Opus,44, Should We Encourage People To Vote?

There are certain points of accepted wisdom that I am beginning to question as I get older and do more thinking on my own.  One of them is this idea that we need to encourage people to vote.  I am not so sure that is a good idea.  I used to accept it and repeat it, but the more I am aware of the general quality of the potential voter, the more I question the wisdom of pushing voting.

I refuse to wear the “I have voted” sticker.  I accept them graciously and then stick them somewhere that no one will see them.  I work in a public school.  I am surrounded by educated, vocal sheep who tend to disagree with me on everything.  They don’t disagree because they have knowledge I don’t.  They can’t explain why they have the opinions they have.  They live in a bubble that was blown by their progressive professors and have not busted out.  These are the people who put up banners that proclaim if they can dream it, they can do it.  These are the people that threw out phonics because it was old fashioned.  If they forget to vote, I figure the country is better off.

People who care enough about the issues make sure that they vote.  Others do it because it seems the right thing to do or because their spouse told them to go.  One indication of who deserves to vote is the sample ballot they bring with them to complex elections.  They have marked them and are ready to go.  They are in and out quickly.  Others take forever as they play, “Enny, Meeny, Mynee, Moe...” with the ballot.

There may be someone who has suffered a personal earthquake and has just forgotten, but the odds are against it.  So don’t go out and vote.  Unless you really want to.

Opus 43, Discernment Watch: Christian Pornography

I am not a consumer when it comes to pornography.  I will admit that in my life I have looked at a few fold-outs and such but the inbuilt guilt complex usually kicks in before long.  On the internet I have gotten a few clicks toward what I later realized would become serious stuff, but usually a few screens in I wake up to where I am going and back out.  Or my guilt buzzer gets so loud that I can’t deny what I am looking at any longer and I hit the cancel button.  It is not because I am a paragon of virtue but more like someone reminded me recently, “There but for the grace of God, go I.”

But there is a form of pornography that is widely consumed in Christian circles and is openly praise by devout believers.  Years ago when Jim Dobson was on a presidential committee looking into the problem of pornography he wrote about the problem and why it was a problem.  I am writing from a long memory here but one of the problems with pornography is the expectation factor.  This was above and beyond the moral issue of lust.  Pornography sets up a false image of what is possible.  For the husband who is being sucked in it gives an artificial picture of idealized physical perfection that becomes the standard that his wife is compared to.  No human being can measure up and it sets up a stress that begins to destroy the marriage.

There is a form of pornography that has penetrated Christian homes which would never dream of bringing in smut.  Our children are encouraged to indulge.  We have it in print and video.  This pornography is found in a genre of literature that is best represented by the writings of Jane Austen.  I am referring to such books as Pride and Prejudice.  I have not read her works but my wife and daughter really enjoy her.

I picture Mr. Darcy, if I have the right name.  I have the picture of a man riding out of the mist on a glorious horse.  He gracefully swings down from the saddle, dressed in those beautiful clothes of the era, his ruggedly handsome face topped by wind tussled hair and he stands stammering before the beauty of the innocent and pure damsel facing him.  This is Christian pornography.  It sets up “an artificial picture of idealized physical perfection that becomes the standard,” if I may quote myself paraphrasing Jim Dobson.

Does my wife expect me to measure up to that?  I know I get tired of hearing about these men.  Let reality intervene.  First of all, after riding a galloping horse for any distance the rider is hot and sweaty, not to mention smelling like a horse.  His hair, which for a man his age would be much thinner, is plastered to his head by sweat and mud.  His clothes represent the wages of entire village for a full year.  He has servants to clean them and dress him, not to mention care for his horse.

Which brings up the lifestyle of these people.  If you watch carefully you will see the servants.  They stay in the background.  They know their place.  The main characters never do a lick of work.  They get up and change their clothes.  After breakfast they change their clothes.  For lunch they change their clothes.  They sit and drink tea and change their clothes.  For a little work they may change their clothes and go into the garden to clip a few roses, of course with a servant to hold the basket.  And then they change their clothes.  I hate to tell you but if America were at this social stage, out of 300,000,000 people there might be 100,000 who lived like this.  I hate to break it to you but we would be the servants, not the served.

The stammering I can understand.  Leave aside that he has been a soldier who has stood up to cannon fire and violent death.  Leave aside that he probably has a girl in every town.  I know what it is to stand speechless before an innocent and pure damsel.  That part is okay.  At least it is real.

We have millions of Christian women who have this false idea of manliness before their eyes on a regular basis.  Young girls think all worthy men know how to ride horses and don’t sweat.  We imprint the glories of the “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”  Then we expect them to go out and be humble, non-materialistic servants of Jesus Christ.

I don’t know what you call it, but for want of a better term I will label it Christian Pornography.

Opus 42, New Book: Letters and Papers...

I am beginning to read a book I have had for years, Letters and Papers from Prison by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  I am about 30 pages in and will be throwing parts of it at you.  In a normal work week I will only be able to do any reading on week ends so don’t expect a book review soon.

Bonhoeffer was a martyr to Nazi Germany.  He was safe in America in 1939 and returned to Germany fully aware that it could lead to his death.  It did.  This book is set in the context of Nazi tyranny.  Although we are still a long way from those extremes it is strange how what he has to say echoes what is happening in our government today.  In the context of hope and change I offer this quote from Nazi Germany:

“What matters in the long run is whether our rulers hope to gain more from the folly of men, or from their independence of judgement and their shrewdness of mind.”

