Sunday, July 13, 2008

I guess it was bound to happen, Barack Obama just broke this mom’s heart

As I have mentioned before, I am extremely happy that we finally have a Democratic nominee and I could not be happier that it is Senator Obama. After almost 8 suffocating years of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, Barack Obama is such a breath of fresh air for this oxygen-starved seething momma.


I can hardly contain myself I am so excited for the elections to get here. And when I envision the current Administration and all of its cronies packing their belongings and moving out of our White House and back into the relative oblivion and anonymity from whence they came, I am overcome with an uncontrollable joy, the likes of which I have not felt since my wedding day and the birth of my children.


I have so much hope that the deep rifts that this current administration created and fostered will eventually go away. I have so much hope that the kind of divisive and hateful politics that this administration used to further their own political agendas will soon be an ugly memory and a lesson on how not to govern for future generations. I have so much hope that words like Christian Values, Family Values, Sanctity of Marriage, etc. will go back to having definitions that don’t reflexively cause wince-inducing pain for the people against whom they were used as weapons. I have so much hope that finding the answers to the enormous problems our country is facing will finally take precedence over partisan infighting and political one-upmanship that has so dominated our politics these past 8 years. And finally, I have so much hope that our new President, Barack Obama, will be the one who can foster and nurture the kind of environment that makes people want to come together and put the greater good of this country before the greater good of their Party or themselves.


And so it was with a very heavy heart that I listened to Barack Obama talk about not only continuing George Bush’s Faith-Based initiatives, but expanding them. In fact it was for me a very devastating moment. And yes, I know, he went to great lengths to assure us that as someone who used to teach constitutional law, [he] believes deeply in the separation of church and state, but [he doesn’t] believe this partnership will endanger that idea. And yes, I also know that it was inevitable that once the primaries were over that Senator Obama was going to move more to the middle – and I am ok with that. But good Lord in Heaven, could he not have left this particular idea on the chopping block. I simply cannot wrap my mind around my tax dollars continuing to go to churches, no matter how good the causes they will support are, no matter how many guidelines and rules are put in place, and no matter how many assurances we get that there will still be a clear separation between Church and State. I just do not believe that this is a program worthy of saving.


Call me jaded, call me evil, call me whatever you want, but I will NEVER be comfortable with my tax dollars going to the very institutions that 1) have deemed one of my beloved children an evil, sinful pariah 2) have worked harder to enshrine his second-class citizenship into law than to alleviate hunger or poverty, and 3) have done more to keep hatred and homophobia alive than any other organized institution in this country 4) have continued to teach that this is a choice or a lifestyle 5) and have been one of the biggest reasons parents continue to throw their children out like trash.


Sorry, I cannot and will not come to terms with this. No way in hell. There is just no making this program acceptable in this mother’s eyes. No way.


Will I still support Barack Obama? Yes. John McCain is simply more of the same nightmare I’ve been waiting so long to wake up from. But will I support Barack Obama with the same kind of hope and enthusiasm I did before? I’m not sure if I can. And that breaks my heart. I kinda liked feeling hopeful again…

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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry that you are seething and feel alienated by our current government administration. I can certainly understand how frustrating it feels to be in a country governed by those you do not share common ideologies; I know because I endured 8 years of Clinton. The fact is that this country was founded on Christian values and beliefs. The evidence is overwhelming that the founder’s intentions were not to keep Christian values out of governing, but to give us all the free choice to choose for ourselves and not allow the government to tell us what to believe. That is in fact what makes this country great! I for one do not want to tell you how you should live your life nor what lifestyle your son chooses for himself. But I do not share your moral values and as long as I have a vote and voice in this country I will not let the homosexual agenda seep into the legislation that governs our country, I just in good conscience cannot do that! Ever! So I tell you this not to pass judgment on you or your son, it is after all a free country. But just like you, I will use my right of free speech and vote to express my values to those who make and enforce the laws that govern our great country. I cannot share your values because it is a slap in the face of the God I believe in. He said it, not me. If you have an issue with it, you should take it up with Him. I am not judging you or condemning you and I do say all this not out of hatred or anger but out of love, I hope that you will receive it that way. My pray is that the peace of God will rule your life!

1 Corinthians 6:8-10 (NIV)
8Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders
10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Anonymous said...

Does rodney know that the bible was written by men? God if there is one did not write this crap.Man did.

Anonymous said...

Rodney does know that the Bible was written by men inspired by God. Has Anonymous ever read it?

The Crow said...

