Hundreds of Republicans who assembled at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s conference in Washington titled Road to Majority earlier this month, witnessed a new trend in Americans pitting their faith and values against the ‘liberal encroachment’ that has been allegedly fueled by President Barack Obama in recent times.
While marriage sanctity has served as a pillar for the conservative platform for years, five months before the mid-term elections and 18 months before the 2016 presidential elections, most Christian conservatives are overlooking gay marriage and focusing on other important issues that are bound to impact the ongoing sociopolitical struggle between the Republicans and the Democrats.
The far-right movement, which was propagated by Congressmen like Ted Cruz, has failed to stem the tide of LGBT rights that is now protected in 19 of the 50 states in America.
Obama himself recently spoke of the shift, saying 10 years ago, “maybe no single issue divided our country more than same-sex marriage… In fact, the Republican Party built their entire strategy for 2004 around this issue and successfully passed amendments banning gay marriage in 11 states. But hearts and minds have changed and here’s a good bet that they’re not going to try the same strategy in 2014.”
Some political commentators agreed with Obama’s prediction of opposing same-sex marriage no longer guaranteeing political victory.
“They are winning the war over gay marriage… It’s just not an issue that politically can be done anymore. It's become a Hollywood issue, and I don't know what Hollywood will promote next… polygamy or sex with dogs,” said 68-year-old William Murray, Democrat and chairman of Religious Freedom Coalition.
However, Chris Malagisi, president of Young Conservatives Coalition said 20-year-old Republicans are more welcoming of the subject of gay marriage.
“I don't know if social issues will be the primary thing in 2016. Foreign policy seems to be front and center right now… But if a family values issue rises to the top, it would be abortion. This is the pro-life generation,” he said.
Photo Credits: Gage Skidmore
