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Author Topic: On keeping up your end of the agreement  (Read 1295 times)

beachglass

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On keeping up your end of the agreement
« on: January 25, 2014, 05:01:43 pm »
A state rep in Massachusetts has just announced she's retiring to become a minister. This bit of the story caught my eye:

Quote
While wrestling with her decision to retire, Canavan said she prayed for a sign. If Jesus sent her a candidate for her office, she would know that she was making the right decision, she said.

“He sent a candidate. I’m not saying it’s a good candidate. I could definitely beat her. But I’m not second guessing anything,” she said.

The candidate is Colleen Maloney, a resident of West Bridgewater who will graduate from Stonehill College in May with a degree in criminology. Canavan described Maloney as a “Tea Party” Republican in the mold of Rep. Geoff Diehl or Rep. Shaunna O’Connell and said she also expects a contested Democratic primary for her seat in November.

“I don’t want a Tea Party Republican to win the seat. I would like a Democrat and someone who will look after seniors and the most vulnerable,” Canavan said.


Full story here.

At first I just thought, "she should have been more specific!" But on reflection I think it's pretty admirable that she accepted the sign she asked for and didn't rationalize it away with "well, that person is not a serious candidate," etc. And I have to give her credit for telling that story to a reporter given she's in Massachusetts, where people don't usually talk about religion so openly.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2014, 05:02:59 pm by beachglass »
"The further we go, and older we grow, the more we know, the less we show."  ~ Robert Smith

Nyktipolos

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Re: On keeping up your end of the agreement...
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2014, 05:11:05 pm »
Quote from: beachglass;137828
A state rep in Massachusetts has just announced she's retiring to become a minister. This bit of the story caught my eye:

Full story here.

At first I just thought, "she should have been more specific!" But on reflection I think it's pretty admirable that she accepted the sign she asked for and didn't rationalize it away with "well, that person is not a serious candidate," etc. And I have to give her credit for telling that story to a reporter given she's in Massachusetts, where people don't usually talk about religion so openly.

 
It seems a little ... weird to me? I mean, how likely was it that no one would try to run for her office if her term was coming up soon? What was her time frame? I am not at all suggesting that she is wrong in wanting to seek a different career, or wanting a sign from her god (and having had her sign, sticking with her decision). But it seems more like coincidence to me (or, something that was going to happen anyways and claiming it's a sign)?
"Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." - Sarah Williams
On the Rivers

beachglass

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On keeping up your end of the agreement
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2014, 05:46:15 pm »
Quote from: Nyktipolos;137829
It seems a little ... weird to me? I mean, how likely was it that no one would try to run for her office if her term was coming up soon?

It's actually pretty common for incumbent state legislators here to run unopposed, especially if they've been in for awhile. Massachusetts is almost a one-party state.
"The further we go, and older we grow, the more we know, the less we show."  ~ Robert Smith

Juniper

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Re: On keeping up your end of the agreement...
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2014, 06:06:36 pm »
Quote from: beachglass;137828

At first I just thought, "she should have been more specific!" But on reflection I think it's pretty admirable that she accepted the sign she asked for and didn't rationalize it away with "well, that person is not a serious candidate," etc. And I have to give her credit for telling that story to a reporter given she's in Massachusetts, where people don't usually talk about religion so openly.

 
I give her credit for her earnest acceptance of the "sign" that she felt she received, but at the same time I wonder how it doesn't throw doubt on her political views that the candidate that her God put forward was so different to what she would have liked.

Also, a little later in the article she mentions that the Bible doesn't say anything against female ministers. Whilst that may be true in one sense I'm pretty sure that it was Paul who said a woman should not speak in church. I'm not familiar enough with my bible for direct quotes but I think it is in 1 Corinthians.
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 if I believe in one thing... just one thing... I believe in her."

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Jack

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On keeping up your end of the agreement
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2014, 08:07:13 pm »
Quote from: Juniper;137836
Also, a little later in the article she mentions that the Bible doesn't say anything against female ministers. Whilst that may be true in one sense I'm pretty sure that it was Paul who said a woman should not speak in church. I'm not familiar enough with my bible for direct quotes but I think it is in 1 Corinthians.

Ugh, Paul.

I mean.

There are plenty of traditions with female ministers and it seems silly to pick a side in the Biblical Interpretation Wars of other religions. ;)
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