David Pakman has a website, radio, and pod cast show. He is
a political analyst and commentator. He shared this thought recently on the
internet:
“If the skilled orators of the
religious right focused on developing real solutions to poverty, energy, income
inequality, education, and reforming the political system … instead of on
preaching about gay people, abortion, and passing laws based on the Bible ---
the US would be light years ahead of where we are today.”
One of my ‘favorite’ orators/personalities he refers to is
Pat Robertson. His views are often so loony that they are down right funny. The
only reason they are not hilarious is because I know he means what he
says. He really doesn't know anything
about the gay community but he speaks as though he does. If he used only a
fraction of the empathy he learned as a pastor and minister he would recognize
instantly how off base he is. But that’s not to be; Robertson is more
comfortable stirring up controversy, sharing gossip and passing on rumor as
fact. Theologically he appears to have forgotten about the love of God and
Christ his religion espouses. Forgiveness of sin is the core of the Christian
belief. He seems to have forgotten that.
Instead he pushes forward with what can only be referred to
as hate speech. We get plenty of news from gay blogs so I know whereof I speak!
The other religious right orators included in David Pakman’s
quote embrace a steady stream of political commentary based on what they feel
are biblical roots. International affairs, rights guaranteed in the Bill of
Rights, gun legislation, immigration reform, abortion restrictions, all of
these and much more are the subject of choice words from the men of God.
Trouble is they have forgotten the context of the Bill of Rights and the Bible.
We won’t think of treading on their thoughts of the Koran or Torah. One can
only imagine!
Sister Joan Chittister, the well known Benedictine nun from Erie , Pennsylvania
“I do not believe that just
because you’re opposed to abortion that makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in
many cases, your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but
not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed. And why would I
think that you don’t? Because you don’t want any tax money to go there. That’s
not pro-life. That’s pro-birth. We need a much broader conversation on what the
morality of pro-life is.”
Solutions. Is abortion awful? Yes. Is it necessary? Yes it
is, unfortunately. Rather that than another mouth to feed that is unloved,
unhoused, uneducated and un-cared for. Abortion ought not be used as birth
control, but then accidents happen, and consequences need to be properly cared
for. Pro-life needs to consider quality of life in deep detail.
When I scan the horizon of social issues I am struck by how
many problems need to focus on the complex yet basic fact of self esteem. A high school student who
feels good about himself, has confidence that his ideas are of value, most
likely will make something of his life going forward. On the other hand, a
student who lacks self confidence and self-worth, is most likely to follow a
path of least resistance, of taking, of bullying others, of getting his jollies
at the expense of others. And those behaviors do not address underemployment,
crime or other destructive lifestyles of drugs and alcohol.
Helping young people feel good about themselves and to sense
and see possibilities that interest them, will go a long way in solving
problems related to addictions, crime and wasted potential. Listening to them
is the first step, I think. Providing a sympathetic ear helps them know that
others care about them and what they think.
Listening is a major tool in helping anyone, actually.
Listen to an unemployed person. Or even more tellingly, listen to an
underemployed person. Understand what it is they do to make a living. Know what
they want to do. Perhaps not the exact occupation, but rather the sense of
self-knowledge, control of their dreams, and use of their skills and talents.
How can they find work that will use these personal elements? What kind of work opportunities might lead
them to the ideal job? What educational tools might they need to get in order
to succeed in a chosen arena? And then how to they gain access to that
education?
Motivating people to take charge of their own lives is hard
work. Helping them gain self confidence that they can take charge of their
lives is very doable. It begins by listening.
Let them talk. Let them uncover what is important inside them. Help them
articulate these things so they can focus on what to repair and strengthen.
In reality people solve their own problems. Others can help
and nurture them in this process, but the hard work is done by the person with
a problem. It is our job to lend an ear, provide for quiet thinking, and
offering encouragement. The rest is up to them.
Not all will do well with their problems. But we can try to
be there for them and give them a start in the right direction. So much better
than oratory of condemnation.
March 7, 2014
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