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Religion Title: Religious people are more likely to be leftwing, says thinktank Demos "We don't do God," Alastair Campbell famously insisted when journalists pressed the former prime minister, Tony Blair, on matters of faith. But it appears that New Labour's high command missed a trick by declining to talk up their religious convictions, for new research suggests they would have been preaching to the converted: people with faith are far more likely to take left-of-centre positions on a range of issues, including immigration and equality. The research, revealed in a new report by the thinktank Demos, undermines the widely held view that members of religious groups are more likely to have conservative tendencies. Its findings are exciting the interest of senior Labour politicians, who believe that attracting the faith vote will be crucial to the party's fortunes. snip But the Demos report suggests that the example of the outgoing archbishop of Canterbury, who combines deeply held progressive beliefs with his religious convictions, is not unusual. "Rowan Williams may be far more representative of the religious community than many have suggested," said Jonathan Birdwell, the author of the report. "Progressives should sit up and take note. Their natural allies may look more like the archbishop of Canterbury than Richard Dawkins." The report found that 55% of people with faith placed themselves on the left of politics, compared with 40% who placed themselves on the right. The report also suggests that people with faith are more likely to value equality over freedom than their non-religious counterparts. It discloses that 41% of people with religious views prioritise equality over freedom, compared with 36% of those without faith. snip The writer and philosopher Alain de Botton – whose latest book, Religion for Atheists, examines the consolations of faith for those who do not believe – argues that the internal dynamics of religions often confer progressive views on their followers, who find themselves at odds with today's free-market society. "The progressive side of religion springs from their frequent reminders to live for others and to concentrate more on the wellbeing of the group than on the happiness of the individual," de Botton said. "In this sense, religions run counter to the implicit philosophy of modern consumer capitalism." Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest #1. To: A K A Stone, Anti-ping to CE, Fred Mertz, Godwinson, go65, war, no gnu taxes, Skip Intro, ferret mike, jwpegler, brian s, mininggold, mcgowanjm (#0) "In this sense, religions run counter to the implicit philosophy of modern consumer capitalism." Happy Easter! Anyone claiming to be an expert is selling something. I brandish my ignorance like a crucifix at vampires. Aaron Bady #2. To: lucysmom, *Liberal Rehab Staff* (#0) (Edited) British Christian Socialist evangelical communists, like Destro. Great Britan needs a nationwide exorcism. I wonder how many of those "religious" are druids, muslims, and wicca?
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice. #3. To: lucysmom (#1) Happy Easter!
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice. #4. To: lucysmom (#0) Religious people are more likely to be leftwing, says thinktank Demos Then why does the leftist party (DNC), and every other socialist group, against organized religion??? Bottom line: the article is complete horse-shit. I would have been surprised, had you posted something of merit. Thanks for playing, bim-bitch. To: mcToejam, rat-boy, drippy, Alzheimer Fred, whitesands, t-bird, #5. To: lucysmom (#1) equality over freedom Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose. Equality is when everyone shares their freedom....;}
#6. To: mcgowanjm (#5) Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose. No it isn't.
#7. To: A K A Stone (#6) Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose. The Bottom 99% have nothing but freedom....;}
#8. To: A K A Stone (#6) No it isn't. Aren't you jealous of people who earn so little they don't have to pay income taxes? Anyone claiming to be an expert is selling something. I brandish my ignorance like a crucifix at vampires. Aaron Bady #9. To: mcgowanjm (#5) Equality is when everyone shares their freedom....;} But then some animals won't be more equal than others so how will we know who is more special? Anyone claiming to be an expert is selling something. I brandish my ignorance like a crucifix at vampires. Aaron Bady #10. To: Capitalist Eric (#4) Then why does the leftist party (DNC), and every other socialist group, against organized religion??? Again you demonstrate your ignorant adherence to radical right myths about life outside their stagnant circle. Check out the contributions Quakers have made historically. Anyone claiming to be an expert is selling something. I brandish my ignorance like a crucifix at vampires. Aaron Bady #11. To: Capitalist Eric (#4) Thanks for playing, bim-bitch. Why Eric, is that you again...... showing the world the reason why women will be voting against your 'values' by the millions? Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET #12. To: mcgowanjm (#5) "We insist that labor is entitled to as much respect as property.” FDR, Sept 1936 Anyone claiming to be an expert is selling something. I brandish my ignorance like a crucifix at vampires. Aaron Bady #13. To: lucysmom (#10) Check out the contributions Quakers have made historically. The only Quaker he would care about was Nixon. Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET #14. To: mininggold (#11) Why Eric, is that you again...... showing the world the reason why women will be voting against your 'values' by the millions? According to Eric, the real power of wimmins is not in the voting booth, but in men folk's susceptibility flattery. Anyone claiming to be an expert is selling something. I brandish my ignorance like a crucifix at vampires. Aaron Bady #15. To: lucysmom (#14) According to Eric, the real power of wimmins is not in the voting booth, but in men folk's susceptibility flattery. Well certainly no one can say that in Eric's view of the world, it isn't revolving around himself. Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest |
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