Hey, long time, no talk. Been busy with a camera in front of my face at sporting events (shameless plug).
So it's not that nothing out there raised my ire ... because plenty has. And it finally boiled over a bit tonight.
The worst part about it boiling over, though, is that it's the same old stale water. It's people out there pressing their pious agenda with one hand -- crying about their freedom of religion -- while the other hand is wagging a finger at anyone who has a different religious viewpoint. Or worse, pointing the finger at "those" people and their agenda against America.
New GOP frontrunner Rick Santorum seems to think that the country needs to get back closer in touch with God's Law. Follow the teachings of the good book. But isn't that exactly the problem many people have with the "radical" Muslims? The ones who want to give us Sharia Law?
Besides the obvious hypocrisy, the problem with turning to the Bible for the answers in today's society is that everyone seems to have their own interpretation of it. Look at the story that made "Nightline" this past week as part of their "Faith Matters" series (which folks in Loma Linda should know all about). It was a look at a couple of pastors who are encouraging their married congregants to have -- and, gasp -- enjoy sex.
Of course, the key word there is married. Which would also mean a man and a woman, because no other living arrangement between committed adults matters.
It's that short-sighted reliance on the words in a book that just gets the blood boiling. A book describing activities that are purported to have happened more than 2,000 years ago. Know what's happened in the past 2,000 years? A LOT.
Whenever I get on this subject, I always come back in my head to the Kevin Smith movie "Dogma." It's a great examination of faith ... using lots and lots of curse words. And I have no problem with people to have faith. But I do have a problem with people who only have faith.
Rufus (Chris Rock): He still digs humanity, but it bothers Him to see the s--- that gets carried out in His name - wars, bigotry, televangelism. But especially the factioning of all the religions. He said humanity took a good idea and, like always, built a belief structure on it.
Bethany (Linda Fiorentino): Having beliefs isn't good?
Rufus: I think it's better to have ideas. You can change an idea. Changing a belief is trickier...
Of course the whole issue came to a head over reproductive health and the rights (and beliefs) that should be followed when it comes to a woman's body.
I get it. It's against your beliefs to want birth control. Don't make it mine, and don't make the decision for anyone else who might want it. Oh, and if you're going to make a decision that will affect millions of women, you may want to invite a few to speak on the subject.
And if appealing to your sense of decency for your fellow man (woman) doesn't help sway your opinion, then think of it financially. You can either pay for preventative care or contraception, or you can start footing the bill for the millions of children who will be born thanks to all the extra sex that some pastors are advocating.
