Why I Support Gay Rights.... as a Christian

I am a Christian (not always the best) but a devout Christian.... I believe that Gay's should have the right to get married because I don't believe that we, as Christians, want the Federal Government in control of marriage. Imagine if a religion considered interracial couples to be a sin and advocated to the Government to make it illegal for interracial couples to get married. Would that seem right to you? God gave us free will to better glorify him. Somewhere along the lines I think this Gay marriage battle became more about politics than it did about God. I don't recall a time where Jesus told legislators to make it illegal to sin. In fact Jesus often times criticized the Pharisees for judging without the right. We are a better example of our Christian values by living them, not legislating them. God loves sinners… otherwise he wouldn't love you.

A true leader does not get behind people and push them in the direction he/she wants them to go. A leader walks with integrity and inspires by the way he/she lives. Jesus didn’t go to the legislators of his time and demand that religious doctrine be pressed upon the people. He inspired people by treating everyone humanely and reached out a hand of love. If this attitude was reflected in Christians of today, I don’t think there would be such a negative attitude coming from “non-believers”.

Speaking of that negative attitude towards Christianity. Have we stopped to think of the reasons why there is hostility towards Christianity? How would we like it if Muslims were the majority in this country and implemented Sharia law? Would we be welcoming towards their doctrine? Or would we "defend" our rights and beliefs. Would we be angry at the Muslims for forcing their beliefs onto us?  It all ties into a single point. If you believe that this is a “Christian Nation” then you don’t believe in freedom of religion. It is as simple as that. Making the claim that this is a Christian nation and then using Christian doctrine to support legislation is the road to a theocracy and theocracy has represented some of the most evil times of our faith. (Or do we turn a blind eye to the crusades because it’s convenient to do so).

When you give the power of Government to define marriage, Government may define marriage in a way you find distasteful. What do you do then?

In Liberty,

Jake Severance

The Politics of Audit the Fed

Why now Republicans? After 30 years of ignoring Ron Paul, you suddenly pass Audit the Fed. Four years ago he was, “Crazy Uncle Ron” “kook” “idiot” “dangerous”. Now this?
There are two main reasons that I can think of as to why the Republicans would suddenly be touting this legislation.

1. The Ron Paul Crowd: Like it or not, we have a strong showing in Tampa. The Republicans don’t want Romney to be embarrassed at “his” endorsing convention. Romney realizes he needs the Ron Paul supporters to help push his cart over the finish line, and he realizes that they are not carrying his water right now. This is largely due to a lack of trust in Romney's platform. I don't see Ron Paul supporters moving this regard.

2. Yes, to stick it to Democrats. This bill not only passed, it was a landslide. It required a 2/3rds majority to suspend the rules and pass (it got 70%). A Democrat caucus that couldn't get a budget passed, all of a sudden is seeing a major bill being passed with large bi-partisan support (89 Democrats). So absolutely there was political motivation to stick it to the Democrats in an election year, that can't be denied.

With that said, like everything else in politics, the Democrats have made this political as well. Senate Majority Leader Reid, despite his past history of supporting a full audit of the fed, has stated that he opposes the legislation and will block it from being voted on in the Senate. This is after he submitted the legislation numerous times.

“I have sponsored legislation every year that would call for an audit of the Federal Reserve system. I offer that amendment every year, every year it gets nowhere.” - Harry Reid, Senate Floor 1995

I don’t understand the argument, “We want to reign in big banks, but we don’t want to have oversight of the people creating their wealth.” If you can’t see the conflict of interest that exists at the Federal Reserve, then I’m not sure you understand the argument for tougher bank regulations.