The Religious Right or the “Christian Right” is a political group which advocates for socially conservative policies, believed to be aligned with Christian values and/or doctrine depending on the particular denomination. However, in a nation with a two party political system, the integration of Christian values in political discourse is somewhat of a double edged sword. This is especially true in light of the vast differences in beliefs between denominations within Christianity itself. Although one can certainly understand why there isn’t a “religious left” it seems ironic that this group has aligned itself with a political party that advocates policies directly contradictory to the teachings of Jesus Christ himself, the very man from which the word, “Christianity” was derived.”

As most people are aware the two main issues that have dominated headlines regarding the views of this group include gay marriage and abortion. If you were to ask most people in the “Christian Right” about their voting habits, nine times out of ten they will say that they cast their votes based on these two specific issues resulting in more republican votes. Many political analysts have said that this played a big role in the election and subsequent re-election of George W. Bush. Although few could argue against the logic behind the group’s stance on these issues with regard to Christ’s teachings, the prevailing assumptions and attitudes towards homosexuals among this group is contradictory to it. Obviously in Jesus’ time marriage between a man and a woman was the only kind of marriage that existed or that was recognized. In Mathew 19:12 Jesus explains to the Pharisees, “There are many reasons why men cannot marry; some because they were born that way, others, because men made them that way, and others do not marry for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let him who can except this teaching do so.” Jesus clearly recognized that there were men who were not attracted to women and therefore could not marry. Despite this many Christians still insist that homosexuality is a choice and that it can be fixed through some kind of reparative aversion therapy. More importantly Jesus was known for associating with the outcasts of society during that time including the tax collectors, lepers and even prostitutes. He instructs us to “love thy neighbor as thyself” yet so many Christians in reference to homosexuals will say, “God loves the sinner but hates the sin”. But wait a minute if Jesus acknowledges that a man can be born to be adverse to any kind of attraction to women and also instructs us to, “love thy neighbor as thyself” how can it be said that God loves them but hates their homosexuality if in fact that is part of who they are. Isn’t that like saying to a person with Turret’s syndrome, God loves you but hates the words that you utter from your mouth.