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79
106
Republican Democrat
Debate Score:185
Arguments:57
Total Votes:241
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 Republican (26)
 
 Democrat (31)

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shunted(139) pic



Which U.S. political party best represents Christian values?

Which party should God smite first?

Republican

Side Score: 79
VS.

Democrat

Side Score: 106
6 points

I would think that taking Personal Responsibility would be an important factor in this debate. Nobody is saying that you should not help your neighbor in need, but there is a difference between helping someone that needs it and providing handouts to those that have learned that they don't have to work to better their situation.

Side: Republican
5 points

The Republican party that so many people seem to hate is the neo-conservatives within the party that have long pampered to big business and has long since lost sight of the values that the Republicans once stood for.

As for the Democratic party I don't see how governments forcing people to help the poor really is line with Christian teachings either. People shouldn't be forced to help the needy, it's something they should choose to do. Basically I don't think that either party truly represents Christian values but I find myself siding with the Republican party's platform more often than the Democratic party's. Basically the Democrats want to turn the United States into Europe and that's not something that I will allow to happen.

Side: Republican
shunted(139) Disputed
2 points

Since neo-conservatives have a hold on the Republican party then it is correct to identify the Republican party with them.

I don´t understand the argument from Christians that people should not be forced, through their taxes, to pay to help the less fortunate. The fact is that there are no examples of the Christian Church ever providing a sufficient amount of care and support to the poor. Today government is much more involved with helping the poor than it was 100 years ago and today the quality of life is much greater. Societies in which government cares for the people are better off than those that don´t. I don´t know if it is Christian to force people to care for the poor but I know it produces a society that is much better than one that doesn´t.

In this sense the Democratic Party´s support for social welfare in more in line with the Republican Party´s views because it produces a society that is more equitable and has a higher median standard of living. I believe Christ´s views on human dignity are such that he would prefer the former party´s policies over the latter´s in this issue.

I don´t know you personally so this isn´t directed at you but every Christian I know that says that people shouldn´t be forced to give to others don´t give anything to help others. I have found that this sentiment is born more out of a love of money than a love of God. I realize that this is an anecdotal experience.

Side: Democrat
pvtNobody(645) Disputed
5 points

Christianity (or most forms, some Protestant sects are more off the wall than others) is very adamant that personal choice is a major part of the journey. A person has the choice to be a moral, charitable, courteous and kind person. Or they have the choice to be greedy, selfish, rude and mean-hearted. It is not the government's place to babysit the people, I've said it many times on this site, and in many other mediums. Governments exist for the sole purpose of protecting our rights. That's it. They exist to make sure that some power-hungry snob with a lode of cash and a bunch of guns to force people to do their bidding. They exist to make sure that some tyrant from across the world doesn't show up with an army to take our land and enslave our children. They don't exist to put food on our table or cable in our homes.

The Republican party once stood for personal choice. At one time the Republican party stood for financial responsibility in the private and public sectors. It once stood for sane foreign policy and small government. Some people look at people like myself as "conservatives" but at one time we were the "liberals." Somehow the ideals of the founders of the United States, the concept of liberty and liberalism, became associated with the welfare state and ever growing governments.

Now. Back on topic, people do and should have the choice to do the right thing and give to the needy. They shouldn't be forced to. Period.

Side: Democrat
4 points

It's a mistake to attribute values (Christian or otherwise) to either political party. A party exists to win elections -- that is all.

If the Democrats thought they could get more votes by taking a pro-Iraq-war position, they would do so. If the Republicans thought they could get more votes by supporting gay marriage, they would do so.

I voted for Republican in this case because actively Christian people in the U.S. are more likely to vote Republican than Democrat and, to the extent the parties seem to express any values, such expression is based on the preferences of their voters.

Side: Republican
2 points

I don't think either side, let alone humanity would be qualified to know the intentions of a supreme being. Especially since there is so much conflict over meager evidence.

Side: Neither
1 point

Democrats want abortion, which is killing innocent life.

They are for stem cell research, which means killing fetuses for experimentation.

They are pro-gay marriage, which endorses sin and unnatural behavior.

Side: Republican
shunted(139) Disputed
6 points

It is possible to do stem cell research without using fetuses. Believing that abortion should be legal is much different than wanting it to occur. It is hard to call homosexuality unnatural when it pretty much occurs in all societies and has occurred throughout all of human history.

You have listed three issues that you feel are anti-Christian and let´s suppose that you are right on these three issues. The question is what party best represents Christian values. It is assumed that one can find policies in both parties that are not supported by Christian theology. Do you believe that Republicans have fewer policies that are contrary to the spirit of Christianity than the Democratic party?

