One of my Facebook “friends” (it's actually somebody I went to high school with) posted this statement as her status:

In the face and grieving of tragedy we preach and praise God's word, yet come election time we leave it aside. Please help me understand this?!

Now, if she was a blogger, this is clearly link bait to me. What surprised me was that she was oblivious to the argument that ensued in the comments after she typed this. She was surprised that people were offended. Now, I want to hear your thoughts, but I want to offer mine first.

I don't talk about religion or politics on here too often. What you believe is what you believe. What I believe is what I believe. What I say isn't going to change your mind. That's is why I don't talk about it. However, this is something I do think needs to be addressed.

The part the author seems to miss is that not everybody believes in God. Will goes to a public preschool — he has kids of every shape, color, and kind. Some celebrate Christmas. Some celebrate the Muslim holidays. And some don't celebrate at all. Madison attends a small Catholic school. (Had to get my disclosures out of the way)

However, I do think that the conservative “right” has hijacked God for (and I'm quoting another friends comment here that was on this post) cheap political points, furthering an agenda of bigotry against homosexuals, and legislating a woman's body.

I'll be honest — I don't vote for who my Church tells me to vote for. I look at the issues that are important to me. I vote on that — not whether or not somebody is Catholic or Christian. I don't want people voting for somebody because their priest told them too. I don't want religion in my government — I really don't. Just think if you aren't the majority religion and what life would be like. I also don't need a MAN in Washington deciding what I can and can't do with my body. Plus, I know plenty of atheists that are moral, loving, and kind. You don't need religion to have those qualities. I love my country too much to want the founding father's vision — that is keeping religion out of government — destroyed. They came here to get out of the reach of the Church.

Though I think I get some of what she was saying — that in tragedy everybody seems to “find God”. I didn't watch the speech last night, but I've heard about it. If everybody on BOTH sides of the table, did what “God” wanted — we wouldn't be fighting on social programs (like the healthcare bill since I think have a doctor care should be a right not just a privilege for those who can afford it). We would take care of the old, the sick, and the poor and NOT fight over who is paying for it.

Okay, off my soap box, and I think I've talked in circles. What are your thoughts? (And feel free to disagree with me).