There does not seem to be a middle ground. They mention either R or D, but what about independents?
Just because one voted for a certain person for president (or even a majority of candidates from a certain party) does not mean they are tied to that party.

I think it’s important to note that this conversation is specifically related to American Christianity. This trend does not live itself globally. I think that is worth pondering. One of the troubling aspects of this conversation is that so many Republican Evangelicals vilify as heretic anyone who differs with their viewpoints. Americans must learn to consider their views in light of a global conversation, in terms of what constitutes a Christian way of thinking or world view. In my, limited but likely broader experience than most Americans since I’ve lived overseas and ministered in a church with over 50 nations represented for the past 12 years, most Christians from other countries do not understand how Republican politics have become so aligned with Christianity in the USA. Americans have to figure out a way to feel passionately about something without coming across as judgmental to those who differ, like me, who is a Democrat and an Evangelical under Scot’s definition.

This is one of the things that drove me from the evangelical church. There seems to be, among many American evangelicals, an assumption that evangelical = Republican/politically conservative/suburban/flag-waving. That assumption often then translates into an “anti-” agenda — anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-evolution, anti-Hollywood. In my case, having attended the same seminary as Scot and been a pastor for a while, I found that for many, adherence to the GOP “gospel” seemed more important than radical devotion to Christ. It all seemed to be baked together as in a pie — a red, white and blue Christian pie.

Standing in the center of a congregation during these polarizing days, especially with the emerging and strident voice of the Tea Party is a distinct privilege and challenge. For me it requires the discipline of saying less rather than more and having a more clearly focussed Christology that informs my Ecclesiology. In my reading of history, the church is constantly under the assault of being co-opted. It’s not unique to either Democrats of Republicans and not just in the USA. My friends in Kenya, Egypt and France all have variations on the same theme. Thanks for raising this!

In my experience coming from the South I became quite the black sheep because of my “heretical” political views. The biggest problem is that it went further than just politics and many times I was told that I need to ‘get saved’ and by more mature adults that one simply can not be Christian and vote for a Democrat. I say this to show what just one person experienced and experiences still to a degree in contrast to the broad polls and examples. Also this gives a story to the warnings against polarization among the Christian family.

I wish people had a more historical understanding of the way in which American evangelicalism and the Republican party made common cause. For a good nutshell explanation, see this interview with Michael Lindsay: http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/New-Ways-of-Shaping-Society.html
Even though I tend to side more often with the Republican party, I believe both parties present a danger to the church. If one doesn’t think the Democratic Party right now is accommodating itself to the “religious vote” or “values voters,” well, one is missing a lot. It is one thing to make limited alliances for specific purposes, but it is another when our ‘religious leaders’ become political operatives, and when political figures become figures of religious adoration. I see this happening on both sides, and I wish some of those who decried this on the Right would do the same as it’s happening even now on the Left.