Diversity within beliefs

Letters published Oct. 5 and 6 repeat the ever-popular charge that liberals/progressives are responsible for all of our cultural ills. Both promote Christian values. Return to “strong family values,” one writer says, after invoking Christianity; vote for people with “Godly principles,” says the other.

Shall we review a very few highlights of Christianity’s history? Untold thousands of innocent men, women, and children tortured and slaughtered by crusaders and Inquisitors, in the name of God. Rank corruption in the Catholic Church that gave birth to Protestantism, which was led by a bloodthirsty anti-Semite. “Witches” burned at the stake by Talibanesque Puritans. Thinkers, scientists and artists hounded and hogtied and muzzled and murdered for centuries.

More recently? Hundreds of pedophile Catholic priests. Sex- and financial-scandal-plagued televangelists.

And today, right now? Some 90% of evangelicals still support Donald Trump.

On the other side of the ledger, Christians have created transcendentally beautiful music, art and architecture, have made great contributions to moral philosophy, and have performed myriad good works. Christianity’s ethical, aspirational core (“Love thy neighbor,” “Do unto others …”) is wonderful.

In short, Christians are varied and complicated. They’re people. So are liberals and progressives. So are atheists. It would be refreshing and healing to hear a Christian acknowledge that there are moral liberals and atheists who are an asset to our country and culture.

Brian Keeling

Spokane