Currently Reading Balsamic Dreams: A Short But Self-Important History of the Baby Boomer Generation By Joe Queenan see related

So my man Obama recently made comments in a San Francisco speech suggesting working class people are bitter about their economic circumstances and "cling to guns and religion" as a result.  There were other questionable comments regarding a general lack of patriotism in America made in the speech as well. 

I am not going to defend the comments.  I still support Barack.  I don't think they were wise, and I also think that he and Hillary going at it has provided a significant lift to John McCain's candidacy.  And I could live with that (remember, I primarily support Obama because I think the Bush administration has done such a poor job that the Republicans don't have a prayer at the White House.  And I DON'T want Hillary as President).  I remain cynical about Republican politics and especially the Religious right and their/our rampant Pharasaism (did I just make up a word?).  And it's just this cynicism that I am addressing here.

In a great book, Balsamic Dreams, Joe Queenan comments at length on the cynicism and irony in which we late Baby Boomers, Gen X'rs and whatever the current generation revel.  I think Barack's comments fit right in there.  And I think the whole "liberal" vs "conservative" thing in the Evangelical church is a big part of that as well.  We thrive on it.  Just like the rest of society.  Snarkiness is largely the order of the day, cynicism, irony, and negativity are often the rule and this is so counter to the joy-filled life God calls us/me to. . . It's not productive.  Or healthy.  Or, more importantly, Christlike.

Yes, there are BIG, and I mean HUGE issues in the Evangelical church in how they/we are navel-gazing, looking up only to comment on the sad state of our fallen culture, meanwhile doing jack squat to effect positive change (injecting the Love of Jesus).  And lashing out at the liberals who constantly say how that has to happen, God help us/them.  Meanwhile the liberals are lashing out at Conservatives.  blah blah blah. 

We're all such drama kings and queens.  And I'm guilty as charged.  I envision Jesus shaking His head at the whole ordeal with a sad smile on His face.  But still a smile. 

This fallen world just creates such stress.  And that's pretty well outlined in Matthew 5-7, His first real address to the world.  Why can't I figure that out and be at peace and be more EFFECTIVE? 

I don't know the point of this post.  Other than to say I see issues in my outlook, the outlook of those I agree with, and the outlook of those I don't agree with.  And I'm probably expending too much energy on all that. . .