I have one question on the liberal and conservative politics dealing with liberal and conservative Christianity. WHY? It seems both sides of the Christian faith are saying that if you don't vote for this particular candidate, not only are you a traitor to your country, you are going straight to Hell! And why are so many people following their pastor's opinion or that of a nationally known televangelist? Don't they have a mind of their own? I think that the individual in the pew should look at what the candidate has done or wants to do when they get into office in January. And by that I mean go ask for information from each candidate as to where they stand and what they will try to do when elected. Personally, I haven't voted for a Democrat or Republican in 20 years as Neither party can be trusted with what they are elected to do as soon as they get into office they forget about the voters at home and try to get sweet deals from lobbyists and other Washington Ilk

"...if a society were to try to take on a Christian appearance, following the teachings of Jesus, it would appear to be a very liberal and progressive society." You've got to be pulling my leg! I'm sure Jesus would have been a big supporter of the homosexual agenda, abortion, assisted suicide, and big govt. lobbying taxes on whomever it wants. If you believe Jesus would have supported those liberal, progressive causes, I've got some cheap swamp land in FL I would like to sell you. And neither would he support the stupid wars we are mired down in. And neither would he wrap Himself in Old Glory and say "My country right or wrong." And the incredible Wall Street greed? Please! Or the inane and comically absurd contemporary mega churches with their variety shows they try to pass off as worship or the small churches that try to pull off the same nonsense as the big churches - but w/o the talent. (I know, "Tell us what you really think, Dan H!" Too much coffee this morning, I guess.)

Sinclair Lewis was not a believer; his books show that he was very confused about what Christianity really is. So I consider the source, and his comment is not meaningful to me. This new study says, "Evangelical pastors have been more likely to take public stances 'and candidates' (what does that mean?) than their mainline cohorts." I'm curious: Does this mean that Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton, et al, are considered to be evangelicals? I have not known of any pastors who have taken more public stances than they -- they've preached purely political messages from many church pulpits, they've taken their message to the streets, they have not hesitated to stir up controversy when it suited their cause. I have often wondered why this seems to be totally acceptable, while evangelicals (is this code for 'white pastors'?) are criticized and condemned if they speak out on issues which affect believers. I'm not against black pastors; just wonder why the difference?

I am a religious conservative (Orthodox Christian) who holds as best an falible human can to the faith once and for all delivered. I am sometimes liberal and sometimes conservative according to secular ideology. It took a maturing process to recognize that I have to conform myself to Christ rather than to party politics or the philosophies of men. Becoming Orthodox was a turning point for me in recognizing that. I did the party walk, was very active and it left me let down. I recognized that the Christians battle is with powers and principalities. The religious right has demonstrated that it is nothing more than a tool to be used primarily by the GOP to use people of faith to further political objectives. We need pastors like John Chrysostom who didn't tickle ears but we also need to be sure our pastors aren't being paid by canidates (like Pr. Eric Houge in Sacramento) preaching civil religion.

It is not to Evangelicals credit and it is sure nothing to brag about. Confusing Patriotism, Americanism, Capitalism, Conservativeism and Republicanism with Christanity is nothing short of idoaitry. C. S. Lewis, in MERE CHRISTANITY, (book 3 chapter 3 paragraph 3) That if a society were to try to take on a Christian appearance, following the teachings of Jesus, it would appear to be a very liberal and progressive society. G. K. Chesterton, in Orthodoxy states that once a nation makes "liberals" the boogyman, you know that nation is already in the grip of fascism. Sinclair Lewis said when Fascism comes to America that it would come in the form of the Cross draped in the Flag....he was a prophet! 2 Ch. 7:14