I think if Christians keep letting the extremists in their leadership speak for them, one can only assume as an outsider that most Christians are controlling and morally self righteous. My friends don't happen to be, but they aren't the church going Christians either, so maybe they aren't as influenced by the leaders that control what's preached or suggested.

The more it happens, those Christians that aren't extreme, are going to get lumped together as people in general get tired of the manipulation constantly in the public eye.

I think many Christians are getting pretty tired of having their beliefs used to dismiss and control others too, many are trying to take their religion back from their extremist leaders. Don't know if it will be enough because the extremists have had a huge head start.

can someone tell me where freedom of speech went. you may not agree with flag up side down. but it is there right. or did all of are soldier die for no reason.you cant use the Constitution , to when every it suits you.

I've been a church-going Christian for the last 15 years, and I'm as much of an individualist now as ever (if not more so). Of course, I don't know what type of church those "controlling and morally self-righteous" folks go to ... in those 15 years, the churches I've chosen to attend have all been non-denominational. One of the reasons I like them is the fact that they are independent, not having to answer to some overseeing body.

You're right, there are a lot of people that seem to want to control others (or perhaps, to be controlled), but that's absolutely not a phenomenon that is in any way limited to the (allegedly) "religious". Extremists and manipulators exist, if not thrive, on both ends of the political and religious spectrum, as well. The problem is, they're the ones who are being vocal, so they are seen as representative of all people who believe a certain way, even if that is not at all the case.

i never claim to be a christian. do i believe in god. yes i do. i just feel that the ring wing has kidnapped the christians, like the doctor that was murder . the abortion doctor. that's murder. nio matter how you look out it.if your a man of god act like. don't use the bible to befit you,on abortion. i feel not my right to tell a women what she can do with her body. its funny how republicans are against abortion, but don't mind going to war and killing women and children.

You make a lot of sweeping generalizations, but you say little of any actual substance. Being a Christian, I absolutely believe it was wrong for someone to murder that abortionist, and I'm quite certain that the overwhelming majority of Christians would agree with me. So nobody has "kidnapped the Christians", as you put it. There's simply a very small number of people who feel that they are justified in taking the law into their own hands, even though that's wrong.

As far as your final statement, there are adherents to both major political parties that nevertheless buck their parties' stated beliefs on any number of issues, abortion being one of them. There are Democrats who are pro-life, and there are Republicans that aren't. However, that has nothing to do with the utter falsehood that "republicans ... don't mind going to war and killing women and children." Not only do most Republicans that I've ever known feel completely opposite of that, but it's also NOT what's been happening, to the extent that we can control it. We've been fighting an enemy that feels no remorse whatsoever for hiding in schoolhouses or hospitals, or for sending women and children out as human bombs, yet we've been going out of our way to make certain there is as little "collateral damage" as possible. It is the terrorist groups that have no problem with killing women and children if it will achieve their intended goal, as has been proven time and time again, especially on Sept. 11, 2001.

well as for 9/11 i would never say that what they done was justified, but to lots around the world it was, as for abortion, lots call it murder, i don't. its the laws of the land, so is not murder, when abortion Doctor was murder it was like people like rush Limbaugh and and coulter said it was justified,but your point is well taken. but maybe you can explain . why would someone like bush/cheney make up facts to invade Iraq, but still call them self christians.why does your states execute people, does it not say in the bible they shall not judge,even through we may not agree you seem to be a good christian man, so no harm has been meant in my post sir.

Wooh!Wooh... "your states" arnt you a citizen of this country? OUR COUNTRY!! You have the right to vote and all the rights everyone else has!NO!!! For 23 years?

If the US is to be blame for things are you not part of the problem?

I know there are churches like your's too, just don't know where they are, though I am long past needing to know anymore, but I do agree it's not just the religious who are manipulating, however I think if christians like yourself don't stop them they will affect your freedom as well one day. I hope that never happens. I think for the first 20 years of my adult life I never noticed christians being so in your face... for the lack of a better way to put it.

If you are online you can't avoid it here either.

no i have been here a long time yes. but if you notice i have never been to american course i,m not innocent of being part of the problem.after all these years i don't eat American food. i don't speak English unless i,m with an American. so in someway yes but i never forgot where i came from.