Politics seems to be the one place that little forgiveness is given for a/the past.
Again .. I'm glad we still have a year.
Good for you!
At age 20 (in college) I was torn between my Episcopalian upbringing and not non-belief, but actual disbelief. For 22 years I was a hard-core atheist. Nothing but disdain and contempt for “the weak” people of faith.
Fortunately, God loved me just as I was, and loved me too much to leave me that way. 22 years later the radio ministry of Charles Stanley (over the airwaves) and an HONEST man of God showed me my incredible foolishness (and worse).
Syrupy, saccharine group hugs (in the name of Christian faith and action) were simple turn-offs to me. It took the HONESTY of the whole message (not only that we can be forgiven, but the flip side too—we need salvation because we are sinners) being delivered. Sadly, many seem afraid to deliver that 2nd half for fear of “scaring people off”.
But it is the Truth, and it is, therefore, necessary.
And how grateful I am and have been ever since (1/25/1988).