My mother was a Christian, and typified the best of Christianity. I don't even know if she believed in any of the supernatural teachings, as she expressed skepticism about them, but that was unimportant. She believed in compassion, and she believed that suffering is much too common, but Christianity gives you a way to bear it.

Even though I'm not a Christian, I agree with all of these things.

As a result of my mother's shining example, it took me a long time to realize that most Christians had absolutely no interest in Christ's teaching or the Bible.

It is my sad belief that at least a plurality if not a majority of American Christians simply see it as a way to look down on other people - as a way to hate others and feel better than them, with their "God" nodding approvingly from Heaven.

But to me, and a lot of other compassionate people, their "God" looks an awful lot like Satan.