Austin Texas Evangelical Pastor: I will be voting for Democrat Sen. Barack Obama

[sabra]

http://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/hp/content/shared/news/stories/2008/10/OBAMAGELICALS_1019_COX.html

AUSTIN, Texas — In past presidential elections, Geno Hildebrandt usually voted Republican, driven in part by his opposition to abortion.

But this year, the pastor of Hope Chapel in North Austin is reconsidering what it means to be pro-life and breaking ranks with his conservative Christian peers. He said he's voting for Democrat Sen. Barack Obama, a candidate known for his support of abortion rights.

"For me politically, I think it's difficult in the extreme," said Hildebrandt, 53, who describes himself as a charismatic and theologically conservative Christian. "I would not be tepidly pro-Obama unless I was pretty fed up with what is presented to me on the other side and by the other ticket."

For too long, Hildebrandt said, the Republican Party has taken his vote for granted, believing that its stance against abortion will keep conservative Christians on its side. Among his close friends, Hildebrandt is the lone Obama voter. And he's gotten an earful from folks who think he's abandoning his convictions.

...

"Younger believers — including Catholics and white evangelicals — are significantly more supportive of bigger government and expanding diplomatic efforts abroad," he said, noting that they are embracing the Gospel call to help the poor, serve as peacemakers and be good stewards of the earth. "It's not surprising, therefore, that they are supporting some of the ideas put forward by the Democrats in 2008. It may very well be that in this election, the conventional wisdom about the 'values voters' — who they are and what they want — gets turned on its head."

Hildebrandt is particularly upset with what he sees as a mishandled prosecution of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Bush's "go-it-alone" approach to potential threats in Iran and North Korea and a "deregulated market allowing predatory practices which injure the middle class."

[YOY]

1. I really don't give a shit if he's for us or against us.

Keep your religion out of politics.

[Lucky 13]

4. OK, BUT.... if this guy can convince some evangelicals that Obama isn't the enemy....

isn't that a good thing? We do want to WIN right?

[YOY]

7. I know, but when you cut some rules they have to be across the board.

Start talking politics in church? IRS time.

We are going to win this. Any free-thinking Christian is already for Obama. The idiots are already sold on whatever the Republicans could have dug up.

[Lucky 13]

10. I agree about the rules, but don't be so sure about Undecideds.

My parents (Christian fundies) claim they are still undecided. They REFUSE to vote McCain, but haven't moved to Obama because they "don't trust him". More evangelicals coming out like this could help...

[abumbyanyothername]

9. I think its OK for religion to inform his own personal vote

if that's what trips his trigger.

I do kind of disagree with pastors, preachers, priests and bishops telling people how to vote, or even telling them what issues should inform their vote.

[jobycom]

14. Religious people make all decisions based on their religion

They can't keep their religion out of their politics any more than you and I can keep our brains out of politics.

It's important to note that this pastor wasn't endorsing Obama from his pulpit, he was giving his opinion to a reporter in an interview for an article about a trend in evangelical churches, so he's not violating any laws, or even any principles.

[grantcart]

2. *** Breaking**** airborne pigs used to take arial pictures of a frozen hell

[progressivebydesign]

5. lol, I was all set to report the pig flying by my window when I saw your post! n/t

[liberalmuse]

3. More Christians like this, please!

You know, ones who actually follow, or, at the very least, cite Jesus' teachings.

[Bryn]

6. This is good news because

Repugs can now stop using abortions as a wedge, as a weapon to win votes from fundies.

[kwolf68]

8. This tide is turning

I am telling you, us Dems have to begin to embrace religious people a little better, because there is REAL REAL REAL consistentcy between all the religions of the world call and what us Dems stand for.

For example.."noting that they are embracing the Gospel call to help the poor, serve as peacemakers and be good stewards of the earth."

The Dems won't abandoned our principles on choice, but we have a whole host of other issues that is starting to bring in younger Christians. I dont want the Democratic Party to become ANYTHING like the bible thumping zealots on the right, but having a solid religious foundation and gaining some foothold with the more moderate thinking Christians could essentially deliver the final knockout punch to right-wing fascism.

Let's embrace this, not discourage it.

[bluestateguy]

11. Healthy economy=fewer abortions

nt

[Mariana]

12. I hope his resume is up to date.

I expect he'll be looking for a job soon.

[treestar]

13. I'm seeing more of this - the Repukes are going to be unable to

hang onto the pro-life vote - they do nothing about it and that base is starting to see that repuke "support" for their position is illusory. And that you can't be "pro-life" when you start unnecessary wars.

[agentS]

15. Even some of the Fundies have limits, it seems.

When even preachers in Texas have had enough of McCain/Palin, you know there's serious issues in the Campaign.

I think this is even bigger than the Powell endorsement, since it's more out of left field than Powell's was.

So I'll be a little nicer to the Fundie-undies, since they've come to realize what we've been sayin' about Sen. McWarrior all along: with friends like McPalin, who needs enemies?

[renate]

16. I really admire people who are willing to go out on a limb for their beliefs

This guy is risking his livelihood and his circle of friends because of his willingness to speak out.

:applause:

Another thing to applaud is if this guy is talking publicly about how he's going to vote, there must be a significant number of evangelicals who are secretly planning to vote for Obama and just aren't telling anybody.