Reply #6: I used to think I knew.

[classof56]

As a life-long Christian raised in a conservative church, I thought our values were to live with love and in a Christ-like manner (since he's our Lord and Saviour); to spread the gospel so that others would accept him and spend eternity with him; to care about others; to have compassion and concern for the less fortunate, using our God-given gifts (i.e. money, time, talents) for God's glory; to serve and praise him forever. I felt that as citizens of this great country, we had an obligation to support those programs that help the least among us, and thus carry out Christ's directions as to how we should live, through the social services that benefit our fellow man, in particular ones who are least able to help themselves. Going along with that was a commitment to help those folks get into a position and place in their lives where they could be responsible for themselves, and thus we as a society would benefit.

Pretty high-minded stuff, I guess, but it's what I believed Christian values to be and what God expected of Christians. When it got all mixed up in politics, the political agenda over-riding the Christian agenda, I guess you could say, is when it all started to go downhill, as I see it. I now find it very difficult to align myself with evangelical/fundamental Christian churches and I am ashamed of what so many of my fellow Christians are doing. I think they have no clue as to the damage they are doing to Christ's gospel. The long-term consequences of this are just becoming evident. It is very painful to behold. My faith is badly shaken and I no longer attend church, but do read my Bible and am trying to do an in-depth study of the words of Jesus, just to remind myself of what his message was while he was here on earth. You are absolutely right that Christians should be peacemakers, who Jesus said are blessed. As to who would Jesus bomb? The answer is clear: No one. George Bush and all the right-wing fundies who blindly follow him really should be ashamed.

Didn't mean to wax on so long in answer to your great question. Welcome to DU!

Tired Old Cynic