Is this how God (or our mothers) taught us to act?

The problem is taking that first step. Our society and some morons on Answers seem to see compromise as weakness. If we eliminate party affiliations from the equation is becomes a personal attack some how. When people are attacked they behave irrationally wildly flailing out in any way they can without rhyme or reason.

At first I felt this was a forum to show our elected leaders that we the people are better then them. We the people can come together, debate issues and find real answers. We the people can set aside our politics to achieve these things together. As it turns out we have proved just the opposite, most are more consumed with their party than to listen to our mothers or follow the teaching of Christ.

For those of us willing to take that step, and I pledge to you I will, we need to be aware of another of Jesus's lessons...turn the other cheek. The hate will come from the extremists in the right and the left, I vow to accept the hate and not to lash out.

I will do this by putting myself in the shoes of others, try to understand their wants and needs. Only by looking at both sides can I then form an opinion. One will never satisfy all sides, but it will be a start.

If you read Old Testament, God was a racist and a Zionist. God ordered the Hebrews to commit genocide against their enemies, killing men, women, children and cattle. God opposed all other religions and prohibited the worship of any other gods. God wiped out all life on earth except for a few because they had alternate lifestyles.

So do not invoke God when you talk about tolerance.

Unfortunately, it seems to be so much easier and more "fun" to hurl insults and put downs towards those with whom we don't agree. It takes a whole lot more time, brains, and maturity to give thoughtful answers and to disagree with civility. I, for one, think it would be a refreshing change!

It is respect and integrity that was taught to me by my parents. God doesn't have anything to do with my behavior when it is my choice how I behave.

The Godless republicans are always throwing the first stones and they also throw 100 times the stones that Liberals throw.