Religion and Politics
Daddy always told me that there are two things you should never talk about in discussions with other people, Religion and Politics. I’ve found that to be one of the truest bits of advice that he ever gave me. Every person has their own idea on what is right and contradicting them in even the slightest way can only lead to bitter arguments. When I was young, I was raised in a deeply religious family and I learned to quote the Bible with the best of them. My God and I still walk pretty closely together but I’ve stumbled more times than I care to mention. Thankfully he has always forgiven me and accepted me back into his arms. I can’t say that about organized religion though. I’ve learned that some of the most hurtful people are the ones that are quick to tell you that they are "Good Christians". Woe be the person who questions the dogma of that particular sect. I’ve always wondered why we are taught that there is but one God yet it is necessary to divide up into different denominations. Is the God of the Baptists the same God of the Catholics or Methodists? Is the God of the Jews the same God of the Muslims? Inquiring minds want to know. I guess I’ll just keep worshiping my God in the same way I’ve always done and let the all knowing elders of the different churches argue out the specifics. Politics seems to bring out the same caliber of fanaticism as religion. In fact, it can be even worse. When you argue your point of view with someone of an opposite stance, all of a sudden you are called stupid, ignorant or any number of different names. In my humble opinion, it is my responsibility to investigate all the particulars of a specific issue and then vote whichever way my heart and mind lead me. I try to measure the sincerity of the person running for office and how the issue at hand will affect me and the people who mean the most to me. I’m anxious to learn the benefits of a particular piece of legislation but if a person calls me stupid while touting my endorsement I’m probably going to vote against it. Personally, if I was going to be fanatic about anything it would be about the apathy of John Q. Public. Democracy only exists on voting day, all other times this country is a Republic. If you don’t take the time to know the person representing you, you will have to suffer through 2, 4 or 6 years until you get the chance to make a change. That person can cause a lot of damage during the length of his term of office. People can argue religion and politics all they want but I’ll just sit here and not say a word. I’ll listen to every word you have to say but you’ll never know what I’m thinking. Who knows, maybe I’m thinking that you are the stupid one. Submitted by SoloVoce on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 3:46pm.
Walt, Why would you automatically assume, or even think that someone else is stupid? RichK
Submitted by Walt on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 4:11pm.
I think it was Mark Twain who said "It is better to let people think you are a dimwit than to open your mouth and prove them right".
Submitted by TruthHurts on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 4:48pm.
It's simply the nature of the beast we call "human" Sympathy for the devil, The Rolling Stones Please allow me to introduce myself I’m a man of wealth and taste I’ve been around for long, long year Stole many a man’s soul and fate I was ‘round when Jesus Christ Had his moments of doubt and pain Made damn sure that Pilate Washed his hands and sealed his fate Please to meet you Hope you guess my name, oh yeah But what’s puzzling you Is the nature of my game I stuck around St. Petersburg When I saw it was a time for a change Killed the Czar and his ministers Anastasia screamed in vain I rode a tank Held a General’s rank When the Blitzkrieg raged And the bodies stank Pleased to meet you Hope you guess my name, oy yeah What’s puzzling you Is the nature of my game, oh yeah I watched the glee While your kings and queens Fought for ten decades For the gods they made I shouted out “Who kiiled the Kennedys?” Well after all It was you and me Let me please introduce myself I’m a man of wealth and taste And I laid traps for troubadours Who get killed before they reach Bombay Pleased to meet you Hope you guess my name, oh yeah But what’s puzzling you Is the nature of my game, oh yeah Pleased to meet you Hope you guess my name, oh yeah But what’s confusing you Is the nature of my game, ooh yeah Just as every cop is a criminal And all the sinners saints As heads is tails just call me Lucifer I’m in need of some restraint So if you meet me, have some courtesy Have some sympathy and some taste Use all your well learned politics Or I’ll lay your soul to waste, mmm yeah Please to meet you Hope you guess my name, mmm yeah But what’s puzzling you Is the nature of my game, get down Woo hoo, ah yeah, get on down, oh yeah Tell me, baby, what’s my name? Tell me, honey, baby guess my name Tell me, baby, what’s my name? I’ll ya one time you’re to blame What’s my name? Tell me, baby, what’s my name? Tell me, sweetie, what’s my name? TRUTHHURTS Submitted by SoloVoce on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 5:39pm.
Walt, Mr. Clemens was quite right. Silence is indeed, one of the steps towards learning. But open, honest contribution is another. There is a time to be silent & a time to speak. A time for everything as stated in Ecclesiasties via the Byrds. But it still does not answer the question of why you would assume or think the opinions of another person stupid. RichK
Submitted by Walt on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 7:07pm.
