Guiding Convictions

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These are some common  principles which I ascribe to and which I do not or will not change my opinion on. 

1. I steadfastly believe that Jesus is God and that the Trinity holds true, even if the exact mechanics of how the mind of God exists within Jesus remain a mystery to us. 

2. I believe everyone must vote according to their own conscience and principles rather than simply following a family tradition or being told how to think. 

3. I am convinced that the "Social Gospel" is central to the mission of Jesus, meaning our faith must be evidenced by active work to dismantle systemic poverty, racism, and inequality. 

4. I view the Bible not as a weapon for judgment, but as a living conversation and a historical record of a people’s evolving relationship with the Divine, requiring us to use our God-given reason rather than a strictly literal interpretation.

 5. My biblical views include viewing stories like Noah’s Ark as localized events, because the geological record and the laws of physics show that a global flood covering Mount Everest would have vaporized the atmosphere. 

6. I believe in a "Big Tent" theology that embraces diversity, including the full inclusion and affirmation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the life and leadership of the church.

 7. I believe the death penalty is vile and should never be used, as it contradicts the sanctity of life and the possibility of redemption. 

8. I support a woman’s right to choose an abortion within legal limits, such as the first trimester, as a matter of personal autonomy and reproductive health.

 9. I view the command to "welcome the stranger" as a literal instruction for compassionate immigration reform, believing that a person's dignity as a child of God matters more than borders. 

10. I believe that true religious freedom means protecting the rights of all people to practice their faith—or no faith at all—without the government favoring one specific religion over others. 

11. I hold that science and faith are not enemies but partners, where scientific discovery—from evolution to modern medicine—is a tool that helps us better understand the intricate work of God’s creation. 

12. I believe that environmental stewardship is a core spiritual mandate, as caring for the earth is an act of respect for the Creator and a necessary step to protect the most vulnerable. 

13. While I don’t view Donald Trump as the Antichrist, he is certainly no messiah, and as a staunch liberal, I will never be convinced to move toward the conservative side of the spectrum. 

14. When I evaluate a potential Prime Minister, I look closely at their education and experience; because I feel the Conservative Party—including leaders like Pierre Poilievre and Andrew Scheer—has failed to put forward adequately trained candidates, they will not receive my vote. 

15. I am a firm supporter of vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, and because I know they save millions of lives and are proven safer than even aspirin, I have no interest in hearing anti-vax arguments. 

16. I will never buy into the idea that statins are a pharmaceutical conspiracy; I take them because they protect my heart and my sanity by preventing angina, and I believe most people recognize their medical necessity. 

17. Finally, I do not believe the world is flat, and I find that attempting to argue otherwise lacks the basic logic required for a meaningful discussion.