The Faith In Your Politics
By: Rene Velez March 9th, 2009
It seems to me that it has come to the point when we have to talk politics and faith, all in one breath. Not that this should be so surprising when, you consider that the United States, the great nation that it is, was formed over two hundred years ago in large part by many seeking religious freedom, among other things. As part of this pursuit, every political, legal and business device was employed as a means to this end. The end did come and this nation became a nation where religious tolerance became not only a way of life but also a way of politics. Our constitution protects individual’s religious beliefs not only by means of common law but also as part of our constitution.
Having said that when did it become popular or a matter of proper form that no politician should utter a word as to their convictions of faith? Somehow from the beginning of when this country was formed through the late sixties it was a safer bet to stay silent, or at least not to stir the wine, by mixing politics and religion. I think somewhere their was an unwritten rule that said; be sterile if you want to get the vote of the masses. Yet, within I would say, (I am guessing) the last 30 years politics and religion seems to be at the forefront of many a campaign. What goes on here?
I suppose that part of the issue is that religious organizations have a great deal of political clout in terms of money and votes. In addition I believe that, the poor judgments and outcomes of corporate America together with the sins of politics (no punt intended) looks towards the values and morals of faith to lend a guiding hand towards, ethics and values. Some call this the right and wrong in terms of values or the left or right in terms of politics.
God Is With You
As an observer, I read stories in the press regarding conflicts about some peoples religious freedoms over the freedoms of another. For example; should a menorah be placed at a community center if the community is mostly Christian? Is this offensive? Or should a Christmas tree and Santa Clause be erected in a ‘round about’, in front of a Jewish temple? Or perhaps , most perplexing should a sculpture of the ten commandments be in display in a county courthouse? The latter has a peculiar twist in that our legal system tends to borrow a great deal from religion as a whole. We swear in witnesses on a bible. Our basic law of torts is derived in part by the very same commandments. We utter the words “God Bless America” in full glory and most people do not raise an eyebrow. The President of the United States is sworn in with is right hand on a bible. Our money says “In God We Trust”. Curiously, now that our banking system is in intensive care, we trust less in our banks, we are cautious with anything congress does and we despise corporate America for its evil ways. Right about now, God and the moral values of religion have my attention! God help my 401K, and deliver us from all evils!
The fact of the matter is that religion is in all forms of government and politics. We never really managed to separate church and state. Technically, churches and other religious organizations are not required to file or register for tax exempt status. However, they are obligated to follow the same tax laws that apply to other tax exempt organizations. Something the IRS is now interested in since the mega churches seemed to grow overnight into large financial dynasties. Some of what they do is in fact taxable. Or from a political point of view, or twist, their vast numbers and economic and political might make them more visible.
A Calling for a Moral Compass
Strangely enough religion is in politics today and politicians are less fearful although very calculated in how they embrace religion and politics together. Why? I think America, if not the world, has a calling for values and morals in how our country is governed and how equitable representation is made possible by political candidates. The desire for a moral compass is well founded and I suspect that it will endure for some time to come. I fear though that any strict adherence or association with any religious denomination is flawed at best. In the end the tensions, conflicts and extreme positions between the idealism of any religion is a greater liability than it is a resource. I suspect that in the end voters will get tired of ‘converted politicians’ and some will burn in hell for their choices. However, this speaks volumes for the dire need for straight non-biased ethics of elected officials. In the end people don’t care what religion the political leader favors, or sympathizes, only that they carry out there roles in a capable and well informed manner. Our political moral compass will not work solely through religion, it would work better through sterile intellect and through transparency and accountability, tempered with the sense of humanity of and for the voting public. What people want are smart politicians that are knowledgeable and well rounded, who act in the furtherance of our society and not on their political futures or for the interests of big money. If my suspicions are correct politics in this country will have to change and nothing is more of a catalyst to change than a bad economy and proof positive of the shortcomings of a congress who in large part could well be proven as incapable.
