New Reason for Church Membership?

I never thought of politics as being a reason for joining a church.  That was, until I read this.  After reading it, I'm still not convinced.

Seems the writer (Robert Jensen), is an athiest who has joined a local church.  He's joined purely for the ability to discuss political issues within the church.

So, my decision to join a church was more a political than a theological act. As a political organizer interested in a variety of social-justice issues, I look for places to engage people in discussion. In a depoliticized society such as the United States -- where ordinary people in everyday spaces do not routinely talk about politics and underlying values -- churches are one of the few places where such engagement is possible.

Rather interesting proposition, to talk politics within the church.  I would argue that Robert would believe it's ok to do that, as long as it's liberal.  Conservatives have gotten in trouble - think the  candidate voting position lists put out around election time. 

The saddest part of his writing concerns his lack of understanding of being a Christian.

Standing before the congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas, I affirmed that I (1) endorsed the core principles in Christ's teaching; (2) intended to work to deepen my understanding and practice of the universal love at the heart of those principles; and (3) pledged to be a responsible member of the church and the larger community.

So, I'm a Christian, sort of. A secular Christian. A Christian atheist, perhaps. But, in a deep sense, I would argue, a real Christian.

A real Christian who doesn't believe in God? This claim requires some explanation about the reasons I joined, and also opens up a discussion of what the term "Christian" could, or should, mean.

One thought I've got...how about letting Christ define the term of being a Christian, or more precisely, being his disciple:

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:26-33 NIV

I don't think Robert is ready to get this serious.  Serious enough to follow Christ this far.

-Colonel Steve