tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738896969599222446.post4471457023154352987..comments2014-08-17T08:42:13.821-04:00Comments on Stephen Raburn: What do the Crips, the Lutherans and the Cheese Heads up in Green Bay all have in Common?Stephen Raburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14999493579608446531noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738896969599222446.post-89613139993066621442008-11-21T16:07:00.000-05:002008-11-21T16:07:00.000-05:00You bring up a bunch of interesting points and lot...You bring up a bunch of interesting points and lots of them are rolling around in my head. I have to admit, I grew up in a family that always voted Republican so naturally when I came of voting age, I did as well. As I went to college, I would usually vote the main election, but not the primary. I didn’t fully understand about the whole aspect where you could only vote for the people running in your party (or team) in the primary so I tended to vote a straight party ticket. Over the past eight years since graduating from college I have paid much more attention to local politics and realize, that especially in local elections in Durham, the majority of people that run are from the other teams and I sometimes want to join them!<BR/><BR/>In terms of the national elections, I didn’t like however that the other team really seemed to come out in force regarding the elections. I was torn between the two candidates, but I didn’t appreciate all those who just bombarded their personal views and opinions, especially in a work setting. It was much more than normal “blue” vs. “red”. You bring up an excellent point about the two scenarios. In my opinion, I would choose to be happy, rather than right, but I may be it the minority. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but just because you are right, doesn’t mean you have to rub it in. My personality tends to be more reserved, and I like to bring compromise to almost any situation.<BR/><BR/>Ok, I know these thoughts were random and not sure I added anything really profound, but blogs are for sharing anything right?redcorvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04518304819106175619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738896969599222446.post-11692391142797921512008-11-21T13:18:00.000-05:002008-11-21T13:18:00.000-05:00Holy swirling questions, concepts, realities and p...Holy swirling questions, concepts, realities and perceptions. I am astounded at the things to think about here.<BR/><BR/>Indeed, however, I have had this discussion quite a bit myself lately. My sister is constantly amazed that most of Marc's and my friends subscribe to strict religious and republican ideologies while he and myself are at least somewhat left of center. <BR/><BR/>Your point regarding the nonconformists all conspicuously looking the same and living the same is the argument I've always made myself. In the eighth grade (yes, I'm taking it back to 1994), I had a best friend who loudly and regularly belted out what an individual she was. She wore flannels and cords daily, and mocked me one day after I clued her into the fact that the tux pants I sported were actually from The Express. She jumped back in horror, pointing at me, and yelled out "Sheep!" I shrugged and reminded her to look around at all the other "individuals" in the same flannels and cords (again, this was 1994. Nothing was individual about flannel or corduroy).<BR/><BR/>All that to say simply being leftist/democrat/liberal does not mean "open-minded" if you will not tolerate or accept peacefully a diverse idea. Quite the opposite. But with some people, opening up to hearing those ideas gets you labeled as disloyal and a traitor. You are no longer one of "us". <BR/><BR/>Haehahe maybe that's my trust issue. I don't trust the fickleness of the "us" and "them" mentalities. You so quickly can be removed from the comfort of your group. And if you stay in the group, the mob-mentality is a risk you have to be cautious of, as it damages so many in so many ways every day.<BR/><BR/>Yet, the loner I've always felt to be, and as much as I've always felt like an outsider, I've always yearned to "belong"... hence a somewhat-failed stint in a fraternity. I love that you mention sports, as I've found that pulling for the Steelers allows me instant "in" with complete strangers. We Steelers Nation stand strong... (and thus shun Antwaan Randel El for choosing to be a Redskin for money over loyalty... he's no longer one of us! Hehaeh)<BR/><BR/>I don't think I've added anything to this... just rambling and reiterating. Apologies for that. I think finding out what "we" means is a constant question with no answer. I question it regarding patriotism. I question it regarding religion. I question it every day. And all I can come back to is John Lennon's words... "Imagine there's no countries... It isn't hard to do... Nothing to kill or die for... No religion too... Imagine all the people, Living life in Peace". And that's where I keep ending up.