Why the Jews? – that was the title of the book I saw the gentleman reading. My interest was aroused and I was determined to get closer to him. My wife reminded me that we were on vacation. Neither her reminder nor the fact that we were on a cruise at the time, impeded my interest. I wanted more answers to the question my World Religion college students ask each semester – why have Jews been persecuted more than any other people group in history?
My quest for answers prompted me to befriend the reader. After some two hours of conversation, I knew I had to get my own volume – I have never regretted that investment I made some years ago.
In almost every instance, whenever the reason for anti-Semitism is raised, one hears answers like, “look at what the Jews are doing to the Palestinians.” Persons who answer like that do not know Jewish history. Even before the Jews were known as a nation, an attempt was made to annihilate them. Then, it was the Egyptians, as recorded in the first chapter of Exodus.
Throughout history, other attempts were made by the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Seleucids, and the Romans. On at least three occasions during the last 350 years, annihilation campaigns have been waged against the Jews: the Chmelnitzky massacres in Eastern Europe (1648-49), the Nazi German destruction between 1939 and 1945 and the current attempts by Iran and radical Islam.
In their volume, Why the Jews? – authors Dennis Prager and Joseph Telushkin believe they have identified why Jews have been hated so much for thousands of years. They advance four reasons worthy of reflection.
1. Judaism was birthed in polytheistic cultures.
It was in those cultures Jews affirmed what they considered to be the one and only God of all humankind. In affirming this monotheistic position, Jews were implying illegitimacy to everyone else’s gods. This sense of religious identity is a threat to any culture that is rooted in polytheism. The result – feelings of resentment.
2. Judaism has also held from the earliest times that the Jews were chosen by God to achieve the mission of bringing the world to God and His moral law. In other words, their monotheistic God chose them as a people to accomplish His purposes. That concept of being chosen by God is fodder for hate by those who were not chosen.
3. Jews have always believed that by choosing them God intended to use them to make the world a better place. As stated in one ancient Jewish prayer, “to repair the world under the rule of God.” This is a clear appeal to make religious demands on non-Jewish societies.
4. As a result of the Jews’ commitment to Judaism, they have led higher-quality lives than non-Jewish neighbors in almost every society where they have lived. With minimal natural resources, Israel has the highest average living standards in the Middle East. Twenty-four percent of Israel’s workforce holds university degrees, ranking third in the industrialized world. Interestingly, Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce.
Authors Prager and Telushkin believe that the higher quality of life among Jews, directly results from Judaism. This they believe has provoked profound envy and hostility among non-Jews. Hence their conclusion, a belief in Judaism is the root cause of anti-Semitism.
Interestingly, Jews who abandoned their Jewish identity and assumed the religious and national identities of others were no longer persecuted. This view was clearly illustrated during the Inquisition, when Jews, who chose to convert to Christianity, were spared from persecution. A similar picture was painted some 1,000 years earlier when Jews were executed or kicked out of the city of Yathrib (Medina) if they did not accept the message of Muhammad, the founder of Islam.
History confirms that Judaism represents a threat to the core values, allegiances and beliefs of other people groups. In addition, all the super powers that overthrew the Jews are relics of history. In 1948, the tiny nation of Israel was resurrected. It was resurrected with many of the beliefs and practices they adopted thousands of years earlier.
Despite her many successes, I do not believe that modern Israel is being rewarded by God for her faithfulness to Him. Many Jews today will affirm their heritage, but not the God of their forefathers. In Israel today, many practice godless values. Many reflect a spirit of pride and intolerance.
Today, Israel is surrounded by many enemies. Anti-Semitism is alive around the world. Meaningful peace in the land of Israel seems impossible. At this time, the words of the Lord to King Solomon are so appropriate: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Monday, August 27, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Post-Olympic Syndrome
Of the 10,820 athletes participating in the London 2012 Olympics, only about 820 received medals. For years, many will remember the accomplishments of American Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt of Jamaica. Phelps became the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time, winning 22 medals. Bolt became the first sprinter to retain all three sprinting gold medals at consecutive Olympics. However, amidst the celebrations, what about the 10,000 athletes and their coaches who did not win medals?
The Trinidad and Tobago government found itself having to apologize for failing to recognize athletes who did not receive medals. Four athletes returned with Keshorn Walcott who won a gold medal for his record-breaking javelin throw. Walcott received a full college scholarship, a new stadium at the college he’ll be attending will be named in his honor, a $400,000.00 townhouse in a community designated for use by government officials and diplomats, a national aircraft will be named in his honor, and a major road in his home district will be named in his honor. He was lavished with honor while the names of other athletes were not even mentioned at a home-coming ceremony.
Team Nigeria failed to win a single medal. The Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan ordered a comprehensive re-organization of the nation’s sports sector. Appeals have also been made for the Director-General of Nigeria’s Sports Commission to resign.
Other Olympic casualities among the 204 nations participating included government officials, coaches, their support staff and many athletes.
From the 302 sporting events, we knew from up front that only 962 medals could be won. The 30 world records broken were a bonus that lifted the standard of London 2012. The Brits were terrific hosts. All eyes will now be focused on Brazil for the 2016 Olympics.
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
Did you know that Olympic gold medals were not really made of gold? Actually, each gold medal was made up of 92.5% silver and 1.34% gold. The remainder of the gold medal was made of copper. The value of the materials used in the gold medal is about $644.00. Whereas the silver medal was made up of about 92.5% silver, the bronze medal, was 97% copper.
Obviously, that was much more expensive than the awards that were given at the Isthmian Games. Paul referred to these Games in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
The Isthmian Games were celebrated every two years on the isthmus of Corinth. The prizes in these games were perishable wreaths. However, like our own Olympics, the games were events of patriotic pride. Athletes contested in track and field, horse and chariot racing, jumping, boxing, wrestling and throwing the discus and javelin. Compare that with our 10,820 Olympic athletes who participated in 26 different sporting events.
