So i was told it would be a good idea to post a conversation i had with someone from my church over the canidates. I thought it was a good dialoge. forgive the email and response format.
What's in the heart comes out via the tongue! From Rush Limbaugh's radio show yesterday..... Hey, folks, you want to tweak the Drive-By Media with me right now?You are aware, probably, that Barack Obama lost his bearings recently and said that he was going to campaign in all 57 states.
You heard this? And everybody chalked it up to, 'Well, he's tired.'
You know, this is a Dan Quayle moment. I mean, Dan Quayle goes out there and misspells 'potato,' and we still hear jokes about it.Barack Obama says he's gonna go out and campaign in 57 states, he was just tired, you know,
it's been such a long campaign, he's been so many places, he probably thinks there are 57 states.
Well, I have here a printout from a website called the International Humanist and Ethical Union.
And here is how the second paragraph of an article on that website begins.
'Every year from 1999 to 2005 the organization of the Islamic conference representing the 57 Islamic states presented a resolution to the United Nations Commission on human rights called combating . . .'
Obama said he's going to campaign in 57 states, and it turns out that there are 57 Islamic states.
'Every year from 1999 to 2005, the organization of the Islamic conference representing the 57 Islamic states, ' this is from the International Humanist and Ethical Union. And the title of the piece here is, 'How the Islamic states dominate the UN human rights council,' and there are 57 of them.
So did Obama just lose his bearings, or,... was this a more telling slip, ladies and gentlemen?
What are you saying Michael, or not saying? Are these your beliefs also? Do you think Barack is a undercover Islamic extremist (terrorist). I understand Rush as well as just about every other person on TV and radio are in the business of political entertainment, not really the same as fact finding or news reporting which happens far to infrequently. But as a fellow Christian I must hold you to a higher standard of accountability for words you speak and or spread. It is not your job to get ratings to make a living, so I must wonder what motivates the spread of non factual news bites and rumor feeding tid bits. Your totally free to support who you like the best, but talk about there good qualities or why they will help US get out of the mess WE as a country are in. Please don’t allow the human nature in us all to keep us from a more perfect union that comes about when we all TRY OUR BEST to reach a common goal.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Please hear this the way I mean it, which is only to caution you on the seeds your sowing, and by all means point out where you see my comment slipping off target.
Paul
(words in parenthesisare from paul)
Paul,
I understand what you are saying and, believe me, I am merely passing on what information I come across. (information implies facts, events related, that point to a conclusion. When people make statemets and tie them to other unrelated and repeat them without the tedious job of checking its authenticity, a rumor is born) You may or may not like Rush or any other media personality ( don’t know much about him, don’t like or dislike him), but I always try to listen to whatever they say and then use my own judgement and conscience to filter that information as to what might be pure truth (that’s what I’m trying to get to, the truth about the two not the speculations and conspiracy theories)and what might be media hype. I am not trying to create discord, but to share things that come across my inbox. And rest assured, there are A LOT of things that I choose NOT to send out! I don't seek out these tidbits. I have plenty of folks that send them my way, as I'm sure that everyone does. As per our conversation of a few weeks ago, I understood you to say that you wanted me to send you little things like this that I might think you would be interested in...( absolutely, but if they are based in unfounded speculation, or are unsaid parallels being drawn to create fear or division I have a hard time, letting it just go by unchallenged) (it may be one of my many weaknesses, I’m fully willing to take responsibility for at the moment J)
I detect a tone of defensiveness( only about the tactic and tone of the tactics. I find them less than direct, and maybe misleading. If rush, you or anyone believes Obama is a Muslim say it, but don’t hit and hide your hand. I’m ok with people believing different things, that’s why we vote so we can see which ideas win) though, and I'm not sure if it's because of your own political leanings, which are none of my business, or some other factors that might be involved(it’s the overall politics of it, not committing to a speculation, floating ideas and calling it research. It’s like the high school rumor mill but with more at stake). But rest assured that I enjoy good intellectual debates about a number of subjects (me to, and I hope that’s what I’m having? I don’t mean to offend, and I fully apologize if I have.), but don't assume to chastise (sorry not how I meant it) me with a scripture (well what would you have me use as a barometer, my opinion eeek? It just so happens, me and my 7yr old Elaina have been working on Self-control, one of the things we struggle with. In going over the fruits of the spirit I’ve found it’s a great start to find out if we are doing our best to represent Christ in all aspects of our life (another hot topic in the Cushman house)) when something that is sent by way of information (information well you know what I think information is so….)for your consideration just because it might cause you to be a little uncomfortable(I don’t think I’m uncomfortable?)! I am not angry, (I hope I don’t sound angry, I’m not, I’m just dandy like) but I say this in love... would you be as offended if this article was about McCain( I think so, I found my self defending another candidate I didn’t support on a blog for some of the same reasons. I really believe we have lost or never really developed that thing that made Jesus eat with “bad guys” and deal with out cast. Where is our self-control, gentleness and peacefulness and patience, compation when it comes to people we don’t agree with? It’s a question I often find myself asking when me and my dad debate, or when I’m challenged with a difficult personality.
