I grant that not all Christians are closed-minded bigots. The question is why do so many close-minded bigots think of themselves as Christians? Is it something about Christianity (or religion in general) that attracts them to it?

I was debating with someone yesterday about who is and isn't a "true" Christian. I was told that a "true" Christian is someone who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. But isn't a Christian someone who is a member of a Christian religion, I countered? Isn't that a more useful distinction? Wouldn't a follower of Jesus's teachings be better labeled a Jesusist? Otherwise what do you do with all those misguided souls who love Jesus for his "only way to heaven" side but ignore the "liberal" pacifist epigram-spouting side that inspires lefties? Well if you call those people Christians, my worthy opponent said, then you'll make the mistake of painting the followers of the teachings with the same broad brush when you criticize "Christians" or "the church" for sending members out to vote en masse to repeal marriage equality acts (for example).

Fair enough, I thought to myself. (I wasn't able to express it because the thread was locked before I could. ) But that doesn't change the fact that those right-winged bigots are Christians, does it? Or does it? Why do so freaking MANY of these misguided souls who can't make themselves love the poor or welcome immigrants or praise marriage between two people in love regardless of their gender--why do they flock to Christian churches? What is up with that? Shouldn't we make a distinction then between followers of the epigrams and people who call themselves Christians?