Why So Bitter?

I want to begin by noting the historic event that took place last night. America voted into office our first African Americna president, and I can not be more proud to say that I was able to take part in that event. I am proud of the accomplishments that Barack Obama has, both for himself and for the African American population!

However, I could not help but notice a sense of bitterness from the Republican party last night. (I am not grouping every Republican into this "bitter" category, just talking about a feeling I got as a whole!) I truly am baffled by this, and am looking for some understanding about it. I am not playing sides saying Democrats have it altogether, because we don't. (That's right... I just called myself a Democrat, and I htink I am getting more comfortable with that label every day!) Just trying to get some understanding on something that has really made me sad over the last few months.

I truly do respect John McCain as a war hero, and as someone who had the potential to be our next president. Had John McCain won last night, I would have been bummed, but would have moved on and accepted that he would be our next president. I feel that we can not truly, and humbly, debate with the other side until we respect the other side, and I admit I tried to debate the other side before respecting it, but in the last few months really began to respect John McCain.

Throughout this campaign, I have noted that I didn't feel like the Republican party was for anything; rather, they were against Barack Obama, and that confused me. Every time I heard John McCain speak, it was what Obama wants to do, usually in some distorted fashion. And, I heard of many McCain supporters at varying rallies being downright hostile about the opponent. Why? I never heard any of this hostility at Obama rallies.

Then there were all the smear ads that came out about Obama. Many McCain fans that I know began sending us "Anti-Obama" literature. Some laden with some of these smears, which are preposterous. I never even thought about posting a negative McCain ad, nor sending it to any of my friends, McCain supporters or not. I was Pro Obama, not Anti McCain, and I think you can be for one and not against the other. So, why are a lot of McCain supporters so Anti-Obama?

Then last night, I was saddened when watching the final results come in. While watching McCain's concession speach, I really did respect the guy. Amidst the "boos" in the audience every time McCain mentioned Obama, I thought McCain gave a powerful speech. After a time, they showed Grant Park in Chicago and Obama's speech, which I thought was very humble and amazing. He truly does want to unite this country, and even acknowledged McCain supporters, saying he wants to be a voice for them, and he needs them in this journey. Later, we found out that the McCain rally had turned off the signal right as Obama started speaking. Really??? Really? You turned off the signal right as our next president took the stage? Really? This baffles me. Sure, they are bummed that it wasn't McCain giving an acceptance speech, but you are that bitter that you can't even concede that this man is our next president, and give him the respect to hear what he has to say?

I truly believe that Obama would have lost to McCain, I would have been sad, but picked up from there and went on with life, trusting our next Commander in Chief. Just as I am bummed that some of the propositions that I have been so passionate about didn't go the way I voted, but I will pick up from there and live my life as Christ called us to live. That is something we get to make a decision to do every day, no matter who is president. I truly believe that Barack Obama is trying to live out his life the way he feels Christ called him to live, and as our president, let's stand behind him as he leads our country in this manner!

I'm just confused. So, I am looking for understanding from either side, McCain or Obama, since today we are once again on the same side of the line. For the first time in 21 months there are no defining lines by candidates, we do stand as America. So, I would welcome a civil discussion about this issue, and look forward to hearing a vast number of opinions about the issue.

I Kissed a Girl and I Liked it Then I Went to Hell!

One thing I have been really passionate about lately is Proposition 8 here in California, which is the proposition on the ballot to overthrow the decision to allow gays to marry. A yes vote would take away the right for homosexual couples to get married. As a Christian, I am supposed to vote yes, right? Well, I am not!

The title of this blog was taken from a sign outside a church in Ohio. And when I saw it on the news, I literally cried! I'm not sure if the tears were of anger or of hurt. Maybe it was a little of both!

My first point, is in the passage in the Bible that is most commonly referred to as pointing out homosexuality as a sin also deals with gossip, slander, and lust as being sins. I don't seen anyone picketing gossip, and I certainly haven't seen any signs outside churches that read, "I gossiped and I liked it, then I went to hell..." Because there is sure a lot of gossip going around in our Christian communities, isn't there?

Secondly, I feel that the gay community has been greatly discriminated against, especially by the church! I feel like the church has dealt with the issue of homosexuality in a terrible way. Instead of loving a homosexual and seeing them as a human being, most Christians have cast them aside and told them to go deal with their sin. I'm not sure that people who have not dealt with homosexuality can truly understand what a homosexual is going through, and I think for us to tell them to just, "get over it" is wrong!

So, I want to find a way to love homosexuals, and not to cast them aside from society. And I feel that one way to love them is to make them equals with rights for marriage! I can honestly say I don't understand what it is that you are going through as a homosexual, but let me try to understand, instead of banning something that you hold so near and dear to your heart!

As a Christian, let's stop excluding people from our "club", and make Christianity an open door for ALL to feel welcomed! Let's learn how to love people, even those who look different from us, and stop this form of racism that homosexuality has become! Let's stop condemning people to Hell, and start loving them in order to make this world a more civil place!