Culture or Religion?

I spotted a quote on the internet the other day that made me stop and think (this happens a lot, but some moments are different from others).  This one was from Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902), the historical figure in women’s right to vote.  She said:

“…You will find that every form of religion which has breathed upon this earth has degraded women…”

Upon encountering these words I felt this idea needed more thinking.  In her day Stanton was probably correct.  Women were counseled to follow their husbands in thought and deed. They were to take direction from them and be subservient to them.

Subservience to the Lord may be in the Bible somewhere, and many religions may have the same proscription for its followers, both male and female. However, the cultural context of religious creed did downplay the leadership role of women. Nuns in Roman Catholicism is a good example. Other religions, too. But even in 2014 Nuns have assumed a much more active role in the church. Oh sure the hierarchy keeps Nuns subservient to male leadership but I don’t think for much longer this will be true.

Cultural context is important in mapping change in society.  Women are a major force in most leading societies – both in the western world and European milieu. Women may play lesser leadership roles in other cultures but those, too, are changing – Africa, Malaysia, for example.

Religion and culture are deeply embedded in each other. That is both strength and curse. The yearnings of the downtrodden will rise to fulfill their destiny. Women have already done this in America and Europe. Elsewhere they will rise and share with men the world stage of leadership in religion, academia and statecraft. We have many examples of this throughout history. And it is an emergence that will not stop. We in America have experienced much of the emergence but there is much yet to be fulfilled!

Women are the backbone of most religions. They are the faithful and the doers. They are leaders in many capacities. They will one day exceed the balance of power within most creed societies. Rightly so. I hope Stanton would be pleased to witness these developments.

Will Wheaton is an actor and atheist. Back in 2006 he posted on his blog this statement:

“I’m so fed up with being told that I’m a bad person because I don’t subscribe to the same exact narrow views [Christians] have.”

“I also have nothing but contempt for the so-called spiritual leaders who prey upon [religious] people for their own personal financial or political gain.”

There is truth in what Wheaton claims, but actually that’s not the point of including his thoughts here.  My purpose is for religious or political groups to reflect on how they are perceived outside of their circle of influence.

Cultures include what is prevalent and believed by broad numbers of people. That does not make them right or better than others who don’t believe as they do.

What is important, I think, is that the opposing views brush up against each other in order that they find a balanced and realistic view of each other’s position. They just might find points of agreement. They may begin to see each other’s belief system in a broader context and be sensitive to it. This is a process that helps us support each other although very different from each other.

Diplomacy uses this process to understand others. That understanding can be used to build bridges of peace.

And that reminds me of another quote I bumped into the other day:

            “Be selective with your battles. Sometimes peace is better than being right.”

                                    ~Anonymous

Doesn't that fit well here? Religion, creeds, political ideologies, nationhood – all offer many points of disagreement. But understanding a little bit more each day helps us respect those differences and helps us understand our own views better.

Peace. That’s what we should be aiming for. Not agreement. Peace. The two are very different.

So I’ll close with: Peace be with you!

September 16, 2014

Traffic Civility

I've wanted to address this topic for a long time.  It sort of follows the heading – “If I were King!” – you know, the kind of rules you’d make if you had all authority.  With respect now only to driving a car (or truck), here’s an old favorite of mine: No left turns unless a turning lane is provided. Now that makes sense.

The longer I live and drive in mounting traffic, the more this rule makes sense! Left turners clog up more intersections and impede traffic than any other traffic problem other than a flood.  They also create more accidents than any other cause.

Second, related to that one is: If a turn lane is available, get into it quickly! How many times have you witnessed a slow dance by the driver into his turning lane with concurrent slowing of speed when he could have merged into the lane early and quickly? The painted lane lines are not actual curbs over which you cannot drive. Please get yourself out of the flow of traffic as quickly and safely as you can.  This speeds up the rest of the vehicles and keeps you safe at the same time.

The third rule is this: Don’t be a target! This one is consistent with the previous two items. Getting out of the way is critical to keeping you safe, others safe around you, and maintaining traffic momentum.  Keeping your rear end in traffic is an open invitation to getting hit. Turning left when no signal or lane is provided for that maneuver is another invite to a crash. Get the picture?  Out of the way is safest.

Fourth, if you must make a left turn and no signal or lane is provided for same, then continue forward and make three right turns (go around the block) and you will be heading in the desired direction. This is basic logic and also an excellent use of geometry.

Fifth, if you are in unfamiliar territory and just realized you are missing your turn, keep moving forward and find a safe place to sit and get your bearings, or make a safe turn when such is available. At no time should you make a sudden correction of direction or slam on the brakes in order to make the turn you intended to make. This rule eliminates more invitations for an unintended crash meeting.

