After reading the title of this blog, you may have thought one of two things:
1) That title must be referencing to a past hit single by a popular R&B singer.
or
2) Being that I am a Catholic Christian, it must have something to do with the sacrament of confession that practicing Roman Catholics occasionally go through.
Both of them are true. I could not come up with a clever title of my own, so I had to rob Usher of a lyric from his song. As far as number 2 goes, this blog is somewhat of a confession. No, you don't need to call a member of the clergy for this. I've been through that more than enough times, and even what I am about to say has been brought up to a priest before.
This particular blog is a confession, and at the same time, an apology, to all my Christian friends.
When I started out on my journey with Jesus, I say it began with Alexandra. A year and a half into our relationship, she and my friend, Miguel, convinced me to go with her to a Youth Group at what was called West Kendall Baptist Church. It was an amazing experience, but I did not truly feel moved to give my life over to Jesus until about my third visit to that youth group.
I joined Tamiami Baptist Church and was a member of that church for about a year. I was really involved with evangelical Christianity. I was looking at the Bible a whole different way now. And as each week passed, my love for God grew and grew. However, I did not like the kind of person I was becoming. I was constantly getting into arguments with the people I love the most, my family, because they were Catholics (not practicing). After a while, as I listened to my pastor's sermons, I found myself disagreeing with him more and more as each week came and gone.
So, I remember I decided to go to a Catholic mass one week.
It was hard at first. I remember freaking out with all the things people memorized at the church. I left mass early that day. However, I found myself heading back there the following Saturday. It became a bit of a new routine for me. I would go to St. Kevin's Catholic Church on Saturday, and head to Tamiami Baptist on Sunday. The more often I went to mass, the longer I stayed, until one week where I stayed until the end.
I noticed that the taboos I had been learning were not necessarily true. I had grown up in a household of non-practicing Catholics, aka "cafeteria Catholics" because they pick and choose what they believe to be true about Catholic doctrine. Another term came from Pastor Rob Myers' mouth in Easter: "Christian CEO's" or Christian Christmas and Easter Only. Not that I think of my family in a negative light. There are many Catholics - and Christians in general - who are in the same boat. I love them. I obviously just wish that they had that same fire and passion for the Lord that I do.
Back to my story...I did research. I read the Bible extensively. I purchased books from Catholic apologists and read materials of Protestants' arguments against Catholics being considered Christian. If I did that much research for my classes, I guarantee that I would have a 4.0 GPA right now. (Note to self: when completing assignments for school, pretend it is as important as your relationship with God...wait...is that heresy?)
Anyways, I sat down with the pastor of Tamiami Baptist to tell him that I would no longer be attending that church, and we had a civil discussion about faith in general. There are no hard feelings, which I am thankful for.
What drew me to Catholicism? Through Catholicism, I was able to strengthen my relationship with Jesus Christ, more than I had before. The constant spiritual feeding at my church fills my heart with the Holy Spirit everytime I am there. I really felt like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy felt that Kansas was a bland place and longed to go "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." She landed in Oz and met a bunch of colorful characters, but in the end, she realized that there was no place like home. I have found that home at St. Kevin's Catholic Church. While I am and always a Christian first, my yellow brick road has become the Catholic Church.
So, why am I apologizing? I am apologizing because when I landed back in my own rendition of Oz, I still was not a very loving - or Christian - person. I argued with a lot of my friends extensively, including the love of my life. Some of those arguments have left me bruised inside, and I have found it very hard to open up about my faith to my new Christian friends that I have met through Alexandra (some of you who read my blogs).
I sometimes feel awkward being at Miami Baptist Church, and it has nothing to do with the people there. My past experiences just flash into my mind and I become a very secluded, and defensive person. I really am trying to open up and being able to extend that arm of fellowship with Christians from a different denomination again, because I would think that God would want all of his followers to be united and spread the Gospel as one people. I am praying hard for God to lift that burden off my shoulders.
I am apologizing because I'm not sure if I have, or if in the future I may suddenly become defensive. And I assure you that it is not my intention. I'm sorry if I have ever given off that kind of impression.
Before I conclude, I wanted to thank two very important people. I wanted to thank Father Bob Vallee of St. Kevin's. This philosopher of a priest eased my transition from evangelical Christianity to Catholocism, being that his homilies are quite evangelical themselves. I also wanted to thank Pastor Dave who is on my "Blogs I read" list. His Zeal sermons helped me go to church with my girlfriend, if at least once a month. Thank you for your amazing interpretations of scripture.