I believe the Democrats´ views on social justice, welfare, health care, war, imprisonment, edcuation, and equality are all more in line with Christ´s teachings than the Republican party´s views on these issues. You can find issues in both parties that are contrary to the spirit of what Christ taught but which party is further away from that ideal? It seems clear to me that it is the Republican party.

Side: Democrat
rocknwow(77) Disputed
4 points

Gunman no Democrat wants abortion. Abortion is dumb. It's a stupid waste of resources but a lot of them agree it's not right to tell other people what to do.

Do you like being told what to do gunman?

From what I know you don't kill babies to do stem cell research. You don't even need babies to do stem cell research. As far as I can tell the problem is a fear that stem cell research """could""" result in an abuse of the system because researchers my want access to the best stem cells which seem to come from fetuses. Gunman you're on the case...no? I hope I can rely on you to monitor the situation and prevent the abuse...thanks.

The 10 commandments, isn't this what 'God' said sin is? I'm not much on the Bible but I don't remember any commandment telling anyone not to marry the same sex. Even if it is a sin, which I doubt, it's not even in the top 10 of sins.

As far as unatural behavior...do some homework gunman. There are all kinds of examples in nature where same sex couplings occur. Right in my backyard my female chocolate Lab is always trying to hump her buddy our female terrier. I don't really care but I think those two are more then just buddies.

Side: Democrat
HGrey87(750) Disputed
4 points

The world is overpopulated far past capacity. We've become cancer. Time for containment.

They can get stem cells from skin now. No gametes required.

Wait, why did I even bother to take your argument seriously?

Side: Democrat
NamelessJoe(16) Disputed
3 points

The bible is an incredibly complex, multi-thousand-page work, by dozens of authors, with hundreds of stories, with vague and often complex (and often contradictory) themes and messages.

The Christian Right takes this work and boils it into a simple manifesto that mainly says two things: abortion is bad, and gays are bad. The Bible's record on both, however, are extremely shaky. The bible never references or condemns abortion. There are a few passages that could be taken as saying that fetuses as saying that fetuses are or aren't people, but it's a bit like reading tea leaves. (see link for more detail.)

Homosexuality is on similarly shaky ground: one part of the old Testament lists it as a sin, but a sin on par with eating shellfish. Leviticus says that abhorrent, and punishable by death, but it says the same about heterosexual fornication. Many would claim that Sodom and Gomorrah is primarily about homosexuality, but this is very debatable.

And then there's the whole problem with taking the Bible, especially the Old Testament, as the end-all-be-all place to go for morality. The Old Testament has passages that can be taken as being pro-genocide and pro-slavery, every bit as much as other passages can be taken as anti-abortion and anti-homosexuality. It describes a God who murders infants, slaughters people by the thousands, and encourages his people to destroy the civilizations of nonbelievers, killing or enslaving the men and having their way with the enemy's women. The New Testament's God preaches forgiveness and loving one's enemy, but willingly sends the unrepentant to a place where they'll be tortured for all of eternity.

In one passage in Leviticus, it's stated in very clear language that death by stoning is an appropriate punishment for disobedient children. Another passage states that the punishment for working on the sabbath is death. Should good Christians try to follow, and enforce, these rules?

What I'm trying to say, gunman, is that you should broaden your horizons a bit. You seem like a smart enough guy, and you ought to know better than basing all of your beliefs and ethics on someone's peculiar interpretation of an old book.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/imm_bibl.htm#menu

Supporting Evidence: The Bible and Abortion (www.ffrf.org)
Side: Republican
-2 points
Blacklaser(56) Disputed
3 points

Your statements are oozing with ignorance and show a very black & white perception of the world. I hate to brake it to you but there's a lot of shades of gray in between, and colors too!

I'm not a U.S. resident so I wouldn't consider myself either Democrat or Republican, but I'm interested in politics and have informed myself on both parties and it seems to me that you might not even know what the Republican party is about, much less the Democratic one.

Side: Democrat
rocknwow(77) Disputed
2 points

Gunman...thanks for the laugh. You got me good. I truly believed your comments but now I see you're just doing this for laughs.

How can you chastise 'Dems' for advocating drug use when your avatar shows a guy with a cigar. We all know nicotine is a drug. Hehehe good one.

You even say drug use 'changes your body'. Funny stuff...considering the changes a gun can do to your body. I get it your being facetious. Kinda misjudged you my man.

They are for tolerance of religions that treat women as property and think religious rule of countries is ok where islam is forced on all people.

A-right jack...let's nuke the towel headed camel jockeys.

Side: Democrat
FukUMomma Disputed
1 point

Then we should ban alcohol, tobacco, and not in any way shape or form use any medication since it is a drug, no more caffeine either. Christians have done more to silence the role women have played in the world success. A bunch of crusty white cronies wrote the history books. Islam, if you werent such a arrogant dope is Christianity same god same teachings they just take them to the extreme Allah is just another word for God..