Sixth, when cruising on the open highway, especially a four lane divided one, keep to the right unless you are passing a slower vehicle. That is the law. You are not allowed to cruise in the left lane. That is only intended to allow safe passing of other vehicles. If the right lane is moving faster than the traffic in the left lane, then you know conditions are not proper and great caution is indicated on your part!  It also indicates you must be in Wisconsin!

Seventh, when you use the left lane to pass another vehicle, do not slow down, but continue moving forward at a speed greater than the vehicle you are passing.  Otherwise you are not passing; you are just cruising in the other vehicle’s blind spot and creating a colossal back up in the passing lane. That is dumb. Pass reasonably quickly and then move into the right lane to allow the traffic behind you to clear.

            Eighth, keep your speed up to the prevailing traffic flow unless you spot a peril that they don’t. If they crash because of the peril, then you saved yourself from a nasty situation. However, if there is no peril, don’t become one by driving slower than everyone else on the road. If you are nervous and uncomfortable, find a safe place to pull off the road, let traffic pass, then resume your trip. If you are still uncomfortable, get off the road until you do feel comfortable or find someone else to drive your car.  Slower traffic is often the cause of accidents. They remain unscathed but others trying to avoid you get involved in a crash.

Ninth, do not use your hands-on phone while driving; do not text while driving; and do not check your emails on your phone while driving. Electronic distractions are a growing menace and cause of accidents. Increasingly it is against the law and for good reason!

Tenth, do not apply make-up or prepare your computer records for your next business appointment while driving. We all see you do it! We know what you are doing. You are going to cause an accident most likely involving your car. We witness your erratic use of your lane, your inability to keep up with traffic and notice that something is not right. That’s when we know what you are up to!  Please, be prepared for driving without either of these two distractions.

A bonus rule: please eat your meals before entering your car. A drippy egg sandwich or juicy burger makes for a dirty shirt/blouse front as well as distracted driving.

An extra bonus rule: do not install your contact lens while driving.  I know this makes sense in more ways than one, but still……

Carry on!

September 15, 2014

Thought for the Day

Most of you know I am a supporter of the arts – performing and visual. I think they civilize our society and world. I think they help people express themselves in ways they cannot in any other manner.

And I think art has a primary role in education.  This quote from Sydney Gurewitz Clemens tells you why:

“Art has the role in education of helping children become like themselves instead of more like everyone else.”

Over the weekend ponder this quote. Discover how art has shaped your life or enhanced it. And then consider how art is vital to young minds becoming well formed and self reliant.

September 13, 2014

Immigration Reform

I am not an expert on this issue.  I do not know the technical aspects of this issue – the law, the international protocols, and the ramifications for the American budget deficit and all the rest.

So I will address what I do know something about. Long term goal setting, big picture issue management.  Those two will do for a start.

In solve any problem, first it has to be defined. In this case I think the problem is: 12 million immigrants presently in our country illegally. There are many probably who feel this is an oversimplified definition.  OK then; what are the components that bother you and make you want to expand the definition of the problem?

I am aware that the cause of large numbers in the illegal immigration issue are many.  A porous national border with Mexico is one of the primary causes. But there are other causes. All need to be categorized and then analyzed to determine what can be done to stanch the flow of illegal immigrants into our country. With that analysis comes possible solutions. But already this discussion becomes overly complex.

We need to simplify the discussion. Agreed: we have a lot of illegal immigrants in America; they come from all over the world, not just Mexico. Also agreed, we are for immigrants of all stripes joining our national population. That is, after all, what America is about. It is who we are, where we got our start, and how we grew. It is also the secret to our getting along with so many nationalities throughout the globe. We are supporters of diversity, justice and equal rights among all of our people.

The issue, then, is not immigrants, but a regulated flow of immigrants to our land. For what reason is the regulated flow important? I suppose so we can adequately absorb incoming numbers of people properly and maintain an orderly society. Might this be the case?  Oh, I know there are concerns over national security, the high price of caring for immigrants who come to our land with few assets or resources but many needs to be funded from the public purse.  I would caution believers in this latter statement to understand that many immigrants come to us with skills, hopes and dreams and motivation to build highly successful lives. They also enhance our skill sets and sensibilities as an overall population.

There may be some concern about the religious beliefs of some immigrants; after all there is an Islamic jihad aimed at America, right? Well, no, actually. There are terrorists all over the globe who do not like America or many other nations as well. They claim injury from those nations and declare a jihad. It’s almost like if you don’t have a jihad named for your country, you must be doing something wrong!

