God & politics

Okay I have to admit something, it's really getting to me and I have tried to keep my mouth shut but that's just not who I am. When did republican come to equal Christian and when did liberal mean that your automatically an atheist? Why is anti- welfare and supporting war a "Christian" value? (I am generalizing jokes/ statements recently seen on facebook) I don't get it. I wonder at one point politics and nationalism will polarize us from God. There's more I want to say but I am trying to be careful in my words and not offend.