From what I've read and seen, the pundits are all pointing to morality as the ultimate culprit for Kerry's loss last week. A story in the Sunday edition of the Oregonian backs up these claims. The paper interviewed four random Bush voters from various walks of life, one of them a coworker of mine. So what reasons did they give for lending their support to the GOP? Across the board: "stem cell research, gay marriage and abortion." According to the article, exit polls show that one in five voters put moral values above war, terror and the economy.

In recent years, comedians ranging from George Carlin to staff writers for the Simpsons have had a field day pointing out the Bible's infinite number of contradictions. What continues to baffle me is the "pick and choose" aspects of modern Christian values. So many are willing to overlook the "live and let live" teachings of Christ and the nitty-gritty dictates of the book of Deuteronomy. As my REL 211 professor, a practicing minister put it, "the laws outlined in the first few books of the Bible are all outdated and have no practical purpose in the real world." Did this statement also stretch to the Ten Commandments? I was afraid to call him on it.

A talking head on MSNBC a few days ago was speaking on the topic of religious fundamentalism in Iraq. Among the soundbites tossed out, "these are people that would sooner see Hussein back in power than their sister walking down the street in a mini-skirt." Why does this sound so familiar?

While the Good Book has little to say on the subject of stem cells, it's very specific on sex with family members and stoning the infants of your enemies. It seems that modern Christians have adopted a weird amalgamation of various convenient Biblical passages and what they've picked up on the 700 Club. A major war overseas that results in tens of thousands of lost lives? No big deal when compared to the death of a single unborn fetus.

This is a heavy subject to tackle on a blog, especially when it's following on the heels of a mock review for The Incredibles and another devoted to destroying pumpkins. It's just incredibly frustrating to watch voters adhere to the hypocritical dictates of their faith instead of the major issues of the day. There are many reasons to vote for Bush but the fact that he prays every morning should be the last on the list.

Strong words for a blogger that voted for a mule? Sure, but at least I essentially abstained from voting rather than support a candidate I disliked simply because a few of his priciniples matched my own.

Meanwhile, it begins.