This is a great article from the Herald Sun! There is much for Christianity to think about and much more to act on!
INDIAN leader Mahatma Gandhi was once asked what he thought of Western civilization. He said: "I think it would be a good idea."
Gandhi had a wicked sense of humor, which he often used effectively to make a point.
He was a student of faith, not only of his own Hinduism but of others, including Christianity, for which he expressed a great fondness.
"Everyone knows what Jesus taught, except for Christians," he said.
From outside Christianity it's easy to make sweeping judgments about its adherents.
To many, Christians are a bunch of dogmatic, non-thinking conservatives who work to a set of outdated rules and hate Muslims, gays and atheists.
Sadly, that's sometimes true. 
American evangelist Tony Campolo, who was Bill Clinton's spiritual adviser, has had enough of the stereotypes.
He has come under fire from some conservative Christian groups for daring to suggest Christians and their churches should be standing for the same things Jesus did.
In a recent interview, Campolo didn't hold back when asked what he thought Jesus would do about the situation in Iraq.
"I think what Jesus would have us do is repent," he said.
Campolo said he wanted President Bush to go to the United Nations to admit he was wrong about the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and ask forgiveness for the thousands of people who have died since the invasion.
Campolo hit out at Christians who supported capital punishment and any type of war.
"Jesus directs his disciples to love their enemies," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, that undoubtedly means that we shouldn't kill them."
Asked what Jesus thought of gays and lesbians, Campolo was equally outspoken.
"He'd love them and accept them," he said. "When we sing at church the hymn Just as I Am, I think we need to mean it. We shouldn't be saying to gay and lesbian people: 'You have to become what you're not in order to be welcomed by Jesus'."
Campolo said Jesus would also express love for Muslims.
"Remember Jesus said: 'Other sheep I have who are not of this fold'," he said.
The evangelist said the questions we would all be asked on Judgment Day would not be theological.
Instead, Jesus would ask: "I was hungry. Did you feed me? I was naked. Did you clothe me? I was an alien. Did you make room for me in your country?"
Campolo said it was time for all Christians to live out the words of "the one they call Lord".
His comments have rocked conservative Christian groups, but are gaining support among Christians who proclaim social justice is a vital part of their faith.
In his book The Irresistible Revolution, Shane Claiborne recounts his attempts to live the Christian Gospel in the streets of Calcutta and the war zones of Iraq,
Claiborne says many Christians are hungry for an agenda worthy of their commitment, energy and God-given gifts.
"Being a Christian is about choosing Jesus and deciding to do something incredibly something daring with your life," he writes.
He quotes singer Rich Mullins, who died in a car accident 10 years ago.
"Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in a beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you," he said.
"Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved. And Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken. He was radical and his followers should be, too."
Taking Jesus at his word, what a radical idea | Herald Sun
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