Today is the day to get out and vote if you haven’t already done so (Ian and I voted almost two weeks ago). I would like to think that everyone’s voting on the issues, but since watching the news, I’m doubting that is happening in many cases. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how this all turns out this evening. For those of you who aren’t already put off by my political and non- religious ideas, feel free to read the rant following this paragraph in response to something seen on the news. For those of you who’d rather not bother with my opinion, skip it and go read comics or read some other blogs. This isn’t, after all, a political blog but instead my mental musings and opinions–I’m no pundit, to be sure. That being said, enjoy or don’t enjoy. I’m going to work on the novel a while (6,279 words so far).
“The Government of the United States is in no sense founded on the Christian religion.” -John Adams, 2nd president of the US
“The United States is a Christian nation founded upon Christian principles and beliefs.” -George W. Bush, 43rd president of the US
Which one of these two men was actually around when the United States was being created? Realizing this, which one of these quotes should people actually listen to? Why is it that people still run around screaming that the United States was founded on Christian values when history shows that it was founded predominantly by Deists? Oh, I know why people blather on about the US being Christian: they’re trying to force their beliefs and values on everyone else. Screw the Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindis, Ba’hai followers, agnostics and Atheists not to mention all the other religions and non-religions out there. Christians have a majority and have to push their agendas and ideas on everyone else despite the fact that the Constitution (you know, that really old document that governs our country) calls for Separation of Church and State. It pisses me off to no ends to hear people on various news shows encouraging people to “pray at the polls” and “ask God for help choosing a candidate” when the methods you sould be using to choose a candidate are EDUCATING YOURSELF ON THE ISSUES AND USING LOGIC AND REASON TO VOTE IN YOUR OWN SELF-INTEREST. Using your “gut feeling” (i.e., faith) to vote is counterintuitive and nonproductive. Your “gut” may simply be nothing more than some undigested mayonnaise or one beer too many. What happened to facts and education? Oh, those stopped working long ago so now people’s emotions and imaginary friends are invoked.
The Conservative Right has been using people’s values to manipulate them for a long time now using language and copious amounts of money to alter the perception of politics and many major issues. The Progressive Left has been toiling away trying to educate people and give them the facts under the belief that knowledge can set people free. While the Progressive Left has been working in small groups trying to help people on an individual basis, the Conservative Right has been throwing money and marketing around to blanket large areas with their overarching message: stop “wasting” money on social programs that help the little people so that big corporations and the wealthy can benefit from fewer regulations and subsequent lawsuits, worker exploitation, lack of education for the poorer classes so they simply can’t rise up out of their situations, and then use all the money they save by cutting these “charity programs” for a bigger governement focused on the military and corporate gains. The easiest way for the Conservative Right to spread their message? Why not use one of the larger institutions in the country? Hell, Christianity has been used throughout history to unite people to common causes: the Crusades, Inquisition, witch hunts, KKK, even many aspects of Nazi Germany. Why not use it to further political gains? The Progressive Left, with their “radical” idea that Church and State are separate entities would never stoop to such a level. Instead, the Progressive Left has been trying to educate people, give them the facts, and encourage them to think for themselves. The obvious problem with this? People have particular frames of ideas in their heads, and if one single fact doesn’t fit perfectly within one of those frames, it’s easier to throw it out rather than seriously consider it. The Conservative Right has been building these frames through think tanks and the media. Unless the Progressive Left starts creating its own frames for people to build upon, it and it’s ideals of Separation of Church and State and equality are going to remain fringe and marginalized.
No, it’s better to vote according to one’s guts rather than one’s own self interest. If people really voted in their own self interest, this country would take on a much different tone and perspective. Because so many vote to their “faith,” we end up with retarded comments on news stations from idiots who are under the mistaken belief that this country was founded by Christians for Christians rather than by the People for the People. I voted. Me, an Atheist. If the Christians continue to have their way in shepherding others into reframing the laws and Constituion to where only Christian beliefs and values are upheld, in a little while, I, an American citizen, will no longer have the right to vote because of my philosophy and lack of institutionalized religion. The Conservative Right is trying to throw the country back two hundred years to when only rich white men could govern and vote through their agenda to promote discrimination against minority groups such as gays and Atheists, through their laws preventing women from having an equal chance and and equal choice, and through their cutting of social programs that force the working man to stay poor with no support or rights while the rich get wealthier. I feel sorry for the uneducated ignorant citizens out there who are informing others to pray before voting with neither the understanding nor respect of others to realize that not everyone considers praying for candidates an option. Some of us think that using our brains is a better option. Some of us think that equality is a core fundamental value of this nation. Some of us are going to keep fighting regardless of who wins. Go vote and take responsibility for making a difference intelligently.
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Do you believe that all people who value religion are ignorant and uneducated? I've been curious about when you started to become athesist and what brought it all about…hope you don't mind my asking.