<BR/><BR/>And while nondenominational religious institutions are rising in popularity, I have close friends in them who still want to convince me that Christianity is the only way. When they are within the safety of their church, they may not feel "I am right, they are wrong," but I hear them (the ones I know and talk with frequently, I am talking of) regularly discuss how "right" they are and "wrong" someone non-christian is. Witnessing, I have zero problems with. Converting me, I do. I have some different opinions than you, and I am OK with the things you believe. Be OK with mine. When also answers your question on "will we all be the same?", Carissa. :) I don't think we would be the same, as can imagine a world where one of us subscribes to strict Christianity, one of us is Buddhist, and one of us is Muslim... and we can all sit at the same table, witness what we believe and how, smiling and lovingly, and enjoy each moment we have together before living our individual lives again separately (and in a beautiful abstract way, separately together).<BR/><BR/><BR/>Darn, Stephen. Did you have any idea you'd open up all of this?! I'd like to see a commenter approach this concisely! (And on my side note, in my opinion, blogs are great when they are a mix of longer, deeper, thought-provoking posts and short, snippets of thoughts and unfinished experience)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1738896969599222446.post-6233713568364024162008-11-19T18:36:00.000-05:002008-11-19T18:36:00.000-05:00Oh maaaaaan, that was deep (as opposed to shallow ...Oh maaaaaan, that was deep (as opposed to shallow - whoo hoo!)! I agree with many of your points, though there were WAY TOO MANY to chew on thoroughly. <BR/><BR/>[Side note, my OPINION is that you make your blog shorter so that I can chew using the "20times" rule - right now I'm on the verge of choking. - Hey, EVERYBODY...if you don't respond to anything else that Stephen or I say, could you please respond with your thoughts on whether you like a long or short blog, and if you have any content preferences...]<BR/><BR/>Ok, back to my comment... the only thing that I'd like to tackle (because I have experience with it) is your comments regarding church as a means to connect with like people. I agree that some congregations are made up of a similar type of person... but I am naively under the impression that it won't be that way for long. I think the churches you refer to are older churches (churches made up of older, more traditional parishioners). Today there is a huge movement away from the denominational split (in Christianity) that has existed for so long. If you look in the phone book - wait, WHO USES A PHONEBOOOK??- I meant, if you Google the churches in the Triangle, you'll see that a large majority of them are "nondenominational"... that is because of the stigma that is associated with denominations. <BR/><BR/>I, for one, go to (and have belonged to) only churches with a mixed batch of people...young/old, all colors, all preferences, etc... My current church is AMAZING...they are a Bible believing church that believes that all people can (and should) be saved. Your comment about not knowing people who change their attitudes and behaviors because of church is now null and void because you know ME. Church...aka: my relationship with God...changed my life significantly in the last 4 or 5 years. I don't believe it has anything to do with the people sitting next to me on the pew, but it has everything to do with being in a safe place to hear the Word of God. --- Oh, and FYI, when you go to church, you don't leave with the feeling of "I'm right", but rather "I'm wrong and I have so much more to work on to become the person that I am meant to be". <BR/><BR/>Another reason that I see a movement to inclusive, embracing, love-ALL-thy-neighbors churches is because today's generation is, for the most part, more tolerant. I believe that the American "melting pot" keeps the heat on high and as we as a country grow up, we will continue to become one special sauce! <BR/><BR/>Question: If we become a country with NO prejudice, are we then all alike? Is the acceptance of everyone as equal demonstrative of your theory of wanting to be with like people? (Of course I know this will never happen...it's not human nature. Just curious on your thoughts.) <BR/><BR/>Note: It is my goal to live a life that is filled with love and acceptance of all types of people. My heart genuinely hurts when I think of what we are doing to ourselves when we separate ourselves from others we view as different. I'm not sure how, but somehow I am going to make a statement...many people have said "Carissa, ONE person can't change prejudice"...and maybe that's true...but one person can inspire another and that person can inspire another...you get the idea. <BR/><BR/>I believe in a new truth about "ism's"...I believe that they DO NOT have to exist.<BR/><BR/>- whoo. Not sure what I went off on there. I guess I'll sign off. Thanks for the food for thought, Stephen!Carissa Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12159329284908148793noreply@blogger.com