Irony

It is sure ironic that a campaign which prides itself on being 'Maverick' is now frustrated with one of its members being too much of a maverick. I guess they only like mavericks when it follows their script.

Speaking of Republican irony, I have heard a handful of references by republicans recently about not wanting to give aid to countries who don't even like us anyway. Don't these Christians read the bible?

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"

Almost everything about Republicans is ironic, considering they claim to base their principals on the bible. How is that Republicans have become known for their strong support of military intervention? And the war on 'terror'?

"Do not make use of force against an evil man; but to him who gives you a blow on the right side of your face let the left be turned."

Even family values:

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:26


It is unlikely Jesus meant for his followers to literally hate their families, rather, he seems to be speaking of a concept common among Buddhists about freedom from attachment, even to seemingly important things like families. The few references Jesus makes to families are all along these lines. When he his meeting with some people, his family tries to get a word with him, he turns them away, and tells his those he is speaking with

"Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked.

Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 3Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

His family had recently tried to have him committed, or whatever the equivalent of that day would be (When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." mark 3:21. Which makes story of the immaculate conception or angels appearing at his birth seem odd. If you had been impregnated by God, it seems unlikely you would find any of your sons claims so far fetched that you would think him crazy.)

So where did this intense emphasis on family values for Christians come from? I don't mean this rhetorically, but am honestly curious.

I am really loving election season. I don't like argument, or contention, but I do enjoy debating issues. I love debating issues. That is part of what I loved about being a philosophy major. I have been having some big debates with High School friends who are intensely anti-obama. I have been trying hard to keep the discourse civil, and hope I did an okay job on my part, but it is difficult when their arguments are borderline incoherent, and includes baseless personal attacks.