Why are so many Jewish U.S. voters liberal?

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Orwell, the correct answer is that ruveyn's economic conservatism is more rightwing than your average Jew. He's fairly socially libertarian, with the exception of his cavemen views on women's intellect. The situation for religious Jews would probably be distinct - they'd be more like Catholics (emphasizing social justice, but very Purtainical on issues like abortion, women's rights, same-sex marriage).

For the record, the Catholic laity are not nearly as conservative on social issues as the official stances of their Church. Nor are they quite as liberal on economic issues.

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/new ... one-1.1474

Myabe not, but that Church certainly tries to coerce any politicians ascribing to it's faith, at least in Canada:

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archiv ... l/05070703

But I'd think that the Catholic laity in South America is probably even more leftwing than the Church. "Liberation Theology" folks weren't popular in the region for nothing.

Yes. I support them so much I want the government to get out of this area completely. The government does not belong in our crotches or in various and sundry hollow organs of the human body.

My response to government: let us be! Deal only with acts of fraud, acts of aggression of one against the other, deal only with the dangers foreign powers threaten us with. That is the rightful business of government. Government is NOT here to make us Better People. That is our job.

ruveyn

+1

Much of politics is just self-interest masquerading as principle. A distinction should be made between liberal true believers and people who promote liberalism to advance their own group interests.
It's not always easy to tell the difference, and while a minority of jews (e.g., Norman Finkelstein, Gilad Atzmon, Mordechai Vannunu) would seem to fall into the first category, the implication of the quotes above is that most US jews fall into the second category, i.e., they promote liberalism in the US because they think that is better for American jews.
By contrast, there are some jews, like Norman Podhoretz, who promote conservatism in the US (i.e, conservatism of the race-blind, open-borders, individualist, pro-israel variety) because they think that would be better for jews instead.

In the videos below, jewish convert to Orthodox Christianity, Brother Nathanel Kapner, explains further.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiwRZZqK3Ns[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ0qYBpIplY[/youtube]

The Liberal Party of Canada just suffered a catastrophic defeat and may never recover. So it's not just "Jewish Liberals" (not to be confused with small-"l" liberals or progressives, of which I can assure you there are plenty) that have seen their numbers shrink.

But I should add by US standards, Stephen Harper would be a moderate Republican or "RINO" and they do much better with Jewish voters than Bush/Palin/Tea Party type Republicans.

Jews are just about the most socially liberal ethnic and religious community (with practically no anti-abortion, anti-gay, etc. constituency outside the 10% or so that are Orthodox).

I have to ask - just how do American evangelicals reconcile Jewish liberalism with their own social conservatism?
I would think, if evangelicals didn't have their end time theology, along with their notion that Christ was going to return to a Jerusalem ruled over and inhabited by Jews, they would have no reason to be anything but Antisemitic.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

The Jews have to be packed up and shipped to Israel before Christ will return. There is your reconciliation.

ruveyn

Okay, that makes sense.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

Hey I just noticed that in 2008 most Caucasians voted O'bama.

Why are most whites liberal? Something in their brains?

They believe, as I do, that God blesses those who bless the jews, and curses those who curse the jews.

Israel has always lead the world in gay rights, womens rights, labor rights, social justice via an activist court, a press which is as routinely critical of their government as the NYT is of ours, etc. We've always been aware of that, but that is not of importance to the Untied States. There is a covenant between God and the rest of the world that those who bring harm to its people will be cursed with misfortune. We prefer to be blessed, and we've been more blessed then any other nation, government, or state in history.

Much of Christian history hasn't been too kind to the Jews, but America and our christians are unique. We've always seen ourselves not only as the new Jews - the original had a task on earth to spread ethical monotheism whereas our mission was to spread liberty and democracy - and always affirmed that there was an original "chosen" people who came before us. Their linear thinking, that there is progress to be made in this world was progressive in its time where monarchs and nobles ruled most of the world.

Jews have had it rough in this nation, as has every group has decided to participate in the American experiment. For what we've been able to accomplish is no small feat, and we've actually succeeded.

Our end-time theology is the new leftist smear on what is viewed as a hypocritical and artificial Judeo-Christian partnership. Our country, believe or not, doesn't religiously source its values exclusively from Christianity, thank god. We are Judeo-Christian and I can make the case if you'd like.

You're free to believe anything you like. I think Jews should be treated fairly simply because they're human beings - no different from blacks, gays, or anyone else - and not because God gives us something for it. As for this notion of "America's place in biblical prophecy" - I'm sorry, but I just don't buy into it. As mainline Christian, I was raised to believe that the designation of Israel is a spiritual one today, given to those in Christ. But as for Christian Americans the "new Jews," that's a notion alien to me. As for the notion that it's our role to spread democracy for God - well, I'm afraid that is just not something I can accept. Number one, there is simply no biblical basis for it - in fact, the whole history of the ancient Hebrews is one of totalitarian monarchy, without one word of free government. And number two, it's the role of Christians to spread the word of Christ, not any political philosophy. Christianity has flourished in both free and unfree countries - we just have been blessed with living in a free country. If you think me wrong, show me a biblical passage that will set me straight.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

Where do you come up with such fantasies?


To the extent that we have any national values, they are derived from Enlightenment philosophy, which is independent of any religious creed.

Whites are a subset of Caucasians. But in answer to your question, I would say yes - perhaps. Genuine, true-believer liberals (as opposed to tactical liberals) are almost always White (White as in being of Eurochristian descent - not jewish, Gypsy, Arab, Indian etc). It could be down to some genetic predisposition among White people that has recently manifested itself in the environment of the modern world.