Interesting views, but this only strengthens my argument that religion doesn't belong in our republic.  And that its the downfall of Republicans they are getting to religious for this country.  They are dooming themselves.  And I want to help because I dislike democrats just as much.

getting to religious what?

getting to religious what?

Someone should have gone to Catholic school.  He would have learned more about religion AND how to spell....

Our Republic is made of PEOPLE.

People come with Religious principles.

People come with all kinds of values, ideologies and beliefs.

You can't segregate religion and government any more than you can prevent people who don't understand basic economics from government.  When people are elected, you get the whole package.  We don't brainwash them to get rid of aspects we illogically fear.

Are you trying to deny to me that the republican  party is not catering to Christians?

Why is it that every time you get philosophical I start to hear marching music of the Chinese Communist Party playing in the background?

  Good one!

Are you trying to deny to me that the republican  party is not catering to Christians?

Or is it more that Christians see more of their values in the Republican Party than the Democrat Party?

It wasn't that long ago that the Southern Democrats started the KKK.  Senator Robert Byrd, the longest serving Senator in Congress, was a KKK Grand Wizard.  Joe Biden called Byrd a mentor.

The Republicans, on the other hand, created the party to free the slaves.

I don't care who caters to Christians.  I'm more concerned with the policies they support.

Or is it more that Christians see more of their values in the Republican Party than the Democrat Party?

It wasn't that long ago that the Southern Democrats started the KKK.  Senator Robert Byrd, the longest serving Senator in Congress, was a KKK Grand Wizard.  Joe Biden called Byrd a mentor.

The Republicans, on the other hand, created the party to free the slaves.

I don't care who caters to Christians.  I'm more concerned with the policies they support.

There have been documentaries on  how the Republicans specifically targeted Christians and evangelism for votes.  Abortion came up because of that.  It was a political move not cause of values.

There have been documentaries on  how the Republicans specifically targeted Christians and evangelism for votes.  Abortion came up because of that.  It was a political move not cause of values.

is there a point here?  You tried to say the Republican Party is doomed if they don't stop allowing anyone who believes in religion to join.  Now you're saying the Republicans market to the RELIGIOUS RIGHT, as if there's no such thing as the RELIGIOUS LEFT.

is it your belief that there are no people of faith in the Democrat Party?  I think you posted a link that demonstrates the correct answer.

is there a point here?  You tried to say the Republican Party is doomed if they don't stop allowing anyone who believes in religion to join.  Now you're saying the Republicans market to the RELIGIOUS RIGHT, as if there's no such thing as the RELIGIOUS LEFT.

is it your belief that there are no people of faith in the Democrat Party?  I think you posted a link that demonstrates the correct answer.

I think there are less people of faith in the democratic party because the republicans don't appeal to them on grounds they are more religious. So they losing a growing block of people.  As an independent I want both sides to be competitive so we don't end up like Hawaii.  Just wanted to point that out and not necessarily fight with everyone.   I am hoping republicans shift back to what they once were,  freedom and rights for all.  Like you said they freed the slaves.   Now they are trying to make rules on what women do with their bodies.  What internet sites can do.  Who can marry who to "protect the conventional marriage".  God in the government.  The list goes on. 

I think there are less people of faith in the democratic party because the republicans don't appeal to them on grounds they are more religious. So they losing a growing block of people.  As an independent I want both sides to be competitive so we don't end up like Hawaii.  Just wanted to point that out and not necessarily fight with everyone.   I am hoping republicans shift back to what they once were,  freedom and rights for all.  Like you said they freed the slaves.   Now they are trying to make rules on what women do with their bodies.  What internet sites can do.  Who can marry who to "protect the conventional marriage".  God in the government.  The list goes on.

You lost me after "I think..."

"there are less people of faith in the democratic party because the republicans don't appeal to them on grounds they are more religious."

Does God Have a Political Party?
Civil Religion and Party Politics in American History

Does God have a political party in the United States?

Actually, God appears to have at least two major political parties, and therein lies the dilemma for Christians.
Both the Republican and Democratic parties are steeped in Christian values and civil religion, but their
theological traditions differ. One party is an amalgamation of mid-twentieth century mainline Protestantism
and late twentieth-century evangelicalism, and the other is a party of liberal Protestantism infused with Catholic
social teaching and African American Christianity.

https://inallthings.org/does-god-have-a-political-party-civil-religion-and-party-politics-in-american-history/

Ask Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and the rest of the top Democrats in the party whether or not religion is an important part of their lives.  You can't convince anyone that the Republicans are a dying party simply because "GOP likes religion" and "DNC doesn't like religion" no matter how many opinion pieces you link to.

It’s called “Freedom of religion”, not “freedom from religion”.

This is a country where people have the freedom to practice their religion, not a country where religion is banned like in a communist country.

You say you like freedom but then you go about contradicting yourself.  I’m not sure you’ve thought things through.

It’s called “Freedom of religion”, not “freedom from religion”.

This is a country where people have the freedom to practice their religion, not a country where religion is banned like in a communist country.

You say you like freedom but then you go about contradicting yourself.  I’m not sure you’ve thought things through.

