"Further, even the apparently clear-cut issues have a Christian twist. For instance, the Bible unquestionably takes the side of the poor over the rich, and posits charity as one of the greatest human virtues. But it also encourages thrift, self-reliance and obedience to (secular) law."

Any successful religion -- and Christianity certainly counts as that -- knows that it has to maintain some flexibility. Tell people what they should believe and they will go away. Let them believe what they want to, and call that Christianity, and they will flock to your banner. So 'Christianity' becomes an acceptable cover story for bizarre and bigoted beliefs about homosexuality, for instance.

The danger of religion is not in what it says: it is in the underlying message that it is all right to believe something because it feels good. We need politicians who base their actions on rational reasoning based on evidence, not on what they think their personal sky fairy happens to want this week.

"The truth is that Christianity and politics are strange bedfellows"
Well I bloody hope so.
Separation of religion and state, and whatnot.
As a non-Christian I absolutely resent being governed by the petty whims of a couple of people guided by their imaginary friend.
To make myself clear, I resent being subjected to policies based on the theologically-inspired prejudices, quirks or guilt by either religious Right OR religious LEFT.

I would only tolerate religiously-inspired input in a public referendum- if most people are religious, so be it- the people have spoken. If one person in charge of a representative democracy is religious s/he OWES it to the rest of us to NOT SUBJECT THE REST OF US TO IT.

And one last thing: Conscience votes are probably the biggest blight in our politics. It further outlines how badly we need to start copying the Swiss democratic system, instead of allowing petty personal attitudes of a tiny group of people to guide our country.

I remain appalled that the Rudd government continues the Howard custom of prayer before parliament. What do the non-christian pollies do while this is going on?

Whatever, I don't feel that any government that indulges in religious practices is governing for all.

As for Christianity and politics being problematic - ANY religion and politics do not work in the best interests of all. However, the article is about Christianity, so where does one start?

Right Wing Chrsitianity?
Left Wing Christianity?
Catholic?
Baptist?
Anglican?
Amish?
Unitarian?
All of the above plus all the splinter groups?

None of these groups actually agree with each other, how is that conducive to good leadership?

Was there ever a time where we had separation of church and state?
How could it be implemented? Enforced?

I don't agree with banning religion, but I sure wish there was a way to keep it the hell out of my (as a tax-payer) government.

Roy's done some testing - good on him. Jump rather than jump at shadows,like we are stuck in some first century time warp with Plato --I say . The media keep ignoring the influence of Jesus's words on people at their own risk. Churches and political parties are big churches- we can all go there to find unthinking, uncritical people . Means nothing!
There are lots of thinking people who claim to have a faith and the media get a surprise cause they have convinced themselves that only materialists can think - clearly not true. Faith creates passion .You can have wooses, but at least you know what a wowser thinks, and even how he might behave if you elect him !
Christianity is indeed irrelevant to many people because it talks about things that noone can prove . You have to be able to leap a few boring old classes in the school of mere description to get out of the cave .
The issue is not about the amount of dull dialogue, but whether you have done enough soundly based speculation and testing to practice science . Where jumping leads you to ,and whether it works or not . Unless you want to spend your life in mere rhetoric school ?
Mandella, like most outsiders, was reluctant to accept that what appeared to him as weak in church talk, could turn out to be "a solution "--it was the impossible solution but he's now chosen it and it works . Powerful but not obvious power stuff he's tested by years in prison , and now years as a leader. Leave the church out of this - Jesus gave it as much stick as anyone !
We ought show the same respect for testing the truth of ideas and the wonder of the Wests ability to move us on from what might otherwise destroy us. http://lawandliberty.blogspot.com
Want to be ahead of the debate coming up to the next election ?
Don't be afraid of being called a wowser. Be afraid of being a woose.

That is always someone who tries to make argument about Christianity brings ‘dark age’ argument. Dark age is long gone, people. Also there was time before dark age when Christians were killed in mass etc. Let’s bring argument about our time in 21st century and talk about what is Christianity now. Anyone can see that Christians are very peaceful religion as to opposite to fighting club of Jews vs Muslims.

Another fatuous beat up of the liberal party.

Notably the quotes are by "critics of the party" and appear to have no connection to reality. Hell why does he not quote me on the Labor party?

Is Roy Williams just making this up as he goes along?