My Problem with Christianism

Time.com ^ | Sunday, May 7, 2006 | Andrew Sullivan

[bondjamesbond]

This is Andrew Sullivan's problem, not mine.

Let's just get that put away from the very start.

[rhombus]

So let me suggest that we take back the word Christian while giving the religious right a new adjective: Christianist.

Ah yes, the usual desire to label someone.

[BikerGold]

must've skipped his medications...

[tcostell]

Personally I think it's dishonest of him to describe himself as a Christian. I believe he does it exclusively to be able to make political points and THAT is not what faith is about.

[mlc9852]

All that being said, we are all free to vote for any candidate in any party, so what is the problem?

[Tax-chick]

As long as you're breathing, Andrew, it's not too late to repent.

[keithtoo]

Andrew is a libidinist. He follows his little Andrew's directives.

[frogjerk]

There are lay Catholics who, while personally devout, are socially liberal on issues like contraception, gay rights, women's equality and a multi-faith society

Yes, there are many and they are called heretics.

[william clark]

In other words, the term "Christian" should be applied to anyone who thinks Jesus was a swell guy. Anyone more stringent than that is an extremist.

[bondjamesbond]

I find it amazing that some people seem to think a Christian's religion should not inform his political beliefs. It should not be a problem when some people take the meaning of "I knew you when you were in your mother's womb" and find that abortion is abhorrent. How can anybody expect them to do otherwise?

[Ikemeister]

I don't see how someone can be a Christian and a liberal at the same time.

[Mr. Brightside]

... snif, snif...

And I don't feel represented by the gay Episcopal Bishop Robinson.


Why can't we all get along?

[ClearCase_guy]

"We've become ... mumble mumble ... a theocracy ... mumble ... we're -- we're ... worse than ... mumble ... Iran. It's clear that ... Christinity is ... the most evil ... mumble ... thing ever ... mumble."

[/raving lunatic]

[arizonarachel]

I agree with you!

[A.Hun]

Andrew should try reading his Bible....I think belief in it is the foundation of being a Christian.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

While I essentially agree with the premise that Christianity shouldn't be associated with a particular political party or philosophy, the sad fact is most of the people who insist on this premise really mean that Christians should be liberals.

[frogjerk]

They have no problem living next to an atheist or a gay couple or a single mother or people whose views on the meaning of life are utterly alien to them--and respecting their neighbors' choices. That doesn't threaten their faith. Sometimes the contrast helps them understand their own faith better.

If my neighbor is hopping and skipping his/her way toward Hell, I am compelled by my faith to try and make them see the error of their ways in a compassionate way WITHOUT beating them over the head with my faith.

But sometimes you have to hit certain people between the eyes with a two-by-four to get their attention...

[bondjamesbond]

Ah yes, the usual desire to label someone.

Especially when a perfectly acceptable and agreed-upon label, "The Religious Right" is already available.

But Sullivan wants to use the "Christianist" label because that reflects the bugbear "Islamist" label that people use to describe Islamic imperialists.

In spite of his mealy-mouthed denials, Sullivan is obviously trying to equate Islamic imperialism and Christian political activism. He should be ashamed of himself. But I don't think that is going to happen anytime soon.

[CarolinaGOP]

"I don't see how someone can be a Christian and a liberal at the same time."


Amen!

[Lunatic Fringe]

I don't see how someone can be a Christian and a liberal at the same time.

If Jesus were alive today, 99.99% of FReepers would label him a "liberal". He spoke of equality, love, compassion, tolerance, and peace.