On Religion and Politics.

I have been what you might call a "believer" for quite a while. It has grieved me to live where fellow believers voted in strict accordance with politicians who did not exhibit the better parts of my belief system. It is difficult to grapple with one’s own beliefs. It is even harder to argue them with someone who refuses to think. It is hard to discuss issues with someone who will not accept facts as being fact. It is very difficult to sway someone, even a little, when they refuse to recognize that facts have a value beyond your beliefs.

All that said, I suppose I must state my affiliations and some of my past. I am a Southern Baptist by my own declaration. I have attended a Cistercian school, where I was counted among the pagans. That meant I did not have to go to confession or take theology, as a result I got an extra hour for lunch. That kicked ass! Especially considering we had off-campus lunch. I still took VII Form first semester Church History, it was interesting that we sort of skipped past Luther, Zwingli and Calvin, went right on into Ignatius without any mention of the Diet of Worms or the theses. That soured me on listening. This was not open discourse, it was indoctrination. I did something else in the second semester. I did learn a lot about the early church. I do not fault Fr. Julius for omitting what he could not speak about, I just wish it had been more open and forthright. I do have a vague recollection that the reason why Luther posted his theses were for valid reasons. I think it took about ten seconds to mention that, there was no other mention and no conversation. Straight into the Jesuits. No mention of the inquisition either or Tomas de Torquemada.

Look, I meant for this to be quick and clippy. I wanted to include this link to the Upper West Coast, Seattle Times
I wanted to discuss the CNN story about evangelicals and Obama. That seems to be going by the wayside. I think it is a lot deeper than that. It is an examination of the self. That takes a while and it is hard and introspective and there is no telling where that path leads once it is begun.

I know why I am voting for Obama. I know why I called before Indiana. I know why I am a Democrat. It is not in conflict with my belief system and never has been. Democrats have been more in line with what I believe and my opinions than the Republicans for many years. Touching upon the issues of abortion and gay rights: Jerry Falwell repudiated the idea that Christians must confront them with anger and he is about as hard core as they get. I honestly do not give a shit what you do to get your jollies. It ain’t none of my business. I do believe there are some lines that should not be crossed, see the situation in Schleicher Co, TX, but other than a few circumstances, what a person does in their own bedroom is their own business and not mine.
On abortion and body: this is a stickier subject. Ours is not the only country to deal with this issue. The Germans from what I heard of a scientist from there are firm in their delineation of what constitutes the beginning of life. We have not gone so far. If it was up to me, I might give the girl as many choices as she could stand. I know too many people who are ready and willing to adopt a child unwanted by another. I can identify with the fear that comes with an unplanned pregnancy. I want her to have options. I want him to have options. Being a parent is not a decision to be taken lightly. If we could link up Planned Parenthood with adoption agencies, if we could link up adoption agencies with PP, that would be fine with me. It is never an easy decision. I would wish that it could be made easier. I have lost one. I have one. I would wish it on no one. Either one.

Boy howdy, this is a long wind up.

I think all beliefs struggle with themselves. Do not the Hindu believe in the churning of the sacred milk of life? This eternal struggle of ourselves. Do I need to mention Yin and Yang here? Locked in a struggle without end, at least in this lifetime.

Out there somewhere in this land of ours there are believers of all kinds struggling with what and who and when and why and how. Can I include the agnostics and atheists at this point? Whatever they might say, they have a belief system. It might be based on this or that, but they believe something or another. I know, I have talked to them too many times.
"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice."

It is a boon unto my soul that there are questions among the evangelicals. It is a greater boon that the issue was forced upon them.

I have too many questions and few answers