So I’m nearly 22 and I just find out today that my family (on my mother’s side) is a bunch of crazy, G. W. Bush loving, anti-abortion, war on Iraq supporting, radical Christians. (Politics is not a common topic in our household.) And I kind of feel sorry for my mom because she, like I’m sure many other Christians, is just believing what she is told to believe rather than think things through on her own. The problem with trying to discuss this with her, hoping to fuel a train of thought, is that she doesn’t actually respect anything that I say. There’s nothing I can say or do that will change that, either. She needs to, figuratively, be beaten over the head by multiple people all telling her that I have something insightful to say before she’ll even consider truely listening.
Unfortunately I am outnumbered.
It’s a good thing your Mom’s so pretty! Ask Ryan question: What’s your favorite story about your Mom?
Unforunately, when you’re trying to explain the colours of the world to the colour blind, you’re left with nothing but frustration. The lack of mutal respect is unfortunate and inexcusable, but you have to respect your mom’s opinion (not agree with it).
I don’t believe Christianity has anything to do with any beliefs on the war. Abortion is always a tough issue. I’m always at odds with it, as I support a womans choice – but I’m always scared of the slippery slop. Where do we draw the line? Suddenly people can just start aborting because it isn’t a boy (think Asia) or it has some genetic issue or disease etc. Abortions are hard on people emotionally and physically, so I’m of the opinion it will self-regulate. But if it became ‘easy’ or ‘comfortable’, then we’ll have issues.
Radical/fundementalists/extremists etc are always hard to talk to. While I respect someones faith, if they decide to beat me over the head with it or impose it on me (in this case Christianity) I talk the following position:
1. the bible is _not_ the word of God. God did not write it, it was a series of stories told by humans. Fallible humans.
2. the bible is wrought with contradictions and errors in translations – also done by humans.
3. If there is a devine plan, I don’t see how humans have any right/ability to guess it let alone modify it. Prayer by definition can have no effect then – ie. a devine plan must be perfect by definition, and is thus unalterable (since it’s already be formed). Seems silly to pray if you know you can’t change the plan – and it’s certainly selfish to think God is going to change it ‘just for you’.
In the end, faith can be a strong and healthy part of your spirit. It’s a personal thing, and I don’t need to go to a human built building, and sit listening to a human interpreter of a human written text, guessing what God intended.
I find organized faith to be a disgusting perversion of something which is personal and beautiful.
Stepping off my soap box now…
I didn’t think there would ever be anything I didn’t read all of on rja.net but I have been proven wrong. I only made it to “colours of the world” which lead me to think of “Colours of the Wind” a song from Poccahontis. Thank you Nullination.
I found the post by Nullination interesting!
As much as I DO want to smack extreme conservatives over the head sometimes, I know it will never help. If you respect your mom’s opinions then (theoretically) she will respect yours. These issues are always hard, that is why I always avoid them with people who have different thoughts. You’ll never pry them the other way.
You’re up late. I thought your senior paper was done!
I like cheese !
I like WWE wrestling!
All you need to do is think: WWGSD? What Would Gene Snitsky Do? The answer; Kick a dead baby and/or destroy everything and everyone in a 5 block radius.
NOT AS MUCH AS ME! I can’t wait until I’M in the WWE…. it is going to be so much fun! I love WWE more than anyone!
Amy there is no way you like WWE more then me. In fact, you don’t like it at all and that’s the bottom line!
But I do love WWE! I practice my moves every night… you’ve heard and seen me doing it! I’m going out with Ryan (not J. Allen) just because he likes WWE. Sometimes I even tape it off TV and study the moves so I can put on the whole show by myself in my room or with Ryan. Just because you have a stuffed animal named “Steve” doesn’t mean you like WWE at all.
I think you both are nutters. go to bed i can hear you both practicing your moves at night!!! so go to bed or ill layeth the smackdown on your candyapple asses!!
And open a can of whoop ass! http://www.jonessoda.com/whoopass/