I've never really been into politics. In fact, I'm VERY ashamed to say that 2004 was the first time I ever voted. Yes... I know. But this year I really do feel like this election is more than important - it's critical. I'm sure I'm not alone.
I have thought about this post and how I can say the things I need to say without offending anyone. Unfortunately, I don't think that is going to happen. Not that it's intentional, but I'm sure not everyone reading this will agree with me. And that's perfectly OK. That's why our country is so amazing. We have the right to our own opinions.
I don't want to offend anyone, while at the same time I don't want there to be any question where I stand. Or what I think is important. Or what my values are. Even if my children are too young to really understand, I want to write this for posterity.
I was somewhat surprised with my poll on this blog. Maybe I should have worded it differently. It probably should have read "What issue would make you vote for one presidential candidate over another?" As it is, there are NO votes for abortion. For me, this is the clincher. No - I have never had an abortion. I don't even know anyone that has. But I am against it. Our church is against it. Obama is not against it. There is a great, informative article about abortion in the Ensign this month. I encourage you to read it.
I did not list gay marriage as an issue. I should have. Again, I know only a few people who are gay. I love them as individuals, as family members, as children of God. I do not agree with their choice to act on temptation and give in to sin. I especially do not agree with changing the "traditional" definition of marriage. I put "traditional" in quotes because to me it goes beyond "traditional" - I would say more like sacred, eternal, true. I think this oft-quoted verse from Alexander Pope truly reflects our society's views on homosexual behavior: “Vice is a monster of so frightful face, as to be hated needs but to be seen; but seen too often, familiar with her face, we first endure, then tolerate, then embrace.”
Again, there is only one candidate that most encompasses my own and my church's beliefs. From John McCain's website: "The family represents the foundation of Western Civilization and civil society and John McCain believes the institution of marriage is a union between one man and one woman. It is only this definition that sufficiently recognizes the vital and unique role played by mothers and fathers in the raising of children, and the role of the family in shaping, stabilizing, and strengthening communities and our nation."
There are SO many important issues going on right now. Most people in my poll voted for the financial crisis. While I absolutely feel that it is a very important issue to deal with, I hope we don't overlook the CRITICAL ones.
The first video below is from CatholicVote.com. I LOVED it. I am thankful that we are not the only church standing up for important, crucial issues that NEED a voice. The 2nd video is from our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). I believe it says all that needs to be said about gay marriage.
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-readies-members-on-proposition-8
2 comments:
Heidi, I totally agree with you on the abortion subject. I read somewhere that Obama has supported live abortions before, abortions where the babies are born alive and left to die! It mortified me. With being pregnant right now, I am so sensitive that the lives of precious children be saved. thanks for sharing your thoughts.
You prob won't see my note since this post is old. I agree with everything you said. I went on a mission and taught a girl who had had an abortion and to be honest, I don't know if she will ever forgive herself. It was SO sad. It broke her heart that that was one of the questions the Elders had to ask her. It's horrible that it's even an option.....As for gay marriage, we all know where I stand on that. I found it very interesting that when I posted a blog post about it 2 only TWO people made a comment. Why are members scared to voice their opinion on this issue? To me it's simple. The prophets have given us "The Proclomation to the world" and yet I know many, many, many friends of our faith who still have the attitude "people can do what they want"....such an attitude makes the world what it's turning into today. phew! How's that for a novel?!
Post a Comment