Friday, August 31, 2012

Presidency: Why does religion matter?

It is that time again.  The time that comes every four years.  Republicans are insulting all Democrats and vice versa.  One of the many aspects, of the two people that are vying for presidency, that people want to discuss is their religion. 

Why is that?

Why is that so important to us?

Many people point to them having the same values.

What are those values that people talk about?  Loving one another? Caring for the poor?  Renunciation of violence?

I have news for you.  Those aren't "Christian" values.  Those are "human" values.  Many people have those values regardless of their religion.

Four years ago, when President Obama was elected, numerous right-wingers believed and still do believe that he is Muslim.  I, for one, believe that he is Christian.  However, does it matter?  Why would people be so afraid of having a muslim individual as president.  Is it because they only know what they watch on Fox News?  Have they been reading too much of the hate monger (Ann Coulter)?  Do they equate terrorism with the nation of Islam?  For those who do any of this, I beg of you to actually learn about Islam.  Don't only listen to what people say.  Study it; learn about it.  Become educated before you decide to dislike a whole religion.  Islam does not equal terrorism.  (Sorry for this little soap box. It's a bit of a pet peeve of mine)

What it comes down to is this:  Why does religion matter when choosing a president? 

IT SHOULDN'T!!!!!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

A fault of mine!!

I think I might attempt to write a blog post every week.  I'm not sure that I have enough subjects to discuss in order to be able to do this.  However, I shall try.  This is the beginning of that venture.


A lot has been made over the Chick-Fil-A saga during the past month.  However, in the midst of all this, I realized one of my faults.

I, usually, feel that I am open-minded and a caring individual.  I just realized that I am not open-minded to everybody.  Yes, I feel that gay people should be able to get married, I feel that women should have equal rights, etc.  It's extremely easy to feel for those who have been persecuted throughout history.  It's easy to be open-minded to those who are in the minority.  That has always been easy for me.

However, I have had a difficult time being open-minded towards those people who take a conservative approach to the Bible.  I haven't been as compassionate to people who have this outlook as I should have been.  We are taught to love every person, regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, and, even, political leanings.  In the hubbub of the upcoming election, I think that it's very important to remember that.  People will differ in opinion than you (and me).  People will call their candidate's opponent some pretty bad names.  It's really easy to get in that mess.  It's easy to join the madness. 

It is my turn to say that I am going to attrempt to not get involved with that kind of talk.  I am going to try to be more open-minded and loving to everybody (including the socially conservative).  I hope that all of my friends take the same approach.

With love,
     Philip