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I don't often talk about my beliefs - political or religious. I don't have a need to convince others that what I believe is right or that they should also believe it. I also am unlikely to respond well to people who maintain the sovereignty of their own beliefs. That said, I do enjoy a good discussion in the realms of politics or faith.
When I woke up today, I'd had a dream that reminded me of a tenet of my faith and politics: You can only legislate behavior. You cannot legislate the soul.
Here is a little background information:
1. I am unaffiliated with any political party. (Yes, that is an actual choice when you register in California). In other states, I registered as an Independent because that was the most accurate choice. I am neither comfortable with the Republican party platform nor the Democratic party platform.
2. I was raised Christian, specifically Southern Baptist. As an adult, I chose to be affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA. Culturally, there is no doubt I am Christian. Doctrinally, there are core tenets of Christianity that I don't accept. I'm not sure I reject them. Mostly I am skeptical and don't think about them much. When I am in the company of most Christians, I feel quite pagan. However, when around pagans, I know without a doubt that I am not pagan. As an adult, I was fortunate enough to spend time with some truly great thinkers in the Presbyterian church. I discovered that my faith wasn't as unique as I thought - it simply isn't mainstream.
This is not the part I don't talk about. I'm pretty open about how I identify both politically and religiously. The part I don't discuss as much is where they converge and how that plays out in specific issues. Here are some examples:
1. I don't believe that you will eliminate abortion by making it illegal. If you truly want to end abortion, then we must craft a society and culture where life is so precious that the very thought of abortion is anathema. Where the value and potential of each human life is so great that abortion isn't even considered.
2. The way to have a healthier population is not through healthcare reform. Help people understand that they are a unified organism - that mind, body and spirit is a personal trinity that must be honored. Create a society where all individuals have a healthy self esteem and where taking care of yourself in all ways is the norm. Then health will be built into the every individual.
3. Outraged at what you consider frivolous lawsuits? Still talking about the award from the latest lawsuit? The real solution is not a cap on awards or a limit on lawsuits. Create a society that places a premium on personal responsibility and understands that sometimes bad things happen in life (we call them accidents). Then the legal system can be used more effectively for breaches where actual malice was done.
We are far from any of these things. We don't have a perfect society. I'm not saying we should eliminate legislation. I am only pointing out the limitations of it: It is only about behavior. It is not about the internal realities of individuals. A phrase I learned as a Presbyterian is relevant here: If you want peace, work for justice.
So this brings me to the thought that woke me up: I need to pray for the President. He's been elected to a second term. It's a done deal. Yes, I can work for issues I think are important but they won't change his mind or agenda. That is beyond my scope.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
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(Anonymous)
2004-11-14 17:32
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> Help people understand that they are a unified organism ...
What's all this fuss I'm hearing about unified orgasms? What's so special about having an orgasm at the same time? Isn't having an orgasm one person at a time just as good? I'm fed up with peop.....wait......hold on...... never mind. :) (Reply to this) (Thread) |
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(Anonymous)
2004-11-14 17:33
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> Help people understand that they are a unified organism ...
< Emily Litella >What's all this fuss I'm hearing about unified orgasms? What's so special about having an orgasm at the same time? Isn't having an orgasm one person at a time just as good? I'm fed up with peop.....wait......hold on...... never mind. :) < /Emily Litella >(Reply to this) (Thread) |
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(Anonymous)
2004-11-14 17:35
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How was I supposed to know that Blurty would recognize < Emily Litella > typed without gaps between the carets as a legitimate command?? Sheesh!!
- Misha(Reply to this) (Thread) |
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