QOTW for week of May 8

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2005
QOTW for week of May 8
38
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 9:18am

The subject of religion and politics came up last week in Tuesday's "Talker" post. I think it's pretty common for people to avoid talking about politics and religion in general because the subjects tend to spark debate and controversy.


I have pretty strong feelings about this issue and will share them in a response to this post. My general thinking, however, is that because of the prejudice we experience and if we ever want to change that and have equal rights, then we do have to step out on a limb sometimes and discuss these very important topics, even when it's uncomfortable.


So, I'm wondering...what are your thoughts on this? Are there any situations in which you would feel comfortable discussing politics and religion? Do you think engaging in these discussions/debates will encourage acceptance or would you rather just leave the debate up to others and hope that the tide will change in our favor eventually?


DISCLAIMER: I do not intend for this thread to start a debate, although I want everyone to share their opinions and differences...that's what this is about...getting everyone's perspectives. Just please remember to be respectful of each other.


Hugs


Photobucket


Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2005
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 9:33am

Up until a couple of years ago,

Photobucket


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-16-2003
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 9:48am

I have to avoid both topics with my parents and siblings.

Kim
Check out my

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2004
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 10:00am

Really deep question, Kirche.

Are there any situations in which you feel comfortable in discussing politics and religion?

In my opinion, definately not in a bar or a baseball game. LOL! Those are the two most dangerous places to talk about those sensitive and personal topics.

Do you think engaging in these discussions /debates will encourage acceptance or would you rather just leave the debate up to others and hope that the tide will change in our favor eventually?

Being a registered Democrat and living in a Republican state, I get a lot of comments like "Why don't you move to a state that's not Republican?" Or "You should vote be a Democrat, but vote Republican. Just so you can get what you can get from the system and things will go easy on you." Or, when I say where I'm from, I get nasty looks or people assume that I'm a conservative, lol, and I'm far from it! LOL! Or rude comments like, "Gee, I know when I'm driving through Delaware, all I have to do is look for the telephone poles along the highway." Or, "Don't blink, or you'll miss it." Or, "Where is Delaware?" Or, "I'm going to need a magnifying glass to find Delaware on the map."

I'm getting a bit off topic here, but that's not unusual, lol. People think that just because I come from DE, that I have a narrow mind (and believe me, there are folks like me that have narrow minds)and at times it can be tiring. Also, along the lines of religion that's a powder keg also. Being a Presbyterian, I get comments like "God's frozen chosen" or "stiff and serious" or "What? Your service is only an hour?" or "Did you know that Ronald Reagan was a Presbyterian?" or "I thought you were a Baptist or a Pentecostal or a Methodist." (Stereotyping). When I do voice my opinion for either topic, I just have those comments thrown at me and I'll have no choice but to throw my wall up.

So, I just avoid the topic altogether and keep my opinions to myself, but I'll always work in the wings to promote change and open-mindedness. Change always come quietly, but eventually it does come.

Thanks and hugs!

Sebastian

 


Hugs,


Sebastian


 


http://www.facebook.com/sebastianbruce

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2005
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 10:46am

We will vote in November on an amendment to ban gay marriage. I know it will pass.


The Faith in America web site looks like an excellent resource. I'm really glad that religious hypocrisy is being recognized more in the media.


Photobucket


iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2005
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 10:51am

We experience a lot of the same things here in Tennessee. There are so many conservative areas of the state and, and we have

Photobucket


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2006
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 12:53pm

I have a group of friends..there are a dozen of us all told, but 8 that are really the core. We got dubbed the "crazy eights" We range from 33-72, gay, straight, black white hispanic, male, female, married, singles...how we ever all found each other, we cannot imagine.

We can get involved in heavy conversations about such things, but we're friends, and we love each other.

I run all over the debate boards here and get into those topics, and it can get crazy at times. You've got to be thick skinned, and patient. Some of the attitudes can make you want to scream. But I try to maintain calm, dignity, grace. Not for the nasty ones..they're not going to change. But, for the fence sitters who lack information and experience,a nd for the lurkers, who must, in my opinion, be able to see well spoken opinions that combat the "evil gays" commentary. There are others, far more well spoken than I, who do the same.

My mother used to call me "defender of the underdog" and that still holds true. I don't shy from controversy, nor do I deliberately seek it out.

One of the ways that I find my self having those discussions, what with technology and all..is via email. People forward the strangest things, and don't really read them.

For instance, I got an email recently called "Why do we cater to them" and it's premise was that we should not cater to the lowly 14 %. The final paragraph read :
It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a mess about having "In God We Trust" on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why is the world catering to this 14%? AMEN!
If you agree, pass this on, if not, simply delete

****
My response?
Hmmm....

Many Christians do not care for "in god" on our money, or in our pledge, as they view their faith as something private, rather than something that the entire country must adhere to.

I personally don't think it's catering to respect many views. After all, only a small percentage of people thought women should vote, or slavery should end, or races should be allowed to marry each other, too.

Part of the very joy of living in this country is that the minorities are protected from the majority, and that everyone has the right to an opinion, and that having a different opinion doesn't make one "less" American, nor does it mean they should leave.

If not for differing opinions, this country would not grow ever better.

My two cents, darlin.

****

It opened a good dialogue, and made the sender take a second look at what she was sending, and to whom she was sending it.

I think there is a time and a place for these discussions, and that there are many teachable, and many lead by example moments. Jane's wedding? Not the time or the place.
When getting an email like the one above? Certainly a great time, IMO.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2006
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 12:56pm
There is a lot to be said for those working from the wings. IMO, one of the best things any of us can do to foster change is to simply live with integrity. Lead by example. Let the world learn through observation and interactions that X people (no matter what that x stands for---culture, orientation , religion, skin color, etc etc) are normal, loving, caring, laughing, crying, bleeding, hopeful, peaceful people too.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2006
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 1:06pm
Oh, and for --can they foster change? Based on my personal experience, yes.
Example. I'd been posting on a particular board for a while, and one of the other posters, male, conservative, christian, @ half a dozen kids was on the fence about 'gay rights"...and wasn't necessarily convinced that equality should be extended. Over the course of time, we developed an off board communication, shared about families, day to day stuff. I admired his postings, as he was never derogatory, always polite and respectful when presenting his POV, never did the gays/animals/pedophiles thing.
Over time, I noticed changes. Sometimes he'd be the first in line to chastise someone who did the "next they'll want to marry their dogs" bit. Ultimately, he told me that if I ever wanted to get married, he'd be happy to host it in his back yard. Yes, people can shift their positions.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2004
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 2:10pm

Well, I didn't know that Ting. My church is one of the progressive churches. We aren't a big church (members-wise) but we are inclusive of everyone. We have a small group of gay men that all sit in the back. I love them very much, but when I'm not singing with the choir I always sit up front. I'm nosey and I want to see what's going on. Anyway, I just feel like I'm a part of the crowd instead of at the end.

Thanks!

 


Hugs,


Sebastian


 


http://www.facebook.com/sebastianbruce

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2004
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 2:12pm

Amen, Sista! roflol!

Hugs!

 


Hugs,


Sebastian


 


http://www.facebook.com/sebastianbruce

Pages