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich.  Letters and Papers from Prison.  New York:  The Macmillan Company,1953, p. 24.

Does it apply?  You be the judge.

Opus 41, What Should the New Republican Majority Target?

After we get through the lame duck session of congress the balance of power will change.  The Republicans (and any conservative Democrats if they still exist) will have a chance to make a statement.  I have read suggestions about what they should tackle.  Here is the list I have seen so far that I think are doable in the House.

1.  Lightbulbs
2.  Toilets
3.  NPR
4.  Department of Education
5.  Voter Fraud
6.  Soldier’s votes
7.  Sunset for regulations

What would you add to the list?  They probably won’t pass.  They would need to get through the Senate and a presidential veto.  They can make a statement and develop an atmosphere.  The key will be communication.  It will require use of the internet and old media.  It might even involve buying some air time to get the message across.

Opus 40, Christian Cliches: I can do all things...

(Philippians 4:13 KJV)  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

This verse is quoted frequently.  It is a great one for positive thinking, prosperity and self-help speakers.  It is a verse in the Bible.  Rarely have I heard it quoted correctly.  Remember what is important to understand a verse:  Conext, context, context.

On the surface this looks like a verse that promises us success.  “Of course it does.  I can read,”  You say.  Okay so read.  Read the two verses before this one:

(Philippians 4:11 KJV)  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

(Philippians 4:12 KJV)  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Paul was not saying he could always come out on top he was saying that he can live in victory no matter what situation the Lord puts him in.

You will not always get the promotion, but you can live in victory without it.  You will not always get the girl, but you can live in victory without her.  No matter what the extreme, you can live in victory. 

I am sorry if that is not what you wanted to hear, but it is the truth.

Opus 39, Why Do We Have Denominations?

Methodists.  Baptists.  Roman Catholics.  Eastern Orthodox.  Church of Christ.  The list goes on.  Why are there so many denominations?  This does not bother me, but some people seem stressed over it.  I remember having a conversation with someone I would not hesitate calling a brother in Christ.  He was doing some cold-turkey, door to door, evangelism and saw me as raw meat.  He was a Calvinist, I am Arminian.  We had what I thought was a great conversation, but even I run out of words after a time.  As we were parting I said something to the effect that it would be interesting when we got to heaven and found out who was right.  A look of sorrow came over his face.  He sadly shook his head and said that since the Holy Spirit was not the author of confusion, and I disagree with him; "he did not expect to see me in heaven.”  He said it in the most humble attitude you could imagine.  He was sincere.  He was loving.  He was gentle.  He was condemning me to Hell.

The Bible is the word of God.  It generates strong feelings and beliefs.  There are many that are consistent in all Christians.  I will discuss those in my articles labeled Basic Beliefs.  There are others that people have disagreed on since Paul and Barnabas split up on their missionary journeys.  Do you baptize by sprinkling, pouring or immersion?  Do you use wine or grape juice in communion?  How often do you take communion?  Is sanctification a process, a crisis, or both?  I could go on but I hope you get the idea.

The reason we have denominations is the same reason we have political parties.  Although some people won’t accept it, you can be a Democrat and a loyal American.  The same could be said of Republicans, Peace and Freedom and American Independent.  I am not sure about the Greens.  I know that you cannot be a member of the Communist Party and be a loyal American.  One of the goals of the Communist Party is to destroy America as a free and independent country.  They won’t admit it.  People don’t see it.  It is there.

In the same way you can be a member of almost any denomination and be a follower of Jesus.  We will never agree on how to worship or what translation of the Bible to use, but we are committed to love and obey Jesus.  When you move to the cults and heretical sects, that changes.  You cannot be a member of a group that denies the divinity of Christ and call yourself Christian.  You cannot have other books that trump the Bible and call yourself Christian.  You may be nice people.  You might make good neighbors.  I might even vote for you for president, but you are not a Christian.

Denominations give us the flexibility to be individuals as we seek to follow Jesus.  Don’t knock them.

Opus 38, Unexpected Spam

Every once in awhile I come across a gift idea that sets a new record for the question, “Who thought this up anyway?”  We had one of those this year.  If this is one of your favorites, you have my apologies.  And sympathy.  This year my daughter gave my son some Macadamia Nuts with Spam.  Yes you heard right:  Spam flavored macadamia nuts.

If you are from the mainland you won’t understand.  Spam is like the Official State Food of Hawaii.  If you go to Wal-Mart you will see pallets of it in the aisles.  If you go to a large grocery store you will find a dozen different flavors of Spam, so in a sense it is not surprise.  In fact this treat was purchased in Hawaii.  I think every other state has laws against such things.

Always ready for new experiences, I tried one.  It was everything you would expect:  Unique, memorable, disgusting, revolting.  It was kind of a combination of Vienna sausage and deviled ham.  Always learning from my new experiences, I did not need to try a second nut.  The label calls it a “classic flavor,” but remember in Hawaii, poi is also a classic flavor.

I looked inside three days after Christmas and they don’t seem to be going away.  Unlike the Christmas cookies they almost seem to be multiplying.  Remember the widow in the Old Testament who had her flour and oil replenished?  I think we have another miracle here.  Either that or no one is eating them.