Khandu, those using the name of "Christian" are a diverse lot; that's part of the problem. I'm not happy about it either, as the folks you are describing (who are the ones who get most of the publicity) would love it if the word "Christian" applied only to them and not to those of us who are trying to practice a compassionate faith.

I belong to the Episcopal Church, in particular to a small parish in the poorest part of town. We are trying our best to express Jesus' love here on earth, but we ain't perfect. But we ordain women, accept gays, and leave politics to the conscience of each member. I've never been part of such an incredible church until I came here. We practice a faith and a worship that is as close to what the Christians of the first few centuries practiced that you can find -- at least where English is spoken.

When I tell people I'm a Christian, some of them immediately think of the Religious Right abortion-clinic-bombing homophobic crowd. That saddens me. We must work harder to take the name of our faith back.