Comments for New Ordinate http://fiveformfaith.wordpress.com seeking to follow The Way in a new direction Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:34:58 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on We interrupt this blog to bring you my actual opinion on something… by Idetrorce http://fiveformfaith.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/we-interrupt-this-blog-to-bring-you-my-actual-opinion-on-something/#comment-469 Idetrorce Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:34:58 +0000 http://fiveformfaith.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/we-interrupt-this-blog-to-bring-you-my-actual-opinion-on-something/#comment-469 very interesting, but I don't agree with you Idetrorce very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce

]]> Comment on Selling out Christ to culture by Nick Kennicott http://fiveformfaith.wordpress.com/2006/12/05/selling-out-christ-to-culture/#comment-30 Nick Kennicott Wed, 06 Dec 2006 04:22:55 +0000 http://fiveformfaith.wordpress.com/2006/12/05/selling-out-christ-to-culture/#comment-30 Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins would be proud... unfortunately, I have a horrible feeling that most American evangelicals have bought into their attempt at eschatology. Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins would be proud… unfortunately, I have a horrible feeling that most American evangelicals have bought into their attempt at eschatology.

]]> Comment on We interrupt this blog to bring you my actual opinion on something… by Drew http://fiveformfaith.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/we-interrupt-this-blog-to-bring-you-my-actual-opinion-on-something/#comment-4 Drew Wed, 20 Sep 2006 21:00:21 +0000 http://fiveformfaith.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/we-interrupt-this-blog-to-bring-you-my-actual-opinion-on-something/#comment-4 As I suspected, I misunderstood a little. Part of my problem is that I'm dealing with a different internal definition of respect. I respect him as a person. But for a person in that position of power and responsibility, I don't respect someone who is sub-par or merely status quo. For someone to earn my respect as the President, they must be exemplary in their duties. I suppose it might be more accurate for me to say that the President does not meet my expectations of someone with his title, and I really wish he would. :) As I suspected, I misunderstood a little. Part of my problem is that I’m dealing with a different internal definition of respect. I respect him as a person. But for a person in that position of power and responsibility, I don’t respect someone who is sub-par or merely status quo. For someone to earn my respect as the President, they must be exemplary in their duties.

I suppose it might be more accurate for me to say that the President does not meet my expectations of someone with his title, and I really wish he would. :)

]]> Comment on We interrupt this blog to bring you my actual opinion on something… by Andrew http://fiveformfaith.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/we-interrupt-this-blog-to-bring-you-my-actual-opinion-on-something/#comment-3 Andrew Wed, 20 Sep 2006 18:52:54 +0000 http://fiveformfaith.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/we-interrupt-this-blog-to-bring-you-my-actual-opinion-on-something/#comment-3 My reply to your questions: 1) I concede that you do not have to agree with the President. I do not always agree with his decisions nor do I think he is particularly the best qualified person to be president. However, I do think that the office he holds and he personally deserves respect. There is a difference in disagreeing passionately about someone's decisions and personally attacking their character: "I do not feel compelled to think...that he is a particularly intelligent individual." Bush deserves respect not because he is the President, but because he is a person. Also, the President, regardless of party, deserves some level of honor, which I feel that many people in America do not show. 2) Option 3 was intended as the humorous "straw man" example...like you said, "America: love it or leave it"! I agree that America thrives on civil discussion and disagreement. But I would not characterize what is heard in the press and public life as civil, discussion, or disagreement. I find that most political language today is more rancor and vitriol that substantive points of error. I also feel that many people who disagree with popular policy or opinion are saying to the majority that they need to leave politics up to the vocal minority. But that is not how democracy works. I agree that equality under the protections of the Constitution is not always enforced, but that is not a reason to strong-arm new, inclusive/expansive policy if the people do not want that. That is just a new form of tyranny, which is NOT what America is about! My reply to your questions:

1) I concede that you do not have to agree with the President. I do not always agree with his decisions nor do I think he is particularly the best qualified person to be president. However, I do think that the office he holds and he personally deserves respect. There is a difference in disagreeing passionately about someone’s decisions and personally attacking their character: “I do not feel compelled to think…that he is a particularly intelligent individual.” Bush deserves respect not because he is the President, but because he is a person. Also, the President, regardless of party, deserves some level of honor, which I feel that many people in America do not show.

