Religious ≠ Republican; Republican ≠ Religious
Oh, THESE two topics again! Aren't we supposed to avoid these? Ah, well. I'm a button pusher. Can't help myself.
Everyone talks about this growing divide between out wo major political parties. And I'm SO sick of hearing about it. What I'm tired of hearing even more than the shots firing across the aisles is this association with Republicans and Religion.
Whether you agree with or even know my political standing, I want to go on record stating that not all Republicans are Religious and not all Religious are Republicans. There is a tidy connection in many cases, but not every case. And I'm sure that logically most people would acknowledge this. HOWEVER, it seems to me that people grossly over generalize and assume that Republicans are religious (usually "Christian"). I've also heard people be so audacious to say that real Christians can't vote Democrat. Obviously nonsense.
Folks, do not lump me into the "religious therefore Republican" category, please and thank you! I have voted Republican in the past, and my political stance is definitely more conservative in most areas but I am most assuredly NOT a Republican. I honestly don't associate myself with any specific political party and I don't slam people who do. I don't agree with everything on one side or the other. And I think it's the voter's responsibility to investigate which candidate has the best platform for them and vote accordingly. I think it's ludicrous to vote for someone just because they are Republican or AREN'T Democrat. But I also know a lot of people who do that.
The Republicans are not the mouthpiece for morality in this country and I would appreciate it if people stop assuming they were. I see Michael Steele - the leader of the RNC - being accused of financial scandal and being mentioned in regards to visiting sexy nightclubs like Voyeur and I'm absolutely appalled. Then you hear about young Christian politicians like Eric Brown picking up the tab and it galls me to no end. These people do not speak for me and my beliefs either religiously or politically.
I may agree with them on some points, but certainly not all. Guess what? I agree with Obama on some points, but certainly not all. And before my staunch Republican friends jump down my throat - yes, I know the media tends to have a sort of messianic reverence and adoration for Obama and also tends to be overly critical of Republicans and conservatives. But if we could all just step back for a sec and really listen to each other I think we'd find that on a lot of points, we're not saying a lot that's different.
I guess at the core of all this is my desire to express to my non-believer friends that simply because I'm a Christian (and therefore "religious" to some), it doesn't mean I'm Republican. And just because someone is Republican, doesn't mean they are religious or even Christian (and yes, there is a vast difference between the two). Some of my Christian beliefs certainly seem radical to many people when I actually get down to having a talk with folks about them. But they're only radical because they fly in the face of so much of popular culture. I have come to my beliefs through a process of logic and what I believe makes sense, but 20+ years of a growing fath cannot be summed up in an afternoon or online discussion.
As I bring this to a close I acknowledge that the opposite of my subject is also true: Democrat does not mean atheist, pagan, anti-religion, etc. As with so many political issue, it seems that if people would really communicate (ie - when you talk, I really listen and vice versa), stop making assumptions, and quit with so much rhetoric, we might actually make progress. If you are reading this and want to talk with me about religion or politics, I welcome it. With two conditions: 1) We were friends before the conversation and we remain friends after the conversation and 2) We talk with open minds, open ears, and open hearts. It's about discovery and understanding - not about conversion.
Peace, y'all.
Everyone talks about this growing divide between out wo major political parties. And I'm SO sick of hearing about it. What I'm tired of hearing even more than the shots firing across the aisles is this association with Republicans and Religion.
Whether you agree with or even know my political standing, I want to go on record stating that not all Republicans are Religious and not all Religious are Republicans. There is a tidy connection in many cases, but not every case. And I'm sure that logically most people would acknowledge this. HOWEVER, it seems to me that people grossly over generalize and assume that Republicans are religious (usually "Christian"). I've also heard people be so audacious to say that real Christians can't vote Democrat. Obviously nonsense.
Folks, do not lump me into the "religious therefore Republican" category, please and thank you! I have voted Republican in the past, and my political stance is definitely more conservative in most areas but I am most assuredly NOT a Republican. I honestly don't associate myself with any specific political party and I don't slam people who do. I don't agree with everything on one side or the other. And I think it's the voter's responsibility to investigate which candidate has the best platform for them and vote accordingly. I think it's ludicrous to vote for someone just because they are Republican or AREN'T Democrat. But I also know a lot of people who do that.
The Republicans are not the mouthpiece for morality in this country and I would appreciate it if people stop assuming they were. I see Michael Steele - the leader of the RNC - being accused of financial scandal and being mentioned in regards to visiting sexy nightclubs like Voyeur and I'm absolutely appalled. Then you hear about young Christian politicians like Eric Brown picking up the tab and it galls me to no end. These people do not speak for me and my beliefs either religiously or politically.
I may agree with them on some points, but certainly not all. Guess what? I agree with Obama on some points, but certainly not all. And before my staunch Republican friends jump down my throat - yes, I know the media tends to have a sort of messianic reverence and adoration for Obama and also tends to be overly critical of Republicans and conservatives. But if we could all just step back for a sec and really listen to each other I think we'd find that on a lot of points, we're not saying a lot that's different.
I guess at the core of all this is my desire to express to my non-believer friends that simply because I'm a Christian (and therefore "religious" to some), it doesn't mean I'm Republican. And just because someone is Republican, doesn't mean they are religious or even Christian (and yes, there is a vast difference between the two). Some of my Christian beliefs certainly seem radical to many people when I actually get down to having a talk with folks about them. But they're only radical because they fly in the face of so much of popular culture. I have come to my beliefs through a process of logic and what I believe makes sense, but 20+ years of a growing fath cannot be summed up in an afternoon or online discussion.
As I bring this to a close I acknowledge that the opposite of my subject is also true: Democrat does not mean atheist, pagan, anti-religion, etc. As with so many political issue, it seems that if people would really communicate (ie - when you talk, I really listen and vice versa), stop making assumptions, and quit with so much rhetoric, we might actually make progress. If you are reading this and want to talk with me about religion or politics, I welcome it. With two conditions: 1) We were friends before the conversation and we remain friends after the conversation and 2) We talk with open minds, open ears, and open hearts. It's about discovery and understanding - not about conversion.
Peace, y'all.