I'm not into politics.
In fact, it could be said that I pretty much hate politics.
Most politicians, Democrat or Republican, lie about pretty much everything. And I hate lying. I don't like the "smear" campaigns either.
I'm not a Democrat....or a Republican. I never align well with either party or the person running. At the end of the day, I get frustrated with every part of politics and I just turn my head and walk away.
I do, however, love my church. I love God and Jesus. I believe the bible. I love my friends (even the ones who I don't see eye to eye with) and I believe that each of them was created by God to be exactly who they are. And I believe in marriage. And that marriage is a good thing. And that marriage between a man and a woman is a good thing.
But when May 8th arrives and I go to vote, I will be voting NO for amendment 1.
I didn't come to this decision lightly. And, in fact, I know there are going to be people that I consider to be friends who will think I am a "bad Christian" and maybe even some who won't be my friends anymore because of of this decision. But it's my decision.
I've prayed a lot about this particular issue and this is what I feel my heart has heard God saying. God created all of us... man, woman, gay, straight, black, white, EVERYONE....in His image. Jesus died for EVERYONE....man, woman, gay, straight, black, white, EVERYONE to have everlasting community with God in Heaven. THE ONLY WAY for salvation is through accepting Jesus as your saviour. THE ONLY WAY! You can't get to heaven by being a good person. Won't get into heaven by tithing "enough". Not gonna get there by going to church every week. And you certainly aren't getting into heaven because you married someone of the opposite sex. In the same manner you won't be denied salvation because you weren't a good person, or you didn't tithe enough, or you didn't go to church every week, or because you were gay.
I also don't believe that Jesus would be signing any petition to deny rights to someone because they were gay. The greatest commandment, in HIS words, is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength. and the second is like it. love your neighbor as yourself". I can't help but think how much amendment 1 is NOT loving my neighbor. My neighbor isn't just the family sitting next to me in church. My neighbor is my garbage man, and the waitress who served me dinner last night, and the patients I take care of at work (this is where I struggle the most to LOVE my neighbor), and my boss, and my pastor, and the police man that gave me a ticket, and on and on. And Jesus calls me to LOVE all of these people wether they are a family with a mom and dad and 3 kids or they are a drug addict or a prostitute!
I believe in God. I believe in Jesus. I believe in helping people. I believe in stopping injustice. I believe that loving people is the best way to show them who Jesus is. Mine is not to judge. Mine is to LOVE!
Amendment 1 does not show God's Love.
I don't believe in amendment 1.
That's why I'm voting "no"!
