1. Mike

   While I fundamentally disagree with your position on guns (I am pro 2nd amendment), I completely agree with your opinion on a pastor encouraging his congregation to bring guns to church. I also agree that this country was founded on separation of church and state by people who came here trying to escape an oppressive pseudo-theocracy.

   I consider myself a Christian, but I get absolutely sickened when people bring religion into politics. If you want to know what’s wrong with mixing religion and politics take a good look at the Republican party. They were once a proud institution with some good ideas, somehow they have become the party of the religious and oppressive nutbag.

   Mixing religion and politics is the reason gay marriage is still illegal, abortion is an issue, intelligent design is being pushed as something to be taught in schools and I have even heard how some Republicans have used the Bible as a way to argue against Global Warming (I saw a clip a few weeks ago on Bill Maher). All scary shit and all done in the name of misrepresenting my Christian faith.

   Anyways, interesting show, keep up the good work!

   Jul 1st, 2009

2. Scott

   Mike,

   Even if we have differing opinions on guns, I agree 1000% with everything else you said. In your experience where you live – are your views the exception or the rule?

   -S

   Jul 1st, 2009

3. Mike

   It depends, I grew up in Northwest Indiana but I currently live in downtown Chicago. It’s amazing to me the cultural difference that 30 miles can make.

   A significant portion of my friends back home are still somewhat racist (I have one friend who hung a civil war era rebel flag in his garage when a black family moved in next door), homophobic and blindly follow what they learn in church. Or they have such a close minded mentality, I feel so thankful that I was able to rise above that line of thought.

   My friends out here in Chicago are very different. Even my Republican friends are extremely open minded. They’re baiscally fiscally conservative while socially liberal.

   But, sadly whenever I have gone back home to church at my mom’s request (she voted for Obama and shares similar opinions to me) I was shocked to see the pastor speaking on gay marriage and other political issues. It’s one thing to preach faith, morality (don’t steal, kill or cheat on your spouse), but a whole different subject when they complain about political issues.

   I guess when you mentioned the church/politics thing it really hit home for me.

   Jul 2nd, 2009

4. Filip

   First-We speak English in Singapore along with a host of different languages.

   Secondly-I haven’t hard of the story regarding Singapore at all. It’s not in the news (which I would expect) and no one I know has heard of it.

   Jul 8th, 2009

5. Scott

   Filip,

   Thanks for the comment. Good to know – I didn’t know that English was the official language of Singapore.

   As for you not hearing of that story – it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, no?

   -S

   Jul 8th, 2009

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