Why I'm over politics and why religion isn't supposed to be a factor in it...
Every four years it becomes clearer to me that either I’m an oddity or I’m really missing the point of the founding documents of the United States. When there is a presidential election (or even a mid-term election recently) the conservative Christian Republican voting block comes out in droves to push their RELIGIOUS beliefs on the entire country. The first amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...” I believe this is interpreted as the “separation of church and state” concept. This says you can believe whatever you want, but Congress isn’t going to make any laws saying that the entire country has to follow your beliefs. In my mind this includes such BIBLICAL concepts as abortion and marriage. To me, this means you can believe what you like; follow the Bible, the Torah, the Koran, Buddha or nothing at all. (Or Mormonism like Mitt Romney. Now that's some, uh, interesting beliefs.) But don’t expect the rest of the country to have to do it. This is why I don’t understand Conservatives expecting the rest of the country to follow THEIR beliefs against abortion, gay marriage, and any other number of concepts. They’re trying to make this a “Christian nation.” By design, we are a country not based on any religion at all - just a basic human respect for your fellow countryman. This country was founded by people who wanted the freedom to practice their personal religion without government interference (Native Americans notwithstanding, but we’re not going to get into that). So why now are we trying to become what we were originally escaping?
So what do you believe, Kim? I believe what I believe is my own business. If you want to know, I’m happy to tell you. I can explain some of them, am a bit cloudy or undecided on other issues, but they are MY opinions. It’s not my place to push my beliefs and opinions on others WHO DO NOT WANT THEM. And I expect the same amount of respect from others (granted, this is often futile). I don’t want you to push your beliefs on me. My husband and I have this understanding - we have different beliefs on some things. We don’t try to change one another. We have discussions, of course, but we accept and love each other for who we already are. I believe the role of the government is the same - to accept ALL people (and no, not just citizens - we’re not some exclusive country club only for English speakers) for who they are and try to help them have the best life possible through its various programs. I wish this is what my tax dollars helped to make happen (instead of blowing up countries I’ve only seen on maps and CNN (don’t get me started on Fox News)).
This is where I base my beliefs:
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)
I grew up being told to treat others as I would like to be treated (another translation of “love your neighbor as yourself”). If only EVERYONE (read: Christians) followed that commandment…the world would be a much nicer place, yes? Does anyone like being treated unfairly? Unjustly? Like they are less of a person because of their past or their beliefs? Would you like being told that you are stupid or wrong because of what you believe?
In my estimation, making laws that enforce your personal religious beliefs is not “loving your neighbor.” It’s forcing your neighbor to do things they don’t want to do. The opposite, yes? Do you want people to force you to follow their beliefs? Then why do you try to get Congress to make EVERYONE follow yours? This is why there is no sanctioned prayer in public school. It’s forcing a certain belief system on others. Not everyone believes in prayer, at least not to your God. This is why the 10 Commandments are not publically posted in state buildings. Not everyone believes in them. You should not force your beliefs on the general public. Now, when I walk into a church/temple/mosque, a private or church-run school or someone’s home, I would expect to see mementos of their belief system. Is it my place to criticize it? No. That’s a PRIVATE space or business that I have voluntarily entered.
Speaking of, Chick-Fil-A. Good night, what a mess. It is my personal opinion that BOTH sides are wrong. I PERSONALLY do not agree with Dan Cathy’s statements on “traditional marriage”. (If we are going strictly by biblical definitions of marriage, then divorce should be illegal and polygamy legal, but that’s not the point.) BUT, he can believe whatever he wants - that is the basis of freedom of religion. But again, he’s supporting organizations that are trying to get CONGRESS to legislate against gay marriage. That is where my problem is. He is trying to get the whole country to follow his PERSONAL RELIGIOUS beliefs. But, then again, he made a crap-ton of money doing smart business (selling antibiotic-laden, factory farmed chicken, but that’s beside the point). And it is his right to spend that money as he likes.
Now, on the other side. I also disagree with my fellow liberals reaction to ban Chick-Fil-A from operating, like the recent statement by the mayor of Boston and the petition circling to remove the chain from UofL. That is not the way to go about it either. Chick-Fil-A is a well-operated business - one that even offers health insurance to its employees. Taking jobs away is not going to help anything. If you really have a problem with the owners’ beliefs, just don’t eat there. There are plenty of other antibiotic-laden, fried food choices out there. I’m fairly sure you’re never going to be in the position to eat Chick-Fil-A or starve to death.
