Barkley's chances as governor slim

This past week I saw a sports hero of mine, Charles Barkley, who announced he will be will be running for Governor of Alabama in 2014, make a comment pertaining to politics and religion that made my head explode.

"Every time I hear the word conservative it makes me sick to my stomach because they are really just fake Christians, as I call them. I am pro-choice. And I think these Christians, first of all, they're supposed to be, they are not supposed to judge other people. But they are the most hypocritical judge of people we have in this country," Barkley said on Wolf Blitzer.

Now I know many of the liberals out there are throwing up their fists in excitement, happy with Barkley's comments, but they should not, and let me tell you why.

Besides the fact he is assuming that all conservatives are Christians, let's talk about his first complaint: abortion.

He calls those who oppose abortion, who happen to call on the name of Christ, fake Christians.

How does wanting to protect life make one a fake Christian?

Let's take a quick look at the issue. When a woman is pregnant, there is a living organism inside the womb. It is not a debate whether or not the fetus or, baby for fake Christians is a living organism, but whether or not it is human.

So, then the question is when is this living organism human?

Aristotle believed we were living humans when the soul and body became one.

Some say when brain activity or a heart beats.

What we do not know, is what science fails to tell us, when life begins, but if there is a soul and when it becomes a human being?

With this being said, we know that a living something is there.

Does this life not have rights?

A dog is even protected by law.

But what is referred to as possible human life by Planned Parenthood has no protection.

Hate to say it, unless the life dies or is killed, it will be nothing other than a human being.

We all went through the stage of life just as we went through infanthood or puberty.

So, is one a fake Christian because he or she fights or advocates the protection of a possible human life?

Those who fight for the lives of whales and sea otters are held in esteem for their love for the environment. What about love for possible human life?

Barkley claims the Bible says don't judge. I would tell Barkley that he is taking the bible out of context.

Many who make this argument are referring to Math: 7:1. The Bible is referring to people who are judging those with the same sin, as one can see in Romans 2:1-4.

If a politician condemned a liar, one could see that as hypocritical due to they are one in the same.

In fact, if one would turn to Timothy 4:2, Titus 2:15, Ephesians 5:11 and 1 Corinthians 2:15-16, one would find that Christians are actually supposed to expose, confront and make judgments about all things.

Christians are not supposed to judge sin from worst to least worst and are called to encourage.

I do not expect Barkley to agree with me on policy, but gross generalizations about those of faith or lack of faith is dangerous and irresponsible.

I am a Christian conservative Libertarian and I can assure you two things.

My faith is far from fake. I have seen where I have come from and where I have been.

As a former God-hating agnostic, my faith in Christ is what got me where I am today. Secondly, Barkley, there is no way you will win the governorship of Alabama, with such extremist, ignorant talk like what you displayed on Wolf Blitzer. But, hey, good luck.

Jeremy Berry can be contacted at berry60@marshall.edu.