Okay, I promised I wouldn't talk about politics. But I just can't help myself. I found this fascinating article on the Huffington Post written by Frank Schaeffer (son of Francis Schaeffer).
Frank and his father were leaders in the original pro-life movement. Now Frank is a supporter of Obama and in this article answers the question "How can you be pro-life and pro-Obama?
He writes:
"The Republican leadership is not pro-life. They are simply against abortion for reasons of political expediency. They are also for torture and military aggression. And they chose a literal executioner for president; a former governor who has more blood on his hands than any other modern American governor; Mr. Texas-sized, Capital Punishment-with-no-mercy-no-pardons hang em' high himself.
The Republicans have contributed to climate change by coddling oil companies and car companies and ducking the hard environmental and energy policy questions for thirty years. They have literally sold our country to the highest polluting bidders from the Saudis to the Chinese. Therefore the Republicans have literally risked the ability of our planet to sustain all human life born and unborn. So much for human life values.
Who will help us to become a nation that values life -- abortion rhetoric aside? Obama."
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 08, 2008
On politics
I haven't written too much about politics lately. Most of you know I support Obama and will vote for him in November. But I don't want to talk to you about it, because some of you may be voting differently and we could go round and round about our different views and that will make me grumpy.
The introduction of Sarah Palin into the race has stirred up strong feelings in me along with everyone else, it seems. Sure, she's well spoken and I like the fact that she decided to keep her downs syndrome baby. But I also despise her views on the environment and animal rights. Some Evangelical Christians seem to think she's the best thing since sliced bread. I don't. (And while I'm a Christian I don't really consider myself "evangelical". But that's a whole other discussion).
But what bothers me more than Sarah Palin and her oil-drilling, moose-hunting, wolf-killing ways is that every election year I feel that politics separates me from friends and family.
I don't like it. It makes me uncomfortable. So I tend to keep quiet about my feelings and beliefs and when one of my friends says something like "So, what do ya think about that Sarah Palin?" I make a generic comment like, "well, she seems spunky!" Then I start talking about the weather. I don't want to talk to you about it. I'm not going to try to convince you that my views are better than your views.
However you vote in November, I will still be your friend. Because what connects us is usually something that transcends politics.
Whenever I get stirred up about this political race and the fact that my candidate may not win in November, I have to remember that if we put our hope in politics, we will always be disappointed.
I read Daily Kos, the progressive, liberal political blog, and then I hop on over to Greg Boyd or Scot McNight's blog (read his post, "Voting for President? 2 -- posted on September 5) to regain my perspective.
Whoever wins in November, life will go on. I will continue to work toward the kingdom of God by loving those around me and trying to heal what's broken in this world in some small way.
The introduction of Sarah Palin into the race has stirred up strong feelings in me along with everyone else, it seems. Sure, she's well spoken and I like the fact that she decided to keep her downs syndrome baby. But I also despise her views on the environment and animal rights. Some Evangelical Christians seem to think she's the best thing since sliced bread. I don't. (And while I'm a Christian I don't really consider myself "evangelical". But that's a whole other discussion).
But what bothers me more than Sarah Palin and her oil-drilling, moose-hunting, wolf-killing ways is that every election year I feel that politics separates me from friends and family.
I don't like it. It makes me uncomfortable. So I tend to keep quiet about my feelings and beliefs and when one of my friends says something like "So, what do ya think about that Sarah Palin?" I make a generic comment like, "well, she seems spunky!" Then I start talking about the weather. I don't want to talk to you about it. I'm not going to try to convince you that my views are better than your views.
However you vote in November, I will still be your friend. Because what connects us is usually something that transcends politics.
Whenever I get stirred up about this political race and the fact that my candidate may not win in November, I have to remember that if we put our hope in politics, we will always be disappointed.
I read Daily Kos, the progressive, liberal political blog, and then I hop on over to Greg Boyd or Scot McNight's blog (read his post, "Voting for President? 2 -- posted on September 5) to regain my perspective.
Whoever wins in November, life will go on. I will continue to work toward the kingdom of God by loving those around me and trying to heal what's broken in this world in some small way.
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