I don't blog often, but when I do...

 I wanted to post this on Facebook, but couldn't because I don't like to offend people. I don't really think politics is a good online discussion in the first place...but somehow a blog feels safer. 

This election in Canada has stirred up a ridiculous amount of discussion. I think it's great that discussion is being had, but I wish that people weren't misinformed. And truly? I wish that I didn't hear some of my Facebook friends' opinions. And that's not to say I haven't learned a TON from my online friends because I have and I took a lot of that information into consideration. It changed my vote even. 

What makes me ill is the twisted rights and beliefs some people think all Canadians should value and hold dear to their heart. It makes me embarrassed that people simply say, "Well, I'm this religion so I vote this party" without even looking up those political parties actual current viewpoints. It makes me terribly sad that people forget that politicians are human beings. 

Here's what I can tell you about my thoughts, beliefs, and ideas:

-I voted for a different party this time than last. As a human, I've grown and changed; I'm not too big to accept that. We are not America. We don't have to standby a single party because we registered with them (and yes I realize you can change there too). 

-I am a Canadian...a Canadian from BC. I value culture. I value my freedom of religion. I value the choices others are able to make. I value peace. I value art. I value sport. I value education. I value our ability to choose. Our ability to freely vote. 

I think those are the two biggest important factors that weigh in on my own political viewpoints. But here are a few more thoughts:

I am a Christian. I live for Jesus. I pray everyday. I'm a horrible sinner. I am not perfect. I fall on my face daily. I am saved by grace...by the love of a Saviour. Jesus came to this earth and commanded us to love. That's it. And I deeply take that to heart and let that role influence my everyday life. Jesus hated the actions of the rule-abiding cray-crays if you recall. He flipped their tables over and got mad. Remember? I feel like he'd do that today too. Like "Why are you people all crazy about all these rules? Did I tell you to ban homosexuality? Outlaw abortion? Blow up the bad guys?" If he did, my Bible is missing those pages. Because what I got is that we need to love. All those people. A lot. 

What I see is a lot of passionate people who love their Jesus and think their actions are reflective of Him. I get it. I totally do. I'm not judging you (or at least I try not to...see above about falling flat on my face). As a Christian, instead of making a whole election about abortion, can't we let that be? Isn't that for God to judge? Instead of focusing so diligently on a practice you personally disagree with, can't you focus on the person behind the abortion? The hurt, the pain, the loneliness? Banning abortion won't take away those feelings. They'll make them worse and they still won't know the love of Jesus. 

Instead of focusing on the Niqab...why don't you focus on the person behind the Niqab? If that decision to wear that comes from a place of despair, fear, and a terrible past...banning it will only send that woman into hiding. If she chooses to wear a Niqab because that is her belief, then why can't she? She is a human with a valid belief process because it is her own. You need to love her...as she is. Banning the Niqab won't help her find Jesus. But being her friend, listening to her heart, and connecting on a human level? Maybe she'll see Jesus in you. 

I could continue for hours. I'm not better than you. I'm not entirely verbal with my love of Jesus to people I know don't know Him. I get embarrassed. I sin. I fail. I find words easier to write than speak because that's where I'm comfortable, even though I should step out of my comfort zone more often. I don't entirely know what I'm trying to say in this political turned religion thought stream. 

I guess what I'm hinting at is that I value genuinely. And freedom. So yes...I voted for a party that allows things to happen that maybe as a Christian I shouldn't "agree" with. I voted for a party that at its core will likely tax the richer to give to the poorer (but even I have a hard time believing that there will be drastic change...because it's not like one person rapidly makes decisions in Canadian parliament). Why is that wrong? I voted for someone who showed me that they want a Canada that let's me love and be loved according to what I believe. And for that matter...what you believe (no matter who "you" are). 

What makes me sad is the people who don't see it this way I guess. But you know what? I'm thankful we live in a Canada where we can both have our own opinions. And that we can still be friends. And that maybe we can even talk politics without becoming enemies. 

To end this rather long rant, I'd like to share a few more random thoughts floating. 

-Harper didn't have political experience when he became PM. Actually, both Mulcair and Trudeau have more experience than he did. JT is only 3 years younger than Harper was ten years ago.

-Who cares who your father is? Does he raise you and influence you? Yep. Are you your father? Nope. I'm not anyways. We can hold completely different value systems as parent and child. I think every parent hopes their child takes their positive traits and then becomes their own person. Or at least I do. 

-Our political system moves like a snail. Change is slow. It's not like there's going to be drastic overnight change. 

-Why is it better to be old? That doesn't make you good at anything. Let's compare this to teaching. I know some amazing, inspiring, brilliant "old" teachers...teachers who take their experience, blend that with change, and share this. They are amazing teachers. I also know some "old" teachers who are not...amazing. They refuse to change, don't keep up, and are grumpy about life in general. Not amazing. Experience? Tons, yep. Let's keep going. I know some young teachers who are idiots. They don't get it. They won't last. They fizzle. Quickly. I know some new teachers who are brilliant. I learn every time they speak. They get it. They understand intuitively. Experience? Not really. Barely any sometimes. Does it matter? Nope. So there you go. Experience does not always mean better...nor does inexperience always mean less. 

So those are my thoughts. I'm all for change. Shaking it up. Will there be bumps and moments of regret? Definitely. Moments of greatness? I think so. But that's with any government. That's with anything in life. 

So if you're still reading - let's stay together. As Christians. As friends. As family. As Canadians. 

End Rant.