Religion and the conservative or liberal mindset. Differences? Why?

1. 87

   tsmogposted 3 weeks ago

   After reading a two part series, Exploring Conservative and Liberal Religion I have had questions answered, some unanswered, and inspiration for a lot of pondering. Of course, a great many questions are centered around 'authority' with its varied aspects having a generalized learned perspective through 'upbringing' or one might say family values at the center or a hierarchical structure of authority.
   
   In one sense mainline religions are by default conservative with long embed traditions considering when each came into being. In other words, centuries old while Judaeo-Christianity dates back to creation. The Hindu religion dates back to 1500 BC. Islam dates back to 610 CE. In the US The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formed in 1830 and may be considered the most recent. Of course, Atheism is in the mix and connections to religions such as Buddhists, though is arguable.
   
   Before going to far next is the links to the two part series
   
   Exploring Conservative and Liberal Religion by Public Square Magazine (Jan 25, 2022)
   Part one of a series exploring differences in conservative and liberal approaches to faith—considering especially the implications for Latter-day Saints.
   https://publicsquaremag.org/faith/gospe … -religion/
   
   " No soul is a blank slate lacking temperament and worldview, and this is especially true in matters of faith. Just as conservative and liberal personality traits and moral intuitions affect our politics, they likewise affect our faith: the ways we think about stories in scripture, the ways we respond to directives from church sources, the expectations we hold toward our community, and so forth. Before diving into a discussion of conservative and liberal tendencies in religion, it’s important to note that there is not always a consistent overlap between our approach to faith and our partisan politics: it is possible to lean conservative in politics but liberal in how we approach religion, and vice versa.  When reading this series of essays, you may be tempted to think of this in political terms, but please try not to—since my focus here is religion, not politics. {Admittedly, as I read the series I was not able to significantly do that}    This is also not a blanket judgment of conservative or liberal church culture, which one is right and which one is wrong. It’s more an exploration of these different ways of thinking."
   
   Belonging and Believing in Conservative and Liberal Religion by Pubic Square Magazine (Feb 1, 2022)
   Part two of a series exploring differences in conservative and liberal approaches to faith - with a focus on competing ways conservative and liberal-leaning believers tend to approach authority and belonging.
   https://publicsquaremag.org/dialogue/pe … -religion/
   
   "Authority is one of the most important questions for a faith community: which individuals carry authority to determine doctrine; whether important community norms are derived from legitimate authority; whether texts and other sources are authoritative, and why; and so forth. Then there is the question of authority for each individual, of how much to rely upon external sources of authority versus internal sources like intuition.
   
   In general, conservative-leaning people appreciate strong sources of external authority, and for churchgoers, these sources of authority are usually a combination of strong leaders; authoritative texts like scripture and manuals; and the authority of tradition—along with their own personal experience of God. Liberal-leaning churchgoers tend to be skeptical of these sources, or at least more keenly aware of their limitations.
   
   Liberal sources of authority tend to be more internal, and centered on the individual’s own intuition and lived experiences. However, academia is a major source of external authority for liberal-leaning churchgoers, which often brings them into conflict with conservative sources of authority that see academia as only one of many sources, not to be given priority over personal and institutional revelation or the shared witness testimony of believers."
   
   How much do you 'think' religion plays in the society of your country or even community?
   
   Is your local or any local place of worship with its leaders active in your community having a good portion of influence? If not, would you desire it to be so?
   
   I know, yeah, yeah, it said not to think about it regarding politics, however how much do you think religious influence has had on the conservative or liberal mindset within politics?
   
   "Scientists have speculated that the human brain features a "God spot," one distinct area of the brain responsible for spirituality. Now, researchers have completed research that indicates spirituality is a complex phenomenon, and multiple areas of the brain are responsible for the many aspects of spiritual experiences."
   
   Considering the above thoughts on that is the strength of an individual with religious thoughts biological more than learned? Or, vice versa more learned? Or, it is simply is hogwash?
   
   Thoughts, criticisms, accolades, and commentary?

   replyreport
   1. 71

      Ken Burgessposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      I think if you meander over into the more current (last 30 years) views and teachings of psychology and tie it into this, it might help illuminate some of the answers you seek.
      
      I was not a very good student (IMO) in college, I was too direct and too interested in solid facts, rather than opinion or speculation.
      
      Anyways... I do recall the occasions when I had AHA!!! moments... one of them was in a Psych 101 course with an exceptionally experienced and active teacher (unlike those professors that seclude themselves in academia and have little real world experience) whose work in a variety of fields, including law enforcement, gave him great insight and ability to teach.
      
      Also, I should mention I had taken Psych 101 almost 25+ years prior to taking it again, so I was also noting the vast difference in what was being taught, new beliefs/information in my second go-around.
      
      So... the AHA moment (which I am going to brutalize for sure as this was about 20 years ago) in summary was that some people have a strong make-up that allows them to easily handle the stress and uncertainty of new situations and new environments.
      
