tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post8699094815617475770..comments2023-08-13T22:04:27.854+12:00Comments on Paul Long's Ramblings: Commentary: Hatred Makes You StrongPaul Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-39444761253746825772009-06-10T05:19:28.617+12:002009-06-10T05:19:28.617+12:00:) yes, it appears that we may not be in bitter po...:) yes, it appears that we may not be in bitter political disagreement! that is a relief although it is true, we should be able to disagree politically, and even theologically. :)<br /><br />i'm a little more relaxed about how christians are or can be marginalized and maybe it's because in the US, the christian right still tends to have a very loud voice and that's not necessarily good. but i think also that well, jesus already warned us about marginalization! it was true in his time and his apostle's lives and . . . . it's true in malaysia and many other countries as well. it's not fun and it's not something to desire but i'm not surprised. i'm still working out how to respond when ppl around me make comments about christianity that they would never make about other religions because it would not be politically correct. :)<br /><br />my friends know that i'm a believer but sometimes they forget and make fun of christian culture (not necessarily christian *faith* and the two are not always the same thing). some have apologized when they've had time to think. i think i know better how to respond when they say something directly about the faith per se, but what's unclear in my view is what to do when they make fun of christian "culture."<br /><br />when i was talking about gay marriage with a gay friend, i said very clearly that i would not support state interference in the church. she herself is not into "marriage" but she also thinks that everyone should have equal rights. my best friend from grad school is gay and her position when we talked about it is also that we need equal rights for everyone, not just gays.:) <br /><br /> what i haven't had a chance to think about for myself is gay positions on the word "marriage" itself. they really shouldn't turn this into a "culture war" because it won't do anyone any good although i probably need to think over this issue in greater depth.<br /><br />well. lots to think about!zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16161277108772213817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-60911201082278502562009-06-09T09:44:34.272+12:002009-06-09T09:44:34.272+12:00Z
Interestingly we are pretty much in agreement i...Z<br /><br />Interestingly we are pretty much in agreement in terms of moving in the same direction (or at least I think so) on the two issues.<br /><br />BTW I have a suspicion Soo Inn's views are not exactly fundamental / conservative. His views on some difficult issues probably makes many suspicious of him. But I speak for myself here ..<br /><br />Ok at the risk of being misunderstood ....<br /><br />1. Abortion: I think it is morally wrong to take a life. BUT at the same time I lean heavily towards abortion if a mother's life is in danger. Sounds harsh but I work on the lesser of two evils principle and actual life to me has more weight than potential life. But having said that I think it is a decision that will depend on the parties who are affected.<br /><br />I think for some mothers, they would rather die than allow their unborn child to die. But then the issue is that if she dies and the child lives how will the child be treated by the father? Resentment? Pretty complex to me. <br /><br />I am against abortion on demand as generally it promotes selfishness and irresponsibility. But I think doctors should play a big part in the legal decision making. And I do think that better education is needed (like the British Sex Education show on TV) More lives are probably lost and ruined via illegal backyard abortion clinics. <br /><br />For me we live in a sinful world that has fallen far short of God's ideal and we have to make the best decision we can and I think the best is sadly pretty poor ..<br /><br />2. Gay marriage. I am torn here as I now live in a country that affirms this. I do not feel comfortable at all with the view of redefining the traditional understanding of marriage. Here in NZ perhaps they have handled it quite well - they prefer the term partner (and even unmarried heterosexual couples have partner rights which are equal to marriage rights)<br /><br />I agree with you that the state should not interfere with the church's decisions (I suspect this is the thought behind Soo Inn's unexplained example).<br /><br />And yes we need to give equal rights to all BUT what I see is that many governments in the West are being unfair / unjust in working towards equal rights for all but not for the Christians community. To insist the Christian communities accept the free expression of other views but not allow the Christian community the same right to me is downright wrong and hypocritical. It is fine for me that others reject my Christian worldview but not right to insist that I must change my worldview to suit what others want. <br /><br />I guess it irks me that many Christian are <br />automatically deemed to be intolerant but critics are allowed to be intolerant in their views. Double standards :-(<br /><br />Any yeah ... it is fine to agree to disagree politically.... perhaps even aspects of theology? :-)Paul Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01090793506050422565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968035721619750891.post-64699017237058770432009-06-09T06:08:51.512+12:002009-06-09T06:08:51.512+12:00I suspect I might differ from you and Soo-Inn on s...I suspect I might differ from you and Soo-Inn on some political questions. :) I don't want to start a debate on this post but thought I'd just mention it as an experiment.<br /><br />1. Abortion: abortion is morally wrong but merely making it illegal doesn't solve the problem. Women are going to get abortions regardless of what Christians believe. I personally think abortion should be legal because we can at least protect the mother's life. My stance is that governments should be a part of the solution to social problems that make abortion attractive, i.e. we/they should work so that women would not *want* to choose to abort.<br /><br />2. Gay marriage: I think that gay couples should receive equal treatment before the law. I don't think that churches should recognize, affirm, or officiate gay marriages and that the state should not interfere with churches' decisions. But I also think that when there is a separation between church and state (which I strongly believe in), non-Christians should be given equal rights.<br /><br />Anyway, you know how much I respect you and how I consider you a spiritual mentor, and that does not change even when we have different political views. :):)zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16161277108772213817noreply@blogger.com