The Kender

[Kender]

How to describe Kender? Hmm.

I'm a Catholic who loves logic and finds it amusing to point out logical flaws in bad arguments. Am I liberal or conservative? Well, as with most people, it depends on the issue and who you ask.

I wouldn't mind if abortion was outlawed completely, as I believe that it is nothing less than a legal form of infanticide. I wouldn't offer exceptions for incest or rape (the child did nothing wrong to deserve death), but I would allow exceptions for the life of the mother, because at that point, it becomes a toss up. Both people deserve to live. So I guess that makes me a conservative.

I don't trust the upper class - or anyone else - to do anything beyond serving their own interests, and so I support Unions. I guess that makes me a liberal.

I have argued that homosexual acts are sinful, as are most sex acts, outside a very narrow context: marriage. I have argued that homosexual acts would be sinful even if our society legalizes gay marriage, because, quite frankly, scripture condemns the behavior, regardless. I guess that makes me a conservative again.

I have also argued with those that are most vocal about homosexuality, trying to remind them that the most important commandments had to do with love - of neighbor, of enemy, and of God. Quite frankly, the more rabid they get, the less it appears that they are following Christ. I'm not sure if that makes me a liberal or a conservative.


I know what it feels like to be an outcast, and I find it easy to identify with the outcasts of or society. Maybe that's why despite hearing the Catholic Church condemn the concept of gay marriage as "an attack on the family" (what? how?), and my beliefs about sex, I find myself leaning more toward the side that says "oh for crine out loud, let 'em get married, already, the sky won't fall...(it hasn't fallen on Canada, Belgium, or Spain, as far as I know...)" rather than on the side that is rabidly against it. Liberal? Conservative? Hmm. You tell me.

One of the things I like about my faith, is, though you might not always know it, it is a faith of outcasts.

The stone the builders have rejected, has become the cornerstone.

[n2nsites]

I have to say, out of all the conservative religous folks I know, I love you best. You believe what you believe but you don't belittle others for theirs. That's a sign of pure integrity.

[Kender]

Whew, I thought it was a sign of being a bleeding heart liberal.



Just kiddin.

Truth is, I know exactly what it feels like to be belittled, I know exactly what it feels like to be intimidated. I know exactly how it feels to be an outcast. Been there, didn't like it, and don't want to be responsible for others feeling that.

[RS Davis]

You're a good man, Kender.

[whatever]

And a good one to know. I agree with Rick and N2. But you already knew that

[Kender]

*blush*

[Kender]

The fraudulent suicide of Mistress Jodi really shook me up, and I needed to be shaken up.

My core is intact. I still believe in God, who is Love, that we should love one another as God loves us, even if it means loving our enemies, and that is one hell of an order, no puns intended.

I renounce my former arguments about homosexuality, as the humanity of the situation has hit home. Thankfully, the suicide was a falsehood, but for a week, I believed it, and the arguments were no longer about abstract concepts, but about people's lives.

If Jodi had been real, and I had made her struggles harder, and played even a small role in leading her to suicide...it would have been difficult for me to live with, to forgive myself for. Thank God it was a cruel trick that opened my eyes rather than a real death.

If I ever use those arguments again, and I'm not sure I will, it will only be to demonstrate that it is possible for someone to disagree without being a bigot. Dehumanizing the opponent like that is a big pet peeve of mine. I will no longer present those arguments as my own beliefs.

That's all I have for now.

I'm learning...that I have a lot to learn.

[RS Davis]

That's really sweet, Kender, but I always thought you were one of the few who could disagree on that while still treating everyone with the respect they deserve. Now, if you are reconsidering whether you think it is wrong at all, I can help with that. As a Catholic not willing to give up his faith, I've given it a lot of thought, and come to some conclusions I think are both rational and consistent.

[outgirl]

I love ya Grem.

[Kender]

I love you too, OG.

[Kender]

RD: Don't know that this is the thread for it, that it might deserve its own thread, but I'll listen.

All I know is that we know so much more than we did then, that maybe I should leave the morality between the people involved and God.

I just felt that my "This is who I am" thread needed an update.

[RS Davis]

Right now, I am too exhausted to go into it, but I'll start a new thread about it soon.

[Mylaan]

Grem, keep in mind that no matter how flipped upside down this Jodi mess has made you feel, you will never be anywhere close to what that pitiful slimeball is. Beev comes close. But few people do and you certainly do not. Take it easy babe.

[Kender]

Thanks, but I never thought I was. *chuckle*

Still, and I don't know how much this matters here, I think PHP needs prayers said for him. If any of what he had to say can be taken at face value, he's in desparate need of help.

[RS Davis]

Yeah, someone else can go ahead and pray for him. I won't hold it against them.