The Reformed Churches Promoting...

[joshuabgood]

I dont spend much time looking at the political trends in the Anabaptist world. So I'm here to learn in regards to the left vs right demographics of the CA.

But I would say that all the current most popular CA Anabaptist podcast/ Youtube presence (Anabaptist perspectives, Sound Faith, FOTW, Strength to Strength, etc), definitely voice their suspicions of anything that's right-leaning/ Republican. I think there is a current trend amongst some CA's that is trying to pull our kind away from what they perceive as a "alt-right" Republican propaganda via online influence. Their assumption might be a correct, I don't know, but I dont hear much opposition of anything the Left does from these online formats.

Perhaps the silent majority amongst the plain Anabaptist is "praying-republican"...but the loudest on the internet are definitely voicing their opinion in the opposite direction. If you know of a Anabaptist presence online that is pro-Republican leaning, I would like to hear who it is...

Probably 10% or fewer CA's listen to the podcasts you mentioned. Anabaptist Perspectives probably has the highest, of the ones you mentioned, but there again the numbers aren't higher than 10-20%. More like 10, or even less. Republican leaning broadcasts, Fox, et al - are much more common.

[JohnH]

They are Republican in their politics. (CA's are also on a scale of 90/10 across the very plain to the fundamentalist plain - even if they don't vote - all their language is sympathetic and affirming to Republican mores). They have a dim view of the "welfare" states.

I strongly disagree, at least on the Old Order, Holdeman, more conservative, etc. end of things.

For example, it is not accurate to say they have a dim view of the "welfare" states. I have often heard that is actually good if people who are insane, homeless, poor, etc. are able to get some help. There is often a view that churches and private individuals should be part of that help.

They are very suspicious of immigration patterns/trends.

This is also not accurate. There is a wide variety of views (certainly not 90/10) about migration patterns, refugees, and so on. My own views are probably not in the majority in my own conference, nor in Old Order circles. They are probably in the majority in BMA, Keystone, etc. circles, however.

They are very traditional regarding gender *roles.* They are authoritarian in their approach to governance. They are insular and fairly exclusionist.

I disagree that plain Anabaptists are "exclusionist". Anyone can join them. In fact, what is required to become an "insider" is quite well explained and it's possible for basically anyone to do it, provided they are a Christian in the first place (or become one).

It may be worthwhile that many, many plain Anabaptists are not even Americans. What do you think the politics of people in Canada, Belize, or Mexico are? Which parties do you think they would support?

[JohnH]

Probably 10% or fewer CA's listen to the podcasts you mentioned. Anabaptist Perspectives probably has the highest, of the ones you mentioned, but there again the numbers aren't higher than 10-20%. More like 10, or even less. Republican leaning broadcasts, Fox, et al - are much more common.

Only less conservative groups listen to those (Anabaptist Perspectives, etc.) podcasts. Amongst more conservative groups, listening to them would be strongly discouraged, and they would be viewed as "liberal" or else simply not Anabaptist.

Note that even the term "Anabaptist" is generally a negative term amongst more conservative Anabaptists. They call themselves Mennonites, Amish, etc.

[R7ehr]

I dont spend much time looking at the political trends in the Anabaptist world. So I'm here to learn in regards to the left vs right demographics of the CA.

But I would say that all the current most popular CA Anabaptist podcast/ Youtube presence (Anabaptist perspectives, Sound Faith, FOTW, Strength to Strength, etc), definitely voice their suspicions of anything that's right-leaning/ Republican. I think there is a current trend amongst some CA's that is trying to pull our kind away from what they perceive as a "alt-right" Republican propaganda via online influence. Their assumption might be a correct, I don't know, but I dont hear much opposition of anything the Left does from these online formats.

Perhaps the silent majority amongst the plain Anabaptist is "praying-republican"...but the loudest on the internet are definitely voicing their opinion in the opposite direction. If you know of a Anabaptist presence online that is pro-Republican leaning, I would like to hear who it is...

I think that those online voices that you named, are all trying to combat or warn against the tendencies in their own camps who are being pulled towards politics. Because virtually zero of their constituencies get pulled in the direction of Democrats, there really is no need to warn against that. It's just not needed. I don't think that it is because they are supporters of the Democratic values, even if they may sympathize with a couple here or there. I think to hear their concerns as being in some way recruiting for the Democrats would be a sorry misread of their intention.

