Religion and Politics, over coffee or beer...

During the service yesterday they flashed the picture and short biographies of the two final candidates for Pastor of the English Language Ministry. This has been a very long dry spell for those Americans that want the Truth and the Way. Surrounded in a sea of Koreans, they want a real American Bible Thumper to keep them on the path of Righteousness for His Name's sake. The first picture was of a typical American looking couple with about four Korean children around them. The certification and schooling were of fundamental Southern Baptist and Oklahoma regions. They live in Washington state now. Okay, looks okay. Now I normally wouldn't care where he went to school, if his resume was excellent or his Bible came over in the ship before the Mayflower. I would want to hear him speak, a Sermon and his plans for walking with the Lord. Then the second candidate shows up, and his name is Lee, born in Korea and raised in South America since the age of two, graduated from a University in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Both will serve one Saturday morning Prayer and an English Language Service on Sunday. Can't wait to hear them, it will be a good change. The last good preacher was Billy King, born in this church, raised same, ordained and wed to my favorite Praise Sing drummer, but he is in the Army as a Chaplain and serving in Fort Hood since his return from Afghanistan. A very moving young man.

Over coffee the men were discussing the two choices. First the Korean, Lee, was already sliding downhill, because he was Korean which gave the men an uncomfortable stereotype to put their discomfort in and wrap around him. One man who has heard both of them says that the Korean speaks four languages and speaks better English than the other. The other, seems to have an Oklahoman twang, yep, that won't bother another American listening. I came away convinced of two things, I will wait until I hear them preach to pick the one that speaks to me. I also know that the Korean, who may be more comfortable in South America will be expected to be a REAL Korean by all those that are Real Koreans in this church. That isn't fair to Lee, but that is the way it is. And he didn't go to a Korean University, and wasn't ordained in Korea, and maybe his children aren't being raised right, or he doesn't have children, or a wife... there are so many potential problems without the American men wanting a pastor that speaks to them. Which is why there hasn't been a replacement for the last Pastor since June.

I don't personally care, am not a Southern Baptist, nor a member of this church (I am just hanging out with my wife getting ready for the Lord). She has enough troubles with the Korean Ladies, the Korean minister wanting more money (as the congregation gets smaller?). Still one of the men says it is all a conspiracy to get another position for a Korean in this church. One of the Pastors in this church looks Korean (since he is of that ethnic heritage) but he is American, speaks nor reads no Korean (but the Koreans shake their head in that he doesn't measure up to a real Korean). He is a fine minister, a very caring man, husband and father. Aren't racial or ethnic stereotypes the pits? Yes, they are. Several of the American men have gone looking for the Lord in other places, they should look inside. The picking a candidate process brought up the coming elections for President Obama and his rival(s). Which one do I like, I was asked.

Being an almost Anarchist, no government owns me! I am for Ron Paul --- immediately I am not concerned enough about Iran. No, I am not. If they get a bomb that they might use, I would nuke them till they glow. I don't think they are stupid enough to build a bomb they might use, but having one isn't the end of my world. My world with all its potential crumpled after NASA stopped going to the Moon, and the Federal government declared War on Poverty and didn't declare War on North Vietnam. We have had flashes of brilliance since, but really we are not getting better when this planet goes - it is all over for Humanity and the Human Species. I have just seen "Waiting for Superman" and the real reason America is in decline is the unions are in charge of public education -- and they are proving they have no reason to be teachers except to make their Union Bosses fat, rich and powerful along with their favorite politicians. Remember union workers, your bosses are part of the 1% in charge of America, skimming the cream and the excess from your pockets. What will happen is in about twenty years over eighty percent of the scientists, engineers and skilled workers the American Economy must have - will be from China, Japan and India. Real Americans, unless from Private Schools, Home Schools or self educated will not have the mathematics nor science skills needed. And as our Hispanic Illegal Aliens have shown us, the real Americans may not know how to WORK for a living, so many of us are getting old and dying off. I remember mowing other peoples yards as a teenager, which is why I have to finish mine today.

I do expect that Mitt Romney will be the Republican Candidate for President. And President Obama has a real problem - (since there aren't enough rich to tax, just enough to get contributions for his beautiful media campaign which has no bearing on reality) - the problem is America is getting accustomed to holding their nose and picking the lesser of two smelly evils - Obama has to go to the Left for masses, and the Center for some thoughtful support and a bit right for some military heroism (NO, He didn't shoot Bin Laden, he gave approval - the shooter would have killed him without approval anyway once he was in the same room.) One man pointed out that Obama had ducked the putting a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for his first two years. I shake my head, a politician will kiss babies, but not change their diapers.

Well, here comes an idea, I should invite the incoming ministers to go shooting with me on Saturday afternoon. Yep. I should definitely bring it to the want to be elected or re-elected folks before next November. Much better than waiting for the NRA (which sometimes looks like a union operation) to tell me which one votes which way. I want to see his or her target, I would like to see how they handle a pistol, revolver or rifle - do they hand it off to a gun bearer for its care? Yeah, all the important points of my values... sure would mean a bit more.