Crossleft

I listen to a podcast called the "New Christian Manifesto" on a semi-regular basis. As they say, their podcasts are of sermons which are decidedly liberal, progressive and thoroughly grounded in scripture.

On the ncm site, there is a link to crossleft - They are seeking to represent Christian's with left-of-centre views:

Momentum is growing. Progressive Christians are organizing a movement for social and political change, giving voice to Jesus' ministry of compassion, service, and social justice. CrossLeft is leading the charge and providing balance to the Christian voice in our nation's political dialogue.

I find this interesting... I believe greater balance is required in political dialogue - I think the Christian Right in America have become the Pharisees that Jesus fought against 2000 years ago - and I am glad to see someone prepared to stand up against them.

Personally, when it comes to faith and politics I believe Jesus had it right when he said

"Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: "Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."
Matthew 22:37-40 (The Message)

If we love others as well as we love ourselves then issues such as asylum seekers and immigration and taxation all come into perspective.

I dislike being compared to conservative Christians - my views of politics are personal but I exercise them out of love for others and from a sense of stewardship and responsibility. I hate to be tarred with the "Rightwing Christian" tag. I'm not a Marxist or a hardcore leftie... but I believe in social justice and that all men and women are created equal.

I subscribe to William Booth, my Founder's vision of "a heart to God and a hand to man". We need to love God and love our fellow man, whoever or wherever he or she is.