Will 'Social' Issues Disappear from the Republican Agenda?

By Billy Atwell
9/14/2010
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Christians Speak Out Against Presumed Platform Change

Voting Christians who are Republicans are overwhelmingly in agreement on their desire to end abortion, define marriage as between one man and one woman, protect religious liberty, and so on. So what is the strategy behind moving to less "sticky" issues? Will the Republican Party move the way the Democratic Party has in recent years and focus on issues which can be construed as somehow "safe" and of a purely "civic" nature?

Minority Leader John Boehner.

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - Influential Christian organizations are outspoken in their discouragement with the Republican Party's lack of leadership on what many call the "third leg" of the party's usual platform. Every Republican Party campaign platform consists of a firm stance on the economy, national security, and what are called social issues.

Lately, Republicans have been absent on social issues and are walking a bit limp as a result. Traditionally, "social issues" is a phrase used to refer to abortion, sex education, bioethical concerns, the definition of marriage, religious liberty, and others.Arguably, every issue has a social dimension. However, these issues have often been singled out.

The two main opponents of this neglect are the American Principles Project and the Manhattan Declaration. The American Principles Project is joining a grassroots effort called "Plank 1." This effort says, "Our nation is only as strong as its core components: families, neighborhoods, churches and other religious communities, marriage and the voluntary associations of many types that make for a vibrant civil society."

It lays out a principled devotion to protect the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, religious liberty, the rights of parents in teaching ethical values, charitable giving, a reformation of poverty programs, abstinence sex education programs, honoring our soldiers, and defining our rights as endowed by God, our Creator.

The American Principles Project has called on its members to contact Minority Leader John Boehner, a Catholic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Senator Mitch McConnell, and Republican National Committee Chairman Michale Steele to influence them in placing social issues back on their agenda and uphold the country's moral foundation.

The other initiative running through the same vein is the Manhattan Declaration. The Manhattan Declaration is a movement of Christians leaders and laity to restore and preserve the sanctity of life, the orthodox Christian definition of marriage, and religious liberty. It has been signed by 54 Catholic Bishops and Archbishops, and 3 Cardinals. It has also been signed and supported by leading Evangelical Protestants such as James Dobson, Tony Perkins, Chuck Colson, Dr. Timothy George, and Jim Daly.

Additionally, prominent Orthodox clerics and theologians have signed as well. With almost half a million signatures from lay Christians, the Manhattan Declaration sent out an email to all supporters calling on them to contact Rep. John Boehner and Republican Whip Rep. Eric Cantor to voice their dissent in the resent abandonment of social issues from the party platform.

The Republican Party has not issued any official edicts with regard to what issues will take precedent in the November elections. Recent addresses from Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele and leading Republican members of Congress have focused on the economy, jobs, the healthcare bill, and other issues that do not address the country's moral compass or critical moral and social issues. Christian religious leaders are worried that the final agenda will lack clear positions on these issues and that the Republican Party will move the way the Democratic Party has in recent years and focus on issues which can be construed as somehow "safe" and of a purely "civic" nature.

Abortion, abstinence education, empowering the family, and religious liberty have been important issues to Republicans, but in recent months they have become weak on mainstays traditionally used to unify their base. With all of the attacks on the ability of Christians to live out their faith publicly, many question the tactic of speaking to other issues instead.

Republicans voiced little-to-no negative reaction when the Mojave Desert cross was stolen off of a war memorial, or when crosses were removed from a Utah memorial to fallen Highway Patrol officers. In both cases the memorials were paid for and maintained by private citizens with private funds. In fact, in Utah, the crosses were removed not because of opposition from local citizens or family members of the police officers, but as a result of a suit filed by a Texas-based atheist group.

These violations of religious liberty invoked less reaction from Republicans than did the threat by a Florida pastor to burn the Koran. Republicans were vocal in opposition to violations of religious liberty against Muslims, but for Christians, who comprise most of their base, they have not been as adamant or outwardly concerned.

The most overt move towards federally ...

