I am a coward.
Seriously. I haven't written for a while because I am afraid to. I'm afraid I'll offend- I'm afraid someone will offend me. Kinda silly since most of my friends are very civil and kind- even when they don't agree. So, I'm forcing myself to push ahead.
I thought I would feel better by laying out my perspective so that it is clear where my opinions are coming from. My foundation, if you will. You still might not agree, but maybe you'll understand.
I am a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have lived in many areas of the country, as well as a year in France. I graduated from the University of Arizona (fairly liberal school) with a degree in communication, and a minor in French. My husband is in economics and finance, so I have a basic understanding of the markets as well. There's my resume.
I developed my taste for politics when I was in France, funny enough. When I had free time I would often go to the library when they had the Time and Newsweek magazines. It was a way for me to keep up with the happenings of home, which at the time focused on the upcoming 2000 presidential elections. I had decided I wanted John McCain to win the Republican primary. He lost.
My religion has always been important to me. It is more of a lifestyle/life choice for me. But it is a choice. I don't feel tied down or pressured in any way. I am not brainwashed. I find that by forgoing some things in this life, such as alcohol, smoking, drugs, coffee, extramarital sex, I am able to avoid their negative consequences, such as addiction, health problems, and depletion of funds. Also dedicating time to spiritual development helps me grow as a person and learn how to love others better. I don't pressure anyone to live the way I do. I just choose to live my life as I desire and ask that others show me the same courtesy.
So where do my religion and my politics collide? Mostly on social issues. I don't agree with abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, or the health of the mother. I don't agree with same-sex marriage, but I would never attack anyone who made that choice. And like, my religion teaches me, I don't hate anyone for their choices that might be contrary to my belief system. I don't hate a homosexual any more than I hate a smoker, or someone who drinks alcohol. I'd be out of a lot of family if I did. I just respectfully disagree.
And I disagree because I strongly believe that there is a God. A Heavenly Father who watches over all His children and loves them. I believe that God has given us rules, commandments. I believe that He has sent us to this earth to learn to overcome our weaknesses, and that He will help us do that. So to me, Thou shalt not kill, applies to abortion. Thou shalt not lie with a man as with a woman, is a condemnation of homosexuality. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy might, mind, and strength, means to follow Him, even when it's hard- even when the world is telling you there is no God, that the Bible is outdated, and that man's judgments are wiser than any 'so-called' God's. I don't begin to understand why all the rules were given to us, except that they were meant to help us; but I trust that in the next life we will understand everything.
So that is why my politics align with my religion. I understand the arguments against it- really I do. So I try to not argue. I try to maintain my opinion without forcing it on others. I share my views in what I hope is a non-confrontational, unoffensive way. I realize that it is sometimes impossible. But I hope that the main teaching of my religion- that we are all children of God and need to love each other as such- is what comes across most in my interactions with others.
Hopefully after this I can hit on more issues and less on me :) Thanks for putting up with me.
