tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post16129055963933250..comments2023-06-01T08:17:04.696-04:00Comments on Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country... and goes back again: How Sarah Palin Turned Me off ReligionGreener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448845964131250749noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-77403657179882209472009-02-19T22:58:00.000-05:002009-02-19T22:58:00.000-05:00Oh you are wrong Giulia. I don't know if I ever wa...Oh you are wrong Giulia. I don't know if I ever watched CNN in my life or read that newspaper. Seriously. <BR/><BR/>And I just had a wonderful conversation with my farrier, who is a very conservative Christian Republican who loves McCain and Palin. He told me what he thought and I told him what I thought and we were both kind and respectful to each other and you know what? some of what he said to me made sense and I told him that and I plan to look into it. Also, I just ordered a book called "Spirit and Flesh: Life in a Fundamentalist Baptist Church." I'm very open-minded Guilia. <BR/><BR/>Also, for the record, even though I love President Obama, I am not a Democrat. I don't belong to any party. I voted for Bush the first time. I have voted Libertarian. And I have probably been in more churches than most people. <BR/><BR/>What I was trying to get across with that story was that the bad behavior of the conservative Republicans, Sarah Palin in particular, is hypocritical, and yes, it's a turn-off. It's not the way to get people to join their club. Or to vote for them. <BR/><BR/>Yes, I question religion. But was I questioning God?<BR/><BR/>I appreciate your concern--I hope you understand where I was coming from now.Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Countryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05448845964131250749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-35320378979087219492009-02-19T21:16:00.000-05:002009-02-19T21:16:00.000-05:00Debi, If you can look up at the stars and not beli...Debi, If you can look up at the stars and not believe there is a God, if you can watch a spider weave a web and not believe there is a God, if you can think of the human body and it's brilliancy and not believe there is a God - then....I am speechless. For everything in you proclaims there is a God: your talent and your love, of not only nature but human beings. Except - those human beings you deem unworthy of your love. Those who do not subscribe to your point of view. Think about that just a little bit if you would. <BR/><BR/>And when you get your political information from only one well, CNN, The New York Times and the like (which from the way you write I'm assuming you do), you are being fed propaganda and don't know it.<BR/><BR/>I was like you. I changed. You don't like prejudice. But you don't recognize your own when it comes to points of view that do not agree with yours. I could be totally wrong here. But, as a (somewhat) conservative Republican (who was an avid liberal Dem) I respect your point of view. And I do so with love. Do you mine?Giuliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15087216769026229805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-39647911729430768142009-01-04T19:57:00.000-05:002009-01-04T19:57:00.000-05:00i was not aware of the fact that "YALL" could be f...i was not aware of the fact that "YALL" could be found in the english dictionary. have you thought about aquiring your GED, or does illiteracy coincide with being a good christian?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-79729991961980836402009-01-02T15:59:00.000-05:002009-01-02T15:59:00.000-05:00I'm so sorry Debbi. There are bad apples in every...I'm so sorry Debbi. There are bad apples in every bunch. We are praying for you to stay too and you are welcome at our club and church any time and if you don't want to go, we still love you! We are glad you are here! Don't listen to that person. She is not even from here!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-86278755408545522792009-01-02T11:25:00.000-05:002009-01-02T11:25:00.000-05:00That "anonymous" poster just further demonstrated ...That "anonymous" poster just further demonstrated the problem with religion. You pray, but where is the love for all people? Should we not be accepting of everyone? Maybe learn about what others think and give your two cents in a mature manner. I didn't know that believing in God meant you condemned all that don't believe what you believe. Why would ANYONE want to be part of such a hating group?<BR/>I feel sorry for that anonymous poster. So much hate in their heart.magicbeanbuyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03529892924273136182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-49914835362679910262009-01-02T07:51:00.000-05:002009-01-02T07:51:00.000-05:00Oh, here's something funny. I found out who the an...Oh, here's something funny. I found out who the anonymous commenter is and SHE'S from California! <BR/><BR/>And get this--she's the secretary of a local horse club that we were planning to join and now that she's pissed off about my views on Palin, she sent me a nasty e-mail and said if my family was still planning to attend, we should come late because they pray. THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Countryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05448845964131250749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-87346887133219921172009-01-01T22:15:00.000-05:002009-01-01T22:15:00.000-05:00I was thinking "Spoken like a typical coward" Sloa...I was thinking "Spoken like a typical coward" Sloan. He is too scared to sign his name. Maybe embarrassed at his sophomoric and trashy behavior. I'm honest. I say who I am and stand up for what I believe in. My name is on this blog. Maybe that's why, contrary to what the rude commenter says, I'm very loved here. In fact, my neighbors told me they're PRAYING for me to stay! And I can't tell you how many Christmas gifts and invitations we received from our new friends in the community. So hubby and I were chuckling when we read what he said, lol.Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Countryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05448845964131250749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-76186113498901746802009-01-01T17:41:00.000-05:002009-01-01T17:41:00.000-05:00Spoken like a typical Christian!! Mean!! I guess y...Spoken like a typical Christian!! Mean!! I guess you touched a nerve Debi!Sloanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12533022160981290851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-22251833687699908232008-12-31T08:37:00.000-05:002008-12-31T08:37:00.000-05:00I've read most of your blog and have some good adv...I've read most of your blog and have some good advice for you and your family. YOU WILL NOT BE WELCOME HERE. CALIFORNIA OR NEW YORK WOULD SUIT YALL BETTER.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-91698473232725101982008-11-30T21:41:00.000-05:002008-11-30T21:41:00.000-05:00Ooh....similar feelings here. I had to bust out ...Ooh....similar feelings here. <BR/><BR/>I had to bust out and write about being a Crunchy Christian, and really shuddering for most all that Palin put forth. <BR/><BR/>http://goingcrunchy.blogspot.com/2008/11/thankful-day-4-voting-for-change.html<BR/><BR/>She drove me crazy.....whoo...whooo. (Tune of "She Drives me Crazy."Going Crunchyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01885445987575778289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-47425082006523201572008-11-30T16:04:00.000-05:002008-11-30T16:04:00.000-05:00Love My Dog, you are exactly right--once someone t...Love My Dog, you are exactly right--once someone tries to make a law out of what he says God wants, he is overstepping his bounds. This is America. What about all the people who don't believe in God? Or THAT God? Now I understand about the separation of church and state and why we need that.<BR/><BR/>Not very long ago, here in Virginia, the church people made a law that blacks and whites couldn't marry because they said THAT was a sin and it was in the bible. Now we are ashamed that we could ever believe such a thing. There are many examples of terrible ways people behaved and defended themselves by citing the bible or God--women not being allowed to vote, slavery, the Holocaust... the picked-on group of choice nowadays is the gays. And no offense to Sweetflutterbys3 because she seems like a really nice person, but if I was gay, I wouldn't want to have a friend who would stop me from having the same rights as she does. What kind of friend is that?Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Countryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05448845964131250749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-55636423631504181632008-11-30T02:32:00.000-05:002008-11-30T02:32:00.000-05:00First Debi - great post! And your daughter is an ...First Debi - great post! And your daughter is an incredible thinker and writer - kudos to both of you. I was really enjoying the comments on blog until this last one. <BR/><BR/>Yes-becoming a Christian is just that - A PERSONAL decision. However - telling ANYONE except perhaps your fellow believers that gay marriage, abortion, insert x behavior here is 'not what god wants for us' is kind of disturbing. It is what YOU BELIEVE GOD WANTS FOR YOU. And your God is just that -your God. Once you believe he should be mine you have overstepped your bounds and once you try to make a law out of what your god believes - you are heading into a theocracy instead of democracy. <BR/><BR/>Debi - a Catholic Church out here (ok in the Central Valley which does not count as here, happily) has asked/told its parishoners they must confess if they voted for Obama. Obama, being pro-choice, is a sinner, therefore voting for him is a sin. I am curious at what point the various religions will fess up to the fact that they are PAC's...Love My Doghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00427595028405688276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-77266067917267507552008-11-28T08:41:00.000-05:002008-11-28T08:41:00.000-05:00Becoming a Christian is a personal decision to bel...Becoming a Christian is a personal decision to believe Jesus died for your sins then trying your best to follow Him through the Bible. No Christian is perfect, and that is what Jesus did for us- died on the cross so we could be forgiven when we mess up. As a Christian, you are never to be against anyone. The Bible teaches that everyone is a child of God, no matter who they are. But, you can love the person and not support their beliefs or behaviors. There are lots of people in my life that are not Christians and do things I would never do that are against God. But I love them anyway. I just don't participate in the behavior. If your a friend goes out and drinks and hurts someone, you don't stop being their friend. But you don't support their behavior either. Would I be friends with someone who is gay? Absolutely! Would I support gay marriage. No. It's not what God wants for people. But my friend has a right to choose for themselves. Do I believe in and support everything that my friends do? No, that is just not possible. You need to have some guide to say what is right and wrong. God and the Bible are those guides, as well as your relationship with God. If not, what do you base your choice on? Personal belief has to come from somewhere. That is why judging anyone on your own is a dangerous thing. God gave us free will and also gave us the option of believing in Him. How you face God with the decisions you made in your life when your life is over is up to you. Judging others, when it's only God's right to, leads to nothing good.Sweetflutterbys3https://www.blogger.com/profile/13276478679906785113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-25709038001682820832008-11-26T07:59:00.000-05:002008-11-26T07:59:00.000-05:00I enjoyed reading this post and the accompanying c...I enjoyed reading this post and the accompanying comments...encouraging! Thanks for stopping by Spatter...and your kind words about my photos.