Christians Voting Democrat

I've been pondering over something for a long time and now I'm going to take a stab at articulating it into words. I feel very strongly that someone has to say this- You can still be a good Christian and vote Democrat.
As much as George W. Bush and others would like us to believe that politics is an entirely black and white matter, a simple case of good versus evil, it most definitely is not.
I am certainly not a political expert. But with a political science major, a decent study of history, and exposure to a lot of different viewpoints, I can honestly say that politics is not black and white. In fact, it is full of lovely shades of gray.
For those of you who believe voting Republican is the only acceptable Christian answer, let me ask you this-do you honestly believe Republicans like Ann Coulter, Dick Cheney, and Rush Limbaugh act like good Christians?
The fact of the matter is, Republicans are not always good people anymore than Democrats are.
My mother is a Mormon Democrat. This may sound like an oxymoron (I haven't forgotten you "mean Christian" you Ann Coulter) but it's not. I laud the Mormon approach to voting, wherein a statement from the church leadership is released every election encouraging each individual member to pray and make their own decision to vote for who they personally feel will be the best candidate. No one in the Mormon church has ever told my mother she has to vote Republican if she wants to be Christian.
Now while it's true that Utah is one of the reddest states in the nation, I also know many non-Utah Mormons (there's a big difference between Utah Mormons and non-Utah Mormons, believe me) who vote Democrat. And I'm sorry, but you can't tell me that their voting choices make them bad people.
Let's consider a few things. I asked my Mormon Democrat mother one day why she thought many Christians vote exclusively Republican when Democrats support social programs that give aid to the poor and unemployed. My mother told me she thought it had to do with the Protestant work ethic, and that her guess was most Christians aren't in favor of these social programs because they appear to be "handouts" and are contradictory to people earning their way in life.
I respect the Protestant work ethic very much. Our country could not have been founded without it. But the bitter reality is that in this country today, working hard does not necessarily guarantee you success or fair treatment in life. And if there's simply not enough jobs to go around, how are we to say whether the average poor person on the street is destitute because they're not willing to work, or because they simply can't find a job or have been cheated by the system? I personally would rather err on the side of providing enough aid and support to social programs that provide for the unfortunate and end up with some people benefiting off the system who don't deserve it, than err on the other side wherein many of the unfortunate and needy who can't help their own situation go hungry and without help. Jesus commanded us to help the poor-which side do you want to err on?
The other popular argument of course is that Democrats are amoral because of their position on social issues such as gay marriage and abortion. I understand this concern-I don't want gay marriage to become a law anymore than the next Christian. But drawing the line there, I also think it's wrong to discriminate against gays in the work place, and deny them basic tax benefits, and other rights. Didn't Jesus command us to love everybody? Erring on the side of discrimination seems a little dangerous to me, and a little hypocritical for Christians. And I know Democrats often support things that go against our beliefs, such as abortion. But let's think for a moment. The issue of abortion is not as black and white as Republicans would like you to believe, and they use it as a very effective smoke screen to make themselves look like the properly moral choice. If we outlaw abortion, will it stop women from getting abortions? Most likely, it will only cause them to get those abortions illegally, increasing the chance that they will hurt themselves or die as well in the process. I'm certainly not sanctioning abortion. But I don't believe voting for a Republican who is against abortion is going to solve that problem. Even if we feel abortion is wrong, Republicans have yet to offer us a tried and true solution to ending the grief it causes. The abortion rate went down under Clinton. It hasn't under Bush.
Furthermore, I will never be able to vote for a person, Democrat or Republican, who started something as completely immoral as the Iraq War. I will never support a war started by a man who first claimed we were going into Iraq because of their link with Al Qaeda, then claimed it was due to the presence of weapons of mass destruction, and finally claimed it was to promote freedom and democracy. I will not support a war against "terrorism," which like the Cold War is a war against idealology and not able to target anyone place or people containing the true source of the problem. I cannot support a war which can never truly be won but is merely a symbolic gesture to try and prove to the people of America that our president is taking a stand against evil. In reality that same president is responsible for the death of thousands of our soldiers, many of them young men and young women. He and his advisers are also responsible for the deaths of thousands of Iraqis, most of whom did not ask for us to help them let alone invade their country. No Christian anywhere can convince me that there is anything moral about this ghastly war in Iraq. A woman who lost a son in Iraq came to our campus and spoke to us about her grief and her personal feelings about the war. George Bush and other Republicans in his administration are responsible not just for her suffering, but for the sorrow of mothers and families everywhere losing their children to a war with no true purpose other than supporting Bush's rhetoric, and no true end in sight. I believe I am a patriot when I say I support our troops by wanting to bring them home again. I pray for those young men and women just as I pray for our country; that they can be safe and that they will not have to be needlessly put in the way of danger.
Furthermore I will not be governed by fear. I will not allow the Republicans to convince me that the war is necessary to protect ourselves from "terror." I will not allow them to cow me into voting for them because a Democrat could not protect the country as well as they claim they are able to do. I do not take any stock in their "terror alerts" made to scare the American public. They are responsible for creating part of the terror in the first place, and they cannot rule me by fear of terrorism. Did Christ lead his people by fear? No, he lead them by love and compassion.
Can you tell me that there is anything moral about what the current Republicans in the Bush administration have enacted and supported lately? Tell me what is moral or in concordance with Christian thought about this war which George Bush and his advisors have fomented, augmented, and drawn out? Jesus told us that "by their fruits you shall know them." Look at the fruits of this Republican administration. The Iraq War alone stands as testament that what George Bush and his staff have produced as their fruit is destruction, sorrow, fear, and death. Is George Bush a Christian just because he tells us he is? Of course his words claim he is. But look at his deeds. Is he truly acting in a manner that is consistent with true Christian beliefs and ideals? Is a preemptive war, responsible for a body count that continues to grow with each passing day, the act of a true Christian?
Of course as Christians I know you have to vote as your consciences tell you to. More than anything else I want for all Americans to be free to vote as they feel led to. But my plea to you is don't let anyone else tell you how to vote, not me or any other Christian. And especially don't vote for people like George Bush just because your pastor tells you to. I highly recommend the Mormon approach. Examine the candidates, look at the facts, and search the issues thoroughly. Then pray about your decision and do what your heart says is right. And please remember that voting Republican isn't always voting for Christian ideals. It is not a matter of good versus evil. Rather it is a matter of deciding which shade of grey is better than the other.