Paul’s reference to the Isthmian Games was not intended to promote the games. He was using the games as a metaphor to teach about the discipline necessary to become winners. Paul was contending that the Corinthians were disciplining themselves in order to receive an award that would perish in a few days. In addition, winning was accompanied by a great sense of devotion to the state and to whichever god was being honored as patron of the games.
Following the London Olympics, many countries felt a similar sense of honor and pride. As hosts, England achieved her highest tally of gold medals since 1908, finishing third in the medal table. American legislators are considering lifting the taxes imposed on the monetary value of awards. It is this sense of discipline and reward Paul captures.
He sees the Christian life as a race. As participants we must discipline ourselves in the race of life. As athletes do, we must identify and eliminate all distractions. Distractions would include activities and behaviors that will affect victorious living. Just like athletes, Christians must be focused on the goal. Sometimes we forget that the goal is not the other athletes, who are also in the race.
It is at the end of the race winners are determined. Medals are awarded to winners. Winners are determined not only by those who crossed the finish line, but also by those who ran according to the rules.
According to Paul, “…run in such a way as to get the prize”. In addition, the prize is not like the first century Isthmian wreath or the gold-plated Olympian goal medal. For the Christian, the prize is “a crown that will last forever”. Because of this Paul concludes, “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
The Trinidad and Tobago government found itself having to apologize for failing to recognize athletes who did not receive medals. Four athletes returned with Keshorn Walcott who won a gold medal for his record-breaking javelin throw. Walcott received a full college scholarship, a new stadium at the college he’ll be attending will be named in his honor, a $400,000.00 townhouse in a community designated for use by government officials and diplomats, a national aircraft will be named in his honor, and a major road in his home district will be named in his honor. He was lavished with honor while the names of other athletes were not even mentioned at a home-coming ceremony.
Team Nigeria failed to win a single medal. The Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan ordered a comprehensive re-organization of the nation’s sports sector. Appeals have also been made for the Director-General of Nigeria’s Sports Commission to resign.
Other Olympic casualities among the 204 nations participating included government officials, coaches, their support staff and many athletes.
From the 302 sporting events, we knew from up front that only 962 medals could be won. The 30 world records broken were a bonus that lifted the standard of London 2012. The Brits were terrific hosts. All eyes will now be focused on Brazil for the 2016 Olympics.
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
Did you know that Olympic gold medals were not really made of gold? Actually, each gold medal was made up of 92.5% silver and 1.34% gold. The remainder of the gold medal was made of copper. The value of the materials used in the gold medal is about $644.00. Whereas the silver medal was made up of about 92.5% silver, the bronze medal, was 97% copper.
Obviously, that was much more expensive than the awards that were given at the Isthmian Games. Paul referred to these Games in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
The Isthmian Games were celebrated every two years on the isthmus of Corinth. The prizes in these games were perishable wreaths. However, like our own Olympics, the games were events of patriotic pride. Athletes contested in track and field, horse and chariot racing, jumping, boxing, wrestling and throwing the discus and javelin. Compare that with our 10,820 Olympic athletes who participated in 26 different sporting events.
Paul’s reference to the Isthmian Games was not intended to promote the games. He was using the games as a metaphor to teach about the discipline necessary to become winners. Paul was contending that the Corinthians were disciplining themselves in order to receive an award that would perish in a few days. In addition, winning was accompanied by a great sense of devotion to the state and to whichever god was being honored as patron of the games.
Following the London Olympics, many countries felt a similar sense of honor and pride. As hosts, England achieved her highest tally of gold medals since 1908, finishing third in the medal table. American legislators are considering lifting the taxes imposed on the monetary value of awards. It is this sense of discipline and reward Paul captures.
He sees the Christian life as a race. As participants we must discipline ourselves in the race of life. As athletes do, we must identify and eliminate all distractions. Distractions would include activities and behaviors that will affect victorious living. Just like athletes, Christians must be focused on the goal. Sometimes we forget that the goal is not the other athletes, who are also in the race.
It is at the end of the race winners are determined. Medals are awarded to winners. Winners are determined not only by those who crossed the finish line, but also by those who ran according to the rules.
According to Paul, “…run in such a way as to get the prize”. In addition, the prize is not like the first century Isthmian wreath or the gold-plated Olympian goal medal. For the Christian, the prize is “a crown that will last forever”. Because of this Paul concludes, “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Monday, August 13, 2012
Truth and Bigotry
I am no bigot! A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from their own or intolerant of people of different political views, ethnicity, race, class, religion, profession, sexuality or gender.
To be prejudiced is to form an opinion without taking time and care to judge fairly - in other words, to form an opinion before considering the facts. A prejudiced person is not particularly interested in what is the truth of a situation. To express an opinion that is not based on fact is tantamount to bigotry.
A bigot is a poor listener in that he or she fails to pay attention to what is being said. Actually, listening is an active process that requires one to be interested in both the content and the person conveying the information.
Listening is quite different from allowing someone time to speak. Allowing someone time to speak is extending a courtesy to another – it is complying with the rules of fair play. However, it does not mean that one was actively paying attention to what was being said. That attitude is fodder for bigotry.
To avoid being accused of bigotry, one must interact with facts or the truth of what is informing one’s opinions. Truth in its simplest form is an honest description of reality. Any statement is true if and only if it corresponds to or agrees with factual reality. If I tell you my car is white, then it cannot be anything else but similar to snow or salt in color.
Upon that foundation we seek to determine truthful statements, our sense of integrity, and all avenues of justice. For instance, without an appreciation for truth, our society is in trouble in that we cannot even establish a basis for trust.
