I don’t like the politics of church. I don’t like most of the fellowship (read: people getting together to gossip and be overly dramatic about everything while being highly critical of those outside their circle). I don’t like the judgment and stereotyping: how the inside is high and mighty, their wrongs are okay (sure when they realize they’re wrong they can ask and be forgiven, but so can anyone who is sincere) while everything outside is basically evil. Yes, the “outside” stereotypes the inside as well, but is the inside doing anything to break that trend and mold? From my perspective, (“on the fringes” maybe) the inside strengthens that negative stereotype in 85% of their interactions with the “outside.”

This is only part of it, but I believe that too often the people of the church forget that they’re in the world, there’s other people out there and they matter to God just as much as you do. They matter even more, remember the parable of the lost sheep?

Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

But instead of creating community with others, people of the church create an insiders clique.
Jesus made friends with sinners, people who were not part of the church circle.

Mark 2:13And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. 14And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. 15And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

For me, while I’m “in the church,” I’m also in the world, which isn’t all bad, after all it’s the world that God created for me to be in for a time and I have a purpose here. I am not of the world, but I’m also not of the church, I’m trying my best to be of God.

For now, I think watching church on TV may be my best choice.

In other news, I wasn’t expecting Romney to drop out and I’m surprised (maybe even glad) at how well Huckabee is doing now. Should I speculate on who should team up together? McCain and Romney? No, they are at each other’s throats and aside from that I still don’t think they would make a good combination. Huckabee and Romney? I could live with that; it could work. McCain and Huckabee? This is my favorite combination, I would love to see them run together. What about Giuliani? I would only be in favor of Giuliani as VP if it was with someone very conservative, like Huckabee, McCain and Giuliani would be too left of right for me.

…for John McCain!

Wow, all of a sudden 4 new comments on a post that’s 3 weeks old, and all from Ron Paul supporters. (I only approved 2 as the other 2 were just links telling me to “look at this,” if you aren’t a bait and switch don’t dress up like one).

First, don’t assume I’m not educating myself (reference: “No one can understand how his plan works by listening to a small sound bite.” What are you talking about?). Just because I’m leaning a different way than you doesn’t necessarily mean that I haven’t done the research or that I’m leaning the wrong way and I’m not going to tell you that you are either. From these last two posts I gather that both of you are making your decision based on your personal ideals which may be very different from mine.

Please, if you want to share your opinion on why you’re voting for a certain candidate, do so. Tell me why, tell me what your requirements are and how you believe he will fulfill them. Don’t tell me to research it, I already am.

Honestly, I have 2 days until I vote in the primary and I’m still uncertain who I’m going to vote for. FairTax is the main fault I find with Huckabee, because I don’t think it’s fair in the least. Doesn’t Paul support it as well?

To give a little more insight into how I choose who to vote for, I’ll say this: I don’t. I don’t choose who to vote for so much as I choose who not to vote for; I pick the lesser of the evils. Romney still has a chance to get my vote, if it weren’t for his stance on abortion (“against abortion except“), he would have it.

I welcome all opinions on this post, but please give specific support that is to the point.

Ah, I see now. I’ve been linked to by a Ron Paul advocate blog.

I took advantage of my college newspaper (“Gull’s Cry”) press pass and skipped the very long line waiting to get in the conference room.

I actually recorded (video) the first 8 minutes of his speech (I need a higher capacity memory card) and I’m waiting for it to upload right now. Uploading to vimeo takes way too long, they need to work on that. Okay the video will be here later, so keep an eye on this post if you’re interested.

More pictures on my Flickr page.

I wore my Huckabee sticker, but no one aside from those I was with saw it because I kept my jacket on. Disappointing I know.