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Christianity's Silent Majority must be heard in the political arena

...During South Carolina's recent Democratic primary debate, the Rev. Al Sharpton nailed the issue. In describing President Bush's conservative Christian supporters, he said, "I don't think they represent Christianity any more than some of these murderers, and mass murderers, represent Islam. So let's not blame the religion."

Christianity's extreme right cannot reasonably be compared to Muslim extremists or to acts of terrorism. It can, however, be held responsible for minimizing the potential benefits of a religion far greater in scope than the vocal minority that currently represents it.

Indeed, the public perception of contemporary Christianity is most effectively and unfortunately incarnated in the person of George W. Bush. The president attends church regularly. He describes his life as being "rededicated to Christ." He is hailed as the answer to the prayers of the religious right. ...

...Many Christians worship with quiet dignity, unwilling to join battle with strident evangelists who preach a single path to salvation. These silent faithful recognize that there are innumerable paths to God and that God might be called by many names. By definition, this gentle army goes largely unnoticed. Thomas Jefferson, when asked if he was a Christian, responded, "It is in our lives, and not from our words, that our religion must be read." St. Francis of Assisi told his brothers, "Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words."

But the time has come to break silence and give Jesus back his good name, to free the master-philosopher from the strictures of literal and limiting Bible readings and apply his life-altering view to the unique challenges of the 21st century. ...