Promoting Christianity-- or something else

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Aug 09, 2004

The Los Angeles Times, on the news that Alan Keyes will join the Senate contest in Illinois:

"We do face an uphill battle, there's no doubt," said Keyes, 54, who promotes a Christian philosophy.

What do you call someone who "promotes a Christian philosophy?" That's easy. You call him a Christian.

But the overwhelming majority of candidates for public office in American identify themselves as Christians. Do they all "promote a Christian philosophy?" Apparently not; otherwise journalists wouldn't use that phrase to describe one particular candidate.

But if the allegedly Christian candidates are not promoting a Christian philosophy, what are they promoting?

Something distinct from Christianity? That could be all right, at least in theory. Shoes are distinct from Christianity, and there's nothing wrong with selling shoes.

But suppose they're promoting at odds with Christianity? What do you call someone who "promote an anti-Christian philosophy? That's open to discussion, but one thing you don't call him is a Christian.

Which is why it's not merely an academic discussion when we argue about whether politicians who promote abortion, homosexuality, and euthanasia are in communion with the Catholic Church.