I identify with the concerns that these online voices raise. Our people should not be attracted towards the Republican party. As my bishop preached on Sunday, it makes more sense for a MAGA Republican to support and vote for a liberal Democrat, than it does for a Christian to vote for a Republican (or for a Democrat). Point being that the MAGA and Democrat have more in common that Christians do with either one.

[JohnH]

Because virtually zero of their constituencies get pulled in the direction of Democrats, there really is no need to warn against that. It's just not needed. I don't think that it is because they are supporters of the Democratic values, even if they may sympathize with a couple here or there. I think to hear their concerns as being in some way recruiting for the Democrats would be a sorry misread of their intention.

I think this makes a mistake of thinking there is a "bipolar" world with only two directions.

For example, the most popular "alt right" and "far right" podcasts are, generally, speaking, very against the current action America is taking against Iran.

So does that mean we should be cautioning people against having such opinions? It would seem like lunacy to be cautioning people, "You know, you really need to be careful listening to Candace Owens, because it might lead to you not supporting this war."

[R7ehr]

Because virtually zero of their constituencies get pulled in the direction of Democrats, there really is no need to warn against that. It's just not needed. I don't think that it is because they are supporters of the Democratic values, even if they may sympathize with a couple here or there. I think to hear their concerns as being in some way recruiting for the Democrats would be a sorry misread of their intention.

I think this makes a mistake of thinking there is a "bipolar" world with only two directions.

For example, the most popular "alt right" and "far right" podcasts are, generally, speaking, very against the current action America is taking against Iran.

So does that mean we should be cautioning people against having such opinions? It would seem like lunacy to be cautioning people, "You know, you really need to be careful listening to Candace Owens, because it might lead to you not supporting this war."

I think largely speaking, it is still a bipolar world in conservative Mennonite circles. Very, very few would know about the nuances of the fracturing. They just aren't in that deep. Yes, a few are. But not most. What I've seen, is that when one of the very few pop off with a strong opinion in favor of some right wing idea (I've yet to hear anyone support a left wing idea), that person is met with mild reproval, not merely for the idea on its on isolated merits, but reproval for the fact that he is involved in consuming politics to the level that he is clearly doing.

There is about as much necessity in warning conservative Mennonites about Democrats, as there is in warning a cherry tree about growing oranges.

[Nomad]

I dont spend much time looking at the political trends in the Anabaptist world. So I'm here to learn in regards to the left vs right demographics of the CA.

But I would say that all the current most popular CA Anabaptist podcast/ Youtube presence (Anabaptist perspectives, Sound Faith, FOTW, Strength to Strength, etc), definitely voice their suspicions of anything that's right-leaning/ Republican. I think there is a current trend amongst some CA's that is trying to pull our kind away from what they perceive as a "alt-right" Republican propaganda via online influence. Their assumption might be a correct, I don't know, but I dont hear much opposition of anything the Left does from these online formats.

Perhaps the silent majority amongst the plain Anabaptist is "praying-republican"...but the loudest on the internet are definitely voicing their opinion in the opposite direction. If you know of a Anabaptist presence online that is pro-Republican leaning, I would like to hear who it is...

I think that those online voices that you named, are all trying to combat or warn against the tendencies in their own camps who are being pulled towards politics. Because virtually zero of their constituencies get pulled in the direction of Democrats, there really is no need to warn against that. It's just not needed. I don't think that it is because they are supporters of the Democratic values, even if they may sympathize with a couple here or there. I think to hear their concerns as being in some way recruiting for the Democrats would be a sorry misread of their intention.

I identify with the concerns that these online voices raise. Our people should not be attracted towards the Republican party. As my bishop preached on Sunday, it makes more sense for a MAGA Republican to support and vote for a liberal Democrat, than it does for a Christian to vote for a Republican (or for a Democrat). Point being that the MAGA and Democrat have more in common that Christians do with either one.

My experience is fairly limited to CA/ Mennonites on the west coast. I will say that my experience has been opposite of yours. But, I dont really talk to much politics with people so I am willing to take your word for it. My personal experience (which is limited), seems to be that most in the CA realm are anti-right...especially with the current war in Iran.

I don't like going off personal experience entirely though...because often its not a real representation of the big picture.

[R7ehr]

I dont spend much time looking at the political trends in the Anabaptist world. So I'm here to learn in regards to the left vs right demographics of the CA.