Rodney,
Your choice of 1 Corinthians 6:9 to justify keeping gays as second-class citizens doesn't work because that verse is known to have translation difficulties. It was only this week that I found a site that explains more completely what I've known for many years: The Greek word "malakoi" is better translated as "soft" and meant someone seeking pleasure and not willing to endure pain for a worthy goal. It didn't get translated as having anything to do with homosexuality until 1933.

http://www.gaychristian101.com/Malakoi.html

Dear Seething Mom,
I was also disappointed in Obama's pronouncement supporting faith-based bigotry. However, please note that not all faith-based institutions want your son (or me) to be second-class citizens. Alas, Obama's plan doesn't guarantee he will seek them out, especially since federal anti-discrimination law doesn't yet protect your son.

Seething Mom said...

Rodney, I think it would be best for you to go somewhere else to ooze your false sense of superiority and righteousness. You shall convert no one here.

Throwing random bible verses and twisted interpretations around to support your thinly veiled hateful point of view just isn't going to win you any fans here. This site was meant to be a haven free of freepers.

It never ceases to amaze me how people like you can actually believe that you and only you has God on your side. And even more amazing, that He condones your hatred.

I just cannot imagine a God who would condemn me for unconditionally loving the greatest gift He ever gave me. But I can easily imagine a God condemning a parent who throws their child out because he or she is gay. That, Rodney, is an affront to God. There is no greater gift than that of a child.

And Rodney, until you have watched a child grow up agonizing over something he can do NOTHING about, and trying everything he can to fight who he is, you have no right to come in and tell this mom or any other mom that their child chose to be gay. My son's sexual orientation is not and never has been a choice or a lifestyle. And when you say that it is, you sound like an ignorant ass.

So please take your dripping sense of superiority elsewhere. This will be the last time this seething mom will ever respond to you.

Anonymous said...

Seething Mom - First of all let all ask for your forgiveness. I ignored my better sense of judgment by posting a response, knowing that it would provoke this kind of reaction. As I stated in my original post, I am not judging or condemning you, nor do I hate you or your son. I hope that you find peace and love in your life. I thought we were talking about politic that are shaped by moral views; I never intended this to be a personal attack. Please forgive me for stirring up animosity in you.

Crow - You are welcome to your views and your interpretation of the Word of God, but I would recommend doing your homework a little better before you post your argument next time. If you do an exhausted study of the Word of God and uses not only a Greek Lexicon for the NT and a Hebrew Lexicon for the OT, you will find that the Word is consistent throughout on God’s view of sexual immorality, whether that is with a man, woman, goat, dog or whatever. I do not shy away from this debate, but I do not feel compelled to offer a rebuttal to your comments, therefore I will refrain. I am sure you will find another willing debater to advocate your position to.

All - You be happy to know that this is my last post. I really don’t believe that some random posting will ever persuade anyone to change their beliefs; I know that only comes from the power and conviction of Holy Spirit. I do not hold judgment on any of you nor will I be fearful of judgment you pass on me. I have but one authority that I answer to and that is Jesus Christ, the Son of Elohim, Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The savior of this world! God bless you all.

The Crow said...

Actually, Rodney, I have done my homework, even though a short rebuttal in a blog may not reveal it. And it is through that extensive studying that I have come to a far different understanding of sexuality than you have, relying on the same power and conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Alas, I am also quite aware that a simple little blog response won't pull your eyes away from restricting laws and into the love of Jesus.

Janet0436 said...

I'm sorry I missed Rodney. Someone asked me for some direction on God's Laws and I thought I could defer to an expert. Anyway, here goes. Ideas anyone?

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2. clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

Help please!!

Mark said...

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

That depends on her education. Renting is much more cost-effective now a days. For instance a fair price for an IT consultant is about $110/hr.



I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

x-ray glasses would help.


When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?


You have not prepared the bull right. You must empty the bull of any internal organs and especially the digestion system. Cover the bull with a mixture of grease and the gut contents prior to the sacrifice. The smell should now be less disturbing. If the neighbours still complain about the odor, you can claim that it's bullshit.


I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2. clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

Oh, no, not on the sabbath you won't! In the weekdays, he's doing no harm, and on the sabbath you are not allowed to kill him, unless you enjoy it, then it doesn't classify as work. Thus, you have to hire a hitman who is willing to do the work. Just make sure this hitman is also eliminated for his sabbath-violation.


Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

Stone them, but we both know you have no male friends, do you?

I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

Yes, as long as they are not of a mixed thread.

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

Depeneds on what day of the week it is. Get with the program!