Dear Ann Coulter

To Ms. Coulter,
I doubt that you'll ever occasion to read my blog, but be that as it may I still have a few things to say to you.
First of all, thank you for providing me with inspiration for a new posting, and therefore getting me out of a slump in blog writing. Now onto my gripe.
It has come to my attention Ms. Coulter, that after reading an interview with you in Vogue (the most available reading material in the Kohl's breakroom at the time) I need to confront you with an unfortunate statement that escaped your lips. (I'm sure it wouldn't be the first time such a thing has happened.)
You see Ms. Coulter, you stated that you were a "mean Christian."
I am sorry to disappoint you, but I must contradict this. Despite your impressive intelligence, you obviously don't seem to understand that "mean Christian" is an oxymoron.
Look Ms. Coulter, I hate to be picky, but as Christians we have enough problems with people claiming to represent us who then go on to say nasty things (that's right Pat Robertson, I'm hinting at you) So please, if you have any good feelings whatsoever about Christians, do not throw in your lot with us.
Unless of course you intend to be a "nice Christian."
You see a mean Christian is not something that I believe can technically exist. If you are being mean, then you are obviously contradicting Christ's gospel of love and forgiveness. So I'm afraid until you learn to play nice with others, I'm going to ask you to refrain from counting yourself among Christians who are working hard to make sure they DON'T gain a negative reputation.
Please consider my words, I really do mean them most sincerely.
In the meantime if you're going to continue to be so nasty, maybe you should claim membership in a group that supports your negativity. I'm sure there are plenty out there who would be willing to claim you.
Also, if you can't say anything nice, please don't say anything at all about being a Christian.
Thank you for your time.
~Concerned Christian (not an oxymoron)

