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June 17, 2005

"But for us, the only absolute standard of behavior is the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves."

Here is a Christian (and a Republican) that I can respect:

Moderate Christians are less certain about when and how our beliefs can be translated into statutory form, not because of a lack of faith in God but because of a healthy acknowledgement of the limitations of human beings. Like conservative Christians, we attend church, read the Bible and say our prayers.

But for us, the only absolute standard of behavior is the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. Repeatedly in the Gospels, we find that the Love Commandment takes precedence when it conflicts with laws. We struggle to follow that commandment as we face the realities of everyday living, and we do not agree that our responsibility to live as Christians can be codified by legislators.

Excellent. Finally a prominent Republican Christian who isn't making excuses for torture or pushing courts to follow some rightwing conservative agenda. "Love thy neighbor".

Danforth may not know it..but that's what liberals (like me) have been saying all along.

For us, living the Love Commandment may be at odds with efforts to encapsulate Christianity in a political agenda. We strongly support the separation of church and state, both because that principle is essential to holding together a diverse country, and because the policies of the state always fall short of the demands of faith. Aware that even our most passionate ventures into politics are efforts to carry the treasure of religion in the earthen vessel of government, we proceed in a spirit of humility lacking in our conservative colleagues.

Absolutely brilliant.

The offensive nature of today's brand of conservative Christianity stands in stark contrast to Senator Danforth's words. The deceit, the hatefilled words, the pompous Phariseean actions...have served to turn me personally off of Christianity in general.

Senator Danforth actually pushed that back a bit today.

Posted by Carla at June 17, 2005 09:23 AM