CNN: Political Christianity is not acceptable

This article is one of the more disingenuous articles I have read of late. In it, CNN's editors argue that political Christianity is diametrically opposed to the message of Christ.

While the current state of Christianity might seem normal and business-as-usual to some, most see through the judgment and hypocrisy that has permeated the church for so long. People witness this and say to themselves, "Why would I want to be a part of that?" They are turned off by Christians and eventually, to Christianity altogether...

So when did the focus of Christianity shift from the unconditional love and acceptance preached by Christ to the hate and condemnation spewed forth by certain groups today? ...Regardless of the origin, one thing is crystal clear: It's not what Jesus stood for.

His parables and lessons were focused on love and forgiveness, a message of "come as you are, not as you should be." The bulk of his time was spent preaching about helping the poor and those who are unable to help themselves. At the very least, Christians should be counted on to lend a helping hand to the poor and others in need.

This brings us to the big issues of American Christianity: Abortion and gay marriage. These two highly debatable topics will not be going away anytime soon. Obviously, the discussion centers around whether they are right or wrong, but is the screaming really necessary? After years of witnessing the dark side of religion, Marc and I think not.

There are a few things right and a lot of things problematic with this argument, which I would distill down to: "Christians should shut up and help the poor, and otherwise get out of the way, because that is what Jesus did."

The right: Modern American Christians think more about themselves than the poor. We are more likely to spend a $2000 windfall on a new MacBook than we are to give it to a person in need. We have allowed ourselves to often become more defined by a political party (Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Independent) than by Christ. Likewise, we need to understand that the worst of the name-callers who call themselves Christian, are not doing the right thing. I think of the church sending anti-gay protesters to the funerals of fallen soldiers. That is not Christ. Period.

The wrong: The idea that Jesus was a mamby-pamby individual who loved without ever shouting, or that he was unconnected with the politics of his time, is simply wrong. The same Jesus who said "He who is without Sin should cast the first stone" (a political statement at the time, regarding the authority for capital punishment not being with the mob) is the one who overturned the tables in the temple and who called the Pharisees "you brood of vipers." Sometimes a point can not be made without harsh words or a harsh tone. And the idea that Christians should be divorced from all political discourse is foolish and contrary to Biblical sources and traditions.

So, CNN, let's just say what actually makes sense. Lets everyone calm down and try to tone down the rhetoric. Christians are no more culpable for this than other groups. But Christians, let us also not be afraid to confront the over-reactors and the unreasonable ones within our own ranks as well. There is a body of Christ, and sometimes a passionate speaker is intended to be an internal organ stirring us to think, and not our mouth - the voice that the outside world hears and thinks speaks for us all.