For those who suffer from Catholicism

http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/abbott/050624

It...

would seem weird to describe people of faith that way wouldn't it? Yet for some, this seems a perfectly reasonable way of describing others. Claiming others suffer from some variance of your own way is a great strategy to undermine their humanity. The cherry on this concoction of superiority is the quick addition of 'not.. that there's anything wrong with that... or not that I'm phobic or bigotted'.

Any statement that begins with disclaimer like that, or a variance thereof, almost certainly will have something phobic or biggoted following. In this particular article we have an educated young man who appears to have a problem with a drag show on campus. I too am outraged at this. No one should be bound, hearded like cattle and forced to attend a function against their will. It's in humane, it's not fair, it's not.. what? Oh. It's not the case. Oh, it appears he wasn't forced to participate. My bad.

Part of an education - a good education be it at a Catholic University or otherwise heathenistic institution is learning to coexist in a world much larger than just the Vatican. We can claim others don't exist, but that doesn't make it so. So, what's the next best thing? Dehumanize them with claims that they 'suffer' from some malady which makes them different, weird, abnormal or "heretical". (sort of conjurs up images of drag queens with their heads spinning 360 degrees doesn't it?)

Judging an entire category of people based on the actions of some is unjust. By any law. Be it man-made or otherwise. Imagine considering Catholicism the religion which promotes, avows and encourages pedophilia because there are some.. ok many, Priests who have engaged in this behavior.

And, starting off a statement of saying that (all) Catholics are pedophiles by disavowing my hatred of catholics by saying "not that I'm Catholiphobic or anything... but" doesn't detract that the statement that all Catholics are pedophiles is my underlying agenda. Trying to convince you of my way of thinking from a point of view of rightiousness begins with calling out what I see, disavowing that I have other motives, oh and making you less than a child of God born under the same Creator helps too.

Lord Jesus, protect me from your followers...

Can Christianity be Cured by the Power of Homosexuality?

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.

The Campaign Against Massachusettes

http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/editorial/documents/04509217.asp

The Campaign...

against Massachusettes is being conducted by the most unlikely of adversaries - the very Governor of the State.

Mitt Romney has made clear his aspirations for a Presidential run and in doing so he has drawn a line in the sand with the State on one side, and he on the other.

No where else in America is a political figurehead so divisive in taking extreme stances on issues (not even California) most of the general poplulation falls in the middle or other side of. His views on stem cell research stand to drive money away from prominent research insitutions in the state and a biotechnology industry. His insistence on pushing for an amendment to do away with Gay marriage, even though there's already a proposed amendment initiative illustrates his own marriage to the religious right.

It would appear that nothing short of annialation of the civil rights and recognition of many of his own constituents doesn't compliment a strategy of marching to the white house on the shoulders of the radical right.

Mr. Governor, you had such a promising career. You gained national prominence with an outstanding Olympics you spearheaded. You seemed the posterboy for a political career on the rise. Since it's not likely that you'll realize you've thrown your hate into the wrong ring, perhaps the citizens of the Great State of Massachusettes will see your loyalities lay elsewhere before you pack up your presidential-seeking bags and leave them holding the bag.

Turning Your Back on Democracy

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?

Pluralism (Diversity in Religious-Speak)

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.