Archive for Politics
Losing Our Religion
Religion, politics and America is such a lethal and intriguing combination. I have contemplated, wrote and deleted more religion posts than I can count. This one will not be worth the wait, but I still think there are some nuggets in here to chew on, and next year I’ll be better for having written my thoughts down somewhere.
One of my favorite quotes is this…
“Reject Religion. Embrace Jesus.”
I think that proposition has a lot to do with what’s going on here. Kids today are starting to see through the double standard in mainline christianity that preaches one thing on Sunday, yet acts in complete contradiction.
I couldn’t give two craps over Obama’s statement that America is no longer a “christian” nation. First, most are completely missing his point. Second, and more importantly, it has absolutely no bearing on my salvation nor my calling.
If we really wanted to be a christian nation, we would start listening more to Christ and less to Rush Limbaugh, or Barack Obama for that matter.
It’s Election Day
Be patriotic and vote.
My first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man
My first allegiance is not to democracy or blood
It’s to a King & a Kingdom
–Derek Webb
One More Day
I haven’t meant to occupy the space on this blog with so much political chatter, but the church is leaving me little choice. I’ve been wholly surprised, and sickened, this last year by the actions of the church during this election. I’ve been preparing a post to deal with that to be published after the election, but this morning I received another email from someone else I go to church with.
I truly believe that BO is about to usher in the end times like no other. For that, I’m excited… but what will be who already believe in Christ have to go thru, while the world is being knocked on their butt… because God is trying to get THEIR attention? I’m scared for my children… and yours.
I’m just a little fatigued by it all. I’ve gone to church my entire life and even I don’t feel the love of God coming from his hands and feet. I can just imagine what non-believers are feeling.
Michigan, You Decide
Below are the two statewide proposals that will appear on the November 4, 2008 general election ballot in Michigan.
PROPOSAL 1
COALITION FOR COMPASSIONATE CARE
Legislative initiative to allow, under state law, the medical use of marijuana.
PROPOSAL 2
STEM CELL RESEARCH
Proposed constitutional amendment to permit, with certain limitations, stem cell research in Michigan.
What are your proposals?
How are you voting?
Review: The Faith of Barack Obama
Policial conservative and author of The Faith of George W. Bush, Stephen Mansfield, has written a new book entitled The Faith of Barack Obama.
“For Obama, faith is not simply political garb, something a focus group told him he ought to try. Instead, religion to him is transforming, lifelong, and real.” … “He embraced religion long before he embraced politics. Indeed, it was his faith that gave him the will to serve in public office, and the worldview of that faith that shaped his understanding of what he would do once he came to power.”
I saw the video above long before I read the book, and I sure wish there were more people like Stephen Mansfield around. He set his political leanings aside and actually took the time to explore the faith of Barack Obama, objectively, with an open mind.
Barack has an amazing story, one with an extraordinary spiritual timeline. Stephen pulls no punches and covers all aspects of Barack’s faith. But he does so with the grace of someone who grasps that Jesus didn’t just die for Republicans. That the faith of Democrats are just as real. That Christians need to show the world that we are better than the hate we’ve been spewing in the political arena.
This was a fascinating read, and it made me want to go back and read his previous work on George Bush’s faith. George Bush changed the game when it came to faith and politics, and Barack is taking his baton and running like Usain Bolt. I recommend this to anyone that is considering voting in this upcoming election. You owe it to yourself to know, as Paul Harvey always says, “the rest of the story.”
Group Hug
We only had a couple brave souls take up the challenge of stating the reason they are voting for their candidate without bashing the opponent. Now we get to take it one step further.
Can you state some positives about the person you’re not voting for?
Mud-Sling-Free Zone
Nobody talks about the real issues. Nobody seems to be able to be partisan without slinging mud. And I’m not referring to the media, or the candidates.
I’m talking about you.
Why do we find it so hard to discuss the real issues without bashing the other person. The two main candidates are very simply divided, yet we are making them out to be much more than that.
All day long, every day of the week, I read blogs, I read twitters, I listen to people talk garbage about the candidate they aren’t supporting. I rarely, if ever, hear them simply say good things about their candidate. It’s complete mud-slinging. Why is that? Does your candidate have nothing good worth reporting? Why the focus on lapel pins, computer savvy, lipstick? That’s all just silliness.
This reminds me so much of the problem with Christianity–we’re much more well known for what we’re against. We need to start letting people know what we’re for.
Here’s a test. Try stating why you’re voting for your candidate without bashing the opponent.
Good luck.
Elections
I’ve jumped in feet first this year with the election. Last night I was recalling how the last few elections went down for me.
1992 – 17 years old and couldn’t vote, but Ross Perot was on the scene and Saturday Night Live was appointment television. I was happy to see Bill Clinton do well since I had previous ties to Arkansas.
1996 – In college and happy to vote in my first election, but I had no clue about anyone running, or any of the issues. I voted straight Republican because I knew that was what everyone I know always did. Bob Dole by default.
2000 – This is the first time I can remember getting pressure from friends and relatives to vote, and to vote Republican. I remember distinctly hearing often that “the possibility of Al Gore in the White House is terrifying.” They worked me up enough that I voted for George Bush. I tried my best to stay up and see who won on election night, but it turns out it was all for naught anyway. It wasn’t decided for weeks. Ironically I just received the documentary Recount in the mail. Looking forward to revisiting that period.
2004 – At this point I had been working for 3 years in an über hippy/liberal environment, and had become great friends with a very articulate and well educated new designer from New York. We would debate at length politics, policies and religion. I actually saw very valid points in a lot what they said, but I was currently a one issue voter and had no choice but to cast my vote for the pro-life candidate of George Bush. (I sure wish I would have watched the DNC that year, I missed a great speech!)
2008 – Another 4 years in this environment, plus the addition of a very diverse blogosphere, not to mention a complete paradigm shift in my spiritual awareness, has brought me to this point. I will be proudly voting for Barack Obama this November. My christianity and patriotism have both been called into question by many because of this decision, but I’ve never been more excited about making my choice for President of the United States.
It’s been sort of fun to sit back and watch all of the pundits, both on TV and in my life, pontificate about the options. Nobody really talks about the issues, it’s always personal attacks with no relevance, or false propaganda brought to you from double talkers (you owe it to yourself to watch this entire video). We should all just sit back, take a deep breath, and stop trying to pull down the opponents, and start speaking positives about why you like your guy/gal. Start actually listening to what the other people are saying without running them through the filter of whether they’re on your side or not. Then you might actually get something accomplished (and I might actually take you seriously). John McCain isn’t a horrible person and has a lot of great ideas, just like Barack Obama isn’t the “savior” and I disagree with a few of his positions. Face the facts people, the world isn’t going to hell in a hand-basket with either option.
I just happen to think Barack is what we need at this point.
For many reasons.
Did you know Jesus was a community organizer?
Just saying.
