There are two things you NEVER discuss at work; Politics and Religion.

There are two things you NEVER discuss at work; Politics and Religion.

I guess it is a good thing that this is MY BLOG and I’m not at work.

Last night I had the misfortune to have to speak with an individual who kept talking about how everyone should vote No on 1 (for those of you not in the state of Maine, Question 1 was a Citizen’s Initiative to legalize same sex marriage).  It took everything I had to remember, that you NEVER discuss politics or religion at work… THEN, he said to me “You must have voted yes.” My response was shockingly adult and non threatening. “There are two things I learned early in life; there are two things in business you never discuss, Politics and Religion.” Upon which he informed me that the question was not religion, nor was it political. I said, “Putting it on the ballot makes it political.”

 I assumed that was the end of the discussion. I had to repeat my response that I never talk about politics or religion with customers.  Of course, he went on to say that the Pope defines marriage as a union for procreation (way to make marriage about religion). I piped up and said, well that isn’t a fair definition, because there are some people out there who cannot have children. He blew it off (as most people who are set in their ways do). He went on and on and on.

In the United States, we all have the right to religious freedom. We do not have the right to hide behind religion to fuel hatred. With that being said, with the passing of Question 1 in Maine I expect to see people hiding behind religion to spew words of hatred more than they have recently. I don’t want to or need to get into debates with these individuals at work. Now that the initiative has been passed, it is time for people to accept that love is love, and frankly, move on.

I will also bring up another important election result for me personally. I am so THANKFUL that our Mr. President is Barak Obama. I cannot imagine if Governor Mitt Romney had been elected as our president.  I know many of my friends feel that Obama hasn’t done anything for the country and that Mr. Romney could do better. You are entitled to your opinions. The truth of the matter is our President is Barak Obama, and he was elected by both the popular vote AND the Electoral College.  Those who say that their voices were not heard are incorrect.  Let me say this again, our current president was elected by both the POPULAR vote AND Electoral College.

I am thankful to live in a country with so many freedoms that we take them for granted.  I am thankful for the men and women who fight everyday doing what they think is right to protect those freedoms. I AM proud to be an American and I am proud to call the state of Maine my home!