Without trust, credibility and civility are lost. In some cases, many consciously distort the meaning of words in order to silence disagreement. For instance, some use the term bigot to describe anyone who shares an opinion that does not affirm homosexuality.
That should not be - we are constantly debating and discussing topics of interest – we actually applaud such dialog. Then why can’t we applaud similar dialog when examining topics like homosexuality? At the moment our discourse on homosexuality is often more hostile than holy. Emotionally charged terms like fagot, homophobe, bigot and intolerant are inflammatory terms and are inimical to civil discourse. Civility demands that we listen before forming and expressing opinions. In addition, a Christian understanding of civility demands that violence and dehumanizing rhetoric be avoided. Jesus invites us to pray for and love persons with whom we disagree.
Disagreement must be expressed in a spirit of love. We should never forget that opponents will be attracted more to our attitude than to our debating skills. With wisdom, we must be able to distinguish assertiveness from aggressiveness; meekness from weakness and knowledge from discernment. So often we win the battle (the debate) and lose the war (ongoing opportunities for dialog).
My point was beautifully illustrated a few days ago when a hostile customer verbally abused a Chick-Fill-A cashier. In her response to the unprovoked abuse, the cashier chose to keep her composure throughout the exchange. The customer was fired by his firm for the disgusting display but eventually apologized to the woman he abused.
In his apology he admitted: “…You handled my frustrating rant with such dignity and composure. Every time I watch the video I am blown away by really the beauty in what you did, and your kindness, and your patience with me.”
In a television interview, the cashier admitted she had no intention to pursue legal action. She felt her decision to forgive the customer was consistent with her Christian worldview. It was not her arrogance that won the hearts of millions of viewers; it was her composure, her kindness and her patience.
Those are the graces that will empower us in the current culture war. This battle is nowhere near finished. We have actually lost some ground in the ideological gay-lifestyle battle. Public opinion is reflecting greater acceptance and tolerance. We have been branded negatively in the marketplace of ideas. In addition, increasing numbers of persons are relegating our biblical lifestyle to antiquity.
Paul’s words to the Corinthians are so appropriate in times like these: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, (our weapons) have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).
Always remember, the way we fight is often more important than the fight itself.
To be prejudiced is to form an opinion without taking time and care to judge fairly - in other words, to form an opinion before considering the facts. A prejudiced person is not particularly interested in what is the truth of a situation. To express an opinion that is not based on fact is tantamount to bigotry.
A bigot is a poor listener in that he or she fails to pay attention to what is being said. Actually, listening is an active process that requires one to be interested in both the content and the person conveying the information.
Listening is quite different from allowing someone time to speak. Allowing someone time to speak is extending a courtesy to another – it is complying with the rules of fair play. However, it does not mean that one was actively paying attention to what was being said. That attitude is fodder for bigotry.
To avoid being accused of bigotry, one must interact with facts or the truth of what is informing one’s opinions. Truth in its simplest form is an honest description of reality. Any statement is true if and only if it corresponds to or agrees with factual reality. If I tell you my car is white, then it cannot be anything else but similar to snow or salt in color.
Upon that foundation we seek to determine truthful statements, our sense of integrity, and all avenues of justice. For instance, without an appreciation for truth, our society is in trouble in that we cannot even establish a basis for trust.
Without trust, credibility and civility are lost. In some cases, many consciously distort the meaning of words in order to silence disagreement. For instance, some use the term bigot to describe anyone who shares an opinion that does not affirm homosexuality.
That should not be - we are constantly debating and discussing topics of interest – we actually applaud such dialog. Then why can’t we applaud similar dialog when examining topics like homosexuality? At the moment our discourse on homosexuality is often more hostile than holy. Emotionally charged terms like fagot, homophobe, bigot and intolerant are inflammatory terms and are inimical to civil discourse. Civility demands that we listen before forming and expressing opinions. In addition, a Christian understanding of civility demands that violence and dehumanizing rhetoric be avoided. Jesus invites us to pray for and love persons with whom we disagree.
Disagreement must be expressed in a spirit of love. We should never forget that opponents will be attracted more to our attitude than to our debating skills. With wisdom, we must be able to distinguish assertiveness from aggressiveness; meekness from weakness and knowledge from discernment. So often we win the battle (the debate) and lose the war (ongoing opportunities for dialog).
My point was beautifully illustrated a few days ago when a hostile customer verbally abused a Chick-Fill-A cashier. In her response to the unprovoked abuse, the cashier chose to keep her composure throughout the exchange. The customer was fired by his firm for the disgusting display but eventually apologized to the woman he abused.
In his apology he admitted: “…You handled my frustrating rant with such dignity and composure. Every time I watch the video I am blown away by really the beauty in what you did, and your kindness, and your patience with me.”
In a television interview, the cashier admitted she had no intention to pursue legal action. She felt her decision to forgive the customer was consistent with her Christian worldview. It was not her arrogance that won the hearts of millions of viewers; it was her composure, her kindness and her patience.
Those are the graces that will empower us in the current culture war. This battle is nowhere near finished. We have actually lost some ground in the ideological gay-lifestyle battle. Public opinion is reflecting greater acceptance and tolerance. We have been branded negatively in the marketplace of ideas. In addition, increasing numbers of persons are relegating our biblical lifestyle to antiquity.
Paul’s words to the Corinthians are so appropriate in times like these: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, (our weapons) have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).
Always remember, the way we fight is often more important than the fight itself.
Monday, August 6, 2012
CHICK-FIL-A’s ATTACKS Backfire!
“Chick-Fil-A’s values are not Chicago values” – says Chicago Mayor Rham Emanuel. He was one of the first mayors to support Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, when he said the chicken sandwich firm “doesn’t belong in Boston.”
