On Moral Values
Our election has come and gone.
Possibly the most significant thing Americans learned with this election was the tremendous polarity and
division that was revealed among our populace as the campaigning came to its conclusion.
Regardless of whether or not the voting itself was flawed or tampered with, we cannot deny that as citizens
in our country we are not united in our most important views. When the smoke and flames from the shock and awe of the election
results cleared away, from a wide range of news and commentary sources as well as voices of our citizen-voters we learned
that the most powerfully determining factor was that of "morale values."
On the surface, we are faced with the notion that the majority of this country - possessing the higher values
of morality that matter most - has finally spoken in rebuke of those in the minority who apparently do not equate morale values
in the same way.
On the surface we who did not vote then with the "morale majority" are left to consider our ways, our values
and our lifestyles as having been condemned or deemed "unrighteous." Even now at this early post-election time pundits and
politicians are advising the losing party to figure out a way to reach out to this indignant moral majority by inserting god-talk
into the dialogue in a meaningful way in order to make headway at the next election.
Liberal politicians and liberal political critics have been put on notice that their disagreement with conservative
political and religious values will not be as tolerated as it has in the past. This past week on several occasions we witnessed
this "putting on notice" by conservative politicians, pundits and conservative Christian leaders who demonstrated aptly that
they have been offended for a long time and "enough is enough."
Tempers flared, angry words were spoken on broadcast programs that revealed more than just a sense of having
voted their conscience and having rejected one candidate in favor of another.
Resentment was powerfully displayed; a humorless resentment that revealed just how powerfully offended this
majority voting block has been by the criticisms, satire, sarcastic humor and open political attacks on their religious beliefs
and on a president they deeply revere as their "Christian in the White House."
It appears that many of us were blind to this and sorely underestimated the depth of that resentment. Decades
of stand-up comedy that ridiculed the religious in the country is an example of what has been simmering for a long time -
an offendedness that finally boiled over into an almost blind willingness to ignore any detailed examination or critique of
Mr. Bush's presidency coupled with an unforgiving desire for what might be called the ultimate repudiation of irresponsible,
disrespectful and diminishing behavior.
Comedians have always had their best success when they cause us to laugh at ourselves. An ignorant assumption
that everything about our society was therefore "fair game" has resulted in a long-festering and simmering resentment of having
one's most cherished values belittled publicly. There are things, as I learned from my wife long ago, that are flat-out just
not funny.
We are then left with the circumstance of today in which one segment of our society has risen in righteous
rage to rebuke the other offending segment. Things ARE that black and white in this country right now.
Today, liberal organizations, liberal Churches and liberal Christians have been given the word that there
is a more fundamental degree of righteousness that matters beyond the basic fundamental concepts of Christ. Driven by radical
Christian political power-mongers, whether intentionally or not, those voters who refused to see the reality of the direction
in which those power mongers want to take our nation will now face the consequences of their personal decisions.
Voting against gays, abortion, evolution and in blind support of our “Christian in the White House”
was the easiest moral choice those voters – and we who voted against Mr. Bush as well - will have to make. The moral
choices will only become more difficult as time moves on. Things will not progress more easily now that the majority has spoken.
Those who voted to affirm their support of the current political administration have caused the entire electorate
to assume an equal responsibility for all that America - a nation populated by a Christian majority - has done in the past
four years and what America - a nation now dominated by a Christian majority - will do in the next four years. That is the
real meaning of the need to understand what Mr. Kerry meant when he talked about a "global test."
As happens every four years, we as citizens are given the responsibility to endorse or repudiate decisions
and actions of our leaders. In so doing, every four years we send a message to the world as to what this nation – founded
as a consequences of groups of colonists seeking religious freedom itself - stands for and will stand for in the coming years.
Although this election was never about the candidates of good versus the candidates of evil, the majority
of voters acted as if it were so. However, now we all will have to bear the glory or the shame of that decision. In using
the words "morale values" victorious political and religious pundits have had to admit that those values centered on a current
narrow range of concepts: abortion, gay marriage, and evolution.
