Thursday, August 30, 2007

Separation

of late, my policy on making comments or stating my opinion about my stance on government and God has been to refrain. however, i consider something as general as Separation of Church and State to be important enough to render comment.

here in Texas, there is couple (who has children in the Texas public school system) who has filed suit against various state officials for the addition and use of the phrase 'Under God' in the Texas flag pledge and the required presence of the American pledge and the moment of silence each morning in Texas schools. Texas added the 'Under God' phrase to the Texas flag pledge citing consistency with the American flag pledge being their goal.

i must say: i applaud this couple. of the Bible Belt in America, Texas may not be the buckle, but it is at least the over-grown pot-luck supper belly of it.

in the Dallas Morning News article on this very story, the Texas state solicitor general Ted Cruz is quoted defending the pledges and moment of silence as saying, "In both the nation and the state there is a long tradition of acknowledging the role of the Almighty." i realise that our justice and law system is based largely upon precedent and that tradition is considered virtually sacred; however, if the law of Separation of Church and State is to be upheld -- the State can in no way entreat her citizens to believe anything religious in nature.

the will of the majority is honored, yes; but the rights and freedoms of the minority MUST be protected.

as Christians, we are not called to force upon anyone our ways or beliefs. Christ does not force belief or obedience upon us -- therefore, we should not force. many say we are a Christian nation -- founded upon Christian values. i would say in response that Israel expected a Messiah-King that would come to earth as a conqueror to depose the Roman government's control over the Jews. when Christ came as the Messiah he came on His terms offering freedom and abundant life. He did not come on their terms. our own expectations of who Christ is to us and to the world are those of ancient Israel. we want a Christ who will conquer by being strong and forceful. but that is not who He is. victory is gained through servanthood. Christ came to serve, and this should be our mark; not domination in government or arrogant superiority in belief. oppression for ANY reason is still oppression. as Lily Tomlin said, "The problem with winning a rat race is that, in the end, you're still a rat."

i understand that Christian parents wish for positive, Godly influence upon their children. then those parents should be that influence and stop expecting or requiring our government to fill that role. government is to be public... for all who live in the country -- religious belief is personal.

to the parents fighting against this injustice: good work. i'm behind you.

Monday, August 27, 2007

physical contact

as children we were taught: "keep your hands to yourself." as in most things, we were admonished to abstain rather than to self-controlling moderation. i realise this rule is usually instituted to keep children from hitting or pestering each other. but, how does this lesson shape our relationships with others? why is it so awkward for grown up friends -- or even grown ups within families -- to stand physical contact?

when my niece was a toddler, she would always be sitting on a lap or holding a hand; she always wanted to be in physical contact with someone.

when i was a toddler -- this story comes via my mother -- and woke up in the middle of the night, as most toddlers do, i would call out for my mom or dad to stay with me until i fell back asleep. my mom said that i would always want to be held closely, to be in physical contact with whoever was there to put me back to sleep.

why do we discourage physical contact so much? is it so horrible? so many children and adults have so little contact with other people.

as the reader would suspect, i have a theory. and as it is such, any comments or complaints assuming its absolute accuracy will be ignored. furthermore, this is meant as a generality and will not concern specific instances:

our entertainment, our news, our literature, our conversations all link physical contact with sexual intimacy. and it seems that many people, adult or otherwise, link any physical contact past hand shakes, brief 'side-saddle' hugs, pats on the back, etc. as an indication of sexual attraction or more.

now, don't mistake my theory for naïvete about the very real presence of inappropriate contact between people. yet, because of those who make physical contact in order to harm or out of perverted desires a fear has developed among the well-intentioned: the fear of being mistaken -- which holds fear-striking consequences -- for someone with ulterior motives.

what are we so afraid of in having physical contact with those who are close to us? do we keep forbidding physical contact in the name of fear? in the name of social commandment? many adults are out in society longing for contact end up feeling like they are disgusting because no one will be close to them... many children wonder if something is wrong with them or if they have done something wrong... many teenagers are being taught that physical contact is only connected with sexual activity: all adding to the cycle which turns out destructive, perverted contact which turns out fear which turns out the absence of appropriate contact.

do we let the harmful ruin one of the most basic of human interaction?
or do we reclaim it?

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

a CNN poll found that

one in four adult Americans read ZERO books last year.

this hurts my soul.




deeply.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Dear Dallas Driver,

Why do you hate me so much? I'm just a poor, Missouri boy from the sticks.

Why is it that you take so long to depart from an intersection when the light turns from red to green? But when I take more than one second to depart, you honk your horn at me as though I'd ignored some unspoken social moree?

How is it that you will drive 60+ mph down the street, but feel uncomfortable making a turn at speeds greater than 5 mph?

Could you explain to me please, why you feel so compelled, even though I be the only other car on the road, to pull out in front of me at the last moment?

Oh, and permit me one more: what would cause you to apply pressure to your brakes when approaching a green lighted intersection? Are you afraid it will turn its back to you and change to that lovely saffron hue warning you to impede your own progress? I doubt that is so, since I've seen you running past those golden admonishings with me.

I'm going to be honest: I don't care much for you or your driving habits.



Yours,

Albert Levi Crump

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Soap Box

Jeremiah 29.11 is about Israel... not whatever you want.