Let’s face it. Jihads and Islamic radicals represent a tiny portion of the Muslim world. The Islamic tradition is one of peace, justice and loving thy neighbor. So are the traditions of Judaism and Christianity. They all come from the God of Abraham and thus the similarities among the religions.  They are all great religions. Each has its culture as well. Each is right to their followers. They are not a nationality; they are a religion.

Besides, America was built on individual liberty and chief among the liberties was to exercise religious beliefs without discrimination or abridgment. Even if the immigrant didn’t have a religion or belief in God. There was no religious requirement then (in the 1600’s) or now. You are free to be an atheist whether practicing or not.

So religious issues are not a part of the immigration issue. And rightly so!  How American is that?!

OK, so public services to immigrants may be costly at first but eventually our new citizens will more than make their own way in our society. It is one of the motivating factors of their moving from their homeland to ours; they want a fresh start. And if they are successful, they will more than pay their share of public costs.

If that is true, then any early public cost for services in their coming to America is an investment in their productivity and happiness. 

Therefore, that is no longer an issue.  A gripe, maybe; but not an issue. Fussy misers will always complain about costs and act as though they are the only ones bearing the cost. How egotistical of them!

Well then, we still have the huge issue of 12 million illegal immigrants. If their illegal status is the problem because solving 12 million cases all at the same time creates an enormous bureaucratic nightmare, I suggest we simplify the problem by declaring them all legal. That would eliminate the largest problem we are facing, right?

Now then, no longer do we have 12 million illegal immigrants to worry over.

What we do have are porous borders through which any malcontent can cross and create mayhem, including terrorists.  That is a far larger problem to solve, but at least it is definable in smaller numbers and thus more manageable. The management requires professional people trained to do this. We do not need self appointed militias to man the borders with guns licensed by the NRA! Vigilantes are not welcome in this volatile situation. They are not trained agents of the federal or state governments. They are not the police with special training for this task. So they are unwelcome and illegal actors on this particular stage. They should be arrested as a public nuisance and endangerment to the public weal.

 No high walls or fences are needed to protect our borders. Civility and professional border agents are. Deploy them sensibly.

Oh. One more thing. I suggest a welcome mat be permanently installed at all borders contiguously.

Now, can we get back to what’s really important?  That would be eating high calorie foods without getting fat. That’s a start.

September 12, 2014

Global Warming

Well it exists! Contrary to many pundits, talking heads and conservative wags, global climate change is with us. Ice caps are melting away, actually downsizing. Jet stream pathways have altered radically over the past 24 months and weather norms have shifted accordingly in many locations throughout the world. Warming air and water masses have that effect.

Those effects include hurricane patterns and formations, tornado emergence, severity of all such storms including thunderstorms, snow falls, thunder-snows, and many more examples of oddity in the world of weather.

With changing storm patterns come weird temperatures as well. High heat zones pop up in unusual places. Very cold temps are produced in other places.

We know that shifting temperature centers – both in the atmosphere and oceans – cause milder or more severe winters. Chicago had several years of mild winters in stark relief to its normal severe cold, ice and snow totals. For many years snow falls were minor and the accumulated totals far below normal. Then for many years we got warm gloppy snowfalls that melted in one or two days. Lots of water content as opposed to dry snows.

The weather experts can track the data on all of these conditions and most likely are. However, the global scene is interlaced with weather everywhere. That is what needs to be studied.

Will warmer weather at the poles be permanent? How do we measure permanence on a global basis? We need to face the reality that weather cycles we track are short lived from a few years to 50 years, or maybe even 100 years. In global terms that is a blink of the eye. Billions of years make up Earth’s history. A million years is a short time in geological terms. Recall the Ice Age ended 11,000 or 12,000 years ago. Man’s history tracks through a few thousand years of that time span, not all of it. And certainly practically none of the billions of years prior!

The scale of what we are witnessing on the weather front is the important thing. No one for certain can tell us the effects – lasting or otherwise – of current global warming conditions. But we humans ought to be aware of what is happening, how long it is likely to last, what changing conditions can we expect, and how severe an effect on our lives will it be.  Those are common sense things to consider.

The next step is to determine what effects human life has had on the global weather scene and whether we can change our behavior to alter the consequences we are witnessing now. Can we change our behavior is just one question. Another question is will the behavior change have the desired effect? Only time and experience will help us understand this complex issue.

Meanwhile denying the existence of the phenomena of global warming is pure childishness. Denial may make the present more palatable, but the future?

There’s always that question, isn't there?

September 11, 2014

Deliver Us From Evil

The video images of  Ray Rice hitting his wife in the elevator are stark. Boom! Violence. Personal and private. Yet captured on the security camera. The images spread on the internet