Society Debunked: Part I

This is somewhat of a follow-up on a series I had intended to write (will most likely continue in fall) but also the beginning of a new series titled "Society Debunked" which will include writings of my opinions on various current matters.

For the first segment of this series, I will be expressing my opinions on yet another area of government, debunking a more conservative ideology (Calm down people, not as "Radical" as it may seem)

Gay Marriage: The topic of (heated) debate for quite some time now, and of course, the perfect opportunity for more blind argumentation, by conservatives specifically.

The Idea: The Bible says homosexuality is wrong, which means gay marriage should be illegal, right?

Wrong.

The Debunking: The United States government was never designed to be a moral state, nor should it ever be used as one. I do not believe that the government should EVER dictate what is morally right, or morally wrong. After all, the government is simply the will of the people. And as my favorite wall mural states "What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular." Thus, we should never let the will of the majority dictate what is morally correct.

Many defenses for so called traditional marriage have been given, and I would like to address a few of the bigger ones I have seen.

1) The Bible
Yes, the Bible does state that homosexuality is wrong, but that does not mean it should be illegal.
Our great nation was founded upon the idea of religious freedom. That people could practice any religion according to their belief, as long as they did not harm others. Well, it seems that we would be in the minority on this one. One cannot raise the Bible above all other religions or ideologies in this matter. If we did so, what would keep someone else from enforcing their religious beliefs simply because of religion.
If you want to make a case that gay marriage should be illegal, do not use the Bible. I ran across an interesting Reagan quote the other day, which goes something like this.
"The constitution was never meant to prevent people from praying; its declared purpose was to protect their freedom to pray."
You see, the government is supposed to allow anyone to have any beliefs, and act upon those and fulfill them until they harm someone else. (I know what you are thinking, but hold that thought, I will get to it)
The Bible does declare it to be wrong, but if it should be illegal because of that, should we not make a host of other things illegal? Adultery, petty lying, and the such? Then we no longer have a government, but a church state. Read about old European history, see how well it worked for them.

2) Gay Marriage = Societal Harm
This seems to be one of the most common arguments outside of the Bible that I have seen against gay marriage, stating that gay marriage is bad for society.
Really? First off, more adoption means less kids without homes which is good, right?
But if you want to go there I will grant you that, but let us carry that further.
What if someone proves that homeschooling is bad for society, or that Christianity is bad for society? What then? Well that did not work out too well.

3) Tradition
Slaves. Need I say more?

4) Natural Law
Homosexuality has been documented in over 450 species worldwide. Look it up.*

I am sure that many other arguments exist, but these were the ones I felt I should respond to.
If you have thoughts/concerns/other arguments you would like to share, feel free to contact me! I always love a good discussion.

I think it is time we look past the surface in to what is actually at play. If we rule off of the Bible here, that sets a very dangerous course for the future. And I do not think that is a course many would like to see us on.





*http://www.yalescientific.org/2012/03/do-animals-exhibit-homosexuality/

Yet There Is Light

And It Is Beautiful

Darkness

So many people struggle with things like depression, self-depreciation, and the like for no apparent reason. Many people have no "Real" problems in their life. No broken home, no inabilities, nothing to blame their problems on. In which case, many take even the smallest problem and slip into these habits. In their mind these problems become their world, and thus the depression sets in. No justifiable cause, yet just as real repercussions. 

Why?

Somehow it is attractive

Somehow it is repelling

Somehow it is distasteful

Somehow we cannot live without it

Somehow we rush to embrace it

Somehow we prefer to dwell in it

There is something about darkness that is attractive. Though its presence may be disliked, though depression may be all too real of a pain, there is something in it that attracts us, and something about it that makes us want to dwell in it. The darkness is real. It is evil. It surrounds us.

Somehow we become enveloped.
Somehow we enjoy its company. 

Somehow it is comfortable.

And so we draw closer

We become darkness.

We

Are

Darkness

Part I: Speed Limits and the NSA.

As part of a series of political blog posts, this will be (as you may have guessed) on the legitimacy of the NSA. Before I begin, however, I want to clarify some key stances I take, and briefly address them in order to preface this series. I may or may not go in to greater detail on these specific issues in further writings.

The purpose of government: The protection of rights. With obligations first to its citizens.
Rights: Individuality.
I believe that the protection of rights, is the protection of individuality. The government as a body should protect the expression of individuality, and laws should be crafted as such, in order to prevent an individual's expression, should it hinder another's individuality. We can all relate this back to the classic example: I have the right to swing my fist, until it comes into contact with your face.
Any questions/concerns can be directed to me via email, but I will address this more in a later writing.

Speed limits. They're great, right? Speed limits help to keep order and peace, maintain an efficient traffic system, as well as protect people from potential danger. While some would contend that these limits would hinder their expression of individuality, they would be correct. Some people find excessive speeds to be exhilarating. However, allowing everyone to drive at any speed could cause greater danger to many. Though some drivers may very well be responsible, there will always be reckless individuals who will abuse that speed. While the expression of individuality does not directly harm another's individuality, the mere fact that it is allowed to go on puts others' safety at stake.

