean that they Republicans have gone too far? I have noticed them doing anything, except what the people they don't seem trust tell them! Geez. It isn't a fair fight. Put me in there. I'll show them how to fight politics. lol.

Posted by: Rosemary at September 4, 2005 08:26 PM

...have "NOT" noticed...

Posted by: Rosemary at September 4, 2005 08:27 PM

Personally, I am sick of the Liberals pushing their junk down everyones throat!...

Posted by: Zsa Zsa at September 4, 2005 08:53 PM

Don't you think that the Dems. will star saying things like we all need to come together and unite?

Posted by: Zsa Zsa at September 5, 2005 09:48 AM

1. Well, you picked on that new too, Will. As always, your site is one of the best.

2. Here are my thoughts -

"The poll makes no sense. Democrats have always been for morality, absolutes and authority. The New York Times, our daily gospel, even annointed Cindy Sheehan as an 'absolute moral authority.' Who is the Republican "absolute moral authority?" asked an unnamed Democratic strategist.

"Cindy Sheehan presents us with an uncertain moral dilemma," said said a Republican consultant. "We believe in family values and intra-family polls...."

Posted by: David at September 5, 2005 07:40 PM