I heard this today, and I was speechless. Apparently, in the health care reform bill recently passed by the U.S. House, there are religious exemptions. Christian Scientist and Amish individuals are exempt from paying and purchasing healthcare insurance because it violates their religious beliefs.
So, what about me? The bill provides taxpayer (me) dollars to pay for abortions. As a Catholic, my faith dictates that abortion is a mortal sin. In fact, it's MURDER. I feel like my religious freedom is being stomped on! How can you discriminate against other religions who also have seriously belief issues over this bill and allow others to be exempt? Can the government do this legally? I think NOT!
Besides all the other things in the bill that I find appauling (the cost, mandated health insurance purchase, the government having it's hand in 1/6 of the economy, the government controlling health care...this list could go on forever), I find the religious discrimination absolutely OUTRAGEOUS. Why in the world did my pilgrim ancestors come over on the Mayflower if it was going to end up like this?
I am so livid.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
floored
It's 2:00 a.m. and I'm still awake. Why? Because I was talking online to "outside the box" [otb] guy. I'm a little floored at how much I like talking to him, how easy it is, and how I'm not worried at all that the conversation will morph into a morally questionable situation. Unlike tmj-guy, otb-guy seems to be trustworthy in that department. Yay. Now, I just have to make sure that I don't run away, make excuses, or flake out like I have in the past. Encouragement, please!
We've been emailing for about a week, and he asked me what I was doing for Palm Sunday. At first I thought, wait, is next week Palm Sunday already? I have completely lost track of time, apparently. He suggested we go to the Cathedral Basilica St. Louis to meet for the first time on Palm Sunday. At first I resisted, mainly because he would be driving in from Rolla, MO, just to go to Mass with me. I mean, that's about a 2 hour drive and a little ridiculous!! But, he insisted! How could I say no? So, I said yes. I have a Mass-date with otbg on Palm Sunday.
I'm a little nervous. I mean, I'm not nervous at this point about meeting otbg at this point, which is interesting in itself. Instead, I'm nervous about Mass. I tend to experience Mass in a very emotional way, and I'm not sure how he might react to tears (or, let's be honest, sobbing) on a first meeting. Maybe I could warn him in a gentle way? I'll have to think/pray about it. But I think I'm even more nervous about explaining the situation in depth if he asks. We haven't gone too in depth with faith conversations yet, and I don't want to scare him off with my spiritual gifts. But then again, if he's freaked out by it, he's not the guy for me. [sigh].
I'm already planning a day trip with him. He's already invited me to meet his family when they are in town in April. We seem to be making future plans when we haven't even met yet. Usually my flight response kicks in right about now...yet I'm not running away.
I'm intrigued. I wonder what will happen next.
We've been emailing for about a week, and he asked me what I was doing for Palm Sunday. At first I thought, wait, is next week Palm Sunday already? I have completely lost track of time, apparently. He suggested we go to the Cathedral Basilica St. Louis to meet for the first time on Palm Sunday. At first I resisted, mainly because he would be driving in from Rolla, MO, just to go to Mass with me. I mean, that's about a 2 hour drive and a little ridiculous!! But, he insisted! How could I say no? So, I said yes. I have a Mass-date with otbg on Palm Sunday.
I'm a little nervous. I mean, I'm not nervous at this point about meeting otbg at this point, which is interesting in itself. Instead, I'm nervous about Mass. I tend to experience Mass in a very emotional way, and I'm not sure how he might react to tears (or, let's be honest, sobbing) on a first meeting. Maybe I could warn him in a gentle way? I'll have to think/pray about it. But I think I'm even more nervous about explaining the situation in depth if he asks. We haven't gone too in depth with faith conversations yet, and I don't want to scare him off with my spiritual gifts. But then again, if he's freaked out by it, he's not the guy for me. [sigh].
I'm already planning a day trip with him. He's already invited me to meet his family when they are in town in April. We seem to be making future plans when we haven't even met yet. Usually my flight response kicks in right about now...yet I'm not running away.
I'm intrigued. I wonder what will happen next.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
growing
Have you ever just grown apart from a friend that has been in your life for a long time? I feel this has been happening to me for about a year now.
I feel guilty for not calling, getting bored when this friend tells me her current life drama, or passing on a night out because I don't want to see her make a fool out of her drunk self. Yet, I feel like I'm growing up more while she stays the same. Can two people just grow apart and it be okay?
I get frustrated with her. She asks my advice, and I tell her the same things over and over. She dismisses me or says she "can't" face certain problems. I feel that all I can do for her now is pray.
It's weird to think about just letting someone go from your day to day life. I'm not a person to have a lot of close friends. I have about 5 close friends, and I often think I can't "afford" to let anyone go. But if she's continually dragging me down and frustrating the heck out of me, is that an equal, healthy friendship?
I can honestly say at this point I don't miss talking with her on a regular basis. It makes me sad, but it's true. I guess sometimes people grow at different rates or in different directions. Maybe we are just on different paths now.
I feel guilty for not calling, getting bored when this friend tells me her current life drama, or passing on a night out because I don't want to see her make a fool out of her drunk self. Yet, I feel like I'm growing up more while she stays the same. Can two people just grow apart and it be okay?
I get frustrated with her. She asks my advice, and I tell her the same things over and over. She dismisses me or says she "can't" face certain problems. I feel that all I can do for her now is pray.
It's weird to think about just letting someone go from your day to day life. I'm not a person to have a lot of close friends. I have about 5 close friends, and I often think I can't "afford" to let anyone go. But if she's continually dragging me down and frustrating the heck out of me, is that an equal, healthy friendship?
I can honestly say at this point I don't miss talking with her on a regular basis. It makes me sad, but it's true. I guess sometimes people grow at different rates or in different directions. Maybe we are just on different paths now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)