Comments

To me this seems to point not to an attempt at remaining non-partisan, but to the continued strength of Republicans within evangelicalism. A magazine that clearly caters to younger Christians, that has had articles that have been fairly politically liberal, still has a problem interacting in a public way with the Democrats means that Christians still will not be able to make much difference in the political world because they are going to be perceived as only Republicans. They will be ignored by Republicans because Republicans will correctly believe that Evangelicals will not vote Democrat.

Mr Strang is showing a propensity toward liberal theology to toy around with a mixed multicultural group who are unsure of their Christian foundations.Samson toyed around with the Canninite lady Delilah in the same way.
He may be sincere but as I see it he's sincerely wrong to sit at the DNC table especially the table the abortionists democrats set and fully believe in. If Mr Strang really wants to prove his sincerity in his mission to make headway into their philosophy and beliefs then it would be better championed outside their official setting with other evangelicals taking part. Of course the democrats would have nothing to do with that move. Switching parties at this particular time to independent seems to suggest that Mr Strang is leaning toward the "liberal accept all" black theology of Hussein Obama's background and philosophy.
He'd better watch out. The democrats will attempt to cut off his (spiritural)hair and blind him to the point of doctrinal dillution.

"They will be ignored by Republicans because Republicans will correctly believe that Evangelicals will not vote Democrat"...WRONG. I'm am evangelical, leaning about 70-30 toward Obama largely because of his true focus on the poor, caring for the environment, getting out of an unjustly entered war, and his faith that ultimately God is the only one who can and will eliminate evil (did you hear the Saddleback interviews - McCain's entire definition of evil is basically terrorism and communism...sounds like war-talk...scary). I don't agree with Obama's stance on allowing abortion, but we've had 8-years of a pro-life president who has done little to overturn Roe v. Wade (it's a little outside of the scope of what the president can do...though he can appoint Supreme Court justices). I can, however, appreciate that he thinks abortion is reprehensible, even if he doesn't think the government should ban it. His oft-stated desire to reduce the number of abortions is hopeful. While I'd prefer a pro-life president, I also can't make that the only moral issue.

On the economic side, McCain's desire for permanent tax cuts without the ability to pay for them is horrible. I agree that people who make more than $250,000 a year can afford to pay a slightly higher percentage in taxes in order to support the impoverished in the country that made them rich.

This is very disappointing... certainly not what Jesus would do!

I don't know why anyone who claims to be a Christian can think that socialism is the answer to the country's problems. I have no idea what your income level is Kevin, but if you start making the sacrifices you too can contribute to the lazy at an equal percentage as those who make $250K year.

Jesus, please get me out of here.

Hello Mr. Strang,

I am a Chatolic who goes to a United Methodist Curch at this time.

I am a Black man, Maybe I am bias, but the mission that Christ gave us as he did to his followers is to go and preach the gospel to all corners of the world. I remember at the wake of the Afgan war 2 young ladies were taken prisoner for sharing the word of God in Afganistan, As aChristian I am challenging your ministry and your love of God to Go and Pray for Barak Obam and the other leaders that will conviene in Denver.

May God bless and protect you in your mission.

I cannot comprehend how a Christian could vote for a pro-abortion, NARAL endorsed candidate.

Thank you for Mr. Strang's rationale in his decision not to pray but to dialogue at the DNC convention. Given his leadership role and constituency, I would have done the same thing. He and Rick Warren are modeling reality -- faith belongs in every sector including politics. And politics at the presidential level is primarily two parties, not one.

Friends, you need more than two political parties in America.

The bottom line is this: It is not an issue of Democrat or Republican but what party platform is closer to orthodox Christian values and morals. While I applaud the "talk" of the Democratic Party in support of the poor and minorities (I live in a part of the US where government programs have encouraged dependency on the government and self motivation) the fact remains that on two of the most important issues at this time (every generation has its watershed issues), i.e. Judeo-Christian marriage versus same-sex marriage and the rights of the innocent unborn versus abortion on demand, then the Republican Party gets my vote. It seems very clear to me.

