An evangelical subculture has emerged in American society by which Christians are often defined whether they want to be or not. I don’t want to be.

This movement fosters the idea of a so-called “Christian worldview” requiring “true Christians” to embrace far-right politics, define ethics almost exclusively in terms of opposition to homosexuality and abortion rights, tune into Christian radio stations and Fox News, give blind allegiance to Israel while ignoring the difficulties of Palestinian Christians, and confuse ecumenical or interfaith cooperation with theological compromise.

This subculture is stronger in some regions — like most of the South and around Colorado Springs — than in others parts of the nation. But through mass media, it becomes the clouded window through which many see and understand the Christian faith.

This subculture began hardening in form during the 1980s when support for a few selective political positions cemented a tight relationship between influential preachers (with large sanctuaries and television studios) and power-seeking politicians willing to make promises to these preachers in exchange for the votes they might deliver.

The result was a narrowly defined and divinely ordained political persuasion for all the faithful to share. We were told very clearly of God’s definitive perspective on everything from defense spending to a balanced budget to welfare reform.

“Election guides” enabled mere Christian voters to reach the same political conclusions as God and all other true believers. It is “values voting,” not partisan politics, we are told.

As recent as the last national election, I recall seeing the confused look on the faces of casual acquaintances who could not imagine that another person professing faith in Christ could have a different political perspective from what they had been sold as “the Christian” positions.

So where does this leave those of us who are keeping the faith but reject participation in the evangelical subculture? With lots of explaining to do.

Even casual conversations about faith (or witnessing, if you prefer) often require some initial debunking of myths. Assumptions following the discovery that someone is a Christian are often tied to narrow thinking and quick judgment of others who are different in lifestyle or beliefs.

That’s why we hear more persons of faith identify themselves (in postmodern language) as “followers of Christ.” It is an effort to avoid the narrow branding of the “Christian” name by those who have built this politically defined evangelical subculture.

Creating assumptions is not necessarily problematic. Advancing the Gospel could greatly benefit from broad assumptions that those who embrace the Christian name are generally defined by attitudes and acts of love, forgiveness, sacrifice, service and humility rather than intolerance, judgment, certitude and smugness.

How Christ and the Christian faith are perceived is probably influenced by many factors. But this one is for sure:

More effective communication of the Good News will come when we don’t have to begin so many conversations with the words: “Yes, I’m a Christian (or Baptist), but …”