# How is the Religious Right dealing with the election **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 7, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671 "2008-11-07T17:55:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/1 "2008-11-07T17:55:10Z")
During the election, I saw one (and heard of others) example of the Religious Right basically saying the election was between God and godlessness. How is this godlessness win being explained by those who were so certain that the election was on that level? ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/2 "2008-11-07T17:59:56Z")
> [@TV\_time](#): > > During the election, I saw one (and heard of others) example of the Religious Right basically saying the election was between God and godlessness. How is this godlessness win being explained by those who were so certain that the election was on that level? I don’t have a cite and I really don’t care, but the standard response is to claim that it’s God’s punishment for being insufficiently faithful/active/froth-spewing wingnutty. Thus, whatever they were doing before, they vow to do it twice as hard in the future. For more information, google on ‘how can a benevolent god allow evil to exist’. That ought to pretty much cover the range of responses. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/3 "2008-11-07T18:04:53Z")
To Fundamentalists, everything is proof of their God. If their prayers are answered, God is with them. If their prayers are not answered, God is upset with them. If a natural disaster hits an Godless\* country, it’s God’s will. If a natural disaster hits their country, God is upset with the Godless ones in that country. If there’s evidence for Creationism, God provided it. If there’s evidence for evolution, the Devil provided it. \*or a country where they worship a different God ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/4 "2008-11-07T18:17:55Z")
I could call my sister in Colorado. The thing is I don’t want to hear it. I love her but can only hear her drivel about twice a year. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/5 "2008-11-07T18:32:13Z")
[Dr. Dobson: ‘I’m Struggling over the Path the Nation Has Taken’](http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000008622.cfm) > [@](#): > > "I want to admit that I am in the midst of a grieving process at this time. … I’m not grieving over Barack Obama’s victory, but over the loss of things that I’ve fought for, for 35 years. > > Dr. Dobson went on to congratulate Obama on “his stunning victory.” > > "It was indeed a historic accomplishment, to be the first black man in American history to be elected to the highest office in the land. > > “But, to be honest, I have to say that his win causes me enormous concern because he will be the most committed pro-abortion president in our history,” Dr. Dobson said. “He’s in favor of much of the homosexual agenda and he’s going to appoint the most liberal justices to the Supreme Court, perhaps that we’ve ever had. So, there are many reasons why I’m struggling today over the likely path that the nation has taken.” ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/6 "2008-11-07T18:37:39Z")
My wifes best friends are bible thumpers waiting for the end of times and their getting sucked out of their clothes into heaven. They are both degreed from U of Michigan and have had successful careers. A few years ago they baby sat for our son when we went on vacation. They drove him and their kids across 2 state lines to see a church window at which the Virgin Mary was showing herself . They told him about the end of days and the 6 days of darkness that was neigh. He was scared shitless when we picked him up. I have no use for them. I avoid all conversations. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/7 "2008-11-07T18:44:30Z")
I’ve read a couple of far right-ish blogs and they are blaming it all on McCain’s moderation and disrespect for his evangelical base, and are getting psyched for Palin’12. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/8 "2008-11-07T18:55:40Z")
:rolleyes: You’d think at least a few of them would deal with it by facing up to facts: While most Americans believe in God and attend church, only a minority, no more than one-third and probably less than one-fourth, are fundies or evangelicals or religious-social conservatives. They can never have more than local electoral success save by forming a coalition with the Godless, such as McCain. ---
**Author:** ![vison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@vison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vison)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/9 "2008-11-07T19:00:23Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > :rolleyes: You’d think at least a few of them would deal with it by facing up to facts: While most Americans believe in God and attend church, only a minority, no more than one-third and probably less than one-fourth, are fundies or evangelicals or religious-social conservatives. They can never have more than local electoral success save by forming a coalition with the Godless, such as McCain. If they could face up to facts they wouldn’t be religious nutbars. So that’s the most unlikely outcome. The GOP can’t dump Palin fast enough. But will they? It took the Democrats 8 years to revamp. I suspect the GOP will take as long. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/10 "2008-11-07T22:43:18Z")
My dad sent me an e-mail on Wednesday exorting Christians to pray for the conversion of Barack Obama. Personally, I’m happy with Obama as a Christian, as he is now, but it’s a lot calmer response than I was expecting. > [@](#): > > “But, to be honest, I have to say that his win causes me enormous concern because he will be the most committed pro-abortion president in our history,” Dr. Dobson said. Ah, so that’s why Dad got that particular soundbite… I was pretty sure that he didn’t get it from looking at the candidates’ platforms. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/11 "2008-11-07T22:56:34Z")
Who cares? They are probably the second biggest reason the Republicans lost. Social conservatism is dead. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/12 "2008-11-07T23:04:28Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > Who cares? They are probably the second biggest reason the Republicans lost. Social conservatism is dead. Yes - that’s why gay marriage is legal in California now. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/13 "2008-11-07T23:09:42Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > Yes - that’s why gay marriage is legal in California now. You know, just because the remnants have not yet been swept away that doesn’t mean that it hasn’t died an institutional death. When the armed forces were integrated there was resistance initially, then grudging acceptance, then total indifference. This will be much the same. But the Religious Right is dead. The Republicans lost for two big reasons: the economy and social conservatism. Don’t believe me? Ask Marilyn Musgrave, she’ll tell you. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/14 "2008-11-07T23:13:30Z")
Social conservatism has been moved into the spare bedroom and hooked up to an oxygen tank, but it’s far from dead and the Dems know it. What I expect is an environment where the Dems will [downplay cultural liberalism and play up economic populism.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=312933) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/15 "2008-11-07T23:15:20Z")
Same way they dealt with it when Clinton won, I would imagine. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/16 "2008-11-07T23:54:10Z")
I’d hardly call social conservatism dead just because some of it’s proponents lost an election in a situation where they were at a major disadvantage. That sounds a lot like the Republicans claiming they had a permanent majority - and look how that turned out. There’s also the question of whether the Republicans are willing to tell them to go away - they need the votes. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/17 "2008-11-07T23:56:41Z")
But that’s just it: they have those votes no matter what, so there’s no need to pander to them. What, they’re going to vote for Democrats? Not a chance. A third party? That might happen one time, and then they’ll be completely ignored after they get demolished. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/18 "2008-11-07T23:58:46Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > But that’s just it: they have those votes no matter what, so there’s no need to pander to them. What, they’re going to vote for Democrats? Not a chance. A third party? That might happen one time, and then they’ll be completely ignored after they get demolished. There’s always the option that they not vote at all. But I don’t think that’ll happen either. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/19 "2008-11-08T00:05:53Z")
When I want to know what the far right is thinking, I go to World Net Daily. Here’s a letter from today: **RIP, USA** Obituary notice: The United States of America. Born July 4, 1776, and voted out of existence Nov. 4, 2008, after a long battle with moral cancer. Requiem service Jan. 20, 2009. Mark Lewis ---
**Author:** ![vison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@vison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vison)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671/20 "2008-11-08T00:09:14Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > When I want to know what the far right is thinking, I go to World Net Daily. Here’s a letter from today: > > **RIP, USA** > > Obituary notice: The United States of America. Born July 4, 1776, and voted out of existence Nov. 4, 2008, after a long battle with moral cancer. Requiem service Jan. 20, 2009. > > Mark Lewis You know, when you read that you gotta wonder. I’m wondering so hard my head might explode. Are these people from this planet? They can’t be. If they are, then I’m not. I wish their bloody deity would just transport them right now, right this very instant, and leave the rest of us in peace. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671.md?page=2)