Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich’s surge in the past week can be largely attributed to his rise in support from evangelical Christians. Surprisingly, the former speaker of the House of Representatives shares few of their key values. The twice-divorced adulterer has shown little regard for the sanctity of marriage while often advocating for an increase in government power in the domestic economy. Other than his pro-life stance, Newt Gingrich offers little in the way of a conservative agenda. Instead, he’s struck a chord by sharing fears, rather than values, with social conservative voters in an effort to make himself the ultimate anti-Obama candidate.

As a fellow Christian, it’s disheartening to find myself at odds with members of the social conservative base all too often. Marriage is certainly important, but it should be considered a private decision. Tolerance should be stressed rather than implementing one-size-fits-all federal policies that create inequality and injustice toward a large segment of the population. Religion and a relationship with God are personal matters that should be absent from the political arena except to insure all Americans are free to practice as they wish. Perhaps most importantly, the peace message of Jesus has been replaced with a hawkish inclination toward war and destruction.

Although it seems to have been the case for our nation’s history, being a Christian shouldn’t be a requirement for those seeking the presidency. Instead, one who merely respects the Bill of Rights and an individual’s ability to practice as he sees fit satisfies what is necessary in the realm of religion. But Christians and non-Christians alike uphold the teachings of Jesus as a solid foundation; there’s no reason the nation can’t do the same.

A Christian message to treat others as they wish to be treated would certainly be welcomed in our current political climate of partisanship and gridlock; unfortunately, misguided policies among the right have created hypocrisy and a lack of legitimacy amongst the mainstream. For example, South Carolina Republicans booed Ron Paul’s defense of a golden rule with regards to foreign policy last week.

Religion has been part of the United States from its inception, from the founders’ belief in separating church and state to the organization of Southern churches during the Civil Rights marches in the 1960s. But for social conservatives to have influence moving forward, they must advocate for Christian principles of tolerance and peace.

Newt Gingrich represents the worst of politics and a drastic departure from an evangelical or conservative message. His lobbying that wasn’t lobbying for Freddie Mac, hypocrisy in defending marriage and inconsistencies in major policy areas such as healthcare and climate change disqualify him for president. His lust for power and desire to spread war disqualify him from being a Christian spokesperson.