Thursday, June 12, 2008

Politics, Leaders, and the Vocal Minority - Who are we?

My good bloggy friend Amy of Life and Times of Eric's Wife wrote a compelling article yesterday.

Her piece is titled Stand Up or Step Aside and features an interview she conducted with the son of the atheist who effectively removed prayer from public schools in the landmark Supreme Court decision in the case Murray v. Curlett.

Amy concludes with...

"When bad ideas are given no challenge, good people lose their voice."

I agree with her and this statement. However, I am also leery of some of the conclusions which are being drawn, specifically in the video to which Amy links.

Here were some of my immediate reactions.

  1. Lisa Emrich says:

    Amy, this post gives much food for thought and contemplation.

    “I asked him why I wasn’t allowed to pray at school and he told me I should celebrate my freedom not to pray instead of the slavery of being forced to pray.”

    To have true freedom, it would seem that one could be allowed to pray or that one could be allowed to not play. That would be more respectful and should lessen any perceived threats of nonconformity.

    “How was it possible that such a small minded minority of people had taken hostage the values of a majority? And in a democracy, no less?!”

    I watched the video and came away with a similar feeling to what you describe regarding the atheist agenda. However, I felt that the ‘Obama=muslim tyrany’ agenda to be offensive and likely a small-minded minority of opinions.

    I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church (after really getting my religious base in a Nazarene church - very fundamentalist). I am a faith-based Christian who is embarrassed and appalled at the far-right wing agendas which have been forced into legislation at the sacrifice of protecting the health of our youth and of women abroad.

    Ok, before I get too deep into a philosophical rant, I better stop now. But I thank you for asking us to challenge our beliefs and to question the effects of accommodating small minorities of citizens.

    June 11th, 2008 at 10:28 am

  2. Eric's Wife says:

    Thank you, Lisa. I understand that this video carries with it a view that may seem extreme. Though I wonder just how much we will forgive Obama in our efforts to run away from Bush?
    There is much that can be debated about statements made about Obama. But what about the words he has spoken himself? He contends that the $65,000 given to each New Orleans resident was not enough and evidence of racist America. He says that there are 57 states in the union, not counting Alaska and Hawaii.
    Like I said in the post, I am not prepared to debate politics. But, for the sake of this argument, let’s say that Bush is the devil and we need to run away from him. I think we would be foolish to run to the arms a man with so many question marks surrounding him. Out of the pan and into the fire, as some might say.

    I really do appreciate you commenting on this one. I know politics and religion can get sensitive. It’s why I so rarely cover both.

    June 11th, 2008 at 10:43 am

  3. Lisa Emrich says:

    Amy, I absolutely agree with you on the idea of running away from anything which could be perceived as being simpatico with Bush. That makes it so very difficult to critically examine both Obama and McCain on their merits and not their associations.

    For some it is a bonus for McCain to be aligned with Bush. For others it just creates an urge to look away and to look elsewhere, perhaps not giving due diligence to what McCain may certainly be able to bring to our country.

    It’s truly unfortunate that we are encouraged to be reactionary in opinion rather than stand firm in our hopes and beliefs. Too much in politics is compromised and diluted to such an extent that it benefits and protects very few. That in itself makes me sad and angry.

    June 11th, 2008 at 4:07 pm

Just Monday Charlie on the PA Turnpike featured The Audacity of the Democrats.

I'm beginning to wonder - Am I really maturing into an individual who represents the minority of our country in philosophical, spiritual, social, and political views? Must we always be reactionary and prejudiced against the thoughts of others?

Why don't more people care enough to take a stand for what is truly important for themselves? Why must everything be such a struggle?

I just don't really understand all of it.

4 comments:

  1. They know the are a guppy in the ocean. It is easier. They are fear-driven.

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  2. You have given me much to contemplate...

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  3. Your job in my cabinet will be to get me my smelling salts when I get the vapors.
    :)

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  4. Discussing religion and politics bring out the worst in many people. This is the most important election for POTUS in our lifetime. We need a major overhaul in all the federal branches of government.

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