It's kind of hard to come up with alternative terminology to describe the self-identifting Christians who make up a majority of practicing Christians in the United States. (By some polls. Other polls have them as a plurality, larger than any other single group of Christians but not larger than all other Christians grouped together.)

As a matter of tactics, I don't think it's a good idea to grant conservative Christians a different name. I think that serves to make other, minority groups of Christians feel more comfortable, but I don't find that helpful.

I'm thinking about the United Methodist split right now, for example, in thinking about what weak allies progressive Christians so often are.

I'm thinking about how often in recent weeks I've read statements from UMC bishops sidestepping the LGBTQ issue while wishing peace and love on the departing homophobic bigots, and I'm reminded that liberal Christians can't be counted on for strong, positive, pro-LGBTQ messaging.

I'm remembering calling the offices of the North Texas UMC Conference, and how a spokeswoman refused to say that calling children fags is wrong. (I called the conference because one of their pastors was in fact calling children fags in his role as a 5th-grade teacher in Oklahoma.

I'm remembering that I called an influential Christian publisher about the same issue, and he also refused to give a statement that it's morally wrong to call children fags.

That spokesperson and that publisher are homophobic pigs. (Even though the publisher is quite puffed up about his supposed "ally" status. He went to great lengths to make sure I knew what a great guy he is.) He and that spokesperson are disgusting, cruel, morally depraved human beings, yet they call themselves progressive Christians.

So you know what? I'm not really interested in splitting hairs. Most Christians are pigs. If we need to find a word for people who meet your definition of Christianity, then let that group be exceptional. Let's use a special word for them.

Let's recognize that most other Christians are just thoroughly evil, disgusting people.