A point here, a point there, and a lot of bull in between.

[rubykatewriting]

As per usual, I was listening to NPR on my way into work this morning. Naturally, there was much discussion about Mitt Romney's speech yesterday addressing his faith (or not? I'm still undecided). Most of the people polled during the segment thought it was a misstep but ultimately raised their opinion of him, and these were folks in NH who had attended his less-than-stellar rotary club meeting this past Tuesday. Again, most felt that this was a non-issue, especially in light of JFK’s speech (in Houston, no less) back in the 60s regarding his Catholicism.

I disagree. Man, I disagree SO HARD. I think it is an issue, an important one, especially when Romney says his faith will guide his decisions if he were elected president.

The reason? Bush, plain and simple. The current idiot in charge has allowed his personal beliefs, his theological system, to affect matters of STATE on more than one occasion (his stance on Roe v. Wade [and the perceived (rightly so) threat of his power over the Supreme Court], gay marriage/rights, the government funding of church-funded programs and schools, and stem cell research, as well as the abstinence only program for “sexual education” [what a fucking joke] just to name a few). Yes, one should follow one's own moral compass which is largely informed by one's belief system, but not when it goes against the majority of the nation, the majority of the House and Senate. They are our voice. WE THE PUBLIC elect them to speak for us, and when you say that you will veto something voted on and approved by Congress simply because it doesn’t match with your own belief system? That’s when you’ve stepped over the line, buddy, but then I truly believe you can’t even see the line anymore, it’s so fucking far behind you.

Granted, I am someone who does not believe in organized religion; however I think everyone has a right to practice their faith any which way they want to. Just keep it out of my face (having grown up in the south, I’ve experienced my fair share of “testifying” so I may be a wee titch bitter) and for fuck’s sake, keep it out of my government.

Ahem.

In news of a much sweeter sort, more proof that Nathan Fillion is not only awesome but more than worthy of my undying love and adoration.

Comments

[blahblahologist.livejournal.com]

I think everyone has a right to practice their faith any which way they want to. Just keep it out of my face

PREACH IT. hahaha. I agree 10000000%

[rubykatewriting.livejournal.com]

Heh. Yeah, I'm staunchly against any and all PDRs (public displays of religion). Please to be keeping such things to yo'self, thanks.

[random-serious.livejournal.com]

I think it is an issue, an important one, especially when Romney says his faith will guide his decisions if he were elected president.

Agreed. I think it is a disingenious to dismiss the people questioning the importance of faith for candidates as if the causes of such questions did not exist, i.e. treating the issue in media as if it pertained to only to the candidates and the people doing the worrying, instead being a part of a certain landscape.

[rubykatewriting.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Although I was happy that it was pointed out multiple times that unlike Romney, JFK did state that his religious beliefs would never interfere with his role as president. Sure he was a philandering bastard, but damn, at least he knew that church and state were to be kept separate.

[herowlness.livejournal.com]

Honestly, is the whole Republican party unfamiliar with the Constitution/Bill of Rights? I thought it was just Bush, but now I'm beginning to think that they are ALL unaware of this little clause called, like, SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

Everyone's religion makes them who they are, true enough. And it will guide the decisions that they make, personally. Of course, it's likely to have at least *some* impact on their governing, but the less the better.

Example: abortion. I'm well-aware that my (personal) pro-life stance is due to my religious upbringing, and since I don't think that religion should interfere with government decisions, I'm politically pro-choice.

=sigh=

[rubykatewriting.livejournal.com]

I thought it was just Bush, but now I'm beginning to think that they are ALL unaware of this little clause called, like, SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.
It's scary. I know intelligent Republicans, and then there are those like my grandmother and my former co-worker who stun me with the way they spew narrow-minded, xenophobic rhetoric. I mean, these are intelligent people. Usually. I swear, Fox News puts out waves. It dumbs people down. It's the only explanation.

Example: abortion. I'm well-aware that my (personal) pro-life stance is due to my religious upbringing, and since I don't think that religion should interfere with government decisions, I'm politically pro-choice.
Exactly. While I would never personally choose abortion, I would never say to any of my fellow women that my choice is the only right choice.

[herowlness.livejournal.com]

Looking towards the future, I would love to settle (eventually) in my hometown, have my kids go to my high school and be close to my parents as well as much of my extended family. The one thing holding me back right now is that my hometown is incredibly conservative. Generally, if you run for political office around here, you run Republican, even if you aren't necessarily a Republican.

My dad is a down the ticket Republican, and I was somewhat the same until I went off to college and learned things about - gasp! - the world and such. I like to debate him on certain issues, and back when we had cable, he'd regularly watch what my family (including my dad) referred to as the "Bush Network" [aka Fox News].

I've had the abortion debate with one of my friends. When I concede that I believe life begins at conception, he asks how I can't consider abortion murder. And I do, personally, but I know that my above belief is due to my religion. Not everyone believes that life begins at conception, and I don't feel that anyone - an average citizen such as myself or the powerful President of our country - has the right to interfere with an individual's own freedom of choice. Whether it's choosing to get married to someone you love or making a decision about one's own future, it's just that - someone else's life. And as such, the religion of those in power shouldn't have anything at all to do with it.

Speaking of gay marriage, so long as I hit that topic via tangent, I understand that religious marriage may be in fact solely between a man and a woman. And no piece of legislation can change that. HOWEVER, who's to say that "gay marriage" can't be akin to a heterosexual couple going down to the courthouse to get married? No religion involved, no problem, right?

=sigh=

[rubykatewriting.livejournal.com]

My cousin Rae is in the exact same position. She's 17 and brilliant and questions everything, but she's stuck in Mormon-ville, USA where everyone is SUPER!RELIGIOUS! and SUPER!CONSERVATIVE! Thinking and questioning? That's sort of not encouraged there. Needless to say, she is looking forward to getting the hell out of there and off to college come August.