I’m not sure what you specifically mean by “rigid interpretations of Christianity” or how those interpretations have “caused enough suffering” so I can’t comment on that. However, the usual argument about Christianity being the root of most of the evils in history is simply a fallacy. Yes, Christians have made choices that have not sprung from clear biblical teaching but one shouldn’t reject a worldview based on the abuse of its teachings.

Sadly, it’s impossible for one group to not impose its beliefs upon another. Someone is going to be in power, either totally or partially. The problem for you seems to be that Christianity has more of a hold politically and culturally than you would like. I could turn around and say the exact opposite: I don’t like the fact that the people presently in power distort values they supposedly say they uphold. It’s antithetical to me that Obama says he believes in the Christian God yet holds many of the values he does. Yet, he’s the president and I support him when I can.

Life is, in many ways, about ideological warfare because either two people agree or they don’t. The post-modern idea of “well, that’s just your opinion and we’ll just have to agree to disagree” is problematic because people use it to walk away from issues and avoid headaches. The important thing is not that it is my opinion but whether it is true. The truth is what’s important.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I’m sorry you had a negative experience.

While we all toil and argue about left and right flash-point issues…our “representatives” have allowed habeas corpus, posse comitatus, the 1st amendment and the 4th to all go by the wayside. We are losing the very rights that allow us to even have the argument. I am glad more people are looking at politics, but I wish they would look more deeply than the evening news and the message from the pulpit.

What is the Christian culture and how did it become separated from giving to the poor, the hungry and the sick in favor of compassionate conservatism? When did being a Christian nation come to mean kidnapping, torture and pre-emptive war?

What if evangelicals made their politcal focus facts, accountability, reason and empathy? We have gotten stuck in a red/blue and white/black argument that is a non-argument. I can’t continue to convince myself the arguments I should be examining are those I am being told to examine.