Christianity

there appear to be at least two distinct types of Christianity in the U.S. today. One Christianity is based on the life of Christ and is known for its inclusiveness (even sinners and tax collectors), compassion, forgiveness, sharing, looking on everyone else as a sister and a brother, and love. The other Christianity is harsh, exclusive, judges others, seems very interested in money and politics, and seeks to institutionalize a Christian norm or standard, which establishes and perpetuates the notion that all people are or should be Christians, thereby privileging Christians and Christianity and excluding the needs, concerns, cultural practices, and lives of people who do not define themselves as Christian. They are the people our European ancestors came here to escape. Grace Harkness (in Minnesota Women's Press) says, "They call themselves the 'Christian Coalition' while they work against all the people Christ told his followers to help—the sick, the poor, the naked, the hungry, the prisoners. Listening to them, a visitor from Mars would probably think that Christianity stands for lowering the capital gains tax." Know which kind of Christianity you are dealing with when referring to it. See also fundamentalist, religious right.