withallyourmind.net

I was minding my own business the other day working on reducing my love handles and other excess body fat at the YMCA. There is a bank of televisions in front of the treadmills for the listening and viewing pleasure of those panting, aching souls attempting to keep up with that rotating piece of rubber under their feet. Since the Food Channel was not on (which actually is my favorite channel to watch while I work off the pounds), I tuned to CNN and found ex-basketball great Charles Barkley opining on his support for Barack Obama as well as other presidential election issues. Barkley is not known for his subtlety and soft-spokenness, so I’m not quite sure why I was so surprised to hear what he had to say about some Christians. I present the pertinent portion of the transcript as found at CNN.com.

BARKLEY: I have got great respect for Senator McCain. Great respect. But I don’t like the way the Republicans are taking this country. Every time I hear the word “conservative,” it makes me sick to my stomach, because they’re really just fake Christians, as I call them. That’s all they are. But I just — I’m going to vote Democratic no matter what…

BLITZER: All right. One quick point before I let you go. You used the phrase “fake Christians” for conservatives. Explain what you’re talking about.

BARKLEY: Well, I think they — they want to be judge and jury. Like, I’m for gay marriage. It’s none of my business if gay people want to get married. I’m pro-choice. And I think these Christians — first of all, they’re supposed to be — they’re not supposed to judge other people. But they’re the most hypocritical judge of people we have in this country. And it bugs the hell out of me. They act like their Christians. And they’re not forgiving at all.

BLITZER: So you’re going to get a lot of feedback on this one, Charles.

BARKLEY: They can’t do anything to me. I don’t work for them.

BLITZER: You feel comfortable saying all that?

BARKLEY: I feel very comfortable saying I’m pro-choice, and I’m for gay marriage. Very comfortable.

BLITZER: But you can’t lump all these conservatives as being fake. A lot of them obviously — most of them are very, very sincere in their religious beliefs.

BARKLEY: Well, they should read the part about they’re not supposed to judge other people. They forget that one when it doesn’t fit what they want it to say.

Now, I’m not sure if Barkley claims to be a Christian or not, but if so, by his own criteria, he is obviously a “fake” one seeing how he is “judging” all those “conservative” Christians. It always amazes me how “judgmental” these folks are who disagree with “judgmental” “conservative” Christians.

So, what is Mr. Barkley advocating? Are Christians to make no moral judgments at all? Are any and all actions to be allowed since it would be “un-Christian” to judge the actions of others? I don’t think Mr. Barkley has consistently thought through his objections to those he calls “fake Christians”. His rant exposes a complete misunderstanding of the teachings of Jesus on judging others.