Political Aspirations

My husband is loosing patience with me.
First it was my crush on Sora. That irritated Steve a bit. Then a few days ago I admitted to him I have a crush on George Stephanopoulos. Now he's downright pouty.
I blame my professors you know. Two of them have made me watch "The War Room" in class in the past year. The first time I remember being intrigued by George. The second time I realized I have a crush on him.
My husband was very willing to accept the crushes I came into our current relationship with. He had no problem taking me to three different Goo Goo Dolls concerts so I could swoon over Johnny Rzeznik. And he certainly didn't mind watching lots of James Bond movies with me so I could stare at Pierce Brosnon and admire both his hair (it ALWAYS looks great no matter what kind of firefight he's involved in!) and the sexy way he runs.
However, my husband has strong objections to me developing crushes now that we are married.
Putting Sora aside, it's started to worry me that all the men I have crushes on lately are old enough to be my father (not healthy!) Although in my defence they're all still about eight years younger than my father. ;)
I've also started to wonder when I made the progression from crushes on rock stars and movie stars to political figures. Does this mean I'm getting older, or stranger? Or both?
I just can't help but love George! There's just something so attractive about his political savy, his dedication to the Clinton campaign in "The War Room," and his witty sense of humor in the face of adversity. And I'm a sucker for guys with dark hair.
I tried for awhile to talk myself out of it, but I just can't. He's too intruiging. So I gave in and decided to indulge my George infatuation.
It's so bad I ordered from the library his book All Too Human: A Political Education on tape, and I even made sure to get the version with HIM actually reading it. What could be better than George keeping me company in the car?
Now I'm trying to figure out how to manage fitting in watching "This Week" into my busy schedule, so I can see George on the TV as much as possible.
After all, what is a girl without an obsession?
I'm sorry Steve.
Also on a side note, James Carville looks like an older version of my friend's fiance, which amuses me to no end. So in an odd way I love him too.
Shhh! Don't tell Steve. ;)

Three Loves, Three Lives

A couple of years ago I was forced to read a book for a women's studies composition class called Aquamarine by Carol Anshaw. Although I hated the story, the premise of the book was quite fascinating. The book was based on the concept of there being pivotal moments in life where a decision you make could drastically change the way the rest of your life plays out. The book showed three entirely different lives that resulted from a different decision made each time at the pivotal moment by the female protaganist.
I've thought about this for a long time and I truly believe in the validity of this theory. In particular I've thought over a pivotal point in my life, involving the three men I loved.
At this time in my life I was dating the first man I loved and had just met the second man I loved. My relationship with the first had become abusive, and it was the second man who opened my eyes to this where others had failed to do so. I chose at that point in my life to date the second man, while not entirely breaking things off with the first. This provided me with a greater feeling of confidence and self worth. The second man left me after a few months and I went back to the first man, but now I was different. When the third man in my life, the man I still love to this day and is my husband came along, I was able to finally end things with the first man, and gain a life of true happiness for myself.
Today I had the startling realization that if anything had played out slightly different during this pivotal moment, I would be leading a very different life.
If I had not chosen to date the second man, I would probably still be with the first. If I had married the first man, I would be constantly afraid for myself. I seemed to always bring out his temper and violence, and I would have lived a life of misery with him.
However, if I had not broken the realtionship off when I did, if I had cheated on the first man instead of waiting for official permission from him to date the second man, maybe I would have ended up married to the second man, because the first man would have severed all ties to me. Had I married the second man, I would constantly be afriad, not for myself but for him. He went on to become a police officer, and I would have lived a life of fear, never knowing if my husband was going to come home each night.
But because of the exact manner in which things played out I married the third man. As a result I am living a life of fulfillment. Our personalities are well suited for each other, and we have many things in common. My husband encourages me to step outside myself, and I generally only have reason to fear when he gets it into his head that we need to go on a crazy adventure across the country in a car. ;)
All this reflection makes me extremely grateful to the Lord that I made the decisions I did. I am glad he helped lead me in a difficult time in my life. I prayed for guidance in my life during that time in a way I never had before. Happily I can say my decisions led me to what seems to me to have been by far the best possible scenario. It is a great satisfaction to look back at that period of my life and feel that although every little thing wasn't perfect, I made the right decisions at the pivotal moment.

