Why "Evangelical" instead of "Protestant"?

[volinbham]

Aren't they basically the same? Just curious.

[GAVol]

I think the word "Evangelical" has evolved to be construed as a little more hard core conservative than "Protestant".

EDIT: Please don't let any of the Evangelicals know that I just described them by using the word "evolved".

[volinbham]

Nice one.

But it's not a denomination such as Baptist, Pentacostal, etc. It could be folks from any and all of these groups?

[TennNC]

Originally Posted by volinbham

Nice one.

But it's not a denomination such as Baptist, Pentacostal, etc. It could be folks from any and all of these groups?

That's basically my perception - you can be an evangelical Christian of any denomination (Catholic even?). I think born-agains, mega-churches, televangelism, very outward and open about your religion, even if unsolicited. The distinction seems more style than anything else. If you evangelize, you're evangelical, no?

[MG1968]

Episcopalians are considered Protestants, however, their embracing of gay and female priests puts them at odds with the more "traditional" churches, so I doubt there are very many evangelical Episcopalians.

I think "evangelical" is used when describing anti-gay (not Westboro BC's variety), pro-life stances, therefore it's always associated with the right-wing.

[GAVol]

We can all perform a litmus test tomorrow. Look down at your watch when church lets out. If you've been in there an hour or less, you're a Protestant. More than an hour . . . you're an Evangelical.

[TennNC]

Originally Posted by GAVol

We can all perform a litmus test tomorrow. Look down at your watch when church lets out. If you've been in there an hour or less, you're a Protestant. More than an hour . . . you're an Evangelical.

i like it - according to this litmus test, when i first started going to this church, we were evangelical...barely. we've been pushing more and more to be devout protestants - even when there's a baptism or communion.

[TennNC]

Here's another litmus test - if you think a politician running for president of the US is the anti-christ, you're an evangelical.

The Raw Story | 'Obama the Antichrist?' CNN <i>actually</i> asks

[T-TownVol]

Originally Posted by TennNC

Here's another litmus test - if you think a politician running for president of the US is the anti-christ, you're an evangelical.

The Raw Story | 'Obama the Antichrist?' CNN <i>actually</i> asks

Nope, just unedumacated.

[TennNC]

Originally Posted by T-TownVol

Nope, just unedumacated.

don't mistake the corollary for this to be absolute either. not all evangelicals believe this. but I gotta believe if you do believe it, you're highly likely to be an evangelical.

[volsforever27]

Originally Posted by TennNC

don't mistake the corollary for this to be absolute either. not all evangelicals believe this. but I gotta believe if you do believe it, you're highly likely to be an evangelical.

Just like if you're on welfare, you're likely to be a Dem?

One is about as true as the other. For the record, I don't consider myself to be an evangelical.

[Volnissniss]

It's like someone tried to combine Evil and Angelic... Hmmmmmm... Come on Professor, back me up

[BigPapaVol]

the whole shift toward "evangelical" is pure media tripe to make Christians appear to be weak minded loonies bent on converting everyone and forcing everyone into day long prayer and making the Bible the constitution. It's the harshest they can be and they love to point out poll results of evangelicals.
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[GAVol]

I think that's the best explanation I have seen. Most of the time the term is used seemingly to marginalize. It's almost a code word for "Here's what the kooks think".

[tennessee77]

Evangelicals are in it for the money.