Many citizens decry the NSA as being pure evil, without taking a step back to consider it for what it is. The NSA uses wire-tapping, email and Internet usage filtration, and other means of digital storage in order to spot threats to national security before it's too late. Before I continue my defense of this, let me clarify: I do not believe this ability should be used in any way, shape, or form of enforcement for civil or criminal law, and should be for national security only. Many, in fact most citizens use on-line or electronic communication for noble causes, and legitimate reasons, but not all do. As stated in regards to speed limits the expression in and of itself will not (when practiced by the responsible) endanger others, but the mere allowance of this to go un-checked, or un-filtered jeopardizes national security. Contrary to a popular belief, the NSA doesn't just read through people's emails so they can know about their social life. Instead, filtration is often employed for finding key words, sayings, or phrases. It is then analyzed, and action is taken. However, all material is stored for future use. For example, a terrorist cell could develop a code, a way to communicate that sounds normal, but avoids all the target words, and therefore bypass this system. If that is discovered, the material will be needed in order to be reviewed. The NSA is not the bad guy in this situation, in fact, it is one of the organizations that helps protect us from the bad guys. To think that this is an infringement on our privacy would be lucrative, as there is no difference in the way your life goes on with or without the organization. And to declare the potential lives saved not to be worth it, for sake of your "privacy" would be a failure to uphold the sole purpose of a United States Citizen.

Speed limits and the NSA. They may be more similar than you first thought. Both help to protect the individuality of many, while 'infringing' on individuality in only the slightest manner.

Press On

I must always strive to run the race. To keep fighting in the spiritual battle. To walk so that I am nothing, but God is everything. I must run to further the kingdom, and to give a defense. My actions must not be for selfish pleasure, but for the glory of my loving God. And it is because of His perfection, His abounding love, grace, and mercy that I will be always running, always striving, always pushing to draw closer to Him. For I will always thirst until i drink from the spring that flows through eternity. I will drink, and never again be thirsty. The longing of my heart will be fulfilled. My Lord will sustain and protect me. In Him I shall ever rest. For longing are those who search for Him, and overjoyed are those who find Him. After I have fulfilled my calling, and meet Him anew, I long to hear Him  say unto me "Well done. Good and faithful servant." And so, I press on. 

REST

By Joshua D. Hoover

Why were you taken

When you were so young?

It still hasn't sunk in 

That you are now gone. Forever

So many things I should have done,

But no longer can. 

For now you are gone. Forever.

At your memorial service

Many memories were shared 

There was not a single dry eye

Your father was sharing,

but only could cry.

He surely looked older,

than your grandpa that day.

He was distraught with sorrow,

For now you are gone. Forever.

Your mother broke down 

When she got up to speak 

I knew she then realized 

How tragic it was; 

She'd abandoned her chance,

to give you her love

The regret has sunk in.

Now that you are gone. Forever 

Your brother carried you down the aisle. 

His head was hung,

His shoulders, slumped.

He always imagined you, 

walking down that same aisle

But in a white dress,

And with a wide smile.

Not being carried,

By three men and himself,

In a box made of oak, 

This shouldn't have been. 

His heart has sunk, 

Now that you are gone. Forever 

Your  little sister Was still, 

Unable to move or speak

As The shock set in,

She couldn't believe. 

Never again would she feel 

The warmth of your soft embrace. 

"Just once more" she pleaded

It was written: on her face

She misses you more than you know,

Now that you are gone. Forever. 

Your friends all missed you

It was quite apparent.

While in this life, 

To you enough love,

we do not show. 

We can't give you the love you needed,

Now that you are gone. Forever. 

But what about me? 

I also bore pain.

The Wrenching in my heart;

It nearly killed me. 

I liked to think of you,

As My very best friend. 

But perhaps that wasn't so. 

While you were here

I couldn't help that we,

Were not as close

As we ought have been

Though Perhaps it was my fault.

I didn't show you I cared. 

But now that you're gone,

Those regrets live in me,

For a lifetime-and on. 

Now I live in regret and sorrow,

Since you are gone. Forever

All of us miss you. 

More than you know. 

We wish you were here.

That love-we could show.

But now with these regrets

We will turn them to love;

We'll care for your family 

While you're away.

Though you are gone, 

Your spirit lives on

In the hearts of the people;

The countless people you touched.

You still live in us all.

Despite being gone. Forever 

I have one thing to ask;

One final request. 

     Would you please. 

           Please, for me.

In Peacefulness Rest.

You are Zero

      "You are a zero." My dad used to say this all the time when he would preach. What he meant when he said it is that you are a zero, and God is One. Part of God's love for us is that He allows us to make our own choices and decisions. We all make decisions, and we all decide how important we think we are. So if you are zero, and you put yourself as more important than God, than God, shown in your life, will only be 01. But if you submit to Christ and follow Him, than God, shown in your life, will be 10.

     I will be entirely honest with you, my ego is one of my biggest flaws. I can think, God has blessed me with the ability to be able to look at a situation and find a solution, or be able to determine different philosophies, but I take that, and I use my God-given talents for my own good, and often to the detriment of others. In my mind I can justify a lot of my actions, but I've done so many stupid things that I can never undo. Adrenaline is intoxicating, and in the moment I find myself saying stupid things I don't mean, but can't admit, and coming to regret it later. But when I think about it I'm so self absorbed that I can't admit to doing something wrong, so I try to justify my action in my mind. And it kills me. It kills my faith. It kills my friendships. It kills my representation of Christ. I can't keep living like this, people. I really can't. But I need your help.

John 12:24 says (NIV)

"Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it ides, it produces many seeds"

I need to die. But I can't do it on my own, only through God I can conquer the devil. So moving forward, if I say something arrogant, selfish, or think of myself before God, or before others, don't think less of me, but rebuke me. Pray for me, that I will become selfless, and strive live selflessly, to glorify God, and so also to be an example for others, and for myself.