Well to be fair, if I was found to be what I am in a fundamentalist Muslim country I would be killed. Say what you will about the 'burning times' but at least Christianity has evolved somewhat in the last five hundred years.

Correct. How my religion would be perceived is one of reasons I will not run for public office (another is I am just not that good of a liar). That being said, if you vote for a devout Catholic you should not expect him to be pro-life, to vote for condoms distribution in schools, or to visit the local strip club. As a voter I would rather know what influences my politicians so I know how they will vote, and if I agree or disagree with that platform (whether I agree or disagree with that religion) I can maker a decision whether or not to support that candidate. Obviously a Catholic politician will do well in predominantly Catholic communities... and since he is a representative of the people, the system works as intended. If 90% of people in Bibethumper county want to elect a holy roller that believes all non-Bibethumpers will burn in the everlasting fires of hell... well, they do have the same rights in the country as anyone else and should be allowed to elect someone who shares their views.

I don't tend to care that much about the religion of politicians unless their beliefs or actions demand they infringe upon 'non-believers'... then it becomes a significant issue. I don't care if Romney's a Mormon. I really wouldn't care if Obama's a Muslim, or an atheist, or a Jew. It's their actions and policies I support or denounce not to whom (or if) they pray.

I have only met three or four real Christians in my life. Those that understand and try to live and understand the lessons and laws of the Bible. I would peg about 99% of Christians as Bible-thumpers, people who have serious misconceptions of what the book actually says about how they should live their life. Sure, they can quote most of the 'red' words (not in any particular order), they have Genesis, Exodus and Revelations down pat, and know all about not suffering a witch, but really have no desire to learn or do anything (heaven forbid!) that is going to inconvenience their lives. The most 'pious' among them use their Churches to gain power and prestige over others, they use their Bible as a weapon against those that cross them, and they use their religion as a sort of Diner's card... kept in reserve until it grants them the most benefit, then waved in all the right faces.

This is unfortunate, and as prevalent as the Bible Thumpers are, imagine how much more annoying they are to the real adherents! (I'm sure they feel like I do when I see some emo-chick all in black, with fifteen pentagrams telling meat eaters that she is going to put a curse on them ).

All I'm saying is don't throw them all in the same pot, and (this is directed more for TCM) try to be bit nicer to the ones that are not tramping all over this site claiming you are going to hell unless you are Saved (give me a Halleluiah!), and if you ask a question directed at them... by the Gods, don't be an asshat, there are few enough decent Christians already, no sense driving them off.