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-78425198939634818452008-11-22T22:36:00.000-05:002008-11-22T22:36:00.000-05:00Thanks for your comments everyone!Marion, I know y...Thanks for your comments everyone!<BR/><BR/>Marion, I know you and your church do wonderful things. You're another example of a true Christian. I'm sure not every church is hypocritical. But I don't know of any, except the Unitarian church, that aren't bigoted against gays and I'm done putting up with that. Some day we're going to look back on this and be horrified over our behavior and our willingness to believe the bible says gays are sinners. Like how we look back with shame on how we believed the bible said interracial marriages were evil. Ironically, I'm the way I am because of what I learned in Catholic school--to be good. So Christian friends, I guess I'm not a lost cause...Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Countryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05448845964131250749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-33740791775295356652008-11-21T16:11:00.000-05:002008-11-21T16:11:00.000-05:00Very nice Marion. I agree or concur. Yeah, what sh...Very nice Marion. I agree or concur. Yeah, what she said.Amy Hanekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17948641570199768387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-71886185301918362172008-11-21T14:33:00.000-05:002008-11-21T14:33:00.000-05:00Wow - drive up that chatter, girl. What controvers...Wow - drive up that chatter, girl. What controversy. I'm impressed!!Amy Hanekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17948641570199768387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-7203450866208592542008-11-21T10:59:00.000-05:002008-11-21T10:59:00.000-05:00I hope you won't give up on 'organized rel...I hope you won't give up on 'organized religion' Debi. People are different, religions are different, churches are different. Hubby & I, both moderate republicans, chose to vote for Obama as we learned more about him, his family, his ethics, his beliefs.<BR/> Some in our church sent e-mails full of wierd stories about him; we simply asked them kindly not to send us those e-mails, since they were patently untrue.<BR/> We see these same folks at church, and hug them, and do NOT discuss politics with them! Our United Methodist church family spends our time serving at the soup kitchen, flying to Louisiana and Mississippi at our own expense to rebuild after Katrina's damage, responding to those in our congregation who need assistance with their everyday living. <BR/> Sarah Palin? Let's not even go there! As a country, we need to gather behind our newly elected president, a man who asked Bush to take him upstairs so he could check out his young daughters' bedrooms at the White House. We need a calm, caring, intelligent man at our helm, and I believe we have one now.Marionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04218753977954965920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-75594072970240445072008-11-19T09:16:00.000-05:002008-11-19T09:16:00.000-05:00I think values are learned, either by the example ...I think values are learned, either by the example set in the family or by education. Religion has nothing to do w/ it. As you pointed out, there are people who believe in Jesus, study the bible and go to church that don't live righteously. They judge others, gossip and express hate toward people who are different from them. <BR/>I'm not against religion, I know people whose faith provides amazing comfort during hard times, gives them a sense of community, guides them and inspires them. And they're truly good people. But there certainly is a lot of bigotry. People who call themselves good and righteous but spread hate and do a lot of harm. <BR/>I didn't feel McCain/Palin represented my ethics and values. I think a lot of people who voted for them just voted within their usual party or their religion and didn't really take a good look at the values represented during the campaign.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-16933805672903816712008-11-19T08:00:00.000-05:002008-11-19T08:00:00.000-05:00Wow. All this time I thought it was the republica...Wow. All this time I thought it was the republicans who just thought we christians were all stupid idiots and if you insert the right words, "Jesus, God willing, pray, Bible" then we would all cease to think and be sure and go vote for whomever they pick for us. You see, McCain was seen as a moderate, had a track record of bipartisanship and certainly was unpopular with Bush and supporters. I think that Palin was chosen because someone thought that if the massive "body of believer" aka very large voting bloc, knew there was someone on the ticket who was promoted as a practicing christian, they would get out the vote for McCain. <BR/><BR/>I resent greatly that kind of patronizing manipulation. There are many folks out there with simple, sweet faith. Their faith is greatly shaped by their culture, the region in which they live, their history and tradition. They might even be afraid of things they with which they are not familiar. These folks, just like any other people group out there, can be most influenced by fearful warnings and hate talk. There certainly are a bunch of fearful warners and hate talkers out there. <BR/><BR/>It bothers me to see how so many folks fall for that garbage. Both Republican and Democrat folks. I, too, got all the crazy emails. Probably from friends and family who know me just well enough to not know where I would cast my vote. I narcissistically (is that a word?)thought that they must be trying to convince me of the error of my ways. More likely, these were just mass emailings. I deleted them. I found that reading them just riled me way too