The Bible and Love and Christians

[CensoredAlso]

but a family member of mine has cited particular verses (that escape my attention at the moment) to support the exploitation of Chinese labor in the global marketplace.

Yeah, I've heard things like that too. People are unfortunately using the Bible to justify the worst of Capitalism. No offence to your family member, but I'm seeing that a lot lately and it's a shame.

I guess my main gripe about the Bible as it applies to me is the claim that it supports social prejudice against gays.

Well that is part of the reason why some Christian groups don't take the Bible literally word for word. Because it's very old, translated and heavily edited. But the things Jesus said are very hard to argue against (though like we said, very easy to misinterpret and abuse).

 

[frogboy4]

Well now Former President George W. Bush's daughter Barbara has joined the thinking of Dick Cheney, Cindy McCain and Laura Bush for marriage equality. It makes one wonder who, aside from Karl Rove, agreed with W's anti-gay marriage stance in the first place. Well, at least this decision seemed all his own. Just interesting news today. We live in interesting times that are fast changing!

 

[CensoredAlso]

Well now Former President George W. Bush's daughter Laura has joined the thinking of Dick Cheney, Cindy McCain and Laura Bush for marriage equality. It makes one wonder who, aside from Karl Rove, agreed with W's anti-gay marriage stance in the first place. Well, at least this decision seemed all his own. Just interesting news today. We live in interesting times that are fast changing!

Well none of these people in Washington (including President Bush and his cronies) actually have opinions on these topics, they just go where they think the votes are. Cynical, but true.

 

[frogboy4]

Well none of these people in Washington (including President Bush and his cronies) actually have opinions on these topics, they just go where they think the votes are. Cynical, but true.

There are a few "true believers" in the denial of gay rights, but you're right. Most politicians sway with their campaign contributors. Even though support for marriage equality is gaining mainstream support, there's still value and dollars to be found in the niche element. I just kind of think it's funny that W's once popular view is rapidly becoming the fringe opposition. It's a changing world. Now what am I going to be angsty about?

 

[RedPiggy]

You can always be angsty about the lack of angst in the world. That's how I get through my day, LOL.

 

[CensoredAlso]

There are a few "true believers" in the denial of gay rights, but you're right.

Well you're right as well, there are some politicans who actually believe the things they say. Amazing, but true.

I just kind of think it's funny that W's once popular view is rapidly becoming the fringe opposition.

Oh yeah, it is definitely fascinating that his previously die hard supporters have been slowly back away from his views. If only they had done that during the height of the Iraq war! But on the gay marriage issue I just think more people are deciding there's nothing wrong with two mature people being together, especially when we already have common law marriage, and as long as no one is hurt.

Totally unrelated but personally I don't care what Laura Bush (his wife) has to say. I know a lot of people may disagree with me on this but the "First Lady" thing has always bugged me as a woman. The only reason they get the job is because of their husband. Even if they are competent in their own right, they gain this high office because of "their man." It just doesn't gell with me. Plus (and again totally unrelated) I don't agree with her "new" views on abortion (which I won't get into here, I'm taking a break from debating this issue for my own sanity ; )).

 

[RedPiggy]

Me an' my brother laughed at the news. I looked outside, noted the inch or two of hard, slick ice and nodded, noting "Yep, it froze over".

 

[frogboy4]

You can always be angsty about the lack of angst in the world. That's how I get through my day, LOL.

I agree. And it'll be nice to be able to focus on other parts of life once this right is achieved.

Well you're right as well, there are some politicans who actually believe the things they say. Amazing, but true.



Oh yeah, it is definitely fascinating that his previously die hard supporters have been slowly back away from his views. If only they had done that during the height of the Iraq war! But on the gay marriage issue I just think more people are deciding there's nothing wrong with two mature people being together, especially when we already have common law marriage, and as long as no one is hurt.

Totally unrelated but personally I don't care what Laura Bush (his wife) has to say. I know a lot of people may disagree with me on this but the "First Lady" thing has always bugged me as a woman. The only reason they get the job is because of their husband. Even if they are competent in their own right, they gain this high office because of "their man." It just doesn't gell with me. Plus (and again totally unrelated) I don't agree with her "new" views on abortion (which I won't get into here, I'm taking a break from debating this issue for my own sanity ; )).

Not opening that can of worms except to say that the Bush women have always been notoriously pro-choice, but refrain from public support until their spouses leave office for the very reasons you state. It's kind of interesting. I'm not a great supporter of Bush politics, but when both former Presidents left office they did so gracefully and without the running criticism and second guessing that Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton often do. W's silence has been impressive.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Not opening that can of worms except to say that the Bush women have always been notoriously pro-choice, but refrain from public support until their spouses leave office for the very reasons you state.

Another reason the "First Ladies" don't tend to impress me. If they have opinions, they put them aside, again for "their man."

when both former Presidents left office they did so gracefully and without the running criticism and second guessing that Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton often do. W's silence has been impressive.

That's very true, though at least Clinton was considered something of a "successful" President. Carter criticising a President is kind of funny (not that he didn't do anything good, of course). But yeah Bush has been pretty quiet, though perhaps he's been letting Cheney do most of the talking.

 

[frogboy4]

Another reason the "First Ladies" don't tend to impress me. If they have opinions, they put them aside, again for "their man."



That's very true, though at least Clinton was considered something of a "successful" President. Carter criticising a President is kind of funny (not that he didn't do anything good, of course). But yeah Bush has been pretty quiet, though perhaps he's been letting Cheney do most of the talking.

I believe that everyone has a right to state an opinion at their time of choosing, but the First Lady's always carries much weight. I wouldn't claim that Barbara or Laura set aside their opinions for their man. They merely set them aside out of respect for the elected official to whom they are married until they were out of office. I'm not sure if I support this practice, but it's certainly their right and it's very thoughtful of them. It's a very difficult position to be in. Everyone has an opinion about how much opinion these first spouses are supposed to have. I just can't wait until we have the first First Gentleman. That will be interesting! I firmly believe a woman will be President in our lifetime.

I agree that Carter (while probably the best man we've had as President, but one of the worst actual Presidents) should cut back his criticism. Bush 41 told President Clinton that he'd refrain from public criticism once he took office and kept to it. He felt that he'd had his time and that no President needs another President playing Monday morning quarterback. That's the press' job. Very respectable. In fact, the rare occasion Bush 41 did speak up was when congress wanted to subpoena Clinton's secret service detail surrounding the Lewinsky scandal. Bush supported Clinton in saying that such a breach of confidentiality would set a dangerous precedent for the office and that relationship should remain sacred. This was at a time when all of Bush's supporters were trying so hard for impeachment. Sorry for the tangent, but it's an interesting story and one that I think helped bond the two post-presidency and cultivated joint charity work.