Explore every episode of the podcast Ladders in the Mist

In this final conversation, Andy and Brian discuss their individual experiences from the previous sessions. 

While Andy and Brian agree and differ on several issues of politics and faith, their ability to discuss these topics and maintain respectful discourse is something worth replicating. 

In this installment we explore the relationships between the politically RIGHT and the perceptions of Christianity. The topics are taken from diffen.com as a reference point and are divided into three categories (Moral, Governmental Philosophy and Personal Freedom). The conversation was designed to concentrate on the topics from the RIGHT Perspective, but a significant portion of the chat contrasted the two sides. The views from the RIGHT side are:
NOTE TO LISTENERS. We are not debating the issue. We also recognize that many will see all issues as moral. We selected this structure to help us organize the chat. Our goal is to discuss if those outside or inside organized Church find these topics to be descriptors of Christianity. 

Moral 

• Abortion: against abortion rights, support only adult stem cell research. 
• Gay Rights: opposed to gay marriage; opposed to certain anti-discrimination laws because believing such laws conflict with certain religious beliefs and restrict freedom of religion.

Governmental Philosophy

• Healthcare: Oppose government-provided universal healthcare and the Affordable Care Act. Favor competition to Medicare from private insurance companies; oppose Medicaid expansion.
• Education: parents wanting to home-school or send kids to private school should be able to get vouchers for opting out of the public school system. Generally not opposed to public education.
• Voter ID: For voter identification laws to combat voter fraud. 
• Immigration: No "amnesty" for undocumented immigrants; stronger border patrol and fence to check illegal immigration. Belief that illegal immigration is lowering wages for citizens and documented immigrants

Personal Freedom

• Economy: Lower taxes; less regulation on businesses; reduced government spending; balanced budget.
• Gun Rights: opposed to gun control laws; proponents of Second Amendment, believing it's a deterrent against authoritarian rule.
• Environment: Considering economic impact of environmental regulation. Believe free markets will find solutions to environmental problems.

In this installment we explore the relationships between the politically LEFT and the perceptions of Christianity. The topics are taken from diffen.com as a reference point and are divided into two categories (Personal and Social). While the topics are mirrored for the RIGHT Perspective, the topics descriptions are unique. They are:
NOTE TO LISTENERS. WE are not debating the issue. Just if those outside or inside organized Church find these topics to be descriptors of Christianity. 

Personal (Issues typically more individual)

• Abortion: Unpenalized access. Both adult and embryotic stem cell research. 
• Gay Rights: gay marriage; support anti-discrimination laws to protect LGBT against workplace discrimination
• Economy: Distribution of wealth; Larger government regulation on social programs and business.

Social (Issues typically more social)

• Education: Favor expanded free, public education
• Gun Rights: like background checks or waiting periods before buying a gun; banning automatic weapons; and disallowing concealed weapons.
• Voter ID: Against voter ID laws citing (a) undue burden on lower income groups causing them to be disenfranchised 
• Immigration: Pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants; moratorium on deportations or prosecutions of undocumented immigrants who are young adults and have no criminal record.
• Healthcare: Access to healthcare is a fundamental right for all citizens. Support universal healthcare.
• Environment: Conservative, ban economic activity that may create jobs but could potentially harm the environment.

An overview of Left and Right. What happens we talk about Left and Right.  

An introduction to a conversation between Andy and Brian on the perceptions of Christianity being politically Left or Right.