Thank God for Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Number one.
Out of curiosity (and absolute disgust), I had to tune into the Republican National Convention to watch vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin speak. While not a fan of internet gossip sites when it comes to politics (especially since I’ve taken a low profile politically), I was absolutely intrigued by the articles posted about Palin and her “family issues”. I’m even more amazed by how critical Republicans have been of the “liberal media” attacking her family and blaming the personal attacks on her being a woman. Funny…not only was Senator Clinton banned from playing the gender card, if Obama even mentions the fact that he is half African-American, people are all over it.
While not the focus of this blog entry, I will say this. I actually don’t mind McCain at all. He seems to be pretty consistent with what he believes and supports…overall a solid conservative candidate. Had he picked Mitt Romney, I think we would have had an extremely fair and balanced race. Sarah Palin… what the hell?!?!?!?! I have too many negative things to say, so I will stop there…I don’t want to play the gender card haha. As far as the convention itself…my family reunion has more people of color. We have three bi-racial people in the family now! Why couldn’t Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, SOMEBODY who speaks above a fifth grade level represent the Republican party at the convention? It has just come off so hick-ish to me. I will never understand why Americans feel the need for their presidents and politicians to be “good ole boys and now girls” who like moose burgers. Ah well…. Thank you John McCain for handing off victory to Barack. I owe you one!
Now onto more important questions. This has baffled me lately. Okay, so Palin (just reminding you that I’m not picking on her because she is a woman) is all anti-abortion and stuff and her teenage daughter is now infamously spermanated. I get it…you’re anti-abortion, pro-life, cool beans, go ahead and do what you believe in. BUT– I’ve been utterly confused lately by our beloved evangelical Christian people, who will now affectionately be referred to as the Jesus Camp. The Jesus Camp, filled with people I know, politicians, tv personalities seems to always be falling down big-time. Larry Craig: The Anti-Gay? Hittin’ up dudes for lovin’ in the airport bathroom. Sarah Palin: Abstinence only works?…but I still can’t guarantee results in my own family. Ted Haggard: Another Anti-Gay? Seeking out male prostitutes is fun though and it doesn’t make me gay.
Oh, yes, I know where you are going in your head, as my mother is so quick to remind me. It’s not the church’s fault that the Jesus Camp is made up of humans! If you think Jesus Camp is wild, wait until you get out in the real world!! Well, having taken down my tent in Jesus Camp and pitching it in “unchartered territory”, I haven’t really looked back. In fact, there are certain people and situations in a Jesus Camp I know of, that I purposefully stay away from because of how uncomfortable it makes me feel.
Please note, I am NOT saying that religious affiliation is the equivalent of hypocrisy. No, no, no. I will make a post about Jesus a little later. What I am saying is that there are certain camps (Jesus Camp is from that crazy movie that specifically examined a group of evangelical Christians) in the world who seem to believe that they are on a moral pedestal above the rest of the world. As a former evangelical Christian, I can’t even lie, that is EXACTLY how I thought. I just knew that the Bible meant x, y and z and if you didn’t follow those rules, well it was time for me to pray for you and ask that God would see it fit to forgive you. Yes, we all fell short but seriously if you broke the rules, you were really falling short.
Yes, I am suggesting that hypocrisy seems to be a problem in these camps. I don’t even pretend to be a religious guru anymore, nor do I proclaim the Bible as absolute Truth and even for just saying that I know I’ll be added to somebody’s prayer list haha. That’s cool with me though. For as much as I may appear to be a “softie” or “lost soul”, I still practice celibacy, Jesus is my favorite person in the world, I rarely drink and I only cuss out Sarah Palin, so maybe I’m still a bit of a fundamentalist after all? 
Posted by QueenMother on September 5, 2008 at 10:52 am
“For as much as I may appear to be a “softie” or “lost soul”, I still practice celibacy, Jesus is my favorite person in the world, I rarely drink and I only cuss out Sarah Palin, so maybe I’m still a bit of a fundamentalist after all?”
Like I said before, ‘You used to be different and now you’re the same’
Those basic tenants of Christ’s message…..Love God, Love your neighbor…are the fundamentals we need to follow. All other “rules” laid down by man/women in organized churches don’t necessarily save our soul because if we don’t live the two great commandments, we aren’t true christians.
BTW, I think Sarah is a cool lady. You have to be a mom to understand that what her almost-adult kids do is not a reflection of how good a mom she is or how she will run a country. I can only make that judgment on HER behavior and I am not sure I want a Mavrick and a Baracudda running our country!
Posted by soulstrings on September 17, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Yes, I can sympathize with the “just because my kids are a hot mess doesn’t mean that reflects on me personally” argument. I have plenty of friends with the best parents in the world who just screwed themselves up and plenty of friends who have the worst parents in the world or don’t even have parents and are the best people I’ve ever met. Personal responsibility is a blessing. I am about to write about that a little bit more.
My main gripes with Palin are policy related. I hate all of this “change” rhetoric and yes, I know Obama started it. All of the candidates always want to position themselves as the “people’s” candidate for “change” when the reality is that it’s kind of impossible to pull a New Deal anymore…what are she and McCain seriously going to do about the “boys club” in Washington?? Veto every bill and then try to introduce new bills to a congress that they have both verbally attacked? Brilliant Republican strategy though, first by picking up on Palin and then by stealing Obama’s “change” fire. That person should be running for president lol. Surprised they didn’t nominate themselves like Cheaney.