What?  I have never contradicted myself.  Government should have no religion that's the only way you get freedom of religion.  What if the government is christen but allows Muslims to practice is this as fair as if the government was neutral and allowed all religions to practice?   You cant have true freedom of religion if your government picks a religion to side with.  Also government laws should be neutral.  I never said ban religion.  I just say it should have no part in government. 

Freedom of religion = Government shouldn’t be interfering in the governed’s religious beliefs and practice (to an extent).

I think we agree that the government shouldn’t be a theocracy, where there is an official religion.

Perhaps we both are misunderstanding each other’s statements when we might be saying something similar?

Saying that one can’t participate in government if one has a religion is sort of saying that you have to be an atheist to be in government.  This one makes no sense though. Did I misunderstand you here?

Freedom of religion = Government shouldn’t be interfering in the governed’s religious beliefs and practice (to an extent).

Saying that one can’t participate in government if one has a religion is sort of saying that you have to be an atheist to be in government.

Wait where did you get the can't participate in government if they have religion?  I said laws should not be religious in nature, nor should the government.  Republicans should start to move away from religion to gather voters.  Not because religion is bad.  I think republicans are going in the opposite direction, if they keep this up not only will they lose voters but will start to violate the rules of separation of church and state.

I was clarifying my last post when you posted so I think you answered my question while we both were typing.  I understand what you’re saying now. Thanks for clarifying.

The political parties cannot necessarily ignore that the governed (especially if it’s their members) will want representation regarding their concerns about religion. 

Your point: Whether the Republican Party should continue to align themselves with the Christian conservatives, or move away from this towards a more agnostic stance is an interesting question.

If the party did move away, one would think that the Christian conservatives would get disenfranchised and move support away from the party.  Wouldn’t this weaken the Republican Party especially if this constitutes a big chunk of their base?

Wait where did you get the can't participate in government if they have religion?  I said laws should not be religious in nature, nor should the government.  Republicans should start to move away from religion to gather voters.  Not because religion is bad.  I think republicans are going in the opposite direction, if they keep this up not only will they lose voters but will start to violate the rules of separation of church and state.

Do you understand that the political party system is NOT the government?  if the GOP wants to cater to only Methodists, it's their right to do so.

You pretend to care what the Republican party does, yet you have no real understanding what it is they actually do.

But, don't let not knowing the facts stop you from criticizing and forming an opinion.  It hasn't so far!

This is totally my opinion so take it for what it’s worth.

Younger people may not find religion important but as they get older, have more life experience, and realize their own mortality, you never know how their beliefs may change. 

People have become more conservative when they get older and have their own kids.  Ever heard of the joke / saying: ”If you’re not a liberal when you’re young, you have no heart. If you’re not a conservative when you’re old, you have no brain.”?

If this is true, then wouldn’t that big chunk of young people eventually turn conservative (and maybe even religious) when they get older?

I was clarifying my last post when you posted so I think you answered my question while we both were typing.  I understand what you’re saying now. Thanks for clarifying.

The political parties cannot necessarily ignore that the governed (especially if it’s their members) will want representation regarding their concerns about religion. 

Your point: Whether the Republican Party should continue to align themselves with the Christian conservatives, or move away from this towards a more agnostic stance is an interesting question.

If the party did move away, one would think that the Christian conservatives would get disenfranchised and move support away from the party.  Wouldn’t this weaken the Republican Party especially if this constitutes a big chunk of their base?

They would, but as I pointed out at the start,  newer voters (millennials and the generations after) are less religious and already disenfranchised.  One group will end up being disenfranchised but which one is more important?  Or which one is viable long term?  We don't know if this religious leanings is permanent or temporary.   If it is permanent, than the republican party will fall behind.

This is totally my opinion so take it for what it’s worth.

Younger people may not find religion important but as they get older and realize their own mortality, you never know how their beliefs may change. 

People have become more conservative when they get older and have their own kids.  Ever heard of the joke / saying: ”If you’re not a liberal when you’re young, you have no heart. If you’re not a conservative when you’re old, you have no brain.”?

If this is true, then wouldn’t that big chunk of young people eventually turn conservative (and maybe even religious) when they get older?

Yes I have heard this before.  That's a good point.  This might come to fruition.  But I believe the study I linked said this does not appear to be happening.  Its hard to tell the future but the last thing I want is the democrats to take over like they have in hawaii and have no other viable option.

This is totally my opinion so take it for what it’s worth.

Younger people may not find religion important but as they get older, have more life experience, and realize their own mortality, you never know how their beliefs may change. 

People have become more conservative when they get older and have their own kids.  Ever heard of the joke / saying: ”If you’re not a liberal when you’re young, you have no heart. If you’re not a conservative when you’re old, you have no brain.”?

If this is true, then wouldn’t that big chunk of young people eventually turn conservative (and maybe even religious) when they get older?

actually, studies have shown that gen z is already more conservative than millenials...

Do you understand that the political party system is NOT the government?  if the GOP wants to cater to only Methodists, it's their right to do so.

You pretend to care what the Republican party does, yet you have no real understanding what it is they actually do.

But, don't let not knowing the facts stop you from criticizing and forming an opinion.  It hasn't so far!

You are correct they have every right to do that.  And everyone has every right to not vote for them.   Then we will have America mirror the Hawaiian islands politically.  Do you want that?   In the end only votes matter,  that means you must try and cater to the majority of voters.