Christian democracy

Christian democracy is a centrist political ideology that combines traditional Christian values with modern democratic ideas, characterized by the principles of solidarity, social justice and consistent life ethic. While being strongly inspired by Christian ideas, especially Catholic social teaching and Neo-Calvinist theology, it is a secular political ideology that can be supported by people of various faiths. It is conservative on social matters (death penalty often being an exception, due to the consistent life ethic) and centrist to liberal on fiscal matters.

Christian democratic political parties in the Americas are represented in the Christian Democrat Organization of America and internationally, the Centrist Democrat International represents most of the world's Christian Democratic organizations.

Symbols
Christian democracy is traditionally associated with the color orange. The pelican, which was originally seen as a Christian symbol due to the belief that pelicans rip off their skin to feed their children when no other food is available (this was later proven to be false), analogous to Christianity's principles of charity and solidarity with the poor, has also come to be associated with Christian democracy in modern times.

Social views
Christian democrats support traditional moral values, religious freedom, and put an emphasis on the well-being of the family. They often adhere to the consistent life ethic, which states that abortion, euthanasia, death penalty, unjust war and assisted suicide are all immoral and forms of murder.

Economic views
Christian democrats oppose both unbridled capitalism and socialism, instead supporting either a form of mixed economy, usually social market economy, or distributism.

Environmental views
Christian democrats are supportive of environmental stewardship, advocating the protection of Earth's natural resources.

Political parties and organizations
In the United States, the American Solidarity Party, a political party, and the Center for Public Justice, a think-tank, represent Christian Democracy.

In the United Kingdom, the Christian Peoples Alliance advocates Christian Democracy.

In Germany, the Christian Democratic Union of Germany enjoys widespread popularity.

Related ideologies

 * Communitarianism
 * Localism
 * Ordoliberalism
 * Paternalistic conservatism
 * Political Catholicism
 * Pro-life liberalism