Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Summer Politics

I'm still dabbling in politics. I thought this was interesting, of course B. McLaren seems at the helm of this one. I have to admit - I'm not a fan of Obama, but I'm not a big McCain fan, either! I'm a little disturbed by Obama claiming he wants a "real" relationship between the White House and faith based groups. In a year or two, I'll come back to that one!!!

Here's an interesting question: How is it that the "right" evangelicals are so wrong in believing in issues such as abortion and gay marriage and the "left" evangelicals are right to want to end global warming and the war in Iraq? Is it possible to be someone who is interested in all of those things? and in truth?? I guess I'm just a backwards republican who is not only concerned about all these insignificant "issues" as well as one that isn't mentioned - stem cell research. I'm not dumb enough to think that there will ever be a presidential candidate who is a dream candidate for someone like me, but I am tired of having some people make me feel like I'm some old school republican who should no longer fight for the rights of unborn children - I'm insulted by other christians who do this. I would like to think that, as a Christan, I can want truth over any one of my "little social issues" to prevail - I don't need other Christians making me feel like things that Christ has laid on my heart as important are things that don't matter anymore.

This election is intriguing to me, mostly because of the part that religion has played in it up to now. Maybe it's something I haven't paid much attention to in past elections, or it hasn't been so much on the forefront. I think that Obama is going benefit from a division in the church... that is created not by him, but by Christians themselves. It's a sad state to be in.

1 comment:

Kathryn said...

I, too, find it interesting that faith has been so talked about in this election. It does concern me...we have separation of church and state for a reason.

I think we all have issues that are close to our hearts. Obviously, you feel strongly against abortion. I don't think it's anyone's place to make you feel 'backward' about that. At the same time, I would imagine that there are a good number of pro-choice supporters who don't see abortion as birth control, but in cases of rape are considering the emotional trauma of the potential mother. I myself see that point. I also would want to see a short time limit on the procedure--i.e. morning after pill, OK, but two months later...no.

As far as gay rights, my own opinion is that it is perfectly reasonable to expect that some people are just biologically wired differently. But, that doesn't mean that I am going to take militant action against or start insulting people who feel differently.

I think that divisions in the church will happen as long as there are human beings making up the church. We learn new things, see things from different perspectives, experience more history as time goes on. If there were no divisions, there would be no growth. It seems to be a truism that from hardship comes new birth. We must struggle (as that OT prophet did with the angel) before we find our way.

I guess I'm one of those 'leftist' types! ;-)