RichK... I agree with you completely. Open and honest communication is the only way to learn. Communication means to speak AND to listen however, some people want to talk but put no value on what other folks have to say. I would never automatically think a person is stupid but when I know for a fact that what a person is saying is totally false and they refuse to listen I would rather spend my time doing something else. I feel that the subject of religion requires so much personal interpretation that it is almost impossible to converse without some sort of friction. I guess political issues are much the same. It irks me though when people talk about what Hillary, Obama or McCain are going to do when they win the White House. People say that they are going to create jobs, stop the decline in the economy, lower gas prices, end the war, et. al. Sure, they going to make suggestions on domestic policy but the last time I checked, the Constitution only grants the President the power of the veto. The members of the Congress are the ones to enact laws and the President endorses and enforces them. War cannot be waged without the approval of Congress. Foreign treaties aren’t valid without approval of the Senate. The unfortunate thing is a large portion of the population doesn’t even know who their Congressmen are. If people would research the backgrounds of their Congressmen and Senators and then communicate with them we would be much better off than hoping the new President would be our savior. Hopefully you understand that I’m new to this blogging business and I jumped in here because I thought it may be interesting to participate. Please don’t think that I wrote anything with the intent of pointing fingers at anyone. Submitted by SoloVoce on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 8:32am.
Walt, Welcome to our blogging hood. It's fun, entertaining &, if treated correctly, can be a great learning experience. In one aspect, I'm of the opposite view. I think that many of the problems we have with politics & religion stems from the fact that we don't talk @ them enough. Too little communication usually brings @ too little understanding. At least that's my experience. RichK
Submitted by Marsha on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 2:26pm.
Nice blog, enjoyed reading it immensely. I think I get your point. Anyone who suggests I'm stupid (or others) by outright saying it or implying it in a condescending way always makes me look sideways at them and wonder what their agenda is. For some it's just a slip of the tongue, a moment of careless thought. Others use to it try and intimidate, manipulate or control. http://24.23.126.8/ Petition for choice 7 Commissioners or 5 Submitted by SoloVoce on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 3:47pm.
Marsha, I pity the fool who says or implies that you are stupid. One, for not reading any of your past blogs & replies & two, for the same reason. The gumpism definitely does not apply to you, although, there have been some blogs & replies from some others ................ RichK
Submitted by Marsha on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 3:57pm.
Everyone has a slip of the tongue on occassion, and it's always better to address the behavior rather then the person. In Religion or in Politics, for someone to call another stupid whether it's an individual or a group on purpose shows a tremendous lack of respect for ones fellow man. Over the last year there have been blogs by people who claim to never use the word but yet there is evidence within the archives that proves otherwise. It's better to stand on the ground, with humility and rise, then to fall from a pedestal of superiority. http://24.23.126.8/ Petition for Choice 7 Commissioners or 5
Submitted by OneMann on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 4:19pm.
Walt, please add my welcome to the MCS blog. There is not a single person among us who, probably on a more-regular basis than we'd prefer, do or say stupid things. It happens and sometimes we deserve having what we've said or done be called stupid. But doing or saying something stupid on occasion doesn't make a person stupid. It just makes them normal. Treating people as stupid, though, has been standard fare in local politics. There are some who offer arguments they themselves know are designed only to distort and mislead because they think most people are stupid. Personally, I don't really enjoy being called stupid even on those occasions where my humanity warrants it. I'll accept it, though, and even join others to laugh at my own stupidity if it's appropriate. But I don't like being considered stupid enough to accept obvious untruth as part of someone's plan to achieve a political goal. Michael S. Mann michaelsmann@comcast.net Submitted by SoloVoce on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 5:03pm.
Marsha, Of course I agree. But there have been times, & I'm sure you might agree with me, that some people have stated some things that would be considered stupid by any definition. Yes, by & large, we have avoided using the term. But I just can't get over the feeling that the thought has been in our minds. I guess I should thank the good spirits that most of us have not actually said what we have thought. JATFUR. RichK Submitted by Foxx on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 5:35pm.
Now, i've used the word before and at times felt stupid later. And i've said things that would be considered stupid. Should we limit ourselves only to the thought of the word? Would it really degrade the blog that much if we told the truth in some instances or is that just totally in humane? You believe there are other methods to express your fellings of discontent rather than use the word stupid, don't you (addressed to all). As far as poly tics and religion are concerned, some in both fields are flat out stupid, people that have been educated, have exper., mostly liberals just stupid.........excuse me they are people i don't agree with and would love to hear their opinions and debate them in a peaceful manner as these are nice people, not stupid people. Feel free to call me stupid, it won't hurt my feelings. MB People are talking about ...Here are the recent blog postings with the most comments. |
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For a person who wasn't going to say a word about religion or politics you spoke volumes on both subjects.
I'm pretty sure pieces of this could apply to all of us (including me) at some time or another.
Well said! Thank you.
Mike Heemer http://24.23.126.8/ Petition for choice in Nov.