      It is not something that can be taught so much as it is something ingrained in their DNA, they are born with it.
      
      Some people thrive when thrust into new situations, new lands, new cultures, new languages... they adapt, they survive... these people are the minority, most try to avoid such change and/or turmoil or struggle with them when life confronts them with such.
      
      Some people NEED structure, the certainty and absoluteness of a Faith, as well as the support of a community (once they have learned the language and social norms of one society it is the only one they want to know or learn about).
      
      [EDIT - for some people this is a Political Identity, and for them to forsake their Party, no matter how much it may change, or how evil its actions may become, is nearly impossible... it is part of who they are.]
      
      People dealing with major life stressors such as natural disaster, illness, loss of loved ones, divorce, show that religion and spirituality are helpful in people's coping efforts, especially people with the fewest resources facing the most uncontrollable of problems.
      
      Some people don't need faith, their make-up and their mental-health is sufficient to handle what life throws at them... many others cannot, and without some "faith" (a combination of Faith, Family, Society) to believe in, they struggle.
      
      [EDIT AGAIN - so if you are the Leader of a Nation, and half the nation believes in one thing (say Christianity) and the other half believes in other things (Atheism, Anarchism, etc.) you need to find a balance with which to rule and control them all. 
      The more diverse and divided the people within become, the less they have in common and the harder it is to maintain control. 
      And if you add to that favoritism to one minority group (or groups) at the expense of the majority group, you should anticipate backlash against your leadership, to include  extreme or violent actions]

      replyreport
      1. 81

         Kathryn L Hillposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

         Another thing the founding fathers didn't leave a solution for:
         disgruntled minorities.
         The losers of the Majority vote. Seems to be a real dilemma.

         replyreport
      2. 87

         tsmogposted 2 weeks agoin reply to this

         Appreciate the reply and thoughts. Food for thought.

         replyreport
2. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 3 weeks ago

   "I know, yeah, yeah, it said not to think about it regarding politics, however how much do you think religious influence has had on the conservative or liberal mindset within politics?"
   
   For myself, I see that society is not as calm or happy as it was back in the fifties, sixties and seventies. We, in general, believed in God. We celebrated Easter and Christmas and went to church on Sundays.
   
   It was enough to keep us on a path of wholesome goodness, but as things have gotten less and less God and church oriented, society has become more listless, more callous, more apt to be angry and self-righteous. More apt to take on victim mentality, more apt to disrespect teachers, parents, and leaders and more apt to find solace in drugs, playing video games and watching movies.
   
   Its very sad, when God has so much to offer by way of happiness and fun activities involving helping others and appreciating/preserving nature, His world.
   
   As far as politics, God helps us know what is real, true and lasting ... and what to preserve. Things like freedom and laws.

   replyreport
   1. 87

      tsmogposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      One element I see is the violent rhetoric of Right Christian Nationalism. Seems to be a long way from what Christ taught.

      replyreport
3. 91

   Nathanvilleposted 3 weeks ago

   In answer to your questions, relevant to Britain (excluding Northern Ireland):
   
   #1 Q:  How much do you 'think' religion plays in the society of your country…?
   
   A:  Very little these days – Since the early 1960’s Britain has gradually become a secular society; with in 2018, 52% of Brits listing their religion as ‘none’.
   
   #2 Q:  Is your local or any local place of worship with its leader’s active in your community having a good portion of influence? If not, would you desire it to be so?
   
   A:  No, less than 5% of Brits attend church.  What I am in favour of is the growth in multi-faith churches in Britain:  https://youtu.be/bZTVW6Y83Bs
   
   #3 Q:  “How much do you think religious influence has had on the conservative or liberal mind-set within politics?”
   
   A:  In spite of the fact that there are 25 Bishop politicians in the House of Lords (Parliament), there is very little religious influence in politics these days in Britain (unlike Northern Ireland), Conservative political policies in Britain are no more or no less influenced by religion than any other political party:  Our last Prime Minster, Rishi Sunak (Conservative) was a practicing Hindu. Our current Prime Minster, Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) is an atheist, and the elected Mayor of London (the 2nd most important politician in the UK), Sadiq Khan (Labour) is Muslim. 
   
   Although, under the British Constitution, Queen Elizabeth was the ‘defender of the faith’ (Church of England); King Charles is now ‘defender of faiths’ (all faiths, including non-faiths), to reflect changing times.
   
   #4 Q:  “Is the strength of an individual with religious thoughts biological more than learned? Or, vice versa more learned? Or, it is simply is hogwash?
   
   A:  I think the gradual trend away from religion to a secular society, with the majority of Brits having no religion, is a clear indication that religious thoughts, or the lack of them, is influenced more by society (learned) than is biological.

   replyreport
   1. 87

      tsmogposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      Thanks for contribution! Interesting the reply to #4. I had not that of that.

      replyreport