The GOP Has a God Problem

Parker: It's time for a break-up with the Christian Right

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Nov 19, 2008 11:00 AM CST

(Newser) – After getting death threats for dissing Sarah Palin, Kathleen Parker is stirring up trouble in the right-wing ranks again. The Republican Party is going to go the way of the Shakers if it doesn’t lose some of that old time religion, she writes in the Washington Post. The party’s religious base has scared off moderate voters, and is a shrinking share of the electorate. “Like it or not, we are a diverse nation, no longer predominantly white and Christian,” writes Parker.

Religious values are important, of course. And some young, secular voters will change over time. “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.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

This image from video released by the Huckabee Campaign shows Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in a campaign ad titled "What Really Matters". (AP Photo/Huckabee Campaign)

People exit Taylors First Baptist Church after services in Taylors, SC, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007. (AP Photo/Patrick Collard)

Rebecca Messall of Centennial, Colo., holds up a sign during an anti-abortion protest during the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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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. - Kathleen Parker

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

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

Guest

Nov 20, 2008 2:19 AM CST

Kathleen Parker speaks her opinion that “The evangelical, right-wing, oogedy-boogedy”, (whatever that is), “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”. Unfortunately, she then identifies her opinion as facts. “Given those facts…” Then continues to state more of her opinions. …”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.” ‘’The Republican Party is going to go the way of the Shakers if it doesn’t lose some of that old time religion. Again, merely her opinion. Like it or not, we are a diverse nation, no longer predominantly white and Christian,” opines Parker. ”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.” Unfortunately, more opinion. Real Facts According to the U.S. Census Bureau: Whites make up 216,930,975 or 77.1% of the total U.S. population. So, the U.S. is still predominantly white. http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/dp1/2kh00.pdf (Cut and paste in address box) As to her assumption that shifting demographics suggest the demise of the Republican Party and conservatism… A verifiable referenced source would be most welcome here. At any rate, the increase in the numbers of evangelical mega-churches springing up around the country seem to invalidate her remarks. At present, there are 1361 and the number is still growing. http://hirr.hartsem.edu/cgi-bin/mega/db.pl?db=default&uid=default&view_records=1&ID=*&sb=2 (Cut and paste in address box) In short, her logic is convoluted. It uses opinion as fact and then proposes a fantasy as the outcome. Simply stating an opinion does not make a thing true. In an information world, where research is as easy as ever before, facts can be obtained as easy as opinions are proposed. Writers should rely as much as possible on the facts.

Guest

Nov 20, 2008 2:07 AM CST

The death of a kiss resulted in political religion. Narcing is also on the upsurge.

Shannonals

Nov 20, 2008 1:02 AM CST

Religion and politics are the kiss of death

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The GOP Has a God Problem