Side: Democrat
-2 points
HGrey87(750) Disputed
3 points

The down votes you get on that comment are "enough said."

Side: Democrat
12 points

I don´t believe that God favors one party over the other but I have many conservative Christian friends who believe that the Republican party is the one that true Christians ought to support. I don´t understand this view because Jesus mostly preached about social issues and following God. In almost all social issues that I can think of Democrats appear, to me, to be the ones with policies more in line with Christ´s teachings.

Side: Democrat
5 points

Agreed. The democrats are the most socially conscious that are in support of social welfare. This is EXACTLY what Jesus taught. He did not ask the poor if they "earned" the money that the rich may have donated to them. He said if someone asks for something, you give it to them, and if they strike you on the cheek, you offer the other.

I am not necessarily in support of these values as I am not a Christian, however from my objective point of view I do believe that the Democrats represent Christianity best.

Side: Democrat
3 points

It is interesting to hear you agree with you not being a Christian. Many Christians disagree and that is an alarming fact to me.

Side: Democrat
1 point

I think what most people forget is most people on welfare are working and some with 2 jobs.

working at wall mart is a example . live in AZ and we passed a law hear to drug test all applicants fore welfare in the first we tested 87,000 people and found 3 drug users saving the taxpayers about 31 hundred dollars but the cost of this to taxpayers was over a million and a half dollars .

Since Ronald regan the wealth of this country has been going from the bottom to the top . but they tell you your problems are because of the guy on the bottom who has nothing.

Side: Democrat
cybrweez(53) Disputed
0 points

Well, giving to the poor personally, and having the government do it, are 2 completely different things. Jesus would support anyone giving to the poor. However, the government bungles it so badly, and wastes so much, how could anyone say its more effective than individuals giving themselves? The bible also teaches about hard work, and many argue welfare enables laziness. Its a gross simplification to say Jesus would support welfare b/c it gives to the poor. Does it really help? That's what the debate is about, not whether we should give to the poor. The republican side would say, you earned the money, you decide, not government.

Side: Republican
Tugman(749) Disputed
3 points

What about Abortion and Gay marriage. How are they in line with Christ's teachings when they are trying to remove Him from the Pledge of Allegiance.

Side: Republican
FukUMomma Disputed
1 point

If we want to be all high and mighty then we should still have slaves and pay for our wives. Christians did not invent Marriage...if anything they fucked it up for the rest of the world

Side: Democrat
JakeJ(3255) Disputed
3 points

The choice(key word) to help others should be my choice. Not my parties. The republican party is for people being free to make whatever choices they want.

If the government forces me to help somebody, I don't gain from the experience, but if I choose to, I gain a lot.

We are looking at socialistic policies vs personal choice.

I think Christ favors personal choice.

Side: Republican
rmckoy(2) Disputed
1 point

Jesus never preach about social issues. He preach about seeking and saving those who are loss. The unsaved. Jesus never said take from the rich ( those who righteously earn it) and give to the poor. He said if you don't work you don't eat, that plain and simple. God favors the ones who continue in his word. This country was blessed beyond measures until Obama took office. Now we are in debt , no jobs ,poor economy. Scandals after scandals. Gay marriages, etc. We have a president who doesn't believe in our constitution (written by mostly Christians). We have the riches oil reserve in the world, and this administration is doing nothing. We were bless with wealth, but now we are poor because of the unmoral policies this president has past. This country started to go unmoral when they decided to pass Roe-vs-Wade. The bible said when the righteous rule the people rejoice. I don't see any rejoicing. Giving to the poor was a church responsibility as a Christian nation. president Obama said we are a nation of citizens, not Christians , Jews, or Muslims. We took pray out of schools , I could go on and on ,but you get the picture I'm painting. No more blessings for this country until we turn from our wicked ways and seek God again. The democrats think Hellenistic (about self). Jesus lived in the first century He was Semitic (family oriented). The democrats are considered liberals, I know God is not a liberal, but LOVE. Anything does not go in this world we have Laws and principles. The democrats have showed over and over again their unmoral policies they past No my friend ,social is how we live , by the word of God..

en

Side: Republican
4 points

I'm putting Democrat, because I can't say "neither one."

Who would Jesus bomb? Would he deny medical care to the poor? Would he complain about an illegal immigrant "problem" he helped create in the first place?

Side: Democrat
2 points

Which party should God smite first?

God...what a religion. The debate asks which group of millions of people would God smite first.

You gotta love a God that advocates, "Thou shalt not kill" and then goes out and smites people.

Although I could be making the wrong assumption? Perhaps we're talking about a Muslim, Jewish or some other God that really wants to do away with Christians...???

Side: Democrat
shunted(139) Disputed
2 points

The question, "Which party should God smite first", was asked in jest. I don't really think God should smite one over the other. It was levity.

