Religion and politics are strange and inseparable bedfellows. I share Jessica's concern and offense at comments like "America's Christian values". Even when McCain *FINALLY* did the right thing in stopping the flow of venom at one of his rallies by taking the mic away from a woman who said that Obama was a Muslim his response was "no, Ma'am, he's a decent man..." as though being a Muslim and being decent are not possibly traits that can co-exist. His positive statements for Obama further villianized  non-Christians. 

In the last two presidential elections I felt that religion played such a predominant role that it was implied that if you were Christian you MUST be Republican because they were the only party that "shared your values." I also heard an Ohioian state that he was voting for McCain in this election because he feels that Sarah Palin is "blessed by the Holy Spirit." Granted, some people base their decisions on the guidance of burning bushes, etc but for me, I prefer more specific qualifications.

I am an independent voter. I have voted for three different parties in my 20 years of voting. I am a social liberal and a fiscal conservative. I believe in a lot of the same values as the Democratic party, but I am not a Democrat. I refuse the label because - well, what if I decide that I don't agree with everything that they stand for? What about Republicans that support reproductive choice or gun control? What about Democrats who don't support civil rights for homosexuals? Why must we be so extreme in our partisanship?

Well, maybe that's just me...I resist the "Christian" label as well because I don't agree with ALL of the tenants (no pun intended) of Christianity. I am also often offended at the hatred and bigotry leveled in Jesus' name. But as you say, Not All Christians Are Like That.