Wouldn't true Christians be soft-hearted rather than hard-nosed?

The title of this entry is what came to my mind on reading David Brooks "The Next Culture War", New York Times, 2015-06-30, http://nyti.ms/1JmVd1w.

"Social conservatives are poised to heal broken pieces of society: they should do so rather than continuing to fight battles that are already over."

Rather than give emphasis to the tribal mentality of the Old Testament, wouldn't true Christians follow the "second greatest commandment", to love thy neighbor?

Are Rick Perry et al. Christians or hypocrites?

Texas Governor and candidate for the Republican nomination for President led a prayer rally for "Nation in Crisis" that was attended by 30,000 people.  In his address, he read several Bible verses.  I wonder if he read Matthew 6:5-6, "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.  Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."