Left, Right, Up, Down or In the Middle

I just read a recent post that has got me thinking. Now remeber that I admit to being somewhat of "the new kid on the block" as far as politics goes, so forgive me if this has a "duh" tone to it.

I myself have fallen into the idea that putting views, about politics, religion, or just life in general into "boxes". I alway took pride in trying to think outside the box when it has come to my scientific views, as many of my unfinished, unpublished writings in these areas would suggest. The idea of looking past the most obviouse answers, explainations, or solutions to situations in science is what fuels development. "Imagination is More Important than Knowledge" -- Albert Einstien. (A hero of mine, if you will) So why then do I, and possibly many others, still put other things like politics into boxes.

I admit to "blindly" voting straight Democrat from 18 to 30. Does that make me one of the "loney left"?

Does the fact that have a heartfelt concern for the poverty conditions in Mexico, that drives them to come here, and care deeply for them and their needs, mean I approve of HOW they get here? or that I am soft on the illegal imigration problem?

Does the peace sign tattooed to my hand, and my general anti-war attitude mean that I would not want to stand up to defend the values I hold dear? or not want to fight an honest enemy of the country I love? or not want to support the men and women of the armed forces?

Does the fact that I truely loved a job, at which, I burned aprox 100 gal of Diesel fuel a day mean I don't care about the enviornment? or taking the 40 mile drive to see my mom on a real regular basis mean the same?

Does the fact that I believe Jesus to be my Lord and Savoir, and the Bible to be the true Word of God mean that I will condem you to hell unless you see things as I do? or that I hate persons who choose to dedicate their lives to a person of the same sex?

I guess I need to start looking at ALL things outside the box, not just science...

World Religon

The thing I love to talk about the most is God. For me to say as much as I could and would like would require a dissertation. Something I don't have time for now, and it would be too long to want to read. I will start this off by giving out the basics.

My path of faith has taken many, many forms over the course of my life. Starting off with a Catholic upbringing to current, yet scattered, attendence at a local Nazareen Church. I have explored many of the world religons in practice today. I practiced Native American Traditions, Zen, and spent many years with the firm belief that Jesus was a great teacher and prophet, nothing more.

Today I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I do believe Him to be the Son of God. I read my Bible. Sometimes more regularly than others, but try to get at least a little every day. I do hesitate to refer to myself as a Christain though. The first settlers came to the Americas because of issues surrounding biblcal interpretation. Scriptures, taken out of context, have destroyed lives. Different sects of Christains have caused each other great socail, and even economical harm. Often these public disagreements turn others away from Jesus and His message.

Can you name a major world religon that does not acknowlege Jesus as, at least a great teacher and prophet, if not the true Son of God?

I know very little about Islam. I admit that. I always took the Isaac side of the Isaac vs Ishmael, who is the true inheritance, argument. What I believe to be the root of our current differences. I have never read the Qur'an, but am aware that many books which were condsider on, yet rejected from the bible are in that text.

This is just the basics, as I said before. I hope that all discussions are done with love.