Now that the election is over we can finally move on to other things right?  Well not quite yet.  There is still one big political hot pot brewing in our country and I think we should touch on it.  It's been a major topic of conversation before but it's worth noting that from this election 11 states passed measures that put bans on gay marriage, and 8 of them eliminated civil unions.  Story Here.  As a result here in California, there have been massive protests; freeways and roads have been shut down, and people have set up shop outside many different churches, specifically the Church of Latter Day Saints, but even Saddleback (Rick Warren) has been targeted.  Story Here.

Personally, I think it's pretty specific and clear that God is against homosexuality and marriage should be a sacred covenant between a man and a woman.  Having that belief should not be considered hatred or bigotry if it's not used to attack or discriminate against gay people, but rather a reflection of ones own personal choices.  Where I struggle with this issue is when the government begins telling others what they can and can't do in their personal lives, especially when there is no visible harm to self, others, or society as a whole.  There are lots of things in the Bible that are not reflected in the world (or the church for that matter) yet I don't see state measures stopping them (i.e. sex before marriage or greed).  Throw in the fact that Christians have become the mouthpiece against gay marriage, and I cringe at the harm being done.  As stated in the article "it's very unfortunate and embarrassing that the (Christian religion) is in large part responsible for this act of bigotry," the Rev. Ed Bacon told The Associated Press following his Sunday sermon.

So how do we balance the clear direction that a gay relationship is wrong with the clear message that we are called to love and serve everyone, "even the least of these."  Is passing bans on gay marriage really the right message Christians want to send?  Why not let the chips fall as they may and use our time and energy to reach out to those in sexual sin rather then push them away?

Well it seems the crazies are really coming out now that McCain is trailing in every poll, but even he is realizing it's gone a little too far.  In an article today on yahoo news McCain finally fought back.

The anger is getting raw at Republican rallies and John McCain is acting to tamp it down. McCain was booed by his own supporters Friday when, in an abrupt switch from raising questions about Barack Obama's character, he described the Democrat as a "decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States."

A sense of grievance spilling into rage has gripped some GOP events this week as McCain supporters see his presidential campaign lag against Obama. Some in the audience are making it personal, against the Democrat. Shouts of "traitor," "terrorist," "treason," "liar," and even "off with his head" have rung from the crowd at McCain and Sarah Palin rallies, and gone unchallenged by them.

McCain changed his tone Friday when supporters at a town hall pressed him to be rougher on Obama. A voter said, "The people here in Minnesota want to see a real fight." Another said Obama would lead the U.S. into socialism. Another said he did not want his unborn child raised in a country led by Obama.

"If you want a fight, we will fight," McCain said. "But we will be respectful. I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments." When people booed, he cut them off.

"I don't mean that has to reduce your ferocity," he said. "I just mean to say you have to be respectful."

Presidential candidates are accustomed to raucous rallies this close to Election Day and welcome the enthusiasm. But they are also traditionally monitors of sorts from the stage. Part of their job is to leaven proceedings if tempers run ragged and to rein in an out-of-bounds comment from the crowd.

Not so much this week, at GOP rallies in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida and other states.

When a visibly angry McCain supporter in Waukesha, Wis., on Thursday told the candidate "I'm really mad" because of "socialists taking over the country," McCain stoked the sentiment. "I think I got the message," he said. "The gentleman is right." He went on to talk about Democrats in control of Congress.

On Friday, McCain rejected the bait.

"I don't trust Obama," a woman said. "I have read about him. He's an Arab."

McCain shook his head in disagreement, and said:

"No, ma'am. He's a decent, family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with (him) on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign is all about."

He had drawn boos with his comment: "I have to tell you, he is a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States."

We all understand the game of politics, but when people are screaming "off with his head" it makes me wonder where this is heading?  Especially since a majority of these people claim to be God fearing Christians.

Pat Robertson is hearing voices again. He claims they're from God, but Pat's voices are always wrong. So I'm confident it's just his strange fantasies. 

Anyway, this years  predictions are:

1) Israel will attack Iran.

2) McCain will win Virginia in the 2008 Presidential Election.

Four students at George Fox University, a Christian college in Portland, recently confessed to hanging an effigy of Barack Obama.

The students, whose names are not being released, have been suspended on a long-term basis and must complete community service.

Other sanctions include community service and multicultural education, which must be completed before the students can return to campus, said Brad Lau, vice president of student life.

The students were singled out during a campus investigation late last week as those responsible for hanging a life-size cardboard cutout from a tree on campus with a sign saying "Act Six reject."

Act Six is a scholarship and leadership program for Portland students, many of whom are minorities.

I was going to make a sarcastic remark about how the George Fox students are showing such wonderful Christ-like behavior, and then I read this response from one of the students who was being mocked by the effigy.

Vanessa Wilkins, a 19-year-old sophomore in the Act Six program, said she is satisfied with the level of punishment of the four students. "I don't think they knew how far it would go," she said. "They didn't understand the repercussions of their actions. I don't believe the students thought this all the way through."

Wilkins said some students thought the display was just a joke that had gone awry and others were confused about its message. The forums have helped rebuild any bridges that were burned, she said.

"I really believe this is a doorway into more understanding on the campus," she said.

Kudos, Vanessa. I was wrong. There are students at George Fox who truly exemplify Christ.

UPDATE: I'm turning off comments on this blog post. I can see where its going to go, and frankly, I'm tired of fighting.  If you want to comment, feel free to use the Oregonlive Article.  They have quite the discussion going on.

Not since, Bill Cinton have I seen a politician so adept at lying.

Let me count a few of the ways:

- She lied about the Bridge to Nowhere. She actually supported it.

- She lied about getting her ex-brother in law fired. She did it out of revenge for her sister. (Which is almost excuseable, because she was defending her sister. But just tell the truth already)

- She lied about not accepting earmarks. (She's accepted more federal money than almost any other Governor in the U.S.)

The list goes on and on. Andrew Sullivan is documenting the atrocities.

But guess what, since she believes in Jesus, the Evangelicals don't care. And it is becoming increasingly clear to me that Evangelical Politics isn't about right and wrong, it's about power. 

So let me say this clearly, "Just because you believe in Jesus, that doesn't necessarily make you a moral competent leader."

My five years at City Bible Church and the last eight years of President Bush have taught me that.

Since I am a pure independent voter who leans to the right economically and to the left socially, I have been in some great discussions with my family, friends, and co-workers about Sen. McCain's pick for vice president, Gov. Sarah Palin.  On one side I hear that she is good for the Republican party because she is a true right winger and can give the party some credibility since she is the first woman with an actual chance of holding office in the executive branch of government, but then on the other side I hear that she is a terrible choice because she hurts McCain's platform that he is the more experienced candidate.

Since I am a big Obama supporter for this election I find it hard to see past Palin's minimal political background, hardcore right wing beliefs, and what seems to be increasingly questionable personal issues.  But maybe some of our readers out there can help me see the light.

Tell me, is Palin the right choice for the Republicans?  Why or why not?