Thanks for that. In the UK we have socialists and liberals as two different entities. There are more options than left or right. However, it is interesting to hear that left leaning pro-lifers are not that exceptional, as I am not sure if I have met or communicated with any from the U.S. (Maybe one).

Thanks for your comments

That being said, does that mean I support everything that occurs in a capitalist system? No. Does that mean that I don’t support government intervention?

I think I tend to side with the right more out of opposition to the left than identification with conservatism. On many issues, I don’t have any strong opinions, and I could go either way.

There are plenty of Catholics who are not fiscal conservatives who are pro-life. While I do believe the majority of pro-lifers are conservatives, left-leaning pro-lifers are not that exceptional.

MInTheGap: Okay, the principle that a workman is worth his hire is biblical (a point Paul made, even though he accepted no money for praching the gospel). However, I think it is a leap from this to capitalism. An honest wage is necessary for a living which does not condemn the worker to poverty. However, the capitalist system does not reward people by the worth of what they do, but by the market value.

Looking at our capitalist systems, we have the rich for ever getting the richer whilst the poor struggle to mark time. The notion of trickle down effects fails to moderate this, and we have some crazy notions (such as production must minimise consumption at every stage until a product is passed to the consumer, who must consume it entirely).

I don’t think this is congruent with Christian ascetism.

Thanks for commenting,
Stephen

I think that you are mistaken in Christianity not on the side of capitalism. After all the term “Protestant Work Ethic” derives its idea out of a “just wage” (an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay). It is Protestantism that believes that you should be able to do hard work and be compensated, and that what you do benefits you and your family. So, at the root, Capitalism (though it can become a function of greed) is also a Christian ethic.

The Republican’s stand on many issues (school choice, pro-life, …) are rooted in the fact that the Christians are in the party and push these things, but also because they have a good side for Republican core beliefs.

School Choice– You should be able to choose your education, not have it forced on you.

Pro-Life– Need more kids to keep economy running: workers.

So, they’re intertwined.

In conclusion, Pro-Choice is really one of the few things the conglomorate group of Democrats has left in common with the others. They refuse to have leaders that are Pro-Life (or only for a tactical advantage) and so by that definition have made the Republicans Pro-Life.

Still, an interesting post and I’ve added it to my blog roundup for the day.