Cartoon Crushes

I think I have a crush on Sora.
You may not be familiar with Sora. He is the spiky haired protagonist of the Play Station Games "Kingdom Hearts" and "Kingdom Hearts II."
I'm not quite sure when this happened, but I suspect it wasn't until the second game when Sora got some new clothes and started looking pretty sharp. However, I do know where it originated from.
I have a history of cartoon crushes you see. I don't even think they have a group for that!
It started when I was quite young, and the cartoon show "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" came out in the late 80s.
I'll admit it. I fell in love with a Ninja Turtle.
I was bound and determined I was going to marry Raphael and live happily ever after in the sewers.
When I become a teenager I grew out of my amphibian infatuation and found a new object of my affection.
Another mutant.
I started watching the X-Men cartoons with my father and it wasn't long before Gambit, the card throwing red-eyed mutant thief and charmer, had captured my heart.
Now it's Sora.
I'm beginning to suspect there's something wrong with me. My husband wasn't too pleased when I told him about my new yen for the Kingdom Hearts Hero.
But then again isn't having cartoon crushes healthier than celebrity crushes? (okay I have those too so I guess that point is moot either way).
I wasn't the only one you know. My friend Melissa followed me step by step for awhile. During our young years we were going to have a double wedding, me marrying Raphael and she marrying Michelangelo. While I was swooning over Gambit, she had a crush on Wolverine.
On the other hand being in love with fictional people is kind of disturbing. Maybe I should seek help.
Or I could just go play some more Kingdom Hearts and admire Sora's unique sense of justice and fashion. He has the coolest hair.

Concerns of a Former Mormon

Today I e-mailed a publishing company to comment to them about their recent book.
The book is called "The Unexpected Journey" and shares interesting stories about people who came from various different backgrounds-Satanism, Astrology, agnostics, etc., and tells the story of why they decided to come to Christ and Christianity. Overall I really enjoyed the book, and the stories were poignant, but I had some serious concerns with the first chapter, which represented Mormons in a very unfavorable light.
This is particularly hard for me because I grew up in the Mormon church. I now go to a non-denominational church, but for my first 21 years the Mormon church was a significant part of my life.
In addition to that, many of my family and friends are still Mormon. Though I chose to leave the Mormon church because I didn't feel it was providing me with personal fulfillment, I still admire and respect my friends and family and have seen the church do amazing things in these people's lives.
So to have the church misrepresented was more than I could bear.
I wrote a letter (serious but not angry I hope) pointing out what I believed to be their errors.
The worst part was they implied that Mormons do not truly believe in Jesus.
I got my testimony of Christ from the Mormon church. I sang the hymn "I Believe in Christ, My God, My King" many many times.
Knowing what I know, I felt like I had to speak up.
On the converse I can happily say I know many Christians who have made great efforts to reach out to Mormons and get their facts straight. I hope one day this will be the norm and not the exception.
Someday I hope Mormons and Christians will truly love and accept each other the way we all should.
It is an interesting position to be in, being a former Mormon with no negative feelings about the church and excited to be a part of the non-denominational church she goes to now.
The majority of Mormons who leave the church become angry and bitter, and usually never follow another faith. I seem to be an exception to the rule. I bear the church no ill will. Indeed, they provided me with excellent moral values and a testimony of my Savior that is the foundation my life.
So I can only hope that as time goes on, a spirit of love will begin to permeate this issue and replace all the opposition I have witnessed in confusion.
Thank you for your time. I will now step off of my soapbox.