Yet, morale values were also at the heart of the argument against re-electing the president. He has not
been dishonest or shy in proclaiming his sense of having been placed in the presidency by God nor his intention to foster
conservative corporate business and tax philosophies and a neocon philosophy of world domination.
Those who voted for him heard him repeatedly assert those dogmatic economic and political views. There are
moral values inexorably and directly connected to these philosophies as well.
Christianity, however, is more than narrow views of gays, abortion and evolution. We have a significantly
larger list of moral values that owe their origination to Jesus Christ.
An honest person realizes the implications of all convictions. Any who proclaim moral values absolutely
must address personally and publicly – when they speak out - how our nation reconciles its thinking with the broader
array of traditional Christian values.
THE POOR
Is it Christian to help the rich get richer at the expense of the poor?
Jesus teaches generosity to the poor and that we should not refuse "him who would borrow from you.”
Jesus taught us to look constantly for ways to give. “You received without paying, give without pay.”
Jesus taught us not to be focused on wealth, money and the desire for more and more of at the expense of
all else - particularly the poor.
Unlike some radical Christians who have declared the belief these days, Jesus did not say wealth and prosperity
was equal to righteousness while the poor deserve their lot,
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, `If any one swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if any one swears
by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has
made the gold sacred?"
Jesus spoke against corruption and greed in government.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected
the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
“
Jesus condemned caring for only the "worthy poor."
The Levite (supposedly a righteous priest, minister or preacher), walked around the wounded victim on the
highway telling himself "My morale values are not your morale values. Actually your morale values make you unworthy of my
charity."
The Samaritan only said, "Here, let me help you and take care of you."
Jesus said "Go and do likewise."
Jesus warned those who deliberately or casually ignore the poor and suffering.
"There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And
at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover
the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also
died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom."
Jesus did not say that the health and well-being of children can be ignored.
“Whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly,
I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."
WEALTH
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in
and steal.”
Jesus did not teach that we should obsess on consuming.
"If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven;
and come, follow me. Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you,
it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
ECONOMICS/GOVERNMENT/TAXES
Jesus did not say that anyone -including the merchant class - is exempt or should not pay taxes.
“Show me the money for the tax. Whose likeness and inscription is this? Render therefore to Caesar
the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
Jesus taught total respect for the working man, employment and job security. "The laborer deserves his food.”
Jesus condemned rulers who impose unfair burdens on the people.
“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you,
but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders;
but they themselves will not move them with their finger.“
ON CAPITALISM AND OTHER "ISM'S"
Jesus condemned the political, economic and philosophic ideology of men.
"You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. You have a fine way of rejecting
the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition!"
ENEMIES
The meek inherit the earth.
Jesus said to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your
Father who is in heaven.”
Those persecuted for righteousness' sake own the kingdom of God.
What then regarding those who persecute?
There is no such thing anytime anywhere AS killing for Christ.
MERCY
The merciful obtain mercy. The Sermon on the Mount speaks against basing the need to "search and destroy"
evil as an act of revenge. Jesus taught that mercy is more desirable than sacrifice.
Christians must always be ready to ask, “Am I willing to sacrifice the sons and daughters of this
nation in support of a war that has not been justified, or for an act based purely on revenge?"
Jesus said that collateral damage is unthinkable and against the wisdom of God.
"What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the
ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices
over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one
of these little ones should perish.“
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Jesus did not authorize capital punishment in any form. Those who would kill are insufficiently perfect
to take upon themselves that right.
"Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."
Jesus repudiated killing in His name and invoking war to spread freedom. If the Bible is God's word to the
world, then Jesus' words are not meant just for Christians, but for every soul on earth and here is what he said:
"I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed,
the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do this because they have
not known the Father, or me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told
you of them.”
PEACE
Peacemakers shall be called sons of God. Anger and insult are serious weaknesses.
Whoever says, "You fool!" will be liable to judgment and hell fire equal to the sin of killing.
Jesus repudiated war presidents.
"Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”
Jesus spoke against using war to force peace. When he spoke the following words, He could have spoken directly
to what is unfolding and growing in Iraq with our military loved ones right now:
"Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes. For
the days shall come upon you, when your enemies will cast up a bank about you and surround you, and hem you in on every side,
and dash you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another in you; because
you did not know the time of your visitation."
