Do religion and politics mix?
Many people recently have made a point to me that religion and politics should not be mixed and that I should not vote for someone based on their religious preference. I have a few problems with this, the first of which being the foundation of this thought process actually working against itself. Most people who take this view point would be taking this view point because they think it is wrong to force your beliefs on another person, or expect another person to adhere to your personal set of morals, and by telling me I shouldn’t vote for someone because of their religious preference they are expecting me to adhere to that view as well as trying to force their beliefs on me and becoming a hypocrite. At the end of the day politics is made up of some very controversial issues and my religion likely has something to say about those issues, so when I am considering a candidate to elect I will likely vote for someone who has the same worldview as myself.
When people say not to vote for someone with just religious preferences in mind, it may appear to be hypocritical, but at the same time its being considerate of everyone within the country. Religion is the one thing that most people have, but within that broad term are branches of other religions with a whole set of new rules differing from that of Christianity. Same goes for the non-religious - we believe and take action on our beliefs.
You can vote for whoever you’d like, but know this: you’re not helping anyone but yourself and the rest that happen to have the same beliefs as you. Everyone else that doesn’t fit the mold are SOL.
An African-American Congresswoman from New York was forced to call the police on Thursday after she says an edited video posted on Glenn Beck’s website incited threats of violence against her.
Judith Kargbo, a spokeswoman for Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), confirmed that the Congresswoman’s office had asked Capital Police to investigate calls threatening the lawmaker.
“On April 19th, the congresswoman went within the district to speak to Prospect Heights Democrats for Reform,” Kargbo explained. “There she was giving an overview of her agenda in Congress and pretty much using the example of the tea party to show how important mobilization is and organization is.”
“That clip that was originally on the Prospect Heights Democrats for Reform site was edited and was posted up on TheBlaze.com, and that of course is Glenn Beck’s website,” she continued. “That was edited down and what people were taking away from it was that the congresswoman was saying that all tea party members are crazy and all tea party individuals show the ugly side of the United States.”
Kargbo said there were a “range of calls” after the video posted. While some were very respectful, one was “threatening in nature.”
“Something to the effect — I don’t have the exact words — of, ‘She thinks we’re crazy, that b-word has not seen nothing yet,’” she recalled.
“Things like that we have to take seriously,” Kargbo explained, noting that the Congresswoman’s office is located next to the office where former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) worked before being shot in 2011.
In a statement on Thursday, Clarke pointed out that the threats “demonstrate the volatile political environment of 2012.”
“Know that I find it extremely disappointing that my words were edited and removed from context,” she added. “I stand by my statement and I will not be intimidated by those who use fear to make their point known.”
Please, learn the difference.
(I’ve been thinking about this somewhat often ever since “Kony 2012” erupted, but seeing the fliers/chalk around my school today reminded me to finally clear a few things up) I begin this post with a quick peek into the Merriam Webster dictionary, as I would like to look up the definitions of two words. First,fa·mous (adj \ˈfā-məs\)Definitions:
1. a: widely known, b: honored for achievement
2. excellent, first-rate <famous weather for a walk>
Synonyms: big-name, celebrated, famed, noted, renowned, star
Second,
in·fa·mous (adj \ˈin-fə-məs\)Definitions:
1. having a reputation of the worst kind: notoriously evil
2. causing or bringing infamy: disgraceful
3. convicted of an offense bringing infamy
Synonyms: discreditable, disgraceful, dishonorable, ignominious, disreputable, louche, notorious, opprobrious, shady, shameful
Now, and correct me if I’m wrong, I believe that making someone famous means celebrating them and their accomplishments. It means spreading their name, mission, and gifts around the world, to honor their achievements. Making someone infamous, on the other hand, means discrediting them, shaming and tarnishing their name, letting it be known as a symbol of darkness, not joy. For example, we celebrate Gandhi’s message, efforts, and impact, while we blacken the name Adolf Hitler for the atrocities we associate with him. Gandhi is, thus, famous. Hitler is infamous.
So, what I don’t get, is why people are trying to “Make Kony Famous,” as many of the fliers around my school and town are stating. Has he done something worth celebrating? Is he a good person? Has he bettered the world? No. Not one bit.
And yet, people try to make some sort of social statement or change by demanding that we tack fame onto the name of one of the world’s most heinous criminals? I’m sorry, but taping posters and writing on the ground in chalk to “Make Kony Famous” is actually the equivalent of spitting in the faces of all of those abused as a result of his power.
It’s one simple word, but it’s completely ruined the message. How did no one catch that? Why not say, “Make Kony INFAMOUS” instead? That way, those oh so valiant efforts at change would at least be correct and tasteful, rather than completely wrong and offensive.
Just my two cents, of course. Sorry for reading too much into this. I just figured if I’m going to see some sort of propaganda all over, it should at least not bear some blaring mistakes.
Useful links that I’d like to finish this off with, in order to not seem like I’m just raging and completely useless here:
http://visiblechildren.tumblr.com/post/18912809563/got-a-better-idea
http://visiblechildren.tumblr.com/post/19006084250/what-to-do
http://visiblechildren.tumblr.com/post/19645584716/make-kony-famous-no-thanks-says-uganda (<— by the way, Ugandans don’t like this whole “famous” thing, either)
Don’t vote for people that don’t care about the very class you’re a part of.
The day this starts being common sense is the day the entire ocean turns to ice.
If the oil and gas industry doesn’t get its way this November, it won’t be for lack of trying.