But I would say that all the current most popular CA Anabaptist podcast/ Youtube presence (Anabaptist perspectives, Sound Faith, FOTW, Strength to Strength, etc), definitely voice their suspicions of anything that's right-leaning/ Republican. I think there is a current trend amongst some CA's that is trying to pull our kind away from what they perceive as a "alt-right" Republican propaganda via online influence. Their assumption might be a correct, I don't know, but I dont hear much opposition of anything the Left does from these online formats.

Perhaps the silent majority amongst the plain Anabaptist is "praying-republican"...but the loudest on the internet are definitely voicing their opinion in the opposite direction. If you know of a Anabaptist presence online that is pro-Republican leaning, I would like to hear who it is...

I think that those online voices that you named, are all trying to combat or warn against the tendencies in their own camps who are being pulled towards politics. Because virtually zero of their constituencies get pulled in the direction of Democrats, there really is no need to warn against that. It's just not needed. I don't think that it is because they are supporters of the Democratic values, even if they may sympathize with a couple here or there. I think to hear their concerns as being in some way recruiting for the Democrats would be a sorry misread of their intention.

I identify with the concerns that these online voices raise. Our people should not be attracted towards the Republican party. As my bishop preached on Sunday, it makes more sense for a MAGA Republican to support and vote for a liberal Democrat, than it does for a Christian to vote for a Republican (or for a Democrat). Point being that the MAGA and Democrat have more in common that Christians do with either one.

My experience is fairly limited to CA/ Mennonites on the west coast. I will say that my experience has been opposite of yours. But, I dont really talk to much politics with people so I am willing to take your word for it. My personal experience (which is limited), seems to be that most in the CA realm are anti-right...especially with the current war in Iran.

I don't like going off personal experience entirely though...because often its not a real representation of the big picture.

Anti-right is a whole different thing though than pro-left. I suppose that these online voices are having some success in turning away people from the right. I hope that they are, because I don't want our people to become ardent Republicans.
I know people who are both anti-right and anti-left (not on specific issues, but when it comes to political parties).

[Nomad]

I think that those online voices that you named, are all trying to combat or warn against the tendencies in their own camps who are being pulled towards politics. Because virtually zero of their constituencies get pulled in the direction of Democrats, there really is no need to warn against that. It's just not needed. I don't think that it is because they are supporters of the Democratic values, even if they may sympathize with a couple here or there. I think to hear their concerns as being in some way recruiting for the Democrats would be a sorry misread of their intention.

I identify with the concerns that these online voices raise. Our people should not be attracted towards the Republican party. As my bishop preached on Sunday, it makes more sense for a MAGA Republican to support and vote for a liberal Democrat, than it does for a Christian to vote for a Republican (or for a Democrat). Point being that the MAGA and Democrat have more in common that Christians do with either one.

My experience is fairly limited to CA/ Mennonites on the west coast. I will say that my experience has been opposite of yours. But, I dont really talk to much politics with people so I am willing to take your word for it. My personal experience (which is limited), seems to be that most in the CA realm are anti-right...especially with the current war in Iran.

I don't like going off personal experience entirely though...because often its not a real representation of the big picture.

Anti-right is a whole different thing though than pro-left. I know people who are both anti-right and anti-left (not on specific issues, but when it comes to political parties).

You are right...I guess I wouldn't say they are "pro left" but I would say that as they are trying to pull some away from the "right" they tend to make some concessions to the "left". I've had 2 men in my church openly claim they would vote Democrat IF they voted. To be fair, it's probably more to make a point than it is a actual argument toward being more Democrat.

[JohnH]

I think largely speaking, it is still a bipolar world in conservative Mennonite circles. Very, very few would know about the nuances of the fracturing. They just aren't in that deep. Yes, a few are. But not most. What I've seen, is that when one of the very few pop off with a strong opinion in favor of some right wing idea (I've yet to hear anyone support a left wing idea), that person is met with mild reproval, not merely for the idea on its on isolated merits, but reproval for the fact that he is involved in consuming politics to the level that he is clearly doing.

There is about as much necessity in warning conservative Mennonites about Democrats, as there is in warning a cherry tree about growing oranges.

I have observed the opposite - people who are big into politics seem to mostly be into whatever faction of the right wing is worked up about the Epstein files, doesn't want a war in Iran, and so on. (The rest of conservative Mennonites I am around pay little attention to politics other than things that directly affect them like fertiliser prices.)

I am probably the only person I know in CM circles right now that views any of the actions going on in Iran positively at all. That worries me a bit - because the loudest voices who are against this war in Iran also subscribe to conspiracy theories about how Israel controls the U.S. government and on and on.