Their rhetoric created a national firestorm as gay rights activists accused Chick-Fil-A of homophobia and bigotry. Since their “tolerant” behavior was having little effect on Dan Cathy, Chick-Fil-A’s president, the vitriol was shifted to the WinShape Foundation – the philanthropic arm of Chick-Fil-A.
To be honest, I believe the overwhelming support shown by thousands of Americans on Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day was a knockout punch. The fact that the effort was not promoted by Chick-Fil-A gave it so much more credibility. It was the best day of business for the 60 year-old company.
The opponents’ anger against the company became more intense when Dan Cathy announced that much of the profit earned on the Day of Appreciation would be channeled through WinShape to support more activities that reflect the interests of the shareholders.
The focus shifted to WinShape. Who benefits from their philanthropic efforts? In answer to this and many more questions, much credit must go to Dan Gilfgoff, CNN’s Religion Editor. I relied very much on his superb investigative journalism to prepare this commentary.
WinShape’s goal is simple – to help shape winners. The Foundation funds foster homes, camps for children, college scholarships and activities that are aimed at youth and families.
In response to questions from CNN, Chick-Fil-A’s executive vice president for marketing, Steve Robinson said, “our corporate giving is focused on supporting youth, family and educational programs.”
In addition, “WinShape provides camping programs for more than 13,000 girls and boys annually and 14 foster homes caring for more than 100 children. In addition, Chick-Fil-A has awarded more than $30 million in Restaurant Team Member college scholarships to hourly-paid employees.”
In 2010, the most recent year for which tax records are available, the Foundation received about $8 million. The Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest gay rights group, believes the company funnels millions only to evangelical groups that demonize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people on a daily basis.
At the same time, the left-leaning Southern Poverty Law Center has classified some WinShape recipients as anti-gay hate groups. The Foundation spends the vast majority of its money on internal programs like its camps, which cost five million dollars to run in 2010. The same year some $3 million was spent on foster homes.
By comparison, in that same year, the Foundation gave $1,000 to Family Research Council and $1,000 to Exodus International – a group that promotes conversion therapy for gays. These are the groups and the amounts being referred to as substantive support to anti-gay hate groups.
Interestingly, nowhere would one find any statement that would implicate these groups as hate groups. These are conservative organizations that see homosexual activities as sinful. Exodus International offers therapy to homosexuals who seek help. It is obvious that the help provided debunks the idea that homosexuality is an irreversible condition.
Honestly, what was intended to crush Chick-Fil-A has heightened interest and support for the company’s commitment to Christian values. Other companies with similar values are beginning to surface.
For example, IN-N-OUT Burgers prints Bible references on their paper containers. Don and Jin Chang, owners of Forever 21 are committed Christians. The company prints on the bottom of the iconic yellow shopping bags the words – John 3:16.
Since this Chick-Fil-A fracas, Jack Phillips, the owner of a bakery in Colorado refused to provide a wedding cake for a homosexual couple. The couple made a public issue of what happened – the result? The bakery got publicity and business increased by 100% in a few days.
It is obvious that we are in a culture war. Christians are the victims of institutional bullying because of their faith. Our Lord never suggested that we would be exempt from these situations. However, He promised to be with us even “in the valley of the shadow of death.” Remember, silence is not an option.
Their rhetoric created a national firestorm as gay rights activists accused Chick-Fil-A of homophobia and bigotry. Since their “tolerant” behavior was having little effect on Dan Cathy, Chick-Fil-A’s president, the vitriol was shifted to the WinShape Foundation – the philanthropic arm of Chick-Fil-A.
To be honest, I believe the overwhelming support shown by thousands of Americans on Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day was a knockout punch. The fact that the effort was not promoted by Chick-Fil-A gave it so much more credibility. It was the best day of business for the 60 year-old company.
The opponents’ anger against the company became more intense when Dan Cathy announced that much of the profit earned on the Day of Appreciation would be channeled through WinShape to support more activities that reflect the interests of the shareholders.
The focus shifted to WinShape. Who benefits from their philanthropic efforts? In answer to this and many more questions, much credit must go to Dan Gilfgoff, CNN’s Religion Editor. I relied very much on his superb investigative journalism to prepare this commentary.
WinShape’s goal is simple – to help shape winners. The Foundation funds foster homes, camps for children, college scholarships and activities that are aimed at youth and families.
In response to questions from CNN, Chick-Fil-A’s executive vice president for marketing, Steve Robinson said, “our corporate giving is focused on supporting youth, family and educational programs.”
In addition, “WinShape provides camping programs for more than 13,000 girls and boys annually and 14 foster homes caring for more than 100 children. In addition, Chick-Fil-A has awarded more than $30 million in Restaurant Team Member college scholarships to hourly-paid employees.”
In 2010, the most recent year for which tax records are available, the Foundation received about $8 million. The Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest gay rights group, believes the company funnels millions only to evangelical groups that demonize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people on a daily basis.
At the same time, the left-leaning Southern Poverty Law Center has classified some WinShape recipients as anti-gay hate groups. The Foundation spends the vast majority of its money on internal programs like its camps, which cost five million dollars to run in 2010. The same year some $3 million was spent on foster homes.
By comparison, in that same year, the Foundation gave $1,000 to Family Research Council and $1,000 to Exodus International – a group that promotes conversion therapy for gays. These are the groups and the amounts being referred to as substantive support to anti-gay hate groups.
Interestingly, nowhere would one find any statement that would implicate these groups as hate groups. These are conservative organizations that see homosexual activities as sinful. Exodus International offers therapy to homosexuals who seek help. It is obvious that the help provided debunks the idea that homosexuality is an irreversible condition.
