The Word "Christian" Has Become Meaningless in Political Terms

[MineralMan]

A profession of Christianity says absolutely nothing any more about one's political leanings. It is irrelevant to the entire field of politics.

We have Christians who are racists, nationalists, gun brandishers and people who hate the idea of sexual equality.
We have Christians who are the polar opposite of the first group.

Christianity means nothing as a general term. Nothing. Not any longer.

We should drop all references to religion when it comes to political discussion. Period.

[msongs]

1. when the goal of the policitics is to oppress non believers or non-true-believers its totally

appropriate to "discuss" religion. in my experience those most likely to talk about their religion are the ones with the most poisonous desires relating to their religion

[MineralMan]

2. The problem is that Christians in general will not criticize each other.

If we treat, say, extreme fundamentalist Christians as the enemy of social justice, we get arguments that "not all Christians are like that." Of course they're not, but they also most often refuse to criticize those extremists.

Since something around 75% of the US population identifies as Christian, we can infer nothing from membership in that group. I suggest we separate Christianity completely from political discussion and not refer to the religion at all when it comes to politics.

That's the only solution I can come up with. As long as Christians who are on the side of progressivism refuse to condemn those who are not, it's useless to even consider religion in politics.

[Mariana]

7. Sometimes, Christians do say something about those extremists.

When some Christian says or does something disgusting, these other Christians simply declare, "That person isn't a Christian."

Now, since the offender isn't a Christian, there's no need for Christians to say anything further about it. Not their problem. Even if they do speak up, they're criticizing a non-Christian, and they certainly have no apprehension about doing that, do they?

[TNLib]

3. I'm Christian and I partly agree

Except evangelical leaders are throwing their weight behind some very unsavory politicians and world leaders. Unfortunately many evangelical Christian blindly and mindlessly follow these people.

I have several in my family and they live their lives that way including only wanting to do business with so called "good Christians or good Christian companies."

So if Franklin Graham tells them that Trump is a "good Christian man" they believe it regardless of the porn star spankings.

[MineralMan]

4. Oh, I understand. As an atheist, I don't pay any attention

to people's religion when it comes to politics. But, it's an issue, since a fairly large group of Christians appears to support anyone who claims to be a Christian. Trump is an excellent example. And then there are a lot of issues that some Christians have adopted as pivotal, like reproductive choice.

The problem is that there's a failure of one group of Christians to directly oppose other Christians, even when their views are diametrically opposed.

Christianity is not just one thing, nor does it support just one set of principles. The hesitance to criticize causes problems in politics.

We have a secular nation. Yet, we are a nation with a majority who are Christians. Where is the condemnation of Christians who espouse horrible things like racism and misogyny? I'm not hearing it.

So, I'd like to divorce religion from politics altogether. Religion's not helpful in any way in politics. It simply gets in the way of powerful opposition to what I believe to be horrible positions.

[marylandblue]

5. When I need a spanking, I always go to a good Christian porn star

Her other clients include Franklin Graham and Jimmy Swaggart.

[TNLib]

6. lol

nt

[TomSlick]

8. Agreed.

I am a Christian but have no interest in the professed religion of any politician. It has been my observation that people who most loudly proclaim their piety are suspect. A politician that trumpets his or her claimed faith bears watching. (It's like my rule of giving cars with a fish symbol a wide berth - I assume there is a rolling case of road-rage behind the wheel.)

My only interest in a politician is policy and not just policy pronouncements - real policy action. It is altogether too easy for a politician to claim piety in order to deceive the gullible but by their fruits you will know them.

[Major Nikon]

9. If it didnt mean anything they wouldnt wear it on their sleeve

In political terms it’s an extremely effective way to marginalize anyone who doesn’t wear it on their sleeve. That’s how privilege works.

I think it should be very meaningful because it should clearly identify the small minded who use such tactics. The problem is as a society we don’t call out such behavior for what it is.

[MineralMan]

10. The word "Christian" is firmly attached to the Right.

Christians on the left, politically, have not challenged that effectively. Perhaps they should. I'll be watching to see if that ever happens. So far, it has not.

[Major Nikon]

11. I'm with Goldwater on this

“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.”

― Barry M. Goldwater