Some fascinating comments - although none really address the crux of the problem: how do two groups of well-intentioned people (one on the left and the other on the right) have a meeting of the minds?

I would submit that it is not possible, primarily because while both groups may agree on who Jesus of Nazareth is, they will not be able to agree on the meaning of His words (or of the prophets) as found in the Bible. And much of that has to do with the divergent church traditions which these two groups have embraced.

The pacifist, left-leaning Christians (Mennonites, Quakers/Friends, Methodists, Lutherans, United Church of Christ, United Presbyterian, etc.) do not recognize many of the traditional principles and ideals which were 'rediscovered' by Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Johann (?) Zwingli during the Reformation (ie: humans are naturally sinfully; they are in need of a savior; it is only by God's grace [not works] that one can become right with God; only Christ can save, etc.).

Indeed, the anabaptist, Quaker and Wesleyan traditions pride themselves on being non-Reformed in the sense that they rejected many of the tenets of the Reformation. Old, mainline denominations (Lutherans, UCC, UP) abandoned basic Reformation principles about 50 years ago in order to become more 'open minded' in order that they might be accepted by their liberal peers on university campuses.

The 'war-monger', right-leaning Christians (fundamentalists, evangelicals, independents, Bible churches, etc.) generally abide by the tenents of the Reformation, and some specific denominations (Presbyterian Church in America, Reformed Episcopalian, 'Calvinists' reformed churches, etc.) adhere themselves to the Reformation principles outlined by the reformers, most notably John Calvin.

How then can two groups who are disciples of Jesus have a meeting-of-the-mind about what the Bible teaches about war, peace, social justice, abortion, homosexuality, etc. if they can't even agree whether people are sinners from birth or are taught to sin, or even whether the Bible is God's word or just a book with good sage advice?

To seek a meeting-of-the-minds between these two groups will be nigh impossible much in the same way a pessimist and an optimist cannot agree whether the glass is half full or half empty.

My cup runneth over.

Again, I must disagree. There are many in this country who choose not to follow or subscribe to religion, and that is their constitutional right. This minority group is protected in its views from the majority by the government. That is one purpose of government.

While I do agree with you that some of our laws have come to us based on biblical morality, don't forget that some are also based in the "Golden Rule" of the ancient Greek cultures, thriving long before the appearance of Christianity. In fact, Christianity has borrowed heavily from other earlier pagan cultures--so don't be too swift to throw them out the window.

Would you like a paper towel for that?

Thanks, Nate. I was wondering when someone was going to correct that glaring error.