2) Option 3 was intended as the humorous “straw man” example…like you said, “America: love it or leave it”! I agree that America thrives on civil discussion and disagreement. But I would not characterize what is heard in the press and public life as civil, discussion, or disagreement. I find that most political language today is more rancor and vitriol that substantive points of error. I also feel that many people who disagree with popular policy or opinion are saying to the majority that they need to leave politics up to the vocal minority. But that is not how democracy works. I agree that equality under the protections of the Constitution is not always enforced, but that is not a reason to strong-arm new, inclusive/expansive policy if the people do not want that. That is just a new form of tyranny, which is NOT what America is about!

]]> Comment on We interrupt this blog to bring you my actual opinion on something… by Drew http://fiveformfaith.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/we-interrupt-this-blog-to-bring-you-my-actual-opinion-on-something/#comment-2 Drew Tue, 19 Sep 2006 19:54:15 +0000 http://fiveformfaith.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/we-interrupt-this-blog-to-bring-you-my-actual-opinion-on-something/#comment-2 1) Does someone warrant respect solely on the basis of job title? I think it's a bit short-sighted to suggest that because other citizens (both well informed and not) decided that this person should lead our country that he should be able to demand respect. I should be able to respect the President of our country, but I can not in most instances. We may be using the term respect slightly differently as well. What I mean to say is that just because the President is who he is, I do not feel compelled to think that his decisions are good ones, or that he is a particularly intelligent individual. I can respect the fact that he is under incredible pressure, but I don't think he's any better of a person than I am for having done so. 2) Because I disagree with 'popular' beliefs on same-sex marriage, foreign policy, or any number of other things, I should leave??? "America: Love it or leave it." I guess that oh-so-friendly motto is a little more prevalent than I previously thought. America (and democracy) is built on your first option. To suggest that democracy can live without change and challenge is just plain wrong. I don't think the mudslinging to which you refer can really be described as a trend. To the best of my knowledge this has been going on for years, longer than both of us have been alive. America (the country and the concept) thrives on civil discussion between opposing viewpoints. Based on your post, I'd be surprised if you disputed this point. However, telling me that if I don't like it I can leave is not fostering the necessary civility the growth upon which our country depends. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you. I'm willing to listen to argument. :) 1) Does someone warrant respect solely on the basis of job title? I think it’s a bit short-sighted to suggest that because other citizens (both well informed and not) decided that this person should lead our country that he should be able to demand respect. I should be able to respect the President of our country, but I can not in most instances. We may be using the term respect slightly differently as well. What I mean to say is that just because the President is who he is, I do not feel compelled to think that his decisions are good ones, or that he is a particularly intelligent individual. I can respect the fact that he is under incredible pressure, but I don’t think he’s any better of a person than I am for having done so.

2) Because I disagree with ‘popular’ beliefs on same-sex marriage, foreign policy, or any number of other things, I should leave??? “America: Love it or leave it.” I guess that oh-so-friendly motto is a little more prevalent than I previously thought. America (and democracy) is built on your first option. To suggest that democracy can live without change and challenge is just plain wrong.

I don’t think the mudslinging to which you refer can really be described as a trend. To the best of my knowledge this has been going on for years, longer than both of us have been alive.

America (the country and the concept) thrives on civil discussion between opposing viewpoints. Based on your post, I’d be surprised if you disputed this point. However, telling me that if I don’t like it I can leave is not fostering the necessary civility the growth upon which our country depends.

Perhaps I’m misunderstanding you. I’m willing to listen to argument. :)

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