Honestly, what was intended to crush Chick-Fil-A has heightened interest and support for the company’s commitment to Christian values. Other companies with similar values are beginning to surface.
For example, IN-N-OUT Burgers prints Bible references on their paper containers. Don and Jin Chang, owners of Forever 21 are committed Christians. The company prints on the bottom of the iconic yellow shopping bags the words – John 3:16.
Since this Chick-Fil-A fracas, Jack Phillips, the owner of a bakery in Colorado refused to provide a wedding cake for a homosexual couple. The couple made a public issue of what happened – the result? The bakery got publicity and business increased by 100% in a few days.
It is obvious that we are in a culture war. Christians are the victims of institutional bullying because of their faith. Our Lord never suggested that we would be exempt from these situations. However, He promised to be with us even “in the valley of the shadow of death.” Remember, silence is not an option.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Chick-Fil-A UNDER FIRE!
The president of Chick-Fil-A did not condemn gay marriage as alleged by the media. Dan Cathy was expressing his personal support for traditional family values and marital fidelity. Cathy was never asked specifically about gay marriage nor did he say anything about it.
In his answer to a question from the Biblical Recorder, Dan Cathy said “We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family unity. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”
In reporting the above conviction, CNN said, “…But the comments of company President Dan Cathy about gay marriage…have ignited a social media wildfire.” A Time magazine headline read: “Boston Mayor Blocks Chick-Fil-A Franchise from City Over Homophobic Attitude.” Both quotations ably describe the vicious media scurrilous attack in reporting Dan Cathy’s personal convictions about traditional family values.
Time was reporting on Boston Mayor Thomas Menino’s statement, “Chick-Fil-A doesn’t belong in Boston.” The Mayor went on to say “…we’re not going to have a company, Chick-Fil-A or whatever the hell the name is, on our Freedom Trail.”
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, in supporting his Boston colleague said, “Chick-Fil-A values are not Chicago values.” These mayors along with Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno have vowed to use their offices to block any permits for Chick-Fil-A restaurants. It was Boston Mayor who specifically said, “If they need licenses in the city, it will be very difficult – unless they open up their policies.”
In other words, unless you share my worldview, I will use my government office to punish you.
To suggest that from the interview with Baptist Recorder, Dan Cathy was condemning gay marriage, is downright dishonest. In the interview, Cathy condemned infidelity in marriage. He was affirming a biblical understanding of marriage and family life.
Cathy’s convictions reignited activists who have been waging campaigns against Chick-Fil-A for the past year. Carlos Maza of Equality Matters, believes Chick-Fil-A is aligned with “some of the most vicious anti-gay voices in the country.” I imagine Maza is referring to the many conservative organizations, like Family Research Council, that benefit from the generosity of Chick-Fil-A.
The company invests in Christian growth and ministry through its WinShape Foundation (WinShape.com). The name comes from the idea of shaping people to be winners. It began as a college scholarship and expanded to a foster care program, an international ministry, and a conference and retreat center in Mount Berry, Georgia.
Chick-Fil-A employs some 50,000 workers in 1,600 outlets in 40 states across America. The company generates more than four billion dollars in annual revenues and serves millions of customers looking for affordable food in a family friendly setting.
This is the company against which gay rights groups have called for a boycott. Jim Henson Company has pulled its Muppet toys from kids’ meals at Chick-Fil-A. Henson’s company has since directed its revenue to GLADD, a leading gay rights organization.
In response to this acrimonious behavior, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, is leading a campaign and declared Wednesday, August 1, 2012, “Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day”. A number of prominent evangelical leaders have endorsed the campaign. Like Dr. Billy Graham, I plan to join in the celebration, if I can find space in the Chick-Fil-A restaurants in my area. I just checked and business seems to booming for the company around the country.
For me, this anti Chick-Fil-A campaign by elected government officials is tantamount to institutional bullying. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, although a supporter of gay marriage, said “a fast food chain’s opposition to gay marriage is none of the government’s business. That is what I call bigotry and intolerance. According to columnist Michelle Malkin, “this is ugly repressive civility enforced with government brass knuckles.”
The US Constitution gives me a right to exercise my free speech and exercise the power of my wallet to support something honorable. Never forget the words of former President Alexander Hamilton, “if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.”
Amidst this furor, Don Perry, a public relations executive at Chick-Fil-A, an African-American and a well-respected member of the business community in Atlanta passed away. I have every reason to believe that the faith and strong family underpinnings at the company and Don Perry’s home will assist in bringing comfort to everyone who is grieving.
In his answer to a question from the Biblical Recorder, Dan Cathy said “We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family unity. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”
In reporting the above conviction, CNN said, “…But the comments of company President Dan Cathy about gay marriage…have ignited a social media wildfire.” A Time magazine headline read: “Boston Mayor Blocks Chick-Fil-A Franchise from City Over Homophobic Attitude.” Both quotations ably describe the vicious media scurrilous attack in reporting Dan Cathy’s personal convictions about traditional family values.
Time was reporting on Boston Mayor Thomas Menino’s statement, “Chick-Fil-A doesn’t belong in Boston.” The Mayor went on to say “…we’re not going to have a company, Chick-Fil-A or whatever the hell the name is, on our Freedom Trail.”
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, in supporting his Boston colleague said, “Chick-Fil-A values are not Chicago values.” These mayors along with Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno have vowed to use their offices to block any permits for Chick-Fil-A restaurants. It was Boston Mayor who specifically said, “If they need licenses in the city, it will be very difficult – unless they open up their policies.”
In other words, unless you share my worldview, I will use my government office to punish you.
To suggest that from the interview with Baptist Recorder, Dan Cathy was condemning gay marriage, is downright dishonest. In the interview, Cathy condemned infidelity in marriage. He was affirming a biblical understanding of marriage and family life.
