I’m really not talking about aggressive atheists. I actually had a long talk with my girlfriend last night about it too (she is a democrat). She even sees it. There is almost a sneering and a looking down the nose if someone says they are a Christian. I’m very surprised that you don’t see it. And it isn’t just “evangelicals.” I get it all the time. And I am PC USA. Which allows gay marriage and memebership. But people still don’t try and distinguish. They assume that a Christian must be the anti gay marriage and gay bashing type.
Heya, Jack.
I think I'll reply to this comment, as I think it's what you were talking about, correct me if I'm wrong. Your opening was a little inflammatory, which is why I think you're taking a beating here...let's see if I can answer what you're actually asking.
As a left leaning Christian, I've felt the derision you're talking about. I have great friends, who think essentially the same way I do about most issues, who I have unfollowed or stopped talking religion with, because of how they discuss or mock or otherwise talk smack about my faith, in a way that can be unintentionally but extremely hurtful to me, because I don't feel I fit that description. I have felt let down by groups or individuals who I have supported, because their support for me didn't extend to respecting my individual and personal decision to have a faith. I think they also thought me more stupid. hehe... So, no, I wouldn't say you are alone in noticing this reception.
But, that being said, I don't blame them.
The damage that the religious right has done to the image (and execution) of Christianity in the US and elsewhere is immeasurable, and primarily to blame. So many of the Bible's teachings have been twisted or outright abandoned to accommodate bigotry, superiority, oppression, self preservation, and hate, which has become the generalization "the rest of us" get. While this doesn't seem fair, I think we have a responsibility to reign in those that do this under our umbrella, or flatly denounce them.
I remember hearing lots of folks saying "Ok, fine, only a small percentage of Muslims engage in terrorism, but why are the peaceful ones silent, why are they not doing something about their radicals". Why should we be held to any different standard?
I wouldn't say you can't be a "good" (what even is that...hehe...we're all sinners) Christian and a good Democrat. Rather, until we get our growing fringe - if you can even call it that anymore - under control, I think we can only be one at a time, out of respect and recognition of the damage others have done in our name. And given the fact that even Christ acknowledged, if not advocated for, a separation of Church and State, this shouldn't be a problem...