Moving and some more thoughts.

We have a lot of stuff.

I didn't realize just how much until this weekend.  We made I don't know how many trips from the old to the new place.  How did we become such consumers?  I remember buying stuff my junior year of high school thinking, I'll use this when I get to college.  Then it gets packed away and this is the first time I've seen some things since we moved to Columbia!  I definitely want to go through more of our stuff this year and give it away.  

I think that I want to give away at least four things a month - four bigger things.  And maybe some small things (I don't know if I can put a number on that).  Maybe I should say that by the time May 2009 is here, I want to have everything fit in our vehicle (besides big things like our couches and bed and stuff like that.)  Wouldn't that be awesome!  How easy of a move would that be?!

But then, a part of me is like, what about all my paintings?  And things that I've invested time in someone to make.  Or some of my decorations.  And books.  And dishes and kitchen stuff - I have so many kitchen items.  But I don't want to get rid of those things.  I would use those things!

Ahhh... the internal struggle begins.  I don't know if you can relate to this - but man, it's hard to find a balance of keeping things I need and holding on to things I want.  

Some thoughts...

This is the first post on the new blog and I hope that it's enjoyable for all to read.

Some updates-

thinking about going to grad school in North Carolina in 2010.  A few of my professors (including one of my favorites) suggested I look at the program and visit the campus.  

we're for sure going to Jamaica next fall (2009).  I don't know how long we'll stay, though.  Depends on more than what's in our control.

speaking of control, my class (Class, Status, and Power) is getting interesting.  We just finished talking about Domhoff and Marxism.  More to come later.

Now, I've been thinking about what to read next.  I'm starting "Soft Power" by Joseph Nye and it's really interesting.  I think I may reread the Harry Potter series to counterbalance my brain exploding with such technical jargon that Nye throws in.  We'll see.  Only so much time and unfortunately I need sleep.

Anyway, I've been thinking about how the Church views homosexuality recently.  Sure, if I say that I support gay marriage, I'll be crucified, but I want to suggest something I've talked with a friends about before.

What are we saying when we (Christians) say we don't support gay marriage?  Are we saying that marriage is sacred and to be only thought of in the scriptural sense?  If that's the case, then why is the government involved?  It seems like the only leadership in marriage should be that of God and not of the State, yes?  Maybe I'm off.  I think that when we say we don't support gay marriage, what we're actually saying to homosexuals is that we don't think you deserve the same rights as us (heterosexuals) because you are living a life of sin...

Seems a little arrogant, doesn't it?  I'm not saying that marriage necessarily has to encompass homosexuals - but by saying that homosexuals do not deserve the same rights and privileges that heterosexuals receive from our government is heterosexism.  

Speaking of deserving - do we actually deserve the rights that come along with marriage (legally recognized as a unit, tax credits, lawful rights)?  No.  I think (and have not thought about this too hard, mind you) that a sin is a sin.  If a homosexual couple does not deserve the same rights as a "traditional" couple because they are sexually sinning, then I'm pretty sure that none of us deserve ANYTHING because we are all sinners.

So, this is what I propose - make marriage something only the Church can designate and make it only a title before God (not some legally binding agreement).  For all government purposes have "civil unions" - for everyone, heterosexual or otherwise.  It just isn't fair that someone is pointed out and discriminated against because of his/her sexuality, when at the same time, the person pointing the finger and discriminating has some skeletons in his/her closet, too.  And furthermore, it's unloving.  We're only make the gap between "them" and "us" bigger!  How are we to help those that are lost, when we refuse to help them with things that affecting their lives!  I think it's like saying we would help the poor, but they really need to change their life first.  It isn't fair.  And it isn't biblical.

This is very ramble-y.  Sorry about that.  Just something I've been thinking about.