Unplug Me: I Wanna Think
I was raised a Republican Christian. I was told what to think and how to live. And I’m grateful for it. Every parent should raise their child with a sense of right and wrong; a moral code in which to live. But there comes a moment in every child’s life when they grow up. For me, it was a moment when I realized that my Christianity did not necessarily go hand in hand with my Republicanism. Something had to shift. I swung Democrat; I swung Independent, and finally swung back to Republican. I soul searched, read books from all sides of the political equation, and I just…well,thought. Years have gone by and I still struggle with the intricacies of how my morals affect my voting, but one thing I know for sure, is that I want to believe what I believe, because I believe it. Not because you’ve told me to believe it.
So yeah, I’m still a Republican, and I’m still a Christian, but I’m not a RepublicanbecauseI’m a Christian. I’m a Republican because I’ve thought about it. Just like so many of my peers are Democrats because they have thought about it. But my party wants me to be a Republican because I’m a Christian. And it kinda pisses me off.
If I am a Republican because I’m a Christian, THEN I don’t get the opportunity to see what I really think. I just listen to what people say and I do it. Sure, it makes life easier, but I guarantee you, it doesn’t make life more interesting. Self discovery, free will and love are the best parts of being alive. I’m not threatened by Democrats; on the contrary, the ideals of the party resonate with me. Probably because when I have studied the teachings of Christ, I see Him in the Democratic party. Just like I see Him in the Republican party. And that’s exactly where He should be. In the middle of both parties reaching out to both sides. Noton a “Religious Right” alienating those who feel differently. What would really make me happy is if my leaders in politics were no longer threatened by my thinking; if they finally removed my faith from being intertwined with my political beliefs.
You see, my faith goes beyond a set of moral codes and responsibilities. My faith is about a relationship with Christ. I want to be an imitator of Christ: I want to love people like Christ did. But if I blur politics with my faith, it limits my faith. I am no longer allowed to love the Democrat. I am no longer allowed to love the Homosexual. I am no longer allowed to love the Buddhist. Because they are not Republicans. If my party continues to blur the lines, if they continue to believe that my faith and my politics are one and the same, we will continue to see a divided America, one where those who should be loving, are actually hating. And then we are treading on dangerous ground.
I have a better idea. Let’s think.
Let’s separate ourselves from our programming and dig in. Let’s read up on the pros and cons of an issue, challenge ourselves to study opinions that seem different, let’s talk with someone who doesn’t think and act like we do and actuallylisten. I guarantee you that we’ll come away knowing what we believe, and why we believe it. I want a separation of church and state. I want my faith to speak for itself apart from the influence of my party. I want an America where different ideas and personalities bring their piece of the puzzle to bear upon the great exchange. I want to have honest and raw discussion about what government should be; a discussion that pulls me out of my comfort zone and forces me to think.
So let’s think together.
Let’s be willing to be challenged, to question, to chew it over and over until something clicks. For the next ten months I’ll bring you fair and balanced reporting, untold stories, and new and different ways of seeing politics. I want to show you both sides so that, you too, can find out why you believe what you believe. What’s your part? Inform yourself, seek out the captain of the debate team, drive yourself to the capitol. Do Something. Just don’t stand still.
So, in the dawn of the most intriguing political year ever, let’s see if we can shake it up even more. To my readers and watchers here in the great state of Hawaii, and to all those on the mainland…get ready. It’s time to unplug.