Perhaps "under-educated" is a better way of putting it.:
I won't go so far as to say "all" religious people are ignorant and uneducated, but I'd have to say that when it comes to understanding much outside their belief system, most are woefully under-educated, having never spent much or any time [i]seriously[/i] researching or learning about even their own religion let alone others. (Though many religions prohibit the learning of other religions as a way to prevent people from getting any ideas.) I greatly applaud those people who honestly sit down and look at their beliefs and religion to understand as much as possible why they believe what they do. Far too many people stay in a church simply because that was how they were raised and they never stop to think that there are other ways to live thier lives. I find this lazy and irresponsible. Not all belief systems work for all people, and growing up, I found that Catholicism was not only not for me, but it was downright endangering my life. I started questioning the church as far back as when I was seven or eight, and as I got older, trying to keep up with all Catholicism demanded–especially since so much of it seemed so hypocritical and arbitrary–eventually drove me to become very suicidal with some other very unhealthy habits. Believing in god became like believing in Santa Claus, and it wasn't until I started distancing myself from the church that I became a happier and better person. [b]However[/b], because I have broken with Christianity and have become an Atheist, I am now marginalized and looked down upon–all for trying to be a better person and in the pursuit of happiness (another tidbit from the Constitution). People don't understand Atheism because people don't bother learning about it, especially about how incredibly diverse it is. I'm seeing people's rights being taken away or never granted, and the basis for a lot of it is on religious values, which is irrational because our nation wasn't founded on religion. Atheists have been thrown in jail for not swearing on a bible for jury duty. Gays are asking for equal rights when it comes to being a loving couple just like any other loving couple would get. Why are minorities' rights being denied? Because of values–religious ones more often than not–not because of facts, logic, or reason. Once people learned about how the sun rises in the east, they stopped fearing it. People need to be educated on minority rights to prevent fear and hatred. One of these days I need to write an entire post about why I'm an Atheist. It hasn't been an easy task "coming out" in such a Christian society, but I'm finding my voice and find it harder to stay quiet. I'm glad you asked, and I sincerely apologize if I offended you. I was really irked at the news show and simply needed to get my thoughts out. I guess maybe if I got my thoughts out on a more regular basis, they wouldn't be so volatile.
Not trying to step on your toes…:
But a couple of initial thoughts while reading: I voted Republican, not for a single religious view but because I don't agree with Obama's view on taxes. (On most other issues I would settle for either candidate.) I don't feel bad for thinking that my husband, who is spending more than 8 years of his life and $200,000 in loans shouldn't be paying more than half his future salary in taxes. America is a capitalist society. If there is no incentive to educate yourself or spend money to create a small business in order to make more money, people will stop doing so. That does not make for a strong economy in the long run.
I hope you don't assume that I, along with all other Republican voters voted only for religion, as you seem to assume that everyone stereotypes you in the same way. I am glad to support President Obama, although I will say I hope his new tax plan sees some changes before passing.
And I know you mentioned this on another post, but I'm glad to hear you got a job at the library. It may start part time, but who knows what could happen in only a few months? Obviously you enjoy working there, so hopefully it becomes permanent if you want it to.
Don't worry about my toes; they're pretty calloused.:
There's a possibility that the job at the library might become more full-time if any other pages leave or if someone were to retire. I don't know about how permanent I want it to be because I'd still like to move to Bloomington at some point, but Ian and I were talking about it and figured we'd probably be here for another year or two before we can even consider moving. Jasper's nice, just not very diverse. The only all-night restaurant is Denny's. (And it's one of the crappy Denny's.) 😛
I Do Understand…:
I really understand what you're saying, from an intellectual point of view. You express yourself so well and so clearly. It just saddens me to think that the faith that I believe in and that gives me such comfort. caused you to feel suicidal and alienated. I did follow whatever I was taught when I was younger and only in the last few years have I been reading more about Catholicism. But the more that I read about what it's based on: the Capital "T" traditions, and not the small "t" traditions that come and go with the centuries, the more I've grown to love it's central theme. And although most of my political choices may be based on my moral thinking, those morals include what's good for humanity as a whole,(in my opinion) not just for a few as one may think that that's what they're based on. (But when I vote for my local elected officials I can tend to be more selfish and look for what's good for my family!)
Congrats on your new job! It's great to be doing what you like to do. Since I no longer work for a salary, I can "work" on things for me or others that I want to do! It's nice!
And thanks for the apology. That was truly gracious of you and very classy! 🙂
Job experience:
Even when you move to Bloomington, it will be much easier to get a job in a library that you like there (should you wish to do so) after having some extra experience in Jasper. I hate Denny's (even the good ones most of the time), so I feel for you!
I need to "work" more on getting Mom and Dad's afghan done, lol:
I'm so happy that you're learning more about Catholicism and that it's making you happy! I just wish more people would learn about their beliefs before judging someone else's. I'm also really happy that Mom and Dad go to bible study classes and are really learning about what they believe. Now if only more people were like you guys…
And the job's going great; thanks for everyone's support! Maybe Ian and I will go out to eat to celebrate (but not at Denny's, hehe). 😉