Yet another Congressman who doesn't accept the theory of evolution

Actions alone certainly don't determine whether or not someone is a Christian - I would agree with that. It's more than possible for someone to live their life in accordance with many of Christianity's deepest values, and yet not be a Christian, for example.But what surprises many non-Christians is how often un-Christian behaviour can be exhibited by people who say they are devout Christians. We are told by Christians that theirs is a way of life - a message of love, peace and forgiveness which informs their daily lives. (And for very many, it is indeed that way). But for a number, there appears to be a belief that simply to identify as Christian is sufficient, and that their daily behaviour can then continue in whatever way they choose. (My grandmother used to refer to this phenomenon as "Sunday saints and Monday sinners").Swinging back into the topic a little, this is where I see a problem with many GOP politicians - I suspect that a proportion identify themselves as Christians, not because they genuinely believe and live their lives according to Christian values, but because they know that the badge will win them power and allow them to pursue their (often rather un-Christian) agenda.This is the danger with badges. If the badge doesn't represent a true embracing of values, then it can be used to justify any number of inappropriate things. So if you can be a Christian without truly embracing Christian values and behaviour, then the badge of Christianity becomes hugely less meaningful.And when it comes to politicians, we really, really need to be careful about assuming that everything they say is Christian and decent and right, just because they wear the badge.

You would be hard pushed to say that any part of my previous post was an attempt to judge your whole life - I was coming back to you on your proposal that behaviour is irrelevant to whether or not one is a Christian, which struck me as an unfortunate thing to say.But can you reconcile something for me - because this does go to the question of Christian-like behaviour. You say: How do you reconcile that with Matthew 5:44 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you".This is part of the disconnect between loving, charitable, Christian behaviour, and the simple profession of Christianity which I was referring to.Edited by vimesey, : Got the quotes code wrong

He kind of does, actually:Lev. 20:13 ‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."This is God talking directly to Moses.(Just to be clear, this isn't intended to be a personal attack on you, foreveryoung, but if we're going to discuss biblical literalism (which is where the congressman's quotations are coming from), then we need to be clear about what the bible says (within the confines of translational accuracy, of course)).