As a business owner, I know you can run your business as you see fit (within certain financial guidelines and such). If I wanted to run a Christian business and have scripture on the wall, I would. But in my opinion, that would turn off certain customers, especially in my part of town. So I refrain from it. My clients who ask my beliefs, I tell them. If not, it’s a “don’t ask, don’t tell” relationship. I personally don’t mix religion, politics, and business. But if someone wants to (Dan Cathy), it’s A FREE COUNTRY!
So wait, you’re a Christian, yet for gay marriage and abortion? Sorry to blow your minds, but in a sense, yes. This, again, is separation of church and state issue.
I would never have a voluntary abortion, nor would I ever encourage anyone to have one. But should it be an option for the rape victim? Yes. The woman who will bleed out if she gives birth? Yes. The 14 year old who will be kicked out of her house, never finish school and live off the government the rest of her life? Yes. Personally, I had an early miscarriage (did you know the medical term for miscarriage is spontaneous abortion?) last year. It was devastating. Even being pregnant again now (with twins) and having a perfect 2 year old, I wonder about that baby. Was it a girl or a boy? (And no, having twins does NOT make up for the one we lost.) There is still a small hole in my heart for that baby that didn’t make it past 8 weeks gestation. I would not wish that pain on anyone - the pain of losing a baby whether by choice or not. But until every anti-abortion person steps up and adopts a child, then abortion should be an option for the desperate.
Also, I think the whole “personhood” bills are ridiculous. If those become law, am I a murderer, or at least guilty of involuntary manslaughter, for the miscarriage? If my 8 week old embryo was a “person” who died on my watch, then someone could interpret it that way. And birth control being illegal or something church-based businesses don’t have to recognize or pay for. Seriously…is it the dark ages? And no, “natural family planning” and abstinence are NOT birth control. And beyond the name, birth control has many other uses. I went on birth control to regulate my periods that had become unpredictable and painful after losing a lot of weight (80 pounds in 8 months). At the time I was a single girl…a virgin at that. Making sweeping generalizations about women who use birth control (Rush Limbaugh) is not only mean but shows a lack of intelligence as well.
And gay marriage…seriously? Does it really matter? How does two consenting men or women affect your marriage? If my best friend and his partner get married, it won’t make me feel any less married to my husband. In fact, it won’t affect me AT ALL. This is a civil rights issue in my mind. They are a couple, and deserve to be treated as such. In things like visitation at hospitals, right to pass on assets at death, taxes, health insurance, etc. I was also taught growing up to mind my own business. And honestly, what excites you in the bedroom doesn’t matter to me at all. Again, saying gay marriage should be illegal because of something in the Bible is forcing YOUR beliefs on the entire country. Haven’t we discussed this already?
By the way, having a religion run the country is working out great for countries in the Middle East, yes?
I could go on, about say universal health care (fantastic idea - many civilized countries have it - I think Jesus would be in favor of everyone having access to health care), about how Congress is being run by corporations through lobbyists paying off our senators and representatives rather than them voting the way we would like (wasn’t that the original idea?), and about how everyone should pay the same tax rate (um, having a millionaire pay the same amount in taxes as me is so not cool), but that would take too much time. Being a politician shouldn’t be about making money - it should be about serving your country. And the more money you make, the more you should put into the pot. It’s only fair. And once politicians GROW UP and stop acting like a bunch of preschoolers, we might actually get something accomplished. I’m so tired of the bickering and the knee-jerking FROM BOTH SIDES. Just because a democrat is for something, the republicans are automatically against it, and vice versa. Whatever happened to compromise? And whatever happened to working for the greater good - not just the good of your party? There are millions of Americans in need. In need of anything from housing to a job or a good meal or a day off because they’re working 3 jobs to try to get everything else to stay afloat. The government can’t create jobs. People create jobs. And once people stop fighting, pointing fingers, and being difficult, things might get done. And I think THAT is the Christian way. Helping and generosity. Not bickering or being difficult or having your head stuck up your rear. And if you truly want to be a powerful nation, we should stand for helping the poor (not the giant money-grubbing corporations), being generous with our resources (giving more money to welfare and Medicaid, not fighting wars and killing our soldiers on foreign lands most Americans can’t even find on a map), and just getting along. I really think if we followed these principles you would have a happier, less violent, and more united nation.
But maybe I’m just crazy.
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