As with a lot of Americans, I was happy the day George Bush became president. I had high hopes that he would make our country a better place. Along with my friends I applauded and cheered for his great emotional speeches.
But after he took office something happened, suddenly it seemed he was all talk and no action. It seemed he wanted to take away freedom from everyone who was not a "Christian Heterosexual American," so realizing the president I had put so much faith in had failed me and gone against the part of The Pledge of Allegiance that says "justice for all," I stopped pledging.
When the war in Iraq broke out, I did not hesitate in joining the protesters, although this nearly cost me my best friend. It was only in our opinions on the war that I realized just how different we were, her conservative beliefs jarred awkwardly with my liberal ones. Id always thought it was good to be vocal with your views and opinions and stand your ground, I still do. What it made me realize is that politics and religion have been tied together but do not necessarily belong together.
People say that America was founded on Christian beliefs, but I think that is only partly true. Puritans came here to escape persecution for their beliefs. America was founded for freedom of religion. The founders were actually hypocrites though, because they meant freedom of their religion. However, Puritans did not hold standard Christian beliefs and many wars were fought for religious freedom.
Let's not forget who the original inhabitants of this land were: Native Americans or as some call Indians. Aside from this horrible grouping of all these different tribes into one culture, as if they were all alike, I present a point. I highly doubt these natives were Christian or would of considered converting if not forced. A peaceful religion that involves force does not stick well in my mind and I tend to be open-minded. Thomas Jefferson, one of the great fathers of the constitution was not a Christian. It angers me that a president can write discrimination into the constitution based on his personal religion while ignoring the freedom of religious choice.
There are as many people in support of President Bushs decision to go to war as there are those pounding the streets demonstrating against it. He claims there are weapons of mass destruction and has yet to find them. He declared war without getting the necessary vote and against the better wishes of wiser men. I think he is following his daddy's footsteps, as his dad did disagreeable steps starting Vietnam. On the other hand, my friend loves Mr. George Bush. She welcomes a Christian president, saying after Clinton we need more morals in the office. I may not agree with adultery, but I still see no relevant evidence that Clinton's private affairs affected his presidency.
She also feels homosexual marriages don't sanctify the holy union of marriage, as if gays and lesbians were horrible blemishes on society. Sometimes I think the things I dislike the most about his presidency are the very things she cherishes above all the rest. Maybe it was the nature-nurture issue. Her parents are strong "Conservative Republican Protestants," whereas my parents are divorced and predominantly my mom's views caught onto me. Her views sway and she is very open-minded. She will vote either way in an election, depending on the candidate who she feels is best. She does not care either way with the marriage issue, so I feel I must have got that elsewhere. I have many homosexual friends and am not ashamed, embarrassed or surprised at anyone's actions in that category.
She on the other hand thinks people are like that because of dysfunctional households or abuse. That cannot possibly always be the case, at least in my eyes. Many loving families sprout children of all types, and the same goes for dysfunctional. I may not agree with my friends point of view, but she is still my friend and that counts more than anything- Bush or no Bush.
But after he took office something happened, suddenly it seemed he was all talk and no action. It seemed he wanted to take away freedom from everyone who was not a "Christian Heterosexual American," so realizing the president I had put so much faith in had failed me and gone against the part of The Pledge of Allegiance that says "justice for all," I stopped pledging.
When the war in Iraq broke out, I did not hesitate in joining the protesters, although this nearly cost me my best friend. It was only in our opinions on the war that I realized just how different we were, her conservative beliefs jarred awkwardly with my liberal ones. Id always thought it was good to be vocal with your views and opinions and stand your ground, I still do. What it made me realize is that politics and religion have been tied together but do not necessarily belong together.
People say that America was founded on Christian beliefs, but I think that is only partly true. Puritans came here to escape persecution for their beliefs. America was founded for freedom of religion. The founders were actually hypocrites though, because they meant freedom of their religion. However, Puritans did not hold standard Christian beliefs and many wars were fought for religious freedom.
Let's not forget who the original inhabitants of this land were: Native Americans or as some call Indians. Aside from this horrible grouping of all these different tribes into one culture, as if they were all alike, I present a point. I highly doubt these natives were Christian or would of considered converting if not forced. A peaceful religion that involves force does not stick well in my mind and I tend to be open-minded. Thomas Jefferson, one of the great fathers of the constitution was not a Christian. It angers me that a president can write discrimination into the constitution based on his personal religion while ignoring the freedom of religious choice.
There are as many people in support of President Bushs decision to go to war as there are those pounding the streets demonstrating against it. He claims there are weapons of mass destruction and has yet to find them. He declared war without getting the necessary vote and against the better wishes of wiser men. I think he is following his daddy's footsteps, as his dad did disagreeable steps starting Vietnam. On the other hand, my friend loves Mr. George Bush. She welcomes a Christian president, saying after Clinton we need more morals in the office. I may not agree with adultery, but I still see no relevant evidence that Clinton's private affairs affected his presidency.
She also feels homosexual marriages don't sanctify the holy union of marriage, as if gays and lesbians were horrible blemishes on society. Sometimes I think the things I dislike the most about his presidency are the very things she cherishes above all the rest. Maybe it was the nature-nurture issue. Her parents are strong "Conservative Republican Protestants," whereas my parents are divorced and predominantly my mom's views caught onto me. Her views sway and she is very open-minded. She will vote either way in an election, depending on the candidate who she feels is best. She does not care either way with the marriage issue, so I feel I must have got that elsewhere. I have many homosexual friends and am not ashamed, embarrassed or surprised at anyone's actions in that category.
She on the other hand thinks people are like that because of dysfunctional households or abuse. That cannot possibly always be the case, at least in my eyes. Many loving families sprout children of all types, and the same goes for dysfunctional. I may not agree with my friends point of view, but she is still my friend and that counts more than anything- Bush or no Bush.
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