Are people like this our allies?

There's this guy who often writes letters to my local paper, and he's always very pro-environment, is left-wing on economic issues, a staunch defender of animal rights, takes a progressive view of MOST issues, and is a fierce critic of the role of both the Bush administration and fundamentalist Christianity on America and on the world.

Nonetheless, he is also very homophobic and considers abortion extremely evil. He's a strong Christian too (he's alluded to that fact in many of his letters), but he's certainly not a fundamentalist.

If he votes for us, fine and dandy... but feel free to debate him on those particular issues!

be liberal. Can't explain the homophobia (if I knew him, maybe) but he is one of us.

I'm a Christian and I fiercely debate the wing nut zealots every chance I get.

Roman Catholic bishop.

I'm offended by hate, including homophobia, but in the real world we have to deal with a lot of people we don't agree with entirely. We can, perhaps, mitigate the effects of their beliefs.

Catholics, for instance, have a marvelous document in the
Seamless Garment, although it proscribes abortion as much as it proscribes the death penalty. Can't have it both ways with the theology they believe in-- at least they are consistent. And don't condone murdering abortion doctors.

Catholic theology and teachings also speak much about economic conditions, the environment, and many other "liberal" ideas. It can be argued that there is a lot more talk than action, but isn't that true for so many of us?

As someone else in this thread said-- take what you can get.

Catholics, and many non-Catholics for that matter (neopros), have a moderate position on gay rights. They condemn both the discrimination against gays and lesbians regarding employment, housing, etc., and favor hate crimes legislation protecting their safety. Yet, at the same time, oppose redefining marriage to include same-sex couples, on the grounds that marriage involves raising kids -- without intervention of a third party.

That's not homophobia, contrary to the opinions of some DUers. It's just disapproval of homosexual conduct while respecting homosexual people as the human beings--and persons--they are.

I'd say the money/power issues are of far greater importance at this stage than abortion/etc. The latter are important to consider as a question of fundamental human rights, but should not be an invalidating concern at this stage, IMO.

and I think that "one of us" ought to be me.

You're absolutely right in that politicians, especially right-wing Repukes, use social issues to con, distract, and intimidate average Americans out of voting their own economic interests.

In other words, sounds like me :)