This is hysterical!

http://blissfullydomestic.com/blissful-lol/politics-lol/political-tango/

The Anti-Christ

I almost laughed when this message came through my inbox the other day.

According to the Book of Revelations the anti-christ is: The anti-christ will be a man, in his 40s, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuassive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal.... the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, will destory everything. Is it OBAMA??

It has apparently been around since March of this year. Wonder how I managed to escape it this long?

Two things that made me go "Huh?" (then almost burst into laughter) were:
1. I've read the book of Revelation a couple times. It is one of my favorite books of scripture. Mostly because of all the symbolism and deepness of it. It is not the easiest to interpret or understand. The "huh?" comes from the fact that it is so full of symbolism. Nothing is really specific. There is no who, what, when, or why. This is one of my favorite scriptures out of Revelation 13:1-2:

1 ^aAnd I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the ^bsea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his ^apower, and his seat, and great authority.

So frankly it surprised me that there would be something so specific about an anti-Christ in Revelation.

The second thing is why would God put something so specific about the "anti-Christ" in the scriptures yet not allow us to know when Christ will come again? The whole thing just doesn't make sense!

With these two things in mind I had to research this. I went to snopes.com. They are such a good resource for stuff like this. They seem very neutral. This is thought provoking:

Nothing in the Bible — in Revelation or elsewhere — describes the anti-Christ as being "a man, in his 40s, of Muslim descent." In fact, since the book of Revelation was complete by the end of the second century, but the religion of Islam wasn't founded until about four hundred years later, the notion that Revelation would have mentioned a "Muslim" at all is rather far-fetched. (And even if it did, it couldn't be construed as a reference to Barack Obama, since Senator Obama isn't a Muslim.)

It's just another way someone is trying to to attack someone and use religion to back it up. I sure wish people would stop doing that! It really doesn't help the cause of religion.

It amazes me that people would read something like this, believe it so blindly and then pass it on. Maybe Obama is right, maybe people really haven't been reading their bibles when they get so wildly misquoted.

Been a Slacker and Mormon = Republican?

I've been such a slacker recently when it comes to my blogs. There has been so much going on in my life and in my mind that I haven't even had a second to think about posting things. I'm sorry to those who actually read my blog and haven't had anything to read!

On another note I just wanted to address a strange line of thinking that was actually part of my beliefs while growing up and crept into my adulthood. The thinking is that if you're Mormon you must be a Republican. Well, if you're a GOOD Mormon and you choose the right and you're temple worthy and all that good stuff, then you must be a Republican. I wonder where the notion came from, that you must be affiliated with a particular political party to be considered a Mormon in good standing.

I always thought I'd betray my beliefs if I voted for anyone other than a Republican. However, something inside me must have told me this wasn't true. I could NEVER bring myself to actually register as a Republican. I have decided that labeling yourself and joining a particular political bandwagon is not necessary to being a good Mormon.

I consider myself in very good standing as a member of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints. I have made some choices that weren't always in line with my beliefs (who hasn't, raise of hands?!?!?!?!), but for the most part I have lived my life in a way that I am proud of. I don't hate anyone. I don't persecute or reject anyone for what they believe, how they look, their differing views on religion, politics and life in general. I don't always extend the Christ-like love I know I should, but I really feel like I'm aspiring to be a better person and be more like my Savior. I try really hard not to gossip and spread lies. When I hear something about someone, I first try to find out if it is true by going to the person and asking. If this is not possible, I just don't repeat what I heard.

With a very important Presidential Election coming up I have been thoughtfully considering my political practices. In the past I would default to Republican. Abortion was my deciding factor. The Republican party always adds in "No Abortion" to their campaign, so I thought they were a safe bet to vote for. As a moral issue I believe that abortion is not always the best choice. But should the government decide what is morally right and wrong? Here is a great post about this. Sometimes I'm not even sure if some republicans really care about the real issue of abortion. To some it seems to just be a way of getting a lot of right-wing votes.

In the past year or so I realized what a lazy way of dealing with things this is. It has been a way to pass the buck. I don't have to take responsibility for the choice I made during an election because I didn't thoughtfully consider the candidates.

This year has been different. I have looked at so many issues and so many candidates. I have read blog after blog after blog looking for opinions and discussions to help me figure out which candidates would be best for which positions. I really value other's opinions and that those who share the same beliefs as I do are also able to explore other political parties other than Republican.

After this research, prayer and thoughtful pondering I have come to the conclusion that I don't have to associate with any particular political party to be a good member of the church. I have come to realize that there are more issues than just abortion. I must consider the state of the nation and it's people before making hasty decisions. Looking at all the issues and the solutions the candidates have for the issues has been really eye opening to me. I have learned a lot about people and their character. I have learned a lot about me and my beliefs.

Politics wasn't ever really discussed in my family growing up. I think that is mostly because my dad liked to argue and he wouldn't ever back down on an issue. It may also be due to the fact that no one ever felt like they could disagree with him. He's so stubborn sometimes! This must be where I got the feeling that if I didn't vote Republican that I was a bad. We still don't really discuss it. I mostly listen to what they have to say and then drop it. I'm not in it for a debate. Their opinions matter to me and I listen to what they have to say and consider their views. Sometimes it changes my views and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it makes me reconsider an issue that I wasn't previously willing to budge on.

