So I’m going to change tactics here, perhaps this will become a series. Obama people, religious people: let me say to you that you probably think I hate him/you because he’s a Christian and has Christian supporters while I am an angry atheist. But you’re wrong. I hate Christianists, who I define as people who claim to share your faith but don’t. I’d like you to join me in saying publically: they don’t follow Christ.

I’ve known some terrific Christians in my life. There was M; he was a “Catholic Worker” and he devoted his life, in service to the poor, in a way that it’s hard for me to even imagine. Then there is S; he sheltered me and gave me food from his own table, when I was broke and down. In significant (as our consumerist society defines it) amounts. I also loved C; she was as witty and smart and well read as anyone I’ve ever met. She used to entertain me over long, winter nights, tolerating my fierce atheism and countering my arguments with Scripture and gentle, loving faith. Then there was K; she was a closet-case and spoke in some of the most mind-numbingly liturgical discourses, but her heart was in the right place and she fought the Good Fight against the Evil Ones, up close. I have several Christian blogging friends too, people with whom I communicate privately, but who are doing excellent progressive blogging work. I apologize to them for not linking more often. And how could I forget R or P? They proved their devotion to the very poorest, most hated in our society, with their sweat and mind and faith and charity…have you ever ministered to the utterly forgotten? Nothing seems closer to Christ’s work, life and message, imho.

There’s an intersection that Obama has decided to run with, and use to energize his campaign and create a new base of voters. Hillary isn’t so different, nor Edwards. All of them reach out to Christians, people with whom the candidates have long fetted, schmoozed, reached out to, whatever. Sometimes, they do so in ways that make me feel…isolated, lonely for attention and respect, forgotten. That’s why I get snarky and angry and Shrill with my atheism. You’ve got to admit: we live in a scientific age, and it’s pretty easy for me to take the low road as I mock the misuse of Christian belief. But those are cheap shots, and I know it.

What gets my goat a little bit more regularly is that I know, despite my education and training in All Matters Divine, I can’t really do what needs to be done. Even if I wanted to (I do), even if I tried (I have). People who go to church won’t listen to me. I’m too honest: the minute I say, “I don’t believe,” most Christianists, and Christians, tune me out. I’m not “one of you,” I “don’t understand.” But I have made a lifetime of serious and casual study of your positions, why must only I carry this burden so unfairly shouldered? Would your Christ (it’s a title, not a name) agree with your arguments, your actions? Your inactions? Would he condemn me?

The major candidates are running on “Unity,” and part of that is a subliminal “make nice with believers, oh tiny and impotent atheist minority who has no real policy or legislative authority.” Yet you all do have that power, that influence. You do get sympathetic legislation, treatment by the SCLM, what have you. As we joke around here: you can’t go more than two blocks in any American town without passing a church/house of worship. Yet how many “atheist” clubs are there? And no- don’t tell me that “secular” businesses and organizations are a substitute- shopping malls and sporting arenas are hardly atheist strongholds. Our founders thought that religion should be a private, personal, nongovernmental matter left to the individual. What’s wrong with that? Do you really want to mix politics and religion? Do you know where that leads, inevitably? I do. Let’s don’t go there, yo?

Black Folk in particular are struggling with the weights and burdens of “tradition.” /dons snobby hat/ I hope it’s no shock to you to read that most Black Folk across history haven’t been “Christian.” Not counting the American/Western diaspora, or the post-colonial hubs, what are we really talking about? From ancient Egypt to modern day… well, Egypt, Black and Brown people have been of other faiths just as frequently, and more so, than they have been Christian. So let’s let go of the idea that good Black Folk must always be Christian. In my family, we are Black Jews, Black Muslims, Black Buddhists, Black Baptists, Black atheists, and more. I bet the same is true for you too.

Anyway, here’s what I want: can we agree to set aside “the burning question of Christianity in government,” just for now, and focus on more impending and pressing problems that affect everyone, regardless of (lack of) faith? I ask that Obama and Hillary and Edwards and all the rest stop inviting homophobes, money-hungry charlatans, and huckstering frauds on stage with them. Let them just say instead, “I’m Christian. I want Christans to support me because I voted for/wrote/endorsed/enforced policy {x} which helped the poor (or any other ’worthy’ Christian target), like Jesus said I should. But if you’re not Christian, I think you should still support me, because my policies benefit everyone, including nonChristians.” Is that really too much to ask?

Also, I’d like you, Christian, to be brave like your Christ. He did (as you say) many brave things in the course of his life, and he exhorted his true followers to do the same. Be unpopular. Speak truth when it is not convenient. Share wealth and opportunity with the less fortunate, even if it ’costs’ you personally. Do unto others as they would do to you. Etc. Most of all, I’d like you (for it is your faith and your job to prove to your God that you are worthy) to speak out against those who claim your God, but deny Him in life and practice and habit.

This is something only you can do. I may or may not ’burn in Hell,’ but I have nothing to do with the state of your soul. What have you done to prove that you deserve to go elsewhere, lately? If we must have this discussion, you can’t deny my right (or His) to ask.