Christianity?
How sad it might have been if our Saviour had backed out in Gethsemene when the going began to get a little rougher. Cameron was your decision reversal a change in God's will for you or the result of pressure from Pharisees?
Could someone explain where in scripture this obsession with abortion and same sex marriage figure so prominently? Many of Jesus words stress a personal relationship with God over an organized dogma. He taught concern for the poor and the sick and elevation and forgiveness of women. The parable of the good Samaritan could be interpreted as Jesus' direction to provide universal health care.
It is hard to understand how a belief that one has "been saved" trumps following the Lord's instruction and walking in His path. How different Jesus' living example is from the politics of greed and fear - and He was crucified (by Republicans and Pharisees?)

The thing Christians need to understand about gay marriage is that we are talking about a state sanctioned secular marriage or civil union. This has nothing to do with the church sanctifying the union. As a gay man for instance , I have been paying into social security all my life. Because I cannot leave it to my 'partner' because we are not 'married', I am paying into a system that I cannot pass on to my significant other. This doesn't sound like special rights to me..it sound like special rights for straight married folks. As a good citizen who always votes for school bonds although I have no children and see no direct benenefits, and as a tax paying American who wants all people to have the same 'inalienable' rights, I think Christians should see this issue as one of equality, not as a special privilege, only for them. Unless we want a theocracy as in Iran, this should not be a deal breaker.

Why do Christians vote for either Republicans or Democrats? Voting for the lesser of two evils, is still a vote for evil.

John Quincy Adams said "Duty is ours; results are God's", if we vote based on the Will of God...we might even be persecuted for it, the economy may suffer and evil might take over America, but that would be God's sovereign will.

Vote for Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party.

I heard Mr. Strang on Fox News today. Why does he call himself a Republican? He sounds like a Democrat which, in the usual manner of Democrats, casts his net so wide that very little, if anything, can ever be achieved. Incidentally, prolife is not equated with defense of country or defending others in defense of their country which Mr. Strang who is obviously anti-war does. Take my word for it as one who was out marching, picketing, etc. just to make abortion an issue at all starting in 1973, just war, feeding the hungary, clothing the poor, etc. are not equatable. The measure of success that has been had by prolife in this country has been gained a miniscule amount at the time. Casting wide nets only diminish the amount of success for the future, however miniscule. The Corporal Works of Mercy are noble and necessary but they cannot be equated with the very right to be born. And, we are a long way from realizing that right in this country.

I also heard Mr. Strang on Fox News and he plainly had to have heard himself being described as a Rebublican and did not say at any time no I am a Independent. I felt strongly this was a move made for Business reasons as he did not clearly define that he objected for moral reasons. I was so disappointed. He proably feels good because he was asked to participate in a meeting about faith. However talk is cheap. Look at the stated platforms of the Dem Party. He said he had problems with the Republican Party but forgot to mention Mr.Obamas plan is not to stop a war,but to move massive Army units into the Afgan Territories.

Brilliantly said, Cameron. Thanks for thoughtfully considering the ideas on both sides of the aisle and continuing the dialog with all sides of the issues. Continue to spur other followers of Christ to do the same.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A GENERATIONAL CHRISTIAN. Gods truth does not change. It was,is and always be the same. You do not and can not speak for real christians. You just denied Christ by not praying in public.

just because he didn't pray in public doesn't mean he "denied Christ". . . it just means he didn't pray in public

Mr. Strang,
Your reasonings for your decision is illogical. I am only to conclude from your decision not to pray and to become an independent is that you are politically confused and you do not have firm foundations to your political idealogy. Yet, I believe that you took a lot of heat from the evangelical establishment and for fear of lost revenues from advertisers and others that you financially depend upon, you had to decline the DNC prayer opportunity. You sound like a man beholden to many but you don't know what to believe.

Let me help you - if you want to pay more taxes and have less money for yourself, and if you want the government to control every venue of life, and if you want a million babies to continue to die in utero every year, and a weak and pathetic military, and fewer religious rights and freedoms, then vote for the democrats. If otherwise, vote republican.

But if you want real change in our country - preach the gospel, for it alone is the power of God for salvation and to heal our world of it's troubles.