Cathy’s convictions reignited activists who have been waging campaigns against Chick-Fil-A for the past year. Carlos Maza of Equality Matters, believes Chick-Fil-A is aligned with “some of the most vicious anti-gay voices in the country.” I imagine Maza is referring to the many conservative organizations, like Family Research Council, that benefit from the generosity of Chick-Fil-A.
The company invests in Christian growth and ministry through its WinShape Foundation (WinShape.com). The name comes from the idea of shaping people to be winners. It began as a college scholarship and expanded to a foster care program, an international ministry, and a conference and retreat center in Mount Berry, Georgia.
Chick-Fil-A employs some 50,000 workers in 1,600 outlets in 40 states across America. The company generates more than four billion dollars in annual revenues and serves millions of customers looking for affordable food in a family friendly setting.
This is the company against which gay rights groups have called for a boycott. Jim Henson Company has pulled its Muppet toys from kids’ meals at Chick-Fil-A. Henson’s company has since directed its revenue to GLADD, a leading gay rights organization.
In response to this acrimonious behavior, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, is leading a campaign and declared Wednesday, August 1, 2012, “Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day”. A number of prominent evangelical leaders have endorsed the campaign. Like Dr. Billy Graham, I plan to join in the celebration, if I can find space in the Chick-Fil-A restaurants in my area. I just checked and business seems to booming for the company around the country.
For me, this anti Chick-Fil-A campaign by elected government officials is tantamount to institutional bullying. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, although a supporter of gay marriage, said “a fast food chain’s opposition to gay marriage is none of the government’s business. That is what I call bigotry and intolerance. According to columnist Michelle Malkin, “this is ugly repressive civility enforced with government brass knuckles.”
The US Constitution gives me a right to exercise my free speech and exercise the power of my wallet to support something honorable. Never forget the words of former President Alexander Hamilton, “if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.”
Amidst this furor, Don Perry, a public relations executive at Chick-Fil-A, an African-American and a well-respected member of the business community in Atlanta passed away. I have every reason to believe that the faith and strong family underpinnings at the company and Don Perry’s home will assist in bringing comfort to everyone who is grieving.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Evil in Colorado!
The impact of last Friday’s senseless massacre in Colorado forced me to scrap my planned commentary and address the possible cause of this horrific tragedy.
I sorrow with the families and victims struggling to remain alive. For many people, life will never be the same. The impact of this tragedy will affect politicians, academics, counselors, clergy and every branch of security. The tragedy has taught us that even while engaged in leisurely activities, the vicious claws of evil lurk.
Ironically, it was while viewing a ghastly movie, tragedy struck. The movie, “Batman – The Dark Knight Rises”, is the third of a trilogy on Batman by Christopher Nolan. One reviewer said of the film, “it is the biggest and baddest Batman film ever made.” Actually, “the movie boasts a sense of doom and has the kind of substance only made possible by mortality,” says another reviewer.
That was the context in which evil struck early Friday morning. However, I hasten to add that I do not believe that it is necessarily because of the movie the massacre occurred. The murderous plot was in the making for months. The movie provided an opportunity for the killer’s launch.
So, let’s stop the blame game – one television station has already apologized for making an irresponsible accusation. Answers will not be found by blaming others. The issue is bigger than the Colorado crisis. Colorado is merely the most recent case in an increasing series of barbaric killings in America.
In researching this topic, I came across an excellent resource – Extreme Killing by James Alan Fox and Jack Levin. Both gentlemen are distinguished professors of Criminal Justice. In their 280-page volume they identify five distinct motives for mass killings – power, revenge, loyalty, profit and terror. What seems very obvious in this well-researched book, is the authors’ omission of the word evil in analyzing causes for mass killings.
The truth is, evil is not a preferred term among scholars. Whenever one uses the word evil, one is implying some deviation from a standard. This is what St. Augustine (354-430) would refer to as “a privation of good.”
By privation, Augustine meant a lack of something or an absence of something that should be there. Sickness can be considered a privation in that it is a lack of good health. Similarly, evil could be the lack of good.
I am not referring to human goodness – a worldview that suggests that we are all good and as such we are not responsible for our actions. This view suggests that we are all victims of the circumstances that engulf us. Such reasoning for instance, sees poverty as the cause of crime.
In his Templeton Address at the University of Chicago (1993), the late Chuck Colson argued, “Utopianism assures us that crime can be solved by government policy. On the left, that means rehabilitation; on the right, more and tougher laws to scare people straight. But our efforts prove futile. In the past thirty years, the prison population in America has increased five-fold. Violent crime has increased just as fast.”
In other words, the good from which evil has departed is not a political or sociological matter. Among the many studies that have been done on the subject of crime, allow me to refer to a study that was done in England by Professor Christie Davies. She found that crime was lowest a century ago when three out of four young Britons were enrolled in Sunday school. Since that time, Sunday school attendance has declined, and crime has correspondingly increased.
Social scientist James Wilson did a similar study between crime and social forces in America. He discovered that in the late 19th century, when the nation was rapidly industrializing, crime actually declined. Why? At the time, a powerful spiritual awakening was sweeping across America, inspiring moral revival and social renewal.
By contrast, in the affluent 1920’s, when there should have been less economic incentive for lawlessness, crime increased. Why? In the wake of Sigmund Freud and Charles Darwin, religion fell from favor. In Wilson’s words, “The educated classes began to repudiate moral uplift.”
I believe Colson got it right when he said “Crime is a mirror of a community’s moral state.” As a society we cavalierly seek to silence those who advocate the sacredness of life. We relegate such rhetoric to private domain and unsuitable in the marketplace of ideas. Either tacitly or intentionally, our society has chosen to embrace a culture of death – listen to our music, examine our investments in theatre or study the tone of our political rhetoric. Then why should we be shocked with the corresponding increase in crime?
