Conservative Ideology in America

[demko]

Please explain to a young Christian teenager why Republicans, along with the Christian Coalition, can be so "offensive" when it comes to War, Military Force, Nuclear Arms, and the "Right to Police the World" waving the flag of godliness and righteousness, when Christ teaches his followers to show kindness and mercy even to our enemies? Aren't the Americans, as a Christian nation, supposed to show compassion and peaceful negotiations? Also, as a Democratic nation, isn't Hussein innocent until PROVEN guilty before we all treat him like the scum of the earth?

[Philtaz]

Republicans are so 'offensive' because after 9/11 the Western world in general and USA in particular have had enough of turning the other cheek when dealing with terrorists and despotic regimes. When it comes to dealing with terrorists from now on the gloves are off. In the case of Hussein I'd say this: Isn't Adolf Hitler innocent until proven guilty, as he never came to trial? I'm sure the survivors of Halabja can testify as to the guilt of Saddam without the need of a trial.

[Oneeyedvic]

Democracy - only when it proves useful - Guantanamo bay? Unfortunately, whoever wins gets to write the history books. I am also not sure about what sort of percentage of Christians there are in the US or even if George Bush pretends to be one. In England, Tony Blair used to be a Catholic, but since you can't be a Catholic and primeminister in this country, he no longer is (though his wife is, has met the pope and he sends his children to a Catholic school), but is a Christian. Somone who will give up his God that easily is leader of our country?

[cruthinboy]

I wasn't aware that Tony Blair had been an RC - I know he goes to Mass and his wife and children are, and it's always said that he'll become one when he quits as PM - great, that's all we need! Protestant Evangelical Christianity in the US seems to be part of the Dispensationalist current - the belief that the "end days" are near because the Jews have returned to Israel nad an apocalyptic last battle is drawing near. Of course, you could argue they're just hypocrites cynically using religion to justify aggression and (possible controversial point coming up!) to distract Christians' attention from the fact that US foreign policy and the policy of International Zionism is in fact the same.

[che630]

I don't think that is true about Catholics not being able to be PM. They can't be the Monarch, but that is different.

[cruthinboy]

I believe they/we have to take an oath to the Sovereign as the Head of the Church of England, so thatw ould rulle out "Dissenters" as well. There's no law saying "Catholics can't become PM" to my knowledge.

[Oneeyedvic]

Sorry, my mistake - apologies in full

[Drewhound]

While most Americans are christians their constitution forbids religious interference in state matters and they can't favour one religion over another. History shows us that the only criteria for wanting to kill other people is to be human, religion is just a front Saddam Hussein was never the leader of a democratically lead country, it was taken by force

[WaldoMcFroog]

*Bush**votes**not democratic either*

Sorry... terrible cold... ;-)

[WaldoMcFroog]

Damn, that'd look much better if the formatting hadn't disappeared.

Please insert some fake comedy coughs into my previous post.

[bernardo]

TB is not a catholic and never has been

[demko]

I don't think the New Testament says "you can take off your gloves when provoked by terrorists". It says, when an enemy strikes you on one cheek, you give them the other. It also says you must forgive others who have wronged you and that "Vengeance is mine". If Bush and Christian nations want to "lead the world to freedom and democracy" and to uphold those righteous principles which they believe are the foundation of their faith and their constitution, why can't they at least try to show more mercy and compassion and initiate a more peaceful negotiation? The very people in Iraq they are so concerned about are being destroyed in the process of "liberation". After 9/11 the jingo was "United We Stand". Looking at how divided the nation stands today, I can hardly say Americans have stood up to the real test. Planting Bush back in Texas to "sell wood" for his Timber Company would help save more lives if these so called compassionate conservatists stop invading other countries out of self interest.

[Yeah Bee]

The US had it coming, look at what the western world has done for years stealing, raping, destroying the envirenment. What goes around comes around. The US aren't a peace loving nation not even a democratic loving nation. Look at the gun culture and the US form of democracy. Not to talk about the US foreign policy, where stability is more important then democracy. They talk about removing a dictator, the same dictator they were providing with weapons for 10 years. And he is one in along run Syman Ree, Pinochet, Idi Amin, King Saudi, Contras, Exil Cubans, BIn Ladin former fighter against the Soviet now biting the hand that feeds Israel, South Vietnam non democratical countries getting waste support from the us