An open letter to HQ and all the sugarcoating Iowa Apologists

[hankpyro]

Evangelical Christians vs. others

Speaking as a reformed, almost-but-not-quite fundy:

Fundamentalists are rather totalitarian. They will not support freedom if they see it as a threat to their power base. Kill abortion any way possible (even with a military invasion by the feds if possible).

"Honor before victory," to quote Huckabee regarding looking at our mistakes.

There are opportunities for making inroads into the Christian community (many of us RP supporters are Christians), but it is a tough sell since they see the feds as an ally-- even as they are laughed at and marginalized in reality. They crave access-- through their leaders. One good prayer breakfast and they feel like they've accomplished something. I know. I've been to the conferences in Nashville by the religious media. They're really nauseating.

You are going to need to talk to individuals. Make the case for state level battle against abortion, etc. Make a case for freedom before hoping for nebulous power through federal agencies.

Really, in the end, we are divided into two groups. Those who love projecting personal power and those who love preserving privacy and personal freedom. We're an indoctrinated, conformist people. Make sure that you understand this as part of your strategy to reach Christians. Soft sell, careful sell.

No doubt there is a totalitarian streak that runs through The Evangelical community. But I have relatives in the public school racket and every aspiring totalitarian could learn something from these people. There is a big government/government monopoly brand of totalitarianism that is alive and well. We just don't call it that.

 

[hankpyro]

I respectfully disagree...to a point

The fundy vote will be difficult no matter how many of them hear Paul's message for one big reason:

He will end federal regulation on drugs, prostitution, anabolic steroids, and other "immoral" substances and activities. This is just too radical for some who have already invested a lifetime of effort into indoctrinating their congregations and families that "drugs are bad mmmkay??"

I don't believe that Evangelicals (more politically correct term. I apologize for the f-word if it offended anyone) are more supportive of state or federal meassures for the things you mentioned. That is, no more fervent than the general population and less fervent than the totalitarian lefties. A tenet of Chritianity is that everyone is ultimately responsible for their salvation. Society will not be judged. Souls will be judged. In that respect, Christianity has a measure of individualism at its core.

The Evangelicals believe that ultimately it is up to the individual to resist temptation (and I agree wholeheartedly.) It has not been the 700 Club that has pushed the nanny state (no trans fat/government-funded tobacco education and cessation/ state funded drug rehabilitation of dubious value/ prosecution of parents of obese children etc., etc., and even more etceteras.) Evangelicals have often promoted prayer as a better course of action than whatever the social worker happens to be selling today.

Libertarians have always had a lot of Christians in their ranks. I say we add more.