Opine

Everyone has an opinion. I don't know that I ever lacked one. I was just encouraged not to share it. I oft wonder if that was due to my gender, the religious expectations set upon me, or just that my Father wanted me withhold my effervescence. Could be a combination of all three.

I am, as of late, surrounded by quite the abundance of opinion. And, I've learned over the years, that keeping one's council is probably the best course of action. In polite conversation one does not engage another in certain topics. The current debates being just such types of topic.

While I was averse to lend my thoughts, it seemed that no one around me was thus. Everyone wanted to share what they thought and I found myself listening to some interesting conversations. My most frequent thought being, "Who told you this?"

We all seem to speak with such authority on matters that, in reality, we have no quality information on to begin with. We ascribe to unknown authority to shore up claims that we've only heard; from the neighbor, our clergy, a colleague or a magazine or news paper. Yet, none of us really knows. Not for certain. How you translate or interpret is not necessarily correct.

In such quandaries, I sometimes choose to consult a trusted friend. I know that responses are well thought, deliberate and not without research. Even if it includes the elusiveness of scripture. He may not be right, but his words are always food for thought. I am fond of repeating a line that he shared with me some fifteen years ago as we discussed our religions interpretation of a subject that was not shared by academia. He said, "It is often hard to admit, that your revelation, is not my prophecy." Difficult as it may seem, what is given to us in revelation by one deemed "prophet" is not always prophecy. Good advice is different from direct instruction.

To true. What is revealed to one, is not direction for me. A difficult thing to admit, especially when voting. Voting for laws, legislation or politicians who do not share a view point. What I believe is good for me, may not suit the masses. Armed with this idea I voted contrary to what many would have believed was best. I encouraged loved ones in other States to vote contrary to what they may believe. Because the Doctor was, and still is right. How you live your life, does not determine my path to salvation.

Do I like it? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. I've yet to find the wrong answer when led by God, though. It is thus, I don't think you should engage in relations outside of marriage. If you do, and you find yourself with an unwanted, unplanned pregnancy, then you are at liberty to terminate that pregnancy. I think that's wrong. But, just as God gave me the free-agency to choose, so he gave you. You will have to live with the consequences, not me. And I do not think, beyond counseling you to choose otherwise, that a governmental system is set in place to enforce my way of thinking.

There are many issues that we saw on ballots across the country that could be placed in just such a context. They make us sad, angry, uncomfortable, queasy. Again, bodily response may be your revelation, but it is not mine. Aristotle had it right, "The law is reason free from passion." And my savior said it best "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

In the days that followed some ballot decisions, the most poignant sound bite? "Get your church, out of my State." Hear, hear!!