Ethics and Values as Part of College Education
I have in the past made mention of the urgent need to teach ethics and values as part of business schools. As a parent raising two kids, I have often thought that ethics, values and morals should come from the home. But in an era when a new generation of have-nots, that are coming from less than educated and well rounded social circles, are in fact meeting the challenge to work their way towards a college education, we must face the fact that many have not known the best of ethics and morals from their upbringing. I don’t mean this to be a criticism in any way. What I am trying to say is that we must embrace the disadvantaged, who strive to better themselves by means of an education, and have not been privy to the models of moral and ethical values to acquire those skills. If these models are not part of their upbringing then they should be, as part of their continued education. I would also like to mention, what I say here is not limited to the disadvantaged. My personal experience in knowing many a wealthy and advantaged contemporaries, who have it all, yet lack the very same models of ethics and morals. In some cases these members of our society could be worse. Why? Because no one typically denies them access and because they grow up with a mentality of entitlement through association of money and influence. In other words, they are spoiled brats. Yes, the lack of ethics and morals is an equal opportunity vise. People without ethics and morals have no social class. (how appropriate in that last sentence has two meanings, (a) They have no class, (b) and, there is no difference between social classes).
We are in fact a divided nation on Sunday! We deny children the right to public prayer at our schools and yet we expect them to have proper values and morals. This is not to say I don’t see the point of argument related to religious freedom in schools. I wouldn’t know how to draw those boundaries of rights. But, I suspect it would look like a cross between Picasso cubism and the those melted images on a Salvadore Dali. (I really don’t know how anyone can draw up denominational boundaries and be faire) I think the best way to teach ethics and morals to our children and in our colleges and universities is simply to teach it in a sterile and non denominational context. There is a right and a wrong. This is basic. You don’t need religion for that. Where it gets complex, we need to learn to analyze. In the end we will all make mistakes, but if we must, then let’s make the mistake that benefits society as a whole and hurts society the least. There is a way to teach this, although I realize it is not easy, and somewhat philosophical.
I leave you with this one sentence which I remember and try to follow in my personal and professional life. It is in fact, I think, an admission that life is not perfect and that we often face difficult choices and that often ethics and morals are not popular, but try we must even when logic fails us and the odds are not in our favor. :
“The most difficult thing to do in life, is to do the right thing!, Even when no one expects us to do the right thing and when no one is doing the right thing, and when no one wants to do the right thing for you.”
God Bless You!, Have Faith.
By: Rene Velez March 9th, 2009
It seems to me that it has come to the point when we have to talk politics and faith, all in one breath. Not that this should be so surprising when, you consider that the United States, the great nation that it is, was formed over two hundred years ago in large part by many seeking religious freedom, among other things. As part of this pursuit, every political, legal and business device was employed as a means to this end. The end did come and this nation became a nation where religious tolerance became not only a way of life but also a way of politics. Our constitution protects individual’s religious beliefs not only by means of common law but also as part of our constitution.
Having said that when did it become popular or a matter of proper form that no politician should utter a word as to their convictions of faith? Somehow from the beginning of when this country was formed through the late sixties it was a safer bet to stay silent, or at least not to stir the wine, by mixing politics and religion. I think somewhere their was an unwritten rule that said; be sterile if you want to get the vote of the masses. Yet, within I would say, (I am guessing) the last 30 years politics and religion seems to be at the forefront of many a campaign. What goes on here?
I suppose that part of the issue is that religious organizations have a great deal of political clout in terms of money and votes. In addition I believe that, the poor judgments and outcomes of corporate America together with the sins of politics (no punt intended) looks towards the values and morals of faith to lend a guiding hand towards, ethics and values. Some call this the right and wrong in terms of values or the left or right in terms of politics.
God Is With You
As an observer, I read stories in the press regarding conflicts about some peoples religious freedoms over the freedoms of another. For example; should a menorah be placed at a community center if the community is mostly Christian? Is this offensive? Or should a Christmas tree and Santa Clause be erected in a ‘round about’, in front of a Jewish temple? Or perhaps , most perplexing should a sculpture of the ten commandments be in display in a county courthouse? The latter has a peculiar twist in that our legal system tends to borrow a great deal from religion as a whole. We swear in witnesses on a bible. Our basic law of torts is derived in part by the very same commandments. We utter the words “God Bless America” in full glory and most people do not raise an eyebrow. The President of the United States is sworn in with is right hand on a bible. Our money says “In God We Trust”. Curiously, now that our banking system is in intensive care, we trust less in our banks, we are cautious with anything congress does and we despise corporate America for its evil ways. Right about now, God and the moral values of religion have my attention! God help my 401K, and deliver us from all evils!