One thing I do know is that my parents love and accept me for who I am and not my political views. I am very grateful that they allow me to make my own choices by respecting my agency. My parents instilled strong values in me, as did my membership in the church. I believe that I can honor the things that the church and my parents have taught me without prescribing to a particular political party. I hope that as my children grow up they will know that their opinions matter to me and that they don't have to think and believe the same things I do. I hope they seek out opportunities and knowledge that will form their opinions. If they are able to form their opinions on their own through experiences, they will be stronger and more able to defend those opinions. Not only that, but I believe they will be more accepting and open-minded when it comes to other's beliefs and opinions. I want my kids to know that they are loved and accepted because they are children of God. My love and acceptance for them does not depend on what they believe or the political party they belong to.

I don't believe that one political party has it all figured out. There are many good truths and good things in each political party, that's why from now on I will look at the issues that are most important for the situation the country is in.

I am so thankful for the political process and the choices we have as members of a free country. Politics can and have divided people so much. Politics seem to have become corrupt in so many ways. I hope that no matter what happens during this election season that we can unite as a country for the good of the country. Unity is what will really save this nation. Unity doesn't mean that we all have to think, believe or agree on the same things. It means that we work together in mutual respect and acceptance of those things to bring peace and compromise. Even members of the general authorities are able to get along when they aren't the same political party. James E. Faust, former 1st counselor in the First Presidency was a Democrat.

Barack Obama is Cunning and Flattering...oh and a Liar

This statement or some form of it has been heard many times during the campaign. Here, Here, Here and Here are examples of what people are saying.

I have heard a few of his speeches and he comes across as intelligent, well spoken, and personable. He seems like the type of person that would listen and try to understand where you are coming from, before making a decision. From what I have read, seen and heard about him I find him to be a well rounded person who is open to new ideas and respectful towards other's beliefs and values. I believe him to be a person of integrity and optimism. Obama has promised a lot of change in connection with his campaign. His love for the country, his family and fellow Americans gives him hope and optimism to be able to make these changes reality. Obama values civil rights of all Americans. The environment is important to him and he has plans to improve our quality of life by improving the environment. Being a good neighbor to other countries is important to Obama. He believes in good relationships with other countries and believes there are better ways to handle differing beliefs other than war. What's so bad about talking things through before waging a full on war? I try to teach my kids to solve disagreements with words instead of fists. Obama's mother raised him to be a good Christian man.

I believe the experiences he has had in his life give him this type of hope and optimism. He was raised in a very diverse family. These experiences give him the type of life knowledge necessary to pull off a great presidency. He is NOT a seasoned politician. This is one of the things I like about him. He hasn't been groomed by the system of politics. He has no special interests, other than those of the American people. He will NOT be making laws to satisfy those powerful lobbyists who have given him money. He will only be making laws to satisfy the lives of the American people.

The attack Obama for being a well spoken man, reminds me of the criticisms of Joseph Smith, Jr. He was a friendly, well spoken and personable man, who had a great love for people. When he spoke people listened. He was very optimistic after receiving the first vision and I'm sure he felt confident that he could bring about great changes in his life, the lives of his family, the country, and the world. Some of his ideas were outrageous and unheard of in his day. He took on some of the beliefs of many other well spoken highly religious men. Many people believed what he said and chose to follow him. Family members of those who chose to follow Joseph Smith, Jr. were concerned that their family members were being sweet talked and conned by this cunning man.

Was Joseph Smith Jr. a liar and a con artist looking to destroy the lives of other's with his prophecies and his "new church"? Was he trying to serve his own personal interests and get personal gain? I certainly don't think so. I believe what happened to him actually did happen and he didn't understand why people didn't believe him. Even though many did not believe him and did many horrible things to him because of what he said, he remained optimistic and continued on in his pursuit of change to better himself, his family, the country and the world. He did everything in his power to bring about this change.

Is Barack Obama a liar and a con artist looking to destroy the lives of other's with his hope for change and his new ideas? Is he trying to serve his own personal interests and get personal gain? I don't think so. I believe he is sincere in his quest for change and I think he'll do everything in his power to bring about that change. Obama has laid out how to make his plans work. He wants this change for everyone. He believes in fairness and equality. His ideas and plans for taxes and health care are an example of his quest for fairness and equality. By repealing President's Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy and giving better tax breaks for average Americans, Obama creates more equality. Another example of Obama's desire for fairness and equality are his plans for helping families become stronger, wealthier, and healthier. You can read more about how he values families here. What could be better than fairness and equality?

As a true gentleman, Obama has taken the criticism and attacks he has received, stayed cool, calm and optimistic while continuing on his pursuit for change. I admire him for not lashing out at those who have attacked him. When people attacked him for attending a church where a preacher made questionable comments, Obama gave his faith speech. This speech was a much better way of fighting back. Instead of attacking those that had attacked him, he used his intelligence and words to prove to people that he is a person of integrity and did not share the opinions of his fellow church goer. For a politician, I think he has done a good job of running a clean campaign. I really admire him.