Voting....

The US is going through a pretty crucial time in the next few days during which choices will be made on whether who and what we choose that would be best for the country. Consequently, these choices are closely related to how we define and interpret our obligations based on what we hold important, ethical, and believe. It continually stupefies me that there are so many of us who continue to assume and insist that the issues are simple and if one claims to be of a certain philosophy or faith, then one must and ought to vote a certain way. Yet, there is almost a negligence to think through the complexity of the issues that are insisted to be forced to fit in a particular belief. I have just been told that i'm not a Christian because of my voting positions and my understanding of the issues which are drastically different than others who claim to be of the same belief (the same group who also accused me that I'm not christian because i did not vote for Bush during the past presidential election). I was repeatedly told that they will be praying for me. I don't oppose that, glad that someone could be praying for me. Yet, when one insist their interpretation of what is Christian is the correct interpretation and to presume that i do not know the Bible...well, that's worth a contention at the very least. Back to the argument though on how could we singly define what is Christian based on one issue yet exclude concepts related to justice and love and state that those are not part of the equation regardless of their profession of faith....hmm, once again, a suspicion understanding of what Christ taught. i think discussions and disagreements are good and healthy because it widens our perspectives and allows people to dialogue and tests our understanding and belief...but does this always mean that our belief is always on the line??