I return to St. Augustine for the closing word: “…evil is the corruption that arises when a good but potentially corruptible creature turns away from the infinite good of the Creator to the lesser good of the creatures.” Go think!
I sorrow with the families and victims struggling to remain alive. For many people, life will never be the same. The impact of this tragedy will affect politicians, academics, counselors, clergy and every branch of security. The tragedy has taught us that even while engaged in leisurely activities, the vicious claws of evil lurk.
Ironically, it was while viewing a ghastly movie, tragedy struck. The movie, “Batman – The Dark Knight Rises”, is the third of a trilogy on Batman by Christopher Nolan. One reviewer said of the film, “it is the biggest and baddest Batman film ever made.” Actually, “the movie boasts a sense of doom and has the kind of substance only made possible by mortality,” says another reviewer.
That was the context in which evil struck early Friday morning. However, I hasten to add that I do not believe that it is necessarily because of the movie the massacre occurred. The murderous plot was in the making for months. The movie provided an opportunity for the killer’s launch.
So, let’s stop the blame game – one television station has already apologized for making an irresponsible accusation. Answers will not be found by blaming others. The issue is bigger than the Colorado crisis. Colorado is merely the most recent case in an increasing series of barbaric killings in America.
In researching this topic, I came across an excellent resource – Extreme Killing by James Alan Fox and Jack Levin. Both gentlemen are distinguished professors of Criminal Justice. In their 280-page volume they identify five distinct motives for mass killings – power, revenge, loyalty, profit and terror. What seems very obvious in this well-researched book, is the authors’ omission of the word evil in analyzing causes for mass killings.
The truth is, evil is not a preferred term among scholars. Whenever one uses the word evil, one is implying some deviation from a standard. This is what St. Augustine (354-430) would refer to as “a privation of good.”
By privation, Augustine meant a lack of something or an absence of something that should be there. Sickness can be considered a privation in that it is a lack of good health. Similarly, evil could be the lack of good.
I am not referring to human goodness – a worldview that suggests that we are all good and as such we are not responsible for our actions. This view suggests that we are all victims of the circumstances that engulf us. Such reasoning for instance, sees poverty as the cause of crime.
In his Templeton Address at the University of Chicago (1993), the late Chuck Colson argued, “Utopianism assures us that crime can be solved by government policy. On the left, that means rehabilitation; on the right, more and tougher laws to scare people straight. But our efforts prove futile. In the past thirty years, the prison population in America has increased five-fold. Violent crime has increased just as fast.”
In other words, the good from which evil has departed is not a political or sociological matter. Among the many studies that have been done on the subject of crime, allow me to refer to a study that was done in England by Professor Christie Davies. She found that crime was lowest a century ago when three out of four young Britons were enrolled in Sunday school. Since that time, Sunday school attendance has declined, and crime has correspondingly increased.
Social scientist James Wilson did a similar study between crime and social forces in America. He discovered that in the late 19th century, when the nation was rapidly industrializing, crime actually declined. Why? At the time, a powerful spiritual awakening was sweeping across America, inspiring moral revival and social renewal.
By contrast, in the affluent 1920’s, when there should have been less economic incentive for lawlessness, crime increased. Why? In the wake of Sigmund Freud and Charles Darwin, religion fell from favor. In Wilson’s words, “The educated classes began to repudiate moral uplift.”
I believe Colson got it right when he said “Crime is a mirror of a community’s moral state.” As a society we cavalierly seek to silence those who advocate the sacredness of life. We relegate such rhetoric to private domain and unsuitable in the marketplace of ideas. Either tacitly or intentionally, our society has chosen to embrace a culture of death – listen to our music, examine our investments in theatre or study the tone of our political rhetoric. Then why should we be shocked with the corresponding increase in crime?
I return to St. Augustine for the closing word: “…evil is the corruption that arises when a good but potentially corruptible creature turns away from the infinite good of the Creator to the lesser good of the creatures.” Go think!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
WHY ISRAEL?
A few weeks ago Dr. Rich Freeman addressed the congregation at the church I pastor. The attendance was about one percent of the congregation he addressed the previous week. Thankfully, the attendance did not diminish the impact of his ministry.
Dr. Freeman is a national executive with Chosen People Ministries – an international ministry to Jewish people. It was during one of our private conversations I learned that Rich and his wife were married on the same day as my wife and I. That information led to our discussing our plans for our 40th anniversary in 2013. We were hoping to visit Israel – that hope seemed dim, until that meeting.
Rich will be leading a tour to the Holy Land in 2013 and invited us to join him. He explained how my wife and I could serve as guest-hosts, and thus make our anniversary plans affordable. Our closest friends would know that a visit to the Holy Land has been a life-long dream for us. Actually, such a visit would be better described as a passion.
My passion was enhanced after pursuing a graduate course in Geography of Bible Lands with Dr. Barry Beitzel at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Dr. Beitzel’s knowledge of this subject is well known and respected globally. It was under his tutelage I learned about the geology, physical topography, hydrology and climate of the land of Israel. That knowledge enriched my appreciation for biblical texts like those which described Israel as “the land of milk and honey.”
I have since taught courses in Geography of the Bible, and Old and New Testament backgrounds. In addition, my interest in Archaeology and Near Eastern Studies has been growing since meeting Dr. Beitzel in the nineties. Today, I smile whenever my Jewish students compliment me for my knowledge of the land – little do they know that I’ve never been to Israel.
But, why should I want to go? Let me first establish that my passion has nothing to do with providing political endorsement to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Neither is it my intention to see Israel as Muslims see Mecca, or Catholics see the Vatican. For me, wanting to go to Israel is not like wanting to go on a pilgrimage.
