What My Ideal Church Would Look Like

I've actually thought this one over a bit before, and I realize that this may not suit everyone, and is also a very style of church that to some extend has already 'been done', but here goes:

First of all, the sanctuary of the church would actually be a sancutary. That is, it would be a quiet, large place, and it would also be a library. So, imagine a library with lots of little spaces to sit and think. That would be the sanctuary, and church services would not be held in there. Lets not fool ourselves, sancutaries in our everyday, evangelical churches are most often not what they claim to be. Instead, church services would be held in something more like we would recognize as the fellowship hall, but for my tastes, it would have the feel of a coffee house. There would be tables that everyone would sit at and actually talk to each other, and to the side would be the stage (yes stage, not platform. I'm not scared of secular language for furniture) from which the band (or one guy with a guitar, or whatever) would lead, but not perform the music. The stage would be on the side to emphasize the not-a-performance aspect of this. Near the stage, in front of it on the floor would also be a big comfy rug for children (or adults if they wish) to sit on to participate. Some people just do much better sitting on the floor than in chairs. On the tables would also be paper and pens/pencils for people to write or draw on if they want.

I know this sounds very hippie-ish, but that's to some extent the atmosphere that some people need to connect with God or with others. Not everyone works well sitting forwards in pews, being an audience. My ideal church would necessitate more interaction and participation. So, there it is... some of it at least.

Once again, religion and politics

It's hard to not stick to this subject considering all the hype about the election last night.
I still don't understand how in North America at least, Christianity has been heavily associated with the political right (although not as much as in the States from what I gather). Why is this?!? I just don't get it. I will fully admit that I am fairly socialist in my personal politics and I see few problems aligning my political values with my values as a Christian. I see far fewer problems than I see with aligning right-wing politics with Christian values, although I recognize that many Christians don't have those same problems as I do. But I still don't understand why it is usually assumed in most circles (both within and outside the Church) that for someone to be a Christian, they must be right-wingged politically. How did this shift occur? The best that I can see it, either Christians opposed left-wing politics because of Karl Marx's antagonism against all religion, or Christians began to be more comfortable with conservatives because they are naturally resistent to change. The way I see it, evangelical culture is always a minimum of 10 years behind the rest of society, if not 15, 20 or more, so they liked the idea of a political movement that moves at the same pace, and gradually any social change became seen as opposing Christianity itself, and not just comfortable evangelical culture. Those are the only two things I can see. If there are any better reasons, they escape me.

In the beginning...

So, for anyone stumbling across this blog, "Welcome!"
This blog is a class assignment, but aside from it being mandatory, it is a place where I will be just posting ideas about Christianity and it's relationship to the culture it finds itself in, being that that is what the class is about.

Today at this school (of the mostly-average Christian post-secondary liberal arts variety) there was a political forum with 6 of the candidates from nearby ridings for the upcoming (Canadian) federal election. Which brings up a good question... what is the relationship between church and state? Should they be separate or are we Christians supposed to try and merge the two?
So there's my first question, so, good day!