I note that I forgot to clarify why I put those quotes on - they involve things and ideas that speak to faith and beliving in things - but they are different from a fundementalists beliefs - they are not "I am right and you are wrong" beliefs based on an unshakable adherance to a fundementalist religious teaching.  These are the beliefs of your Barack Obamas and your Joe Bidens and yes, even your John McCains.  Not your George W Bushs and your Sarah Pailins.  Just an example.

John!  Ok!  So, I felt nervous bringing your family into this, but I'm glad you were ok with answering.  Your story?  That's been my experience as well - in fact - I come from a largely atheist family, but the few bits of religion in there are Catholic and Episcopal, and those members who are of those faiths are people who I have great respect for.  Good open minded people.

I was a World Religion minor in college - I find it an essential factor in understanding humanity and a compliment to my major; History. 

As for me, my personal creed is:  "Trust those who seek the truth, doubt those who find it."  That serves me pretty well, and it should give you some idea of how I personally view those who insist on a literal, fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible.

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I applaud that creed, John.

Valerie I believe we are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. But Valerie I respect your right to feel as you do.

I am jealous of all of Mikes swag, but I do have this:

OK that was mean, sorry Mike, I just like any excuse to post that picture.

I am telling you if that man will be as good a President as he smelled, we are in for a wonderful 4 years. I wish I knew what he was wearing.

That wasn't mean at all, Jodi!  I love seeing that picture!

So the left that loves the working class <in theory> but is mystified or offended by its lifestyle and conservative values in reality.

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What does that even mean? All working class people are conservative? If your going to try to make a point at least lighten up on the hyperbole. I'm most definitely working class and I'm most definitely not conservative. I know a great many working class people who aren't conservative. Slander the left all you want but they couldn't possibly do a worse job than douchbag in office now.

It’s her misfortune to be a pioneer with the wrong ideology.

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No. It's her misfortune to be an anti-abortion, anti gay rights religious conservative. Any human being who wants abortion for rape victims banned has something wrong in their very soul. I cannot think of worse punishment than to force a rape victim to carry the child of their rapist to term.

Actually, I just think the woman's a cunt. I don't like her. I don't give a fuck if I know her or not. I know people like her and I don't like them. Religious assholes who think everybody who doesn't think exactly like them are somehow a notch below them on the evolutionary ladder.