Spring Break
Young Christian groups see shift in political views
Issue date: 2/7/08
The conservative Christian voting bloc is often courted strongly by politicians, but recent trends suggest that traditional issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage are no longer the leading priorities among younger Christian voters.
This gradual political transformation may play a role in how presidential candidates court the younger Christian demographic.
Conservative Christians, including students at Hopkins, are taking noticeable interest in traditionally liberal concerns, such as the environment, poverty and social issues. But there is still argument as to whether or not this can be seen as a dramatic shift in the nature of evangelical Christian political attitudes.
"As a young Christian, I am very disturbed when someone states something like 'Bush is a born-again Christian, Obama says gay marriage is OK, so Republicans are God's party, and Democrats are evil,'" sophomore Jason Park said.
Park is active in both the Hopkins Christian Fellowship (HCF) and the Agape Christian Fellowship - as well as Amnesty International.
Tim Fermin, president of Grace Life Church's Stepping Stone Ministry here on campus, offered an explanation for why more ambiguity seems to surround what young evangelicals are truly passionate about today.
"Too often Christians are seen as totally condemning and ostracizing individuals who may have alternative lifestyles when that is simply not what many Christians do, nor what Jesus preached," he said. "I believe this contributes to people at least being less vocal on abortion and gay marriage in the political sphere, since choosing one side tends to cause other individuals to think they are being narrow-minded or judgmental.
HCF staff member Natalie Flora sees what many are calling new positions for Christian conservatives as "reconnecting with the fundamental Christian message."
For Flora, that message includes beliefs and actions on both the societal and personal levels.
"We have to address systemic injustice, poverty, the environment - the things that affect all of creation and not just our private lives or, often, telling everyone what to do with their private lives," she said.
This gradual political transformation may play a role in how presidential candidates court the younger Christian demographic.
Conservative Christians, including students at Hopkins, are taking noticeable interest in traditionally liberal concerns, such as the environment, poverty and social issues. But there is still argument as to whether or not this can be seen as a dramatic shift in the nature of evangelical Christian political attitudes.
"As a young Christian, I am very disturbed when someone states something like 'Bush is a born-again Christian, Obama says gay marriage is OK, so Republicans are God's party, and Democrats are evil,'" sophomore Jason Park said.
Park is active in both the Hopkins Christian Fellowship (HCF) and the Agape Christian Fellowship - as well as Amnesty International.
Tim Fermin, president of Grace Life Church's Stepping Stone Ministry here on campus, offered an explanation for why more ambiguity seems to surround what young evangelicals are truly passionate about today.
"Too often Christians are seen as totally condemning and ostracizing individuals who may have alternative lifestyles when that is simply not what many Christians do, nor what Jesus preached," he said. "I believe this contributes to people at least being less vocal on abortion and gay marriage in the political sphere, since choosing one side tends to cause other individuals to think they are being narrow-minded or judgmental.
HCF staff member Natalie Flora sees what many are calling new positions for Christian conservatives as "reconnecting with the fundamental Christian message."
For Flora, that message includes beliefs and actions on both the societal and personal levels.
"We have to address systemic injustice, poverty, the environment - the things that affect all of creation and not just our private lives or, often, telling everyone what to do with their private lives," she said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
JHU Thinker
posted 2/10/08 @ 11:21 PM EST
People who believe in disproved Bronze Age myths should not expect to get a strong following in an intellectual atmosphere.
John Voci
posted 10/07/08 @ 4:43 PM EST
To My Fellow Christians Regarding Gay Marriage
Vote NO on Proposition 8
Will they want to hear about our Lord of Love
if we don?t show it ourselves?
If marriage is such a beautiful commitment how can we as Christians, loving our neighbors, deny it to others? ?Love your neighbor as yourself. (Continued…)
Sammy
posted 10/30/08 @ 12:39 AM EST
I received this from my friend the other day, and I want to share it with you, hoping that you will receive it with an open heart:
To all those who name the name of Christ who plan to willfully disobey Him by voting for Obama, take warning. (Continued…)
Mike M
posted 10/30/08 @ 2:07 PM EST
I fail to understand how any Christian can vote in favor of someone who wants to federally mandate that states allow the murder of fetuses post viability. (Continued…)
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