Speak for yourself!

A couple of conservative Democrats have made strong statements this week about the right's appropriation of Christianity, and about ill effects of politicization of faith. About time, given the outrageous way that evangelical groups are trying to frame the filibuster and the status of the judiciary as being about tolerance or hatred of people of faith (see this ad).
First Salazar (Colorado):

"I think what has happened is Focus on the Family has been hijacking Christianity and become an appendage of the Republican Party," Salazar said in an interview. "I think it's using Christianity and religion in a very unprincipled way."

and then Pryor (Arkansas):

Sen. Mark Pryor lashed out Wednesday at the Christian evangelicals who have joined the attack on Democratic filibusters of President Bush's judicial nominees.

Their tactics threaten "to make the followers of Jesus Christ just another special-interest group," Pryor said in a conference call with Arkansas reporters. "It is presumptuous of them to think that they represent all Christians in America, even to say they represent all evangelical Christians," added Pryor, 42, a first-term Democrat who has considered himself an evangelical Christian for 25 years.

Whether or not this is a coordinated offensive (as kos speculates), these men are speaking the truth. I am tired of feeling like this writer, like an entire faith has been hijacked, like it's embarrassing to be associated with the narrow-mindedness and hatred that caricature a faith of acceptance.

I live in a country that is increasingly eager to challenge its citizens' loyalty, among people of faith increasingly determined to dispute the faith of others. Some people who call themselves Christians - and some church leaders - are beginning to redefine Christianity in such a way as to exclude worshipers with whom they disagree. I fear a religion in which ideology is more important than theology.

Heck, I fear a nation in which loyalty is more important than thought. Is this really the direction we want to go?

(final link via Rebecca's Pocket; others are all kos)