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Again, How Do I Follow Up on Yesterday...
I think, in this case, with a little more explanation. I wasn't kidding when I expressed my love for the people I go to church with every Sunday. Finding out that the move to our current house was going to require a 20 minute drive each way was tough, finding happiness in that branch was not. As I fell asleep last night, I pictured the faces of many of the people whose daughters were in my Primary or YW classes, those who teach my children now, and those who welcomed us when we moved in three years ago. I am not at all sorry for my associations with them, and I am proud to call that branch my church home-especially when my current calling finds me gone visiting other wards and branches on many Sundays. My complaint yesterday wasn't with the members of my branch, nor do I have a problem with their political views no matter how different they may be from mine. My only problem was how freely they were shared at the pulpit during Sacrament Meeting and from the podium during Relief Society, as if they were actual church teachings rather than merely opinions which is, of course, all that they are. Just as I'm sure they meant no offense to me with their words, I meant no ill-will towards any of them with my vent yesterday. I just think there needs to be a little more respect shown for opposing viewpoints.
In my full-on rant mode of yesterday, I probably forgot to mention that, for the last ten minutes of that last meeting, we were joined by our new branch president which put a halt to a lot of the bashing AND that a very fair-minded (and wonderful and lovely) sister sitting behind me reminded everyone that, like it or not, Sen. Obama was their new president and that they should support him. I know she did not vote for him, I knew that when she opened her mouth; but she was the voice of reason at a time when I could not have said something civil to save my life had I dared unclench my jaw. I thanked her afterwards and I am hopeful that things will go better at our next meeting. (Stake Conference is next week, which gives us all that much more time to calm down.) Of course, had I realized that the Primary Program was happening for the Norman wards and not my branch, I would have followed my original inclination to skip that first church Sunday post-election and been much better off for having done so. Next time I will look at the calendar more closely before I leave the house. :>) Because while I was very hurt by a lot of what was said yesterday, I'm not really sure why I was at all surprised by it.
Finally, I want to thank all of you for your awesome comments yesterday. I never felt more alone in my opinions than I did at church yesterday morning, and by bedtime I've rarely felt so encouraged and supported. I know almost all of you who left comments yesterday personally, and you come from all backgrounds-religious and otherwise-and yet we all found common ground in my Comment section. I pray that continues for me, for all of you, and for us as a nation. Watching the positive tone of the meeting today between Pres. Bush and Pres.-elect Obama inspires me to believe that there are no differences we can't overcome when we approach each other with respect, caring, and desires for a common goal. Let us all try harder to do so during the transitions that are to come!
(And I promise to get back to my mundane mommy-blogger droning tomorrow...Thanks for bearing with me these last couple of days.)
6 comments:
I've read every word of both posts, and I am just so in awe of you. I can't even find the words, but you are how we are supposed to treat one another. People will disagree, but you have enough wisdom and compassion to understand that and to take it for what it is, even when you've felt hurt. You are a strong woman, and I admire you.
I'm sorry if those people were unkind to you. But, just to give you a glimpse - there are those of us who are terribly afraid of what this administration will bring. From what you typed in about your fellow churchgoer's comments, I think they're right. I'm afraid our country will go to hell in a handbasket under an Obama administration. I'm sorry if that makes you feel bad, but I'm afraid the change that everyone has asked for is going to be awful. With all that said, I think delivery of a person's opinions goes a loooong way in how people will respond. I try to give and take in my discussions with my friends who have differing views - but I've heard people on both sides who just scream, yell and demean anyone whose opinions differ from theirs and that never accomplishes anything.
If it makes you feel better, two of my best friends are on the polar opposite from my viewpoints, but we still love each other, go about our regular business, etc. without any issues. I'm sorry if those people made you uncomfortable. They're just hurting from the disappointment and genuine fear they have for our country and I doubt they were intending to be mean to you.
Hang in there. I know what it is like, too.
Maggie-I can't find the right words to say 'thank you' for what you have written here. I admire you too.
army of mom-I know they are afraid and I respect their right to those opinions, I really and truly do. My husband shares many of those same views. What I did object to was that they were spoken from the pulpit during church services and from the teacher's lectern during a women's meeting. And when my dyed-in-the-wool Republican husband says "they took that a little bit over the top, even for me," that tells me I'm not completely over-reacting. Did I expect all kinds of discussion along the lines that I heard on Sunday (well no, actually I expected the Children's Program)? I did expect to hear what I did in the hallway and in conversations between friends-but not preached as fact by teachers and visiting speakers. In addition to being a liberal-ish mom and museum archivist, I also write grants in particular for the non-profit that I work for, and I think I'm overly sensitive to the idea that all non-profits must check their political viewpoints at the door between the hours of 9-5.
I'm not surprised to know that you are still close friends with people who feel differently from you. I adore you just from reading your blog. Thanks for speaking up and clarifying here. (I'm happy any time you get an extra minute to stop by!)
I just have to say this: Most Republicans felt the same fear when Clinton took office, I remember the way my extended family all acted...like Hitler himself had been elected...and the world didn't come to an end. I was not happy when GWB was elected either time, but I chose to keep my doubts and fears to myself, and I can honestly say I've had a lid on political talk for nearly 20 years (since I realized I don't agree politically with anyone I know IRL). Like Melessa, I just want the respect to go both ways, and sometimes it's just better to focus on things besides politics, especially at church.
Jen
I've had just about enough of both sides. I voted for Obama, but like you, I don't expect half of what he promised. I think I would have been okay with McCain as long as he went away from Bush's policies, and didn't die in office leaving us with Palin.
[[shudder]]
Sunshine doesn't shine out of Obama's every orifice, neither does doom and gloom. I may not go to church but I've had several friends send me their propaganda emails that are always full of hooey. (I know you've received several of those from the same person as well.) My own parents think that Obama will turn us into communists! LOL.
Granted, I'm really not that politically informed but I think Congress has something to say about all that. If I remember my social studies, there are 2 other branches of government that are just as important. Unless he has some army hidden away somewhere to overthrow everything, he's just going to be the President, not the ruler of all.
Jen-Hey! My family was right there among those freaking out when Clinton won in '92 (casting very dirty looks at me and my grandpa for voting Perot and splitting Bush's vote) and it wasn't the end of the world. In fact, there was even some prosperity during those days if memory serves...And frankly, as some of our most beloved presidents (Kennedy and FDR come to mind first) were already cheaters, I wasn't as troubled by the whole Monica Lewiniski scandal as I probably should have been-though I surely did get sick of hearing about it. (And I did think he kind of preyed on her given her age and level of insecurity.) So no, I don't think it's the end of the world and, as I always try to be fair, I wish others would do likewise.
Chris-To make a long reply short-we are on the same page [[Shudder}} and all.
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