The fact of the matter is that religion is in all forms of government and politics. We never really managed to separate church and state. Technically, churches and other religious organizations are not required to file or register for tax exempt status. However, they are obligated to follow the same tax laws that apply to other tax exempt organizations. Something the IRS is now interested in since the mega churches seemed to grow overnight into large financial dynasties. Some of what they do is in fact taxable. Or from a political point of view, or twist, their vast numbers and economic and political might make them more visible.
A Calling for a Moral Compass
Strangely enough religion is in politics today and politicians are less fearful although very calculated in how they embrace religion and politics together. Why? I think America, if not the world, has a calling for values and morals in how our country is governed and how equitable representation is made possible by political candidates. The desire for a moral compass is well founded and I suspect that it will endure for some time to come. I fear though that any strict adherence or association with any religious denomination is flawed at best. In the end the tensions, conflicts and extreme positions between the idealism of any religion is a greater liability than it is a resource. I suspect that in the end voters will get tired of ‘converted politicians’ and some will burn in hell for their choices. However, this speaks volumes for the dire need for straight non-biased ethics of elected officials. In the end people don’t care what religion the political leader favors, or sympathizes, only that they carry out there roles in a capable and well informed manner. Our political moral compass will not work solely through religion, it would work better through sterile intellect and through transparency and accountability, tempered with the sense of humanity of and for the voting public. What people want are smart politicians that are knowledgeable and well rounded, who act in the furtherance of our society and not on their political futures or for the interests of big money. If my suspicions are correct politics in this country will have to change and nothing is more of a catalyst to change than a bad economy and proof positive of the shortcomings of a congress who in large part could well be proven as incapable.
Ethics and Values as Part of College Education
I have in the past made mention of the urgent need to teach ethics and values as part of business schools. As a parent raising two kids, I have often thought that ethics, values and morals should come from the home. But in an era when a new generation of have-nots, that are coming from less than educated and well rounded social circles, are in fact meeting the challenge to work their way towards a college education, we must face the fact that many have not known the best of ethics and morals from their upbringing. I don’t mean this to be a criticism in any way. What I am trying to say is that we must embrace the disadvantaged, who strive to better themselves by means of an education, and have not been privy to the models of moral and ethical values to acquire those skills. If these models are not part of their upbringing then they should be, as part of their continued education. I would also like to mention, what I say here is not limited to the disadvantaged. My personal experience in knowing many a wealthy and advantaged contemporaries, who have it all, yet lack the very same models of ethics and morals. In some cases these members of our society could be worse. Why? Because no one typically denies them access and because they grow up with a mentality of entitlement through association of money and influence. In other words, they are spoiled brats. Yes, the lack of ethics and morals is an equal opportunity vise. People without ethics and morals have no social class. (how appropriate in that last sentence has two meanings, (a) They have no class, (b) and, there is no difference between social classes).
We are in fact a divided nation on Sunday! We deny children the right to public prayer at our schools and yet we expect them to have proper values and morals. This is not to say I don’t see the point of argument related to religious freedom in schools. I wouldn’t know how to draw those boundaries of rights. But, I suspect it would look like a cross between Picasso cubism and the those melted images on a Salvadore Dali. (I really don’t know how anyone can draw up denominational boundaries and be faire) I think the best way to teach ethics and morals to our children and in our colleges and universities is simply to teach it in a sterile and non denominational context. There is a right and a wrong. This is basic. You don’t need religion for that. Where it gets complex, we need to learn to analyze. In the end we will all make mistakes, but if we must, then let’s make the mistake that benefits society as a whole and hurts society the least. There is a way to teach this, although I realize it is not easy, and somewhat philosophical.
I leave you with this one sentence which I remember and try to follow in my personal and professional life. It is in fact, I think, an admission that life is not perfect and that we often face difficult choices and that often ethics and morals are not popular, but try we must even when logic fails us and the odds are not in our favor. :
“The most difficult thing to do in life, is to do the right thing!, Even when no one expects us to do the right thing and when no one is doing the right thing, and when no one wants to do the right thing for you.”
God Bless You!, Have Faith.
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