Christianity and conservatism? Thank you, Brit Hume.

In the January 3, 2010 broadcast of FOX News Sunday, senior political analyst Brit Hume voiced his concerns for the welfare of professional golfer Tiger Woods in the aftermath of revelations regarding Woods' numerous extramarital affairs.  Woods has taken a hiatus from the sport of golf, ostensibly to focus on personal and family issues.  

FNS raised a question to its panelists, including Mr. Hume, regarding when Woods might next win a professional golf tournament.  Mr. Hume said ""Tiger Woods will recover as a golfer; whether he can recover as a person I think is a very open question, and it's a tragic situation for him. I think he's lost his family, it's not clear to me whether he'll be able to have a relationship with his children, but the Tiger Woods that emerges once the news value dies out of this scandal--the extent to which he can recover--seems to me to depend on his faith. He's said to be a Buddhist. I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So, my message to Tiger would be, 'Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.'"

While the pitiable remarks lobbed at Mr. Hume from the likes of David Shuster and Keith Olbermann were as predictable as the rising sun, my discussions here at NewsBusters (and elsewhere) have raised an interesting point: People from various points on the political spectrum, including some who self-identify as being politically conservative, begrudge Brit Hume sharing his Christian faith in such a public way.

This leads me to an interesting topic for discussion: How do Christian faith and conservative political philosophy align?  As a sub-topic, must they always align?

Your observations are welcome.  I'll share mine presently, though a few folks might already know how I'll respond.

--Mike