It's no secret to most folks that know me that I have to look left (politically speaking) to see just about anyone. Sure, Rush Limbaugh and others get much of their glory and fame for being “conservative”, but that's largely just on political/governmental issues. On social, moral and religious issues, most popular “conservatives” doesn't come close to anything reasonably Biblical (whatever “reasonably Biblical” means).
Am I some non-thinking, fanatical wierdo that only believes that: 1.) if it's fun, it must be wrong, and 2.) I believe soemthing because someone else told me so? Absolutly not. I believe some things differently than my parents and my childhood church taught me because I've done my own Bible study on those things and can make my own statements about them. That's my standard. If the Bible says it and I believe that through my own personal study a particular position, that's it. I'm open for discussion, but you'll have to use my standard (the Bible) to convince me of another position.
I guess this comes up because of recent news stories about a Pastor in N.C. that allegedly stated that his church members had to agree with his political views or they were unwelcome at that church. Not surprisingly, his views are largely Republican. Not that any news report quotes him as saying that everyone had to be Republican or bust, some reports have simplified the story to this. Now, while I understand that this Pastor resigned, and I understand that he states his motives were to make a compelling argument, get people active, etc, I have trouble with the idea that conservative Christianity = Republican. Again, the Pastor hasn't been reported saying this - but media has interpreted the story into this.
What a sorry state we're in if the at-large Republican party is the extent of our religious motivations! Republicans today are still terrible financial stewards, guilty of “ends justifying the means“ mentalities, and much of the other indescretions plagueing the rest of society. I'm not saying that religious/Christian folk are beyond these things, but only that Republicans set low standards when it comes to classifying themselves as “conservative“.
By the way, while we're on the subject of Republicans...leave the filibuster alone. This is one of those “ends-justifying-the-means“ issues. Yes, you can get your conservative judges in position if you can get through the Dems and their filibustering, but that's not the way to do it. That filibuster (even though the current reform is only relating to the appointing of judges) is part of the checks and balances that our forefathers established. Yes, I'm aware that they did not specify or come up with the filibuster. But it's the spirit of the thing.
Republicans, don't change the rules when it suits you. That's a liberal trick.
Later.