Believe me, I know that there is a lot to be desired by either candidate!(Agreed) My concern is for our nation as a whole, our religious beliefs, our freedom from tyranny, our personal safety (Agreed)and the preservation of Christian values(they are my values and responsibility to teach my children and those who want to learn about them but……you can’t legislate righteousness. One it wont work two you take away the element of faith and three if it’s not by faith we hold this salvation then it’s by works.). I will tell you that I was orginally registered as a Democrat at the beginning of my voting career, (I’m heading toward independent) but over time as I began to look more deeply into party beliefs and analyse subtle shifts in party platforms, it became apparent to me that while they parrot a lot about social change, equality, government subsidies, etc., the underlying success of the Democratic party is reliant on the continued oppression of those already oppressed and impoverished, and a lot of the party stances on some key issues are DIRECTLY OPPOSED to scripture. For all of the equality and diversity that is propagandized, the bible calls homosexuality "an abomination".(All sin is paid for by Christ’s death on the cross, so how do we reconcile sinners to Christ? Do we show them Gods love and accept them as they are and LEAD them to Christ or do we JUDGE them into submission? There is therefore NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ Jesus. That to is clear.) That's pretty clear with no margin for interpretation!! I believe that we should love the sinner and not the sin, but I also believe that we SHOULD NOT empower those who participate in ungodly activities to legalized unions and all of the benefits of spousal entitlements, etc( I guess I’m not sure I believe God is concerned with the tax filing status of a sinner, or the hospital visitation rights. I think there are bigger fish to fry than the rights of a same sex couple. People are dieing, being hunted and killed going hungry and living worst than our pets and we want to make homosexuality a priority?. This is just one of the issues where I now differ sharply from the party platform. If it were the Republicans, I would also take exception to THEM AS WELL! (soon as we make laws against a group of people we see as WRONG or not fit to share in our civil liberties I have to wonder what group is next? “An attack on anyone’s rights is an attack on everyone’s rights”.)
As I told you the other day, I base my beliefs on party politics as they weigh out against scripture, not just on this one issue, but on the whole picture. There are also things that I disagree with in the Republican agenda, so don't think that I am blinded along a singular party line. I also however take exception to the fact that we shouldn't put an inexperienced person, who has never held any job that wasn't government or special interest-funded and one with 150-odd days of actual service as a senator into a position of commander-in-chief.(so is experience working for us now???? We went to Iraq after WMD’s. How many were found? What are the consequences for those experienced people who took us there??? ) In light of this, I think that we have to look past race(not MY focus), past party affiliation(nope I haven’t voted in almost 8years), past smoothness of oratorical skills (so is that a bad thing to be able to communicate your hopes ideas, and passion) and judiciously weight items like the one that I sent to try to determine the heart of each candidate (you men like a professor of the constitution, or the editor of the Harvard Law Review?), not just by the words that come out of their mouth(now the title of this email suggest that’s how we tell whats in the heart), but also by their actions, by their experience, and by their history of service( one served in the military with guns, one in the community with people is one better?).
It's not my intention to offend (none take, just want to show the other side of the same coin. There is more than one way of looking at a situation) you or anyone else when I send these out. I receive lots from both perspectives, but I'm not afraid to read and consider what they all say (nor am I)and then decide for myself what seems to be the most biblical (that’s why I use the scripture I don’t have the answers.) position, overall. I would hope that we all would take that position and not be blinded or afraid to consider arguments that might be outside our comfort areas. I believe that both cndidates have areas that they might not wish to be in the spotlight, but history has proven a lot more infavor of patriotism by McCain over Obama(favorable for whom?). There are just too many uncertainties to give him a free pass ( who is asking for one he has worked at least as hard as any other nominee and the record setting along the way may suggest harder in organization, and fundraising from real people) on issues like this, especially since he was raised in a muslim environment, his mother was a left-wing radical verging on socialism and he credits her with the foundation of his religious and social beliefs(or ability to fight for what he believes in no matter the opposition) !!! Isn't that scary to you( no I don’t fear him as a leader, My father was raised in the 50’s and 60’s with a view and set of beliefs I understand them and apricate the necessity of them for the time. Do I share all of them…NO. it’s a different time (if we want it to be) and moving forward a new set of beliefs will have to rise to the top.?!?!? Forget that he's half black(it’s the second time you mentioned that I have not brought it up once, It’s not my primary concern, I didn’t support him in the beginning but had to be won over.), who cares? He's half white, too!! McCain is white...almost too white and stiff for me. If something comes out about him, that's up for debate, too...Neither one is perfect!!(that is the pure truth) Let's look at each candidate based on their proven qualifications( makes since to me,)
If you would prefer not to engage in these kinds of discussions, just let me know. ( I’m ok with them but in a discussion both parties get to have a turn to speak and be heard)We can agree to disagree and that will be it,... but I would hope that we could engage in some friendly debate without getting offended personally (I’m still not offended)... it's not about that at all. I think that we both are more ultimately concerned about the safety and preservation of our country, right? (for sure, and the best person for the job be elected not the most connected)
Have a great day!! (I will if you will. LOL) You should have seen dinner at my house when I was younger. There were two boys, two girls, mom and dad, everyone but mom most of the time debating something. We called it solving the world’s problems)
THAT'S GOOD!!! See, I like exchanges like this... I only wish that we could have them in-person more often. I think that we are both after the same thing. If you remember, I made no comment when I forwarded the original email. That was for a reason. I just wanted to put it out there and see what people thought. BOY, HAVE I GOTTEN A WIDE VARIETY OF RESPONSES!!! Some people don't respond, some make a controlled comment or two, some are TOTALLY FREAKED, and others are rude! As I said to one of my childhood friends who received an ugly reply, "Isn't it amazing how people get so upset, almost rabid, when someone puts out something questionable about a political candidate, but how often do we get upset when someone slams Christians or takes the Lord's name in vain, or when a few vocal aetheists succeed in legislating our prayers, etc.?" It's just really curious. No, I wasn't saying that Obama is a muslim, an undercover terrorist, etc. I think that he is very well-spoken (certainly not a flaw!) I think that he is attractive and young, etc. I just thought that the 57 muslim states was a very interesting point to be brought up. Whether it was a slip of a subversive or merely something recalled from muslim education, who knows?....just interesting...that's all....
