There is a Christian Left: What we tend to believe

Why is it . . .

that what started out as such a beautiful faith seems so often in the world today to have become synonymous with judgement, disdain, and even hatred and war?

Christianity, in its pure form

is what we, the Christian Left, is looking for in all of today's bad press about our religious faith. We're not alone, either; that's why you're here visiting our site.

The term "Christian Left" is said to be an approximation, a group within which coexist individuals with varying viewpoints. "Christian Left" has been called our unofficial title. We believe we need to make it official -- to become a voice -- to stand proudly not only for Christianity, but also for social justice and tolerance. We're a real voice.

We tend to believe the Christian Right is neither.

The Christian Left is interchangeable with the term Religious Left. And we are the counter-point to the Christian Right, a spectrum of right-wing Christian political and social movements which largely embrace social conservatism.

We want nothing to do with judgement, and we want nothing to do with forcing our beliefs on others, especially in a world which, for the sake of peace, should aspire to embrace freedom of religion. Religious freedom, itself, is a treasure and a gift from God.

We believe we should follow social justice, renunciation of power, humility, forgiveness, and private observation of prayer (as opposed to publicly mandated prayer). It is in this way we follow Jesus. We believe these are all mandated by the Gospel (Matthew 6:5-6). The Bible contains accounts of Jesus repeatedly advocating for the poor and outcast over the wealthy, powerful, and "religious."

“We turn the other cheek. We stand for peace, and not for policies advancing militarism.”

We believe that care for the poor and the oppressed is a Christian value, and not a "left wing" value. Therefore, we support universal health care, welfare provision, subsidized education, foreign aid, the woman's right to choose, and programs for improving the conditions of the disadvantaged.

We feel Christianity upholds egalitarian values, and we consider it part of our religious duty to take action on behalf of the oppressed. Christianity, as well as all major religions, directs us to help others.

While non-religious socialists sometimes find support for socialism in the Gospels (for example Mikhail Gorbachev cited Jesus as "the first socialist"), we, the Christian Left, do not find that socialism alone is an adequate end or means.

Christian faith is at our core, and it in turn demands social justice.

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