Tag: Christian fundamentalism

COLUMBIA — When Gov. Weeks away from a highly competitive GOP gubernatorial primary, all of the Republican candidates are flexing their Christian muscles in attempt to woo the Palmetto State's more religious voters who make up a significant and vocal portion of the party's base. Yancey McGill has cited his own Christian upbringing as his reason for signing a pledge to support the abortion ban bill. Now, all of the Republican candidates have said they would support the abortion ban, a sign of the importance of pro-life credentials in the race. Evangelical voters make up a significant proportion of the turnout in GOP primaries around the country. That has not stopped churches from urging parishioners to take to the polls and consider their Christian values when doing so. 'Pastors are multipliers' State Sen. Darrell Jackson, a Hopkins Democrat and pastor at Bible Way Church of Atlas Road, suggested that Republicans who believe they have a leg up with Christian voters are only thinking about white evangelicals. Skepticism towards the GOP among religious African-American voters, Jackson argued, stems from a view that "we certainly understand the importance of our faith but we believe our faith dictates that we reach out and help those who are less fortunate.” While many black churchgoers are also pro-life, Jackson said Democrats have an opportunity to make inroads if they are authentic about their beliefs. "If you listen to what some Republicans say, you'd think Christians and people of faith are only concerned about one issue," Jackson said. "You may discount the faith community but pastors are multipliers," Connelly said.