Raised in one of the top five most Bible-minded areas of the Bible Belt, the phrase “fire and brimstone” was likely part of my vocabulary before my fourth birthday. As a grandchild of a Pentecostal Holiness pastor and evangelist, I grew up believing it was indisputable fact anyone claiming to be “spiritual, but not religious” would bust hell wide open if they didn’t repent and change their ways. Along my path to adulthood, I had only an occasional brief encounter or two with folks who were the complete opposite of everyone in “my world”. Beautiful souls that were spiritual, but not religious.

The pinholes these encounters created in the worldview so intently formed for me, permitted the tiniest beam of light to trickle into my mind. I split the next twenty-five years between passionately serving in a couple local congregations and vehemently avoiding anything that even looked like church. All the while I flittered around the tiny dot of light- reading a bit about Wicca one year, Buddhism another, perhaps Sufism the next. It’s difficult though- when the majority of friends, family (and even strangers) around you have their Bible belts cinched tight- to confidently step into the growing beam of light in front of you. It was only sixteen months ago, a couple months shy of my forty-sixth birthday, that I began deliberate movement toward the “more” I know exists.

The most important step I’ve taken so far was reaching out to find support from others locally (not easy) and online (less difficult) whose worldview expands further than Genesis to Revelation. Overall I’ve been elated with the friendliness, compassion, open-mindedness, and acceptance I’ve observed and experienced.

But- there’s always a but- I have been surprised and more than a little disheartened at the amount and ferociousness of posts regarding the 2020 presidential election.

Now I realize I’m pretty new to the world of enlightenment, mindful living, etcetera. I accept that I likely have lots of room for growth, and my mind is completely open to being taught. “Be teachable” has been a sort of personal mantra of mine for a couple decades.

Most of what I’ve read though, has not been facts to learn and consider in the process of deciding which candidate to vote for. I’ve not seen  comparisons of position/policy followed by the writer attempting to persuade readers to agree with the position/policy of his or her favored candidate.

What I have read are a lot of belligerent statements from folks insisting the candidate he or she has chosen is the only right choice (okay fine, everyone is entitled to an opinion), while simultaneously ripping to shreds the character, sometimes the very heart and soul, of anyone who disagrees.

I cannot resolve the dissonance between the empathy and loving kindness I’ve come to understand as a primary piece of living mindfully- and the tearing down of our fellow man, for any reason. On more than one occasion in my life, I’ve wanted to-tried to make myself hate, but could not do it. It’s not acceptable to attack, insult and ridicule another person- for any reason. But just because he or she thinks differently than another? That hurts my soul.

To continue moving forward, I’ve accepted that like myself, everyone in the various meetings I’ve attended or online groups I’ve joined has room for further growth. Perhaps graciously accepting that people don’t always think the same?

As far as the 2020  presidential election? Contrary to what many seem to think, there are only a few indisputable facts:

1. The United States government is corrupt. It has been corrupt for a half dozen decades or more.
2. It is not possible to satisfy every person, all the time.
3. Each candidate has the background and ability to be detrimental or beneficial to our country.
4. There are legitimate positive reasons to cast a vote for either candidate.

Beyond these everything is subjective and/or relative. We all have differing opinions about how our country should be run- what should be prioritized versus what should be pushed to the back burner.

As human beings- perfection escapes us. Every human being is fallible. As thoughtful voters, we apply this understanding of being human as we cast our vote, choosing whoever best represents the qualities we believe to be most valuable to the success and survival of our country.

– Because I’m sure there’s at least one person who just has to know, I voted for Obama-twice. As of 11/04/2020, I will have voted for Trump-twice.

If Biden wins, then Biden will be my president.