Michael,

I would even take it a step further – there needn’t be any title or identity associated with an individual who treats another person the same as they would want to be treated. I think civility from all religions, cultures and geographical locations is the very thing that enables us to recognize ourselves in each other and want to protect that. Doing the right thing, regardless what our moral beliefs are, is all the evidence needed to say what kind of person we are – not what label we want to give ourselves.

How do we KNOW someone is a Christian? You will know they are Christians by their LOVE. I think it is perfectly reasonable to doubt the Christianity of any person who would treat another person (or group of people) as less deserving than themselves.

Nick,

I will spare you that response because it was not my intention to say that anyway.

I really do not pay too much attention to people who say they are Christians (whatever that means to whoever is saying it) – if someone is following what Jesus taught and they extend that to the people they interact with, then they really don’t have to identify themselves at all, their words and actions will be all the evidence that is needed for others to identify the kind of person they are. From my perspective, there is a HUGE difference between someone saying they are a Christian and one who quietly goes about aligning their words and actions with what Jesus taught – the first seeks recognition where the second one is able to replenish themselves with their words and deeds without the need for outside recognition. From my perspective, there is a very big difference.

Denying them shelter by making sure it’s ok to refuse them housing

Denying them work by making sure it’s ok to fire them for no other reason than who they are

Denying them services because you disagree with them

Refusing to speak out specifically against violence done to them

Refusing to grant them the same rights and privileges everyone else gets

Would Christians like to be treated like that? If not, then they are blatant hypocrites who are completely disobeying Jesus. All the while they preach their discriminatory and prejudiced morality they are violating the Great Commandment. And they have the nerve to judge us! Hypocrites!

I’m just going by the actions of the Christians who speak the loudest and the rest who remain silent. There are minority voices, but they are largely silent. I’m just looking around to see Christians who actually treat people the way the Christians want to be treated. And please, spare me the “not all Christians are like that” line. Look around and see that those Christians are in the vast minority.