I want to experience some of what I have been teaching for years. I need to experience a sense of space. In Galilee, I want to sense what it feels like to be 700 feet below sea level and see the Sea of Galilee, the lowest body of fresh water on earth. While in the region, I want to get a sense of the distances Jesus traveled. I want to see one of the first century boats that was discovered a few years ago.
I want to experience the sense of presence when I read my Bible about places like Bethsaida, Jordan or Jerusalem. I understand that some of the physical dimensions have changed in some areas, since the days of Jesus. For instance, the Sea of Galilee is much smaller. I also understand that some specific locations are questionable. Even with these questions, I believe there are enough certainties to make the visit a rich experience.
I almost forgot to tell you about my excitement to see the region of the Dead Sea. Imagine standing at the lowest point on earth – 1,300 feet below sea level, almost five times lower than the Death Valley in California. The Dead Sea is the most saline body of water in the world. Imagine, throwing yourself in the Dead Sea and not sink in the 500 square miles of water, devoid of all aquatic life.
After years of studying the archaeology of the land I am also eager to see and handle artifacts. I can’t wait to get into the Jar-shaped Israel Museum, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls – the most significant archaeological discovery of the twentieth century.
I am hoping the tour guide will allow me to visit my family’s only Jewish friend in Jerusalem. For years, she has been supplying me with daily news. When coupled with my daily reading of the Jerusalem Post, you can probably understand why I am eager to visit Israel.
However, I do not want to go alone. Actually, I may not be able to go if no one accompanies my wife and me. As guest-host, Chosen People Ministries is expecting me to bring along other interested parties. If you would like to join me, leave a comment below and I will send you more information, or contact:
JDI Travel Inc., (Michigan).
Telephone 248-340-9191 (Extension 10);
Electronic mail - info[at]jditravel.com
I almost forgot to tell you that while in Israel, those who come with me will be able to visit the Jordan River, Capernaum, Mt of Beatitudes, the Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, the Western Wall, and Qumran. Be prepared for much kosher foods and a communion service at the Garden Tomb.
Something tells me, this trip will be a life-changing experience.
Dr. Freeman is a national executive with Chosen People Ministries – an international ministry to Jewish people. It was during one of our private conversations I learned that Rich and his wife were married on the same day as my wife and I. That information led to our discussing our plans for our 40th anniversary in 2013. We were hoping to visit Israel – that hope seemed dim, until that meeting.
Rich will be leading a tour to the Holy Land in 2013 and invited us to join him. He explained how my wife and I could serve as guest-hosts, and thus make our anniversary plans affordable. Our closest friends would know that a visit to the Holy Land has been a life-long dream for us. Actually, such a visit would be better described as a passion.
My passion was enhanced after pursuing a graduate course in Geography of Bible Lands with Dr. Barry Beitzel at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Dr. Beitzel’s knowledge of this subject is well known and respected globally. It was under his tutelage I learned about the geology, physical topography, hydrology and climate of the land of Israel. That knowledge enriched my appreciation for biblical texts like those which described Israel as “the land of milk and honey.”
I have since taught courses in Geography of the Bible, and Old and New Testament backgrounds. In addition, my interest in Archaeology and Near Eastern Studies has been growing since meeting Dr. Beitzel in the nineties. Today, I smile whenever my Jewish students compliment me for my knowledge of the land – little do they know that I’ve never been to Israel.
But, why should I want to go? Let me first establish that my passion has nothing to do with providing political endorsement to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Neither is it my intention to see Israel as Muslims see Mecca, or Catholics see the Vatican. For me, wanting to go to Israel is not like wanting to go on a pilgrimage.
I want to experience some of what I have been teaching for years. I need to experience a sense of space. In Galilee, I want to sense what it feels like to be 700 feet below sea level and see the Sea of Galilee, the lowest body of fresh water on earth. While in the region, I want to get a sense of the distances Jesus traveled. I want to see one of the first century boats that was discovered a few years ago.
I want to experience the sense of presence when I read my Bible about places like Bethsaida, Jordan or Jerusalem. I understand that some of the physical dimensions have changed in some areas, since the days of Jesus. For instance, the Sea of Galilee is much smaller. I also understand that some specific locations are questionable. Even with these questions, I believe there are enough certainties to make the visit a rich experience.
I almost forgot to tell you about my excitement to see the region of the Dead Sea. Imagine standing at the lowest point on earth – 1,300 feet below sea level, almost five times lower than the Death Valley in California. The Dead Sea is the most saline body of water in the world. Imagine, throwing yourself in the Dead Sea and not sink in the 500 square miles of water, devoid of all aquatic life.
After years of studying the archaeology of the land I am also eager to see and handle artifacts. I can’t wait to get into the Jar-shaped Israel Museum, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls – the most significant archaeological discovery of the twentieth century.
I am hoping the tour guide will allow me to visit my family’s only Jewish friend in Jerusalem. For years, she has been supplying me with daily news. When coupled with my daily reading of the Jerusalem Post, you can probably understand why I am eager to visit Israel.
However, I do not want to go alone. Actually, I may not be able to go if no one accompanies my wife and me. As guest-host, Chosen People Ministries is expecting me to bring along other interested parties. If you would like to join me, leave a comment below and I will send you more information, or contact:
JDI Travel Inc., (Michigan).
Telephone 248-340-9191 (Extension 10);
Electronic mail - info[at]jditravel.com
I almost forgot to tell you that while in Israel, those who come with me will be able to visit the Jordan River, Capernaum, Mt of Beatitudes, the Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, the Western Wall, and Qumran. Be prepared for much kosher foods and a communion service at the Garden Tomb.
Something tells me, this trip will be a life-changing experience.
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