1 | 2 Next Page

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

1 - 7 of 7 Comments

Bulbajer
2 years ago
Ed Nestor, don't you think that's a little extreme about comparing the Nazis to the GOP? And besides, the Democratic politicians are just as rich as the Republican ones. As to the voters, you may be somewhat right about BMWs and such.
Ed Nestor
2 years ago
GOP is about money and greed. Social issues are cover for the rich capitalist. Anyone that believes in this is a heritic. Jesus didn't drive BMW and have a million dollar bank account. Didn't hang with the rich. In fact when the rich man ask him how to get a guarantee to get to heaven. Jesus replied give up everything and follow me. Could you imagine the rich GOP candidates giving up anything. They would starve the poor, elderly and sick. They would would do what the Nazi's did to the jews if they could get away with it.
Chip
2 years ago
Casting a ballot for proven pro-life conservatives has made a difference, I shudder to how much worse it could be if Nancy and Dirty Harry had been in the majority for 10 years or more. Keep the "faith." Pray as if everything depends on God ... and work as if everything depends on us. We can expect this battle to be very long and hard ... but in the end, victory is assured.
Rob
2 years ago
I'm sorry, but the Republicans remind of the two sons, particularly the son who said he would do what the father asked of him but didn't. These guys will use these issues to sucker votes from Christians, but at the end of the day they do nothing of substance. They have had the power to legislate a repeal of Roe and failed to do so. And when I sit back and watch how they marshall all their resources to protect the wealth of the rich, it's quite clear who they serve.

It's really getting to the point where I don't want to vote anymore. But voting for a Republican because you think you are doing the good Christian thing is just ridiculous. Unfortunately their record doesn't support it.
Robert Klein
2 years ago
I am writing to you from the great state of Texas. This year I attended the republican state convention for the first time. It was also my first year to register as a republican. There is a strong influx of tea party people within the party. Social issues were a mainstream of the Texas Republican Party's agenda. All of the issues mentioned in this article are party of the Texas Republican Party's agenda.
Prayer is crucial, informing others of the differences in the platform of both parties is also crucial. I encourage you to get involved. I encourage you to vote for the conservative candidates. $20 here and there can help a Tea Party candidate get elected and stop the stripping of this country's moral fiber. The time to stand for our Catholic values is now. The republican party is not the perfect answer to the question put forth in the article above. The fact is the republican party is a far better answer than what the Liberal democrats are piling on us. Once informed of the changes in the platforms, my own 80 year old mother has switched parties. Raised on a farm in the midwest she voted democratic for over sixty years. How many more children are going to be killed she asked; "I can't be a part of that! My vote cannot condone that anymore!" The democratic party of today is not the same party it was thirty years ago. Get informed and inform others. The key is to vote conservative. The liberals would have you believe that abortion is just one part of the value equation. Millions of innocents being torn from the most sacred place on earth( a mother's womb) tears much deaper than the dealth penalty. Very high on the democratic agenda is same sex marriage. "Equal rights for everyone!" they exclaim. God gives us rights, not the government. God does not bless same sex unions. If your local government platform does not take a stand on social issues, I encourage you to get involved. If the local platforms call for reform on social issues, then the platform can change at the national level. I saw a Vote for Bill White bumper sticker at my parish last week and one Obama sticker. I took a deep breath and thought, "prayer and information are the best options". "How many more children will die in Texas if Bill White is elected. Obama isn't happy enough using our tax dollars to kill children in the U.S he helps other countries kill their children as well. Your vote can make a difference! Vote conservative!
Pray for our leaders.
Andy Holland
2 years ago
Pro-life does tend to mobilize the opposition - so as long as they talk about the stupid economy they believe they will get elected - and do what they have always done on social/life issues - nothing. The result is while the Democrats are abysmally stupid on the economy, so are they. They are 'free-traders', and end up supporting bankers, hedge fund managers (economic entropy) and beltway bandits who destroy the economy as effectively as Democratically sponsored socialist mandates that ignore rules of supply and demand. Killing babies makes for abysmal stupidity - its fascinating to watch - sad to contemplate. God will not destroy us, He will leave us to destroy ourselves. We must pray for leaders who actually love God, love little ones, and love truth. But such positions - such realism - is rarely "popular." People need disenchantment, and we need to pray.
John Grimes
2 years ago
The answer to the question in the title is, "If the GOP types sense that more votes are to be had by dumping them, of course they will disappear." Fact is, the social issues have played only a marginal role in Republican politics anyway. Just take a look at some of the judges Republican presidents have appointed to the federal bench if you think otherwise. Are Republicans really much better than Democrats when push comes to shove? Perhaps, but only in the sense that lethal injection might be preferable to hanging.

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment