First, I've never intentionally avoided a discussion or stayed away from a thread. It's certainly possible I've forgotten about a given thread or felt it ran it's course once things start to go in circles.
Second, my point was more about religious and spiritual beliefs than strictly conservative vs liberal. Though I would think one would influence the other. As I said, I don't understand how many in the black community can be Christian (the religious side of it) but then support politicians who support positions that aren't Christian (the political side of it).
Now, in the past and now, this is where you'll raise the point about how some Christians (especially certain Protestant and Evangelicals) criticize Mormons and certain things they don't consider Christian (according to their understanding of it). But things like abortion and homosexuality have been decried pretty much across the board among all Christian churches, have they not? At least traditionally, since I'm aware there are certain churches that have recently decided homosexuality is ok. Not sure how they justify it but that's another matter. Bottom line, I don't see black religious leaders saying abortion or homosexuality is ok so I can only assume they are against them. Yet they and their follower's voting habits support those things.
In sum, you're right that there are differences among Christian denominations but it's essentially a moot point since I'm not aware of any black churches or leaders that have announced they see no moral problems with those issues.
I think in the history of this country, that those who fall out of the mainstream WASP culture....be they Jews,Catholics,Mormons,Blacks,etc are afforded fuller inclusion in American society under "progressive" and or "liberal" leaders and judges. Conservatism, by definition, is about maintaining the status quo.This is a line from my previous post. Civil Rights issue in the 1960s and the stances taken by parties and pres. candidates is what brought most Blacks over to the Dem. party. Religious overtures aside...it's documented the party platforms and votes regarding ENFORCING the Constitution and Amendments...namely granting EQUAL legal protection and full rights to ALL Americans. Preaching morality,the Bible,etc and not supporting equal rights for ALL of God's children....that sir is called talking out of both sides of ones mouth.
*I removed the picture of the Little Rock segregation protests, because it's irrelevant to the thread--What IS relevant is that it's well documented the stances and practices adopted by Christian denominations in the USA regarding segregation and race throughout the 20th century*
So like I said, talking out of both sides of ones mouth.
So you have your devout Christian black folks(true Christians, unlike the so called Christians who thought that enforcing the Constitution and Amendments were State's rights issues), who made practical decisions and chose to support party that supported them ACTUALLY having the same legal protection and rights as other Americans.
Goes back to my point about the history of this country and the ways that non-wasps have had to fight for inclusion...and how conservatism is going to butt heads with that.
Just speaking for myself, though...I was taught that you cannot control the outside world...but you can control your household. With limitations, what other people are doing is THEIR business but under my roof I will live according to my own codes and beliefs. I think that those who are from cultures that are NOT the dominant one, adopt similar viewpoint. I think it might be more natural for those from the dominant racial or religious group to feel the need to exert THEIR ways and beliefs on others.
So a Black Christian may live by a certain set of moral and religious beliefs and yet still support candidates and issues that operate outside of them.