In my experience, when it comes to religion and politics, most people cannot have objective conversions. I include myself in this group as well. I grew up in the panhandle of Florida, traditionally a very conservative part of the country due to its proximity to Alabama. I heard all the racist jokes and got screamed at by Baptist preachers all the time. I know the drill. Sin on Saturday, Pray on Sunday. To this day, my hometown of Pensacola is know for three things: white beaches, hurricanes, and abortion clinic killings. All the 23 years that I lived there I was counting the minutes until I could leave and go to a more forward-thinking city. Well, I finally did it. After college, I moved to Tampa and married my wife, who is Asian. I vowed to try new experiences and cultures. Over the years, I've changed from a conservative to not-quite-a-liberal. I've visited several countries, ate food I never thought I would, and now work in an inner city school. I've seen and experienced things that I never would have if I had stayed in Pensacola. And the more I experience, the more liberal I become. So when it comes to politics, I have very strong opinions. Unfortunately, I now live in a city that is very conservative, both in religion and politics. Expressing my views openly has gotten me into many ugly arguments with conservatives. For that reason, I am very reluctant to discuss religion and politics with anyone. The main reason is that tempers and emotions tend to cloud the discussions. In my experience, too many people scorn you when you do not agree with their religious or political beliefs. I think that is very wrong. In this county, we have more freedoms than anywhere on earth. I do no understand why people are constantly trying to change my mind about religion and politics. To me, these are personal and private choices that are no one else's business. If I'm interested in your candidate, I will go to one of his/her speeches and listen. If I'm curious about your church, I will come visit on Sunday. Do not knock on my door or call me on the phone unannounced and try to sway me. I find that insulting and an invasion of my privacy.
Part of what makes this country great is the enormous diversity of culture and thought. We need to recognize just because we disagree with someone on a political or religious basis, that doesn't mean they are the enemy. We have so many intelligent, caring people in this country who have great ideas, no matter where they come from. Let's work together instead of tearing each other down.
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you know what you are??? you are a liberal tree hugger! that's what you are!!! i want to be able to hate anyone for anything but with you sissy boy prancers prancing around throwing flowers and wanting to be friends, a decent person can't even be vocal about chastising idiots with long hair! i'm glad that there will be people who worship the good lord who will agree with me that war is always the best answer and you liberal tree-huggers are just getting in front of our oil! why is my hummer so hard to buy gas for? i'll tell you why! it's people like you who stand up and say, we need "alternative" fuels. i say we cut down some trees and start drilling in alaska that's what I say! or maybe just go in and take over the rest of egypt so we can get all the oil for ourselves!!! us christians need to band together and stand up for what is important! just ask yourself what jesus would do for a change, liberal-boy! if you did that, i think you'd see that he would want us to have as cheap as gas is possible so it would be easier for more people to get to church on sunday. we have to get that gas however we can and you know what that means. you really should think things through, tree hugger, before you spout off on the internet. it really makes you look stupid!!! GO GATORS!!!!
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