You’re right- I didn’t explain that very clearly. I guess I feel like some of the things many Christians object to are just because they’ve had no exposure to them- as in there’s a tendancy to call something evil when it’s really just not understood, or maybe just not preferable to another option.

What exactly do you mean or… what are YOU personally saying?

I agree with lots of what you have to say. For me- my motivations and beliefs are short lived and hollow without a continual relationship with Jesus.

I disagree that liberalism and socialism go hand and hand, and I also don’t think socialism is as bad as some make it out to be. While I disagree with it as policy for this country, it’s not anywhere near the greatest evil and happens to work in some smaller countries. I guess my bottom line is, we already have socialistic tendancies in this country, and I’d rather money be spent to help people than to kill them in other countries, and then pay again to rebuild (Iraqi) bridges and buildings that we just bombed for a false cause. Idealistically I’m a radical for a government decreased in size and reach, and I do object to socialism for quite a few reasons. But no party in power is serious about decreasing the size of government, so at least spend the money on aiding life instead of destroying it. Do I hope for increased handouts? No, but sometimes we have to work with the reality given to us, and that reality- whether it be driven by DEMS or GOP- is a GIANT federal government.

I think your perspective on choosing to be optimistic and refusing to be scared or worried is the right one. Christians need to take a deep breath and remember who their God is. Some of them are so quickly terrified by rumors and spin. Agree or disagree with Obama, followers of Christ are tasked to be about love and service to the hurting in the world. I see a mainstream Christian church that has become divisive and petty over issues that have little to do with right and wrong and more to do with familiar vs. unknown.

thanks for the comment!

I understand the points about being passionate for what you believe and being fired up/riled up, etc. and I will never downplay its importance. But if anyone is like myself, those feelings don’t last unless my relationship with Christ is strong.
I just feel that the fundamental conservative (is there REALLY any other kind?) must have their foundation on the Jesus Christ of the Bible or it’s either mis-directed or quickly fades away. Conservative values must have a worthy foundation or they will crumble, too.

What else can keep us fearless to stand in the face of many with ideas and beliefs that are now looked down upon with such anger and hate? What else will instill the steadfast resolve when we are faced with repeated defeat, hypocrisy and lies? What else will keep us THIS kind of passionate for years on end? Is it simply easier to just fall to the side and numb out?

Politics just might be too far “gone”, in my opinion. Even ultra conservative talk show hosts, who GIVE 90% of conservatives their opinions and ideas, blast those who don’t chose either democrat or republican! Your vote is basically wasted, they say. Liberals sure aren’t going to change! Their socialistic ideas are roaring ahead full steam with the current system!

Go back through time 4, 8, 12, 16 years and read and listen to all the “change” talk. When I hear the word “change”, I get nauseated. Are all these american lemmings REALLY convinced that there will be any kind of change? It’s like we are all in this virtual “Matrix” world where nearly everyone is clueless of what’s really going on. I can hear Keanu… “uhhhhhhhhhhhh”… “whooooaaaa”.

The so-called “Conservative” party has had 8 years to abolish abortion, protect the sanctity of marriage and shore up our borders (just to name a few) and they have done NOTHING! Unbelievable when you think about it. If the proclaimed “conservative party” didn’t/can’t do it, who will?

The people who I believe at least have a chance are WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY too far right for the increasingly zombie-like populous to EVER endorse. Being “far right” is now another name for “wacko”, “idiot” & “nut case” (I prefer the latter because I love nuts).

Basically, I believe things are going in the direction God said they would. While things will NOT improve, we can at least be focused on what’s right, stay positive and lead others in that direction, too. I refuse to be scared and worried like many I’ve talked to following this election.

I know who wins in the end, I’m on that side and I NEVER worry. That’s a peace that anyone on Earth can freely take.

What I wonder about is the durability of our republic, when we combine challenges with an increasingly polarized and complacent population. Democracies rarely outlast two centuries, which makes us a pretty old one. Why do they devolve into something more sinister? I don’t know- but one possibility is found in this amazing quote by Jefferson: “Yes, we did produce a near-perfect republic. But will they keep it? Or will they, in the enjoyment of plenty, lose the memory of freedom? Material abundance without character is the path of destruction.” So I wonder if our comforts (as you correctly pointed out) are part of the problem? I think it is also likely that assuming for a national rebound will only keep us from really tackling core challenges. Maybe we’ll only keep this ship going if we fight for it (not to imply that you aren’t but rather speaking broadly). More on that in my response to Lauren E.

a_corn: ahaha I am putting your quote on the front page.

lauren E: a perfect example, and if you’re asking I would say that way of going about life is problematic. This issue is a sticky one. On the plus side, being removed helps a person to be less likely to get unnecessarily worked up, and also keeps them from feeling like they have to shoulder the weight of the world. But I think there are more negatives here than positives. A nation full of informed people who don’t act- that accomplishes nothing good. It’s like the population telling the powerful “we know what you’re up to but we won’t stand in your way.”

Somehow there has to be a balance (a boring cliche that is almost always true): somewhere in the middle between being locked inside a safe castle, and the martyr who thinks they have a place in every fight. Personally speaking, I would say IF the fight has to do with monumental issues like justice and liberty and not just policy A vs. policy B, then the more fight, the better.

-ian