Thank you all for reading this - one of my longest original posts - and I look forward to serving the Lord for the rest of my life.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
The Libertarian Case for Palin
The potential political consequences of Sarah Palin have been chewed over from every imaginable angle.
Though there is plenty to ponder, one thing is certain: libertarian-inclined voters should be encouraged. No, I'm not suggesting that your little Molly will be bringing home "The Road to Serfdom" from her (distinctly non-public) elementary school. But in contrast to any national candidate in recent memory, Palin is the one that exudes the economic and cultural sensibilities of a geniune Western-style libertarian.
Now, Palin's lack of experience has been framed as an impenetrable negative. One wire story helpfully noted that Palin had never ever appeared on "Meet the Press." Shocking! But as Barack Obama often notes, it's not about experience, it's about judgment. And Palin's penchant for reform-minded conservatism is certainly at odds with the racket Washington Republicans have offered up the past 8 years.
Palin, for example, vetoed 300 pork projects in Alaska in her first year in office. She made a habit of knocking out big-government Republicans in her brief political career. For this, the 44-year-old mother of five enjoys a sterling approval rating in a state with arguably the nation's most libertarian-minded populace.
When it comes to healthcare, Palin says she wants to "allow free-market competition and reduce onerous government regulation." These days, any mention of the "free market" that's not framed as a crass pejorative is a sign of progress.
Culturally, there is little for the Heartland to dislike. By now, you've probably seen picture or two of Palin sporting a rifle. Apparently, she's left carcasses strewn across the Alaskan wilderness. In some places -- areas where the nation is growing -- owning a gun is not yet a sin. And unlike Obama, Palin seems to believe that the Second Amendment means the exact same thing in rural Alaska as it does in the streets of Chicago.
Yes, Palin is without argument a staunch social conservative. She is fervently opposed to abortion - even in cases of rape and incest, which will raise eyebrows, but is certainly more philosophically consistent than the namby pambyism of your average politician. The choice issue, after all, is complicated, even for many libertarians. And, as I was recently reminded, Ron Paul, the Libertarian champion of the 21st century, also opposes abortion.
Even when advocating for "moral" issues, Palin's approach is a soft sell. Palin does not support gay marriage (neither does Obama, it should be noted). Yet, in 2006, Palin's first veto as Governor was a bill that sought to block state employee benefits and health insurance for same-sex couples.
We cannot bore into Palin's soul to see her true feelings about gay couples, but, at the time, she noted that signing "this bill would be in direct violation of my oath of office" because it was unconstitutional. For most libertarians, the thought of politician following any constitution, rather than their own predilections, morality or the "common good," is a nice change of pace.
On the counterproductive War on Drugs, Palin is no warrior. Her Republican opponent in 2006 primary, incumbent Republican governor Frank Murkowski, made recriminalizing the possession of small amounts of pot a priority. Palin, though she does not support legalization, believes enforcement should not be a high priority.
"I can't claim a Bill Clinton and say that I never inhaled," Palin once said. This sort of honesty is a welcome change from the standard hand-wringing about marijuana's supposed disastrous consequences.
On education, Palin supports school-choice programs. There have already been smears that she backed "creationist" teaching in "public" schools, when in fact, Palin's comment regarding intelligent design should hold some appeal to libertarians. Even if you find the idea inane, in essence, Palin pushed the idea that parents, rather than the state, should decide what children are learning.
When asked about this commotion, Palin said, "I won't have religion as a litmus test, or anybody's personal opinion on evolution or creationism." If lockstep left-wing union-run school boards in urban districts would follow this sound advice on ideological litmus tests, our educational system would be a lot more productive.
Then there is a question of authenticity. And it matters. Those who will do anything for power, will say anything and support any position that is convenient. From John McCain to Joe Biden to Obama, one gets the sense that political office is their life's work. All of them have made attempts to create the perception that, hey, they're ordinary Americans just like you. Palin won't have to work at genuineness. With Palin, you get the impression she can take politics or leave it. Her life certainly hasn't been saturated with policy, favor trading and back scratching.
Of course, Washington has a mysterious power to turn perfectly reasonable, wholesome, well-meaning human beings into equivocating crooked gasbags. But, from the little we know about Palin, such a transformation doesn't seem likely. And for libertarians - in the broadest sense of the small "l" word -- she's the best candidate they can expect.