DECEPTION/FALSE WITNESS
Jesus affirmed that bearing false witness is sin. Today our most intense foreign policy adventure was initiated
on deceit. The election campaign was full of exaggeration if not outright deceit based on fear-mongering on both sides.
Jesus said that we are accountable for everything we say, vow or promise and that our words will either
justify or condemn us.
"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”
Jesus taught that wisdom is equal with innocence. Conniving, secrecy and manipulation are not Christian
virtues.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way
that man is a thief and a robber; but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens;
the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes
before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice."
"A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not
a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and
scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep."
"I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I lay down my life for the sheep."
GOVERNING
Jesus declared that those who lead must know what they are doing and be clean about it.
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. “
PUBLIC PIETY & MORAL VALUES
Jesus said to beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them and that you do not
force religion on anyone. Hypocrites make a public clamor of their own righteousness.
"When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and
at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
“They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes
long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places,
and being called rabbi by men.”
ON A CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE TOWARD SIN
Jesus did not say that we should distract ourselves by focusing on one or two issues at the expense of our
overall well-being. He did not say that Christianity would rise or fall over abortion and gay-marriage.
“You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!“
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate,
but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity. You blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate,
that the outside also may be clean. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You also outwardly appear righteous to
men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. “
Jesus taught that since we do not judge we do not determine who will go to heaven and who will burn in hell.
"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men;
for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in.”
We are in no position to declare that a gay person or couple who adopt a child and raise that child with
love and honor will not go to heaven while a TV evangelist caught in adultery will be forgiven.
Jesus spoke against hubris and the art of being holier-than-thou.
"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood
and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like
this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would
not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man
went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles
himself will be exalted."
Jesus did not consider the brother of the Prodigal Son more righteous, deserving or worthy in the sight
of God than the Prodigal. The Father recognized the older brother's goodly life but then corrected his hubris:
"Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for
this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found."
PERSONAL RELIGION
Jesus said that personal religious practice is done almost entirely privately.
“Give alms in secret and when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father
who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
FORGIVENESS
Jesus taught us to forgive, forgive and forgive; to not be judgmental. It is not our job to point or condemn.
"Judge not, that you be not judged.” "Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you? Neither
do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again."
CHRISTIAN VIRTUES
Jesus openly and bluntly told us of the most important virtues:
"You shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness,
Honor your father and mother, and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with your entire mind.
This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments
depend all the law and the prophets."
EVANGELISING
Jesus said that He was the Truth, the Way and the Life. His is the pattern and that pattern is a life of
seeking active goodness and not blind obedience and aggressive evangelizing by force. Christian evangelizing is not the “more-than's”
proselyting the “less-than's.” The Condescension of God is not the same thing as the condescending smugness of
the 700 club.
"Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I
then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example,
that you also should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is
he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
POOR USE OF SCRIPTURE
Jesus did not teach us to take the Bible literally and try to apply ancient verses literally to solve contemporary
problems.
Jesus did teach that religion is personal and manifests itself in acts and not blind obedience to words.
“You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that
bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men. But I know that
you have not the love of God within you. How can you believe, who receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory
that comes from the only God?"
THE END TIMES
Jesus did not say that the End Times will happen according to faulty and imaginary interpretations of scripture
that somehow require that Christians take over the world so He could return in glory.
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
"Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
But he did say very clearly what he would do when He does come:
"Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed
me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Truly, I say to you,
as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."
Then he will say to those at his left hand who had not attended the least of his brethren, "Depart from
me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."
LOVE
As the highest morale value of all, Jesus proclaimed love, not piety, not righteousness, not being born
again, not being saved and not accepting Him as a personal savior.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you. By this all men will
know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
"If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make
our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father's
who sent me.”
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. This I command you, to love one
another.”
JESUS CAN STILL BE FOUND IN TODAY'S WORLD
And Jesus said to His Father
"I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they
may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe
that thou hast sent me. The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,
I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved
them even as thou hast loved me.
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."
