http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8234503/

Silly…

headline isn’t it? Yet groups like Focus on the Family and other radical institutions continue to march forward in their efforts to de-homo America. Does anyone else think it ironic that one of the professed fears we hear from groups like this that an alleged homosexual agenda includes aims of converting straight America – yet here they are, outright in their attempt to convert folks to their way of thinking and worshipping?

To understand how they can even think of such things.. like homosexual agenda, and fairy tales of conversion (pardon the pun) one only need to look at how they preach to their own followers and targets for aleration. The language and methodologies that groups like this use is the very source of the paranoia which drives them to such notions.

The right for religious freedom is a precious one. Yet personal freedom from persecution, even in the name of religion must supercede the right of one to mandate, legislate, or otherwise codify a particular religious/moral conviction on others. Now. I’ve utilized the slash between religious and moral intentionally. Not because they are one in the same. Contrarily, many times they are not. But, rather because many of the religionists themselves cannot extracate themselves from the notion that this higher moral calling serves as a holy justification for all sorts of jihad.

Jihad? Interesting word choice, but would you feel more comfortable if I used terminology like Christian Crusade?

Declaring war or struggle on persons different from you is a an old fasioned Christian pasttime since the beginning of Christianity itself. To be fair, this is not how all Christians feel, nor is it particularly clear in any of the Christian writings that this is somehow a consecrated duty. Love thy Neighbor – unless he is not similar to you.

For all the talk of some religionist that terms like ‘diversity’ and such are dirty words, I think a far more obscene connotation should be applied to words like ‘conversion’. I’d rather put my energies into accepting that maybe, just maybe – God has a plan far bigger and broader than my comprehension – and maybe just maybe he’s created each and every one of us with individual contributions to be made utilizing unique and different talents.

In the meantime, I just hope reparative-therapy groups don’t hurt anyone with potentially misguided notions of emotionally bludgeoning people into thinking that God has made them imperfect.

http://www.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/2470736p-10802232c.html

No…

matter how incensed one becomes at whichever point of view the otherside is portraying, one should remain composed. No where is this more important than the very halls where the largest decisions are debated and ultimately resolved.

Now, I’ll be the first admit my hot-headedness. I’ve even been accused of turning on my heel and showing my hiney as I make my exit. But, then again, I’ve never been in a position of being elected and paid to be a representative. Representation by it’s very nature requires presence in order to be effective.

I’m thinking the people of Wisconsin deserve representation that is present. Present, is good. Come on folks – I know that the ‘other’ side always seems wrong. Always seems pushy. Always seems uncivilized. This is true for whichever side you’re on and which ever side you point to as being the ‘other’ side – but as a flight attendent might say “We ask that you please remain seated”. After all, how can you tackle a problem, if you’re not even there?

http://www.str.org/free/commentaries/apologetics/comparisons/pluralis.htm

While…

some maybe believe that for every right there must be a ‘wrong’, it’s possible that God is infinite enough to allow for more than one view. While I, by my very human nature, am limited in the scope of my beliefs – I’d like to think God has a bigger view, a bigger expanse of experience and infinite more wisdom than I could ever hope to possess.

This notion that God is Bigger than I, gives me hope and creates a space that provides the freedom from having to dominate you with my views. Notice I did not say persuade. Because, while courteous debate with others about the subject of God would always be welcome – nice discourse is rarely possible with those holding a evangelical or extremist view (I’ll refrain from using ‘radical’ because that has a different connotation).

Part of the claim of hypocracy that some may hold against some religions is the finger pointing that they do against other religions saying “see how radical they are? They don’t even allow that we should be allowed to believe what we believe” all the while claiming to hold ‘the’ true form of belief.

What would be the point of holding a belief, if you didn’t think it was the ‘true’ belief? Well, quite frankly there’d be little point. However it’s what you do with your belief or how you empower those around you in form of being a living example is what others (and arguably) God will ultimately judge you for.

How much effort am I going to place on proselytizing you to my way of thinking? I’d like to think the balance would be in favor of the time that I spend helping fellow man, being an example for others, providing light where there is dark, and giving comfort to those who are down. I’m not talking about a personal campaign for sainthood. I’m talking about a world in which each of us works to lift each other up ‘despite’ our difference. True tolerance isn’t the stifling of my genuine opinion of you. It’s an effort on my part to recognize that you are different because of your experiences, your family, your faith, your culture, your hopes, your idiosyncracies, etc. These are the very things that make you who you are. These are the very things which only you have distilled to become the unique concoction you are. It is these that God would have you carry forward to assist others with because there is only one you. No one can take your place or can give what you can give. It makes you irreplaceable, incomparable and precious.

Tree-hugging idealism? Probably. But, the very notion is probably bigger than either of us, and therein lies God.