OK, I do have to comment on politics (one of my rules is that I will NEVER talk politics on my blog) for just a moment...here goes.
I am very excited to see the amount of hope that the election has brought this country. I do think this is a crucial turning point for our country, and I am glad to have an intelligent and charismatic man at the helm during what will be a crucial 4 years.
I am also disappointed by the state of politics in the US over the past 8 years. While I am a fiscal conservative who normally leans toward the republican party, the divisiveness and politicking in Washington in the past two presidential terms has been embarrassing. Because of this, I am ready for change.
Additionally, what an amazing time to see the first black president. It is wild to think just 50 years ago that the black minority was fighting to have access to schools and buses (!!), and now we have a black man as president. I can only imagine how hopeful minorities in the US must feel today.
I would like to make a couple comments on the state of politics and religion in this country (Uh oh, skip ahead now!). First, I hate the fact that Republicans use the politics of fear to increase their influence (again, I normally lean republican, so please give me the right to criticize a little). They repeatedly did this by painting Obama as a terrorist, as a radical, and as a foreigner...this is just not playing fair. I hope fear never plays a role in our voting, as it leads us to choose leaders who can be over-reactive toward defense. When defense is in the conversation, every other policy fades into the background (the economy, health care, schools, etc.). That is not the kind of politics I hope for, and I miss the days where people could speak freely in America without being persecuted (in the past few years we've had the troubling episodes with the Dixie Chicks, Michael Moore, and today's dumbed-down political campaigns). It doesn't matter who's to blame on this topic, only that it changes going forward.
Now, the real icing on the cake. I am offended that, as a Christian, I am expected to vote for republicans because they support the roll-back of Roe v. Wade, because their leaders talk about God more, and because they vow to kill the evil-doers who are Muslims.
This is a pause for you to take a deep breath and forgive me...
I don't believe Christians should only vote for Christians, and I don't believe the Republican party is the only one that represents the interests of Christianity. My Christian perspective includes many things democrats are known for:
A commitment to reducing social injustice (Jesus said serve the oppressed, the widows and orphans, the weak, the poor)
A commitment to represent the rights of the weak (gay marriage, even abortion, though morally contentious, is an attempt to protect mothers' rights)
A tendency to seek fewer military engagements (love thy neighbor, turn the other cheek, etc.)
My point is that Christians can vote either way and still be Christians. Additionally, if you have thought about this topic before, check out what this pastor has to say about how the Church is being destroyed by getting involved in politics: http://www.whchurch.org/content/page_726.htm
This guy lost 1/3 of his church after preaching this powerful message! This was just before the '04 election, and he had some interesting comments on Bush as well.
Here's a taste: "When the church wins the culture wars, it inevitably loses. When it conquers the world, it becomes the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you lose the cross." He goes on to cover abortion, gay rights, and many other topics we all spend years avoiding!!! Listening to these about a year ago forever changed the way I view politics.
Here is what I am hoping for this morning:
That we become a country where differences in opinion are celebrated
That we stand for the rights of the oppressed and weak
That we find a way to correct the social injustices that exist today in Education, Health care, and taxes (Ouch! That one will cost me!)
That we separate religion from government
That we'll find peace during the next 4 years
That we become the leader in the solution to the Global Warming crisis.
OK, I got that off my chest, now I'll go back to shallower topics for the next 4 years!!! Yes I can!
*Additionally, to be completely honest, I am also hoping for the invention of a dessert where a river of cold pudding runs through a forest of hot brownie.
*I am also hoping that Santa brings me some sweet stuff this year
*I am hoping that you will all forgive me for speaking so much about politics, and send me wonderful birthday gifts!!!
6 comments:
Dave, this little post makes us proud to be your friends* :) We share your beliefs entirely and are looking forward to four great years.
*We'd still like you even if we disagreed. So no worries....
*I'm pretty sure Santa feels the same
Hey friends! Dave, I responded to your comment on my blog. Thanks for reading.
One thought on this: I understand and sympathize with your offense at the expectation to vote Republican based on value issues. What I worry about is that Christians don't think they can care about all the things you said and still vote Republican, so they compromise the value issues. In other words, I'm a Republican who cares deeply about social justice, and I wish there were more Democrats who cared as deeply about the sanctity of life. I voted for McCain because he seemed to compromise social justice less than Obama did the sanctity of life. Clearly, not an ideal choice either way.
But enough of that. Can't wait to see you guys whenever you are back in Indy!
LOL! This has to be Dave posting. I can't wait to see what JB will say in response, but here's what I think:
You made some outstanding points. I found it so irritating that people would assume that if you vote Dem. than you aren't a Christian. Too often the religious right wants to focus on two issues only: abortion and homosexuality, while ignoring a host of other very crucial issues {like the ones you mentioned}. The Church should be leading the charges to make change, but unfortunately this has not been the case. I heard a pastor recently tell his congregation to "vote responsibly" which clearly he meant Republican. I don't think it's responsible to be a single issue voter.
Anyway, now I feel like I'm repeating everything you already said, but bottom line, even though I don't completely agree with Obama's poitics, I think this is an incredible historic moment. I think it's brought a renewed sense of unity to the country that we desperately need and it will be interesting to see what comes of it; he's certainly got a mess in his hands. I hope he can at least make a dent in it during the next four years.
ok now I'm intrigued. Love the post by the way. It's Ash right?
Anyway, it's an incredible time for our country and I'm glad you guys wrote this post. miss you so much and can't wait to have you back! so soon! Thanks for the new belly pics :)
Oh, Man. Sam and I are are amen-ing all over the South on the this one. I believe in our generation and I think we can let go of the combative nature of our parents generation's politics and make some strides to understand and respect each other on this front. But I have to be honest, it's been a rough few months to hold onto that idealism down here in the ATL. Lovely post. Thanks for putting it out there.
Thanks Dave. With you from, "OK... all the way to ...hot brownie."
~Sam
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