much. <BR/><BR/>What I longed for was a good discussion. With people of differing opinions. Who would be open enough to at least listen and appreciate why each other chose to vote the way he or she did. I know many christians are not willing to listen to the thought processes of those with differing opinions. That makes me mad. On a rather regular basis I share many of your thoughts with others, trying to help find a middle ground. I point the finger at my brothers, criticize them, call them ugly. Guess I felt rather sad and attacked when I read your post because instead of me calling my brother ugly, it was someone unrelated. <BR/><BR/>BTW, most people who disagree with your post are probably too afraid to say anything, or don't even feel the need to share their opinion. I am known for having a big mouth and plenty of opinions. Sometimes I wish I had less of them! : ) But one thing I do like is a good dialog...gingerhillery@mac.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11058818226976530765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-77554957298512936452008-11-19T01:03:00.000-05:002008-11-19T01:03:00.000-05:00Well said Debi! I'm not religous or very political...Well said Debi! I'm not religous or very political, and I don't think the two mix very well. This last election has flooded my brain with thoughts about both. It can't be helped with all the crazy hijinks that's been going on. Religion should be out of politics. I'm voting for a President, not a Pope. I want the best person for the job regardless. I grew up one of those crazy Lutherns. I'm pretty sure my beliefs were that God created cave men and we evolved from them. Ya. Pretty sure I was also Agnostic, not really acknowledging one belief over the other. Of course I don't think that way now. But it doesn't matter what I think, and I don't care what anyone else believes, as long as it works for them.<BR/><BR/>You always write good stuff Deb!<BR/><BR/>Jamie Ferraioli and I are ridin' the same wave for sure!<BR/><BR/>Cowabunga!Motleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04910316918469393376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-66073255479233526102008-11-18T23:31:00.000-05:002008-11-18T23:31:00.000-05:00Jeff, I know! I was surprised I haven't gotten neg...Jeff, I know! I was surprised I haven't gotten negative comments. Other than one person who wasn't very happy with me. But so far, there's been a lot of head nodding. And I ALWAYS publish the comments, even the negative ones. You don't have to agree with me to comment on here. (The only thing I wouldn't publish would be if someone was cursing or something, but that's never happened yet--I've printed everything.) That's what makes it interesting--a difference of opinion. I love a good conversation about things that matter.<BR/><BR/>I did think about the consequences of posting this story, especially because of where I live, in southern Virginia. But I decided if I censor my writing, what's the point? The best writing is honest, even if it is scary, even if it hurts. And if there are people in my life who don't like me anymore because of what I've shared, then they really weren't my friends to begin with. <BR/><BR/>You know, I think that's another reason why I wrote this story. Because I wanted Christians of conscience, as you said, to put their foot down about the rantings of the religious right. Somebody's got to put Johnny in the corner. <BR/><BR/>I don't know how to get in touch wish Sharkbetty because I don't know who she is so hopefully she'll see what you said.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, thanks for your good thoughts.Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Countryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05448845964131250749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-60310159247499745122008-11-18T22:14:00.000-05:002008-11-18T22:14:00.000-05:00Wow! An interesting post and some interesting comm...Wow! An interesting post and some interesting comments. I'm somewhat surprised that there aren't more negative comments, unless those comments have not passed moderation. The theme of your post runs through many posts on my blog also. While I'm more circumspect than you, I do share many of your thoughts - Sarah Palin scared me very badly and drove me to investigate why she should be so adored by so many Americans. I have a number of resources about the authoritarian personality that SharkBetty might be interested in. I also have links to a number of Christian social justice resources. Like Beth, I do not think it is useful to cast aspersions on Jesus because of the ignorant rantings of a minority. Christianity has a long and rich history of supporting social justice movements. It is important, more than ever, for Christians of conscience to speak up and show those who feel uncomfortable with Christianity that the rantings of the religious right is not representative of the voice of all Christians. Just like all Republicans shouldn't be condemned because of the behavior of Bush and his followers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-11946446268189688892008-11-18T21:00:00.000-05:002008-11-18T21:00:00.000-05:00Sharkbetty, good stuff! Thanks!Sharkbetty, good stuff! Thanks!Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Countryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05448845964131250749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1779328319254618990.post-54669582318871627942008-11-18T20:46:00.000-05:002008-11-18T20:46:00.000-05:00Jamie Ferraioli is my daughter and I just want to ...Jamie Ferraioli is my daughter and I just want to say what a fine young woman I raised! What an intelligent comment Jam! That is an excellent point--why belong to a group that you always have to defend? Because I'm not the first one to complain. I am PROUD.Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Countryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05448845964131250749noreply@blogger.com