Two Hundred Forty-Seven

Posted on September 4, 2015 by John Swinburn

I happened upon a website dedicated to the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). The site bills itself as “A Quaker Lobby in the Public Interest.” Generally speaking, I am solidly opposed to any religious group attempting to exercise its political muscle.  But when I discovered in reading the website how closely FCNL positions align with my own, I realized I was not so adamantly against them sharing their perspectives with legislators as I have been with other religious groups. Initially, I felt like I was being hypocritical; was I not as harsh because their views are close to mine, while other religious organizations are not? No, I finally decided, my acceptance of the legitimacy of FCNL’s lobbying efforts is based on the fact that they are not selling a religious agenda; they are selling a humanitarian agenda.  There is a huge difference. Anyone, even right-wing Southern Baptists, working toward a humanitarian agenda (provided they leave the supernatural agenda at the door) should be free to share their views. Still, I feel a little hypocritical; but not enough to change my way of thinking.

About John Swinburn

"Love not what you are but what you may become."― Miguel de Cervantes
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2 Responses to Two Hundred Forty-Seven

  1. John Swinburn says:
    September 4, 2015 at 8:27 am

    I understand and share your frustration, my friend.

  2. jserolf says:
    September 4, 2015 at 7:50 am

    I don’t really see much difference between Kim Davis, a head-hunting Jihadist or some wacko in Jersey who has set himself up as Emperor of the United States. For all we know, she was putting together a questionnaire — yes and no’s — over sodomy, feelings about sex through menstruation, masturbation, loss of virginity, condom use or even the eating of cheeseburgers — or whether Good Christians should be opposed to a little rock-throwing on occasion? A YES on any of those would mean immediate disqualification for marriage license.

    Government by the people — and not by the one, and I don’t care if you see yourself as Jesus or even like Jesus.

    It’s hard for me these days to look at any Christian in the face who says she believes in angels or demons. That’s real dark age shit!

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