Side: Democrat
rmckoy(2) Disputed
1 point

When does the creation tell the creator what he or she thinks is wrong or right? I believe His ways are higher than ours. You need to study his word for understanding. He gave us instructions on how to live here on earth until he returns. believe it or not the truth can always withstand the questioning. There is ONE Faith, and One God.

Side: Republican
JakeJ(3255) Disputed
1 point

Hmm, more like:

Would Jesus force people to help the poor through socialistic policies, or would he give them the choice??

Side: Republican
HGrey87(750) Disputed
1 point

Sorry to burst your bubble, but Jesus was a Socialist. But no, he wouldn't force people to take part in them.

But guess which choice would beget a world more in line with JC's philosophy?

Side: Democrat
2 points

The Democratic party is the anti-war party. Republicans do not live up to Jesus' teaching to "love thy enemy" and "turn the other cheek". Nowhere in the Bible does it say that these rules somehow do not apply at a national level.

Side: Democrat
2 points

Republicans love to talk about gun rights and eliminating the rights of gays and migrants. Democrats actually care passionately about helping these and a great many more groups. Jesus was all about selfless caring for others. You see this with the Democrats in their support for human rights, help for the least among us, etc. All I ever see from Republicans is a sincere desire to hurt anyone and any thing that stands between them and their own pleasure. Are there caring concerned Republicans? Of course. But the party itself has long ago shed that caring they had as their foundation in 1860. This has long ago stopped being the party freeing people from an over-regulating government, and all about incarcerating migrants and pulling as many hard fought civil rights from as many people as possible. That's hardly a Christian position.

Side: Democrat
2 points

Christ was a socialist. He said people should pay taxes (Matthew 22:15-21). Taxes, thus, are Christian. Republicans, on the other hand, do not believe in taxes.

Jesus also said that the poor are blessed, and that the meek will inherit the earth.

He instructs people to love their enemies, which is rather socialist. A capitalist will either bankrupt or buy out their enemies. Look at Microsoft and Yahoo!

He also is against property and consumption, as he instructs people to not own things on Earth because we must save ourselves for heaven. (Matthew 6:19-21)

In fact, Jesus advocates disposession as a virtue (Matthew 8:21-22)

Jesus believes in mircales that will feed 5000 (Matthew 14:13-21), which is what socialists preach.

Jesus actually believes that being rich and getting to heaven are nearly impossible to correlate (Matthew 19:23), just like the democrats who are also against the rich.

The biblical evidence is clear. Jesus was a socialist, and thus a democrat.

Side: Democrat
Tugman(749) Disputed
3 points

You pay taxes to help maintain stuff like roads, police/firefighters, the military and things like that. The meek are those who are not cocky and obsessed with money. Many actors are Democrats and they make a ton of money. Jesus meant that getting rich by being greedy will keep you from getting to Heaven. You can be rich and get to heaven.

Side: Republican
1 point

Since there are so many various christian sects, it is difficult to pin down a specific set of "values" and call them "christian." But, seeing as Jesus threw money changers out of the temple, it sounds like he wasn't very "pro-business" so I would definitely go with Democrats, with respect to which party represents Christ's feelings on greedy businessmen. (Obviously, they were greedy since they were doing business in a temple.) Also, the Democratic party is more progressive on civil rights issues than the Republican party.

Side: Democrat
1 point

While I think there are many positions in the Democratic party which are not compatible with, the democratic party's support of social justice issues is the trump card in my opinion. Its central to the message of Jesus Christ more-so than a lot of other non-Christian issues which get the majority of the news, such as abortion, homosexuality, etc.

Side: Democrat
1 point

Republicans, particularly Bush-Republicans, still consider war as part of a foreign policy. Read the 10 commandments: "You shall not kill".

Case closed.

Side: Democrat
1 point

The best answer would be neither. He was anti-establishment every chance he got.

The second best answer is Democrat. He was all about feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, healing the sick, tolerating those which people in power refused to tolerate, loving your fellow human being. And when the religious authorities of his day argued black and white this is the way things are he emphatically and repeatedly said no to them.

The conservatives will scream hell no and drop fire and brimstone on this. And in so doing they demonstrate why he would not have been a conservative Republican.

Side: Democrat
0 points

Answer the following based on wikipedia's definition of Christian values http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_values :

Worship of God... which party encourages freedom of religion?

Fidelity in marriage... which party is known for the least number of marital and sexual indiscretions?

Renunciation of worldly goods... which party thinks with their pocketbook less than the other?

Renunciation of violence... which party believes in gun control?

Forgiveness of sins... which party lets go and moves on with things (is progressive)?

Unconditional love... which party is least hateful and discriminatory?

When you have answered these, you have answered this debate.

Side: Democrat
-2 points