By David Harsanyi of RealClearPolitics.com
Though there is plenty to ponder, one thing is certain: libertarian-inclined voters should be encouraged. No, I'm not suggesting that your little Molly will be bringing home "The Road to Serfdom" from her (distinctly non-public) elementary school. But in contrast to any national candidate in recent memory, Palin is the one that exudes the economic and cultural sensibilities of a geniune Western-style libertarian.
Now, Palin's lack of experience has been framed as an impenetrable negative. One wire story helpfully noted that Palin had never ever appeared on "Meet the Press." Shocking! But as Barack Obama often notes, it's not about experience, it's about judgment. And Palin's penchant for reform-minded conservatism is certainly at odds with the racket Washington Republicans have offered up the past 8 years.
Palin, for example, vetoed 300 pork projects in Alaska in her first year in office. She made a habit of knocking out big-government Republicans in her brief political career. For this, the 44-year-old mother of five enjoys a sterling approval rating in a state with arguably the nation's most libertarian-minded populace.
When it comes to healthcare, Palin says she wants to "allow free-market competition and reduce onerous government regulation." These days, any mention of the "free market" that's not framed as a crass pejorative is a sign of progress.
Culturally, there is little for the Heartland to dislike. By now, you've probably seen picture or two of Palin sporting a rifle. Apparently, she's left carcasses strewn across the Alaskan wilderness. In some places -- areas where the nation is growing -- owning a gun is not yet a sin. And unlike Obama, Palin seems to believe that the Second Amendment means the exact same thing in rural Alaska as it does in the streets of Chicago.
Yes, Palin is without argument a staunch social conservative. She is fervently opposed to abortion - even in cases of rape and incest, which will raise eyebrows, but is certainly more philosophically consistent than the namby pambyism of your average politician. The choice issue, after all, is complicated, even for many libertarians. And, as I was recently reminded, Ron Paul, the Libertarian champion of the 21st century, also opposes abortion.
Even when advocating for "moral" issues, Palin's approach is a soft sell. Palin does not support gay marriage (neither does Obama, it should be noted). Yet, in 2006, Palin's first veto as Governor was a bill that sought to block state employee benefits and health insurance for same-sex couples.
We cannot bore into Palin's soul to see her true feelings about gay couples, but, at the time, she noted that signing "this bill would be in direct violation of my oath of office" because it was unconstitutional. For most libertarians, the thought of politician following any constitution, rather than their own predilections, morality or the "common good," is a nice change of pace.
On the counterproductive War on Drugs, Palin is no warrior. Her Republican opponent in 2006 primary, incumbent Republican governor Frank Murkowski, made recriminalizing the possession of small amounts of pot a priority. Palin, though she does not support legalization, believes enforcement should not be a high priority.
"I can't claim a Bill Clinton and say that I never inhaled," Palin once said. This sort of honesty is a welcome change from the standard hand-wringing about marijuana's supposed disastrous consequences.
On education, Palin supports school-choice programs. There have already been smears that she backed "creationist" teaching in "public" schools, when in fact, Palin's comment regarding intelligent design should hold some appeal to libertarians. Even if you find the idea inane, in essence, Palin pushed the idea that parents, rather than the state, should decide what children are learning.
When asked about this commotion, Palin said, "I won't have religion as a litmus test, or anybody's personal opinion on evolution or creationism." If lockstep left-wing union-run school boards in urban districts would follow this sound advice on ideological litmus tests, our educational system would be a lot more productive.
Then there is a question of authenticity. And it matters. Those who will do anything for power, will say anything and support any position that is convenient. From John McCain to Joe Biden to Obama, one gets the sense that political office is their life's work. All of them have made attempts to create the perception that, hey, they're ordinary Americans just like you. Palin won't have to work at genuineness. With Palin, you get the impression she can take politics or leave it. Her life certainly hasn't been saturated with policy, favor trading and back scratching.
Of course, Washington has a mysterious power to turn perfectly reasonable, wholesome, well-meaning human beings into equivocating crooked gasbags. But, from the little we know about Palin, such a transformation doesn't seem likely. And for libertarians - in the broadest sense of the small "l" word -- she's the best candidate they can expect.
By David Harsanyi of RealClearPolitics.com
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