Well it's about damn time

I have been quite frankly appalled at the way mainstream Christian denominations have allowed the judgmental, hate-filled Christian wingnuts to define what Christianity is in America. I've only been able to assume that their silence has meant agreement in principle.

But now, finally, a few voices in the wilderness are being heard. Via the Green Knight, we hear about the Christian Alliance for Progress, a movement to "reclaim Christianity and Transform American Politics."

Now, I'm not crazy about that subtitle, because it sounds too much like what the right is trying to do. But the intentions are good:

The success of the Religious Right in appropriating the language of Christianity has led many people to become generally wary of religion in the public sphere and of Christianity in particular. The Religious Right has used the language of Christianity to promote an extreme and divisive political agenda that has helped polarize our nation. But foundational Christian values like compassion, justice and peace are largely absent from our political discussion. And there are millions of Christian Americans who share progressive views, or, at a minimum, are increasingly turned off by the extreme rhetoric and political agenda of the Religious Right.

The Christian Alliance for Progress is a national movement that started in Jacksonville, Florida among ordinary Americans who want to reclaim Christianity and change this current political picture. Members in the movement want to restore core values of Christianity while honoring diverse views about religion and Christian life. Many Americans, especially people of faith, are ready to hear from Christians who are tolerant, and who understand the many ways that our faiths impact our views of public life. The Christian Alliance advances a renewed, progressive vision of Gospel values and seeks to help Americans express this moral vision in our lives and in our politics.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Christian Alliance for Progress to reclaim Christianity and transform American politics. We advance a renewed, progressive vision of Gospel values and help Americans express this moral vision in how we think, work, and vote.

Purpose
The members of the Christian Alliance for Progress believe we have an obligation to reclaim the vocabulary of Christianity from extremists and to restore the morals and values of Christianity. We bring together progressive Christians and other Americans who share our passion and convictions. We will use the collective power of our individual members to help shape the political realities in our country and to strive to build a more just and compassionate nation.

If you're a Christian, I hope you'll support these folks. The rest of us, you know, the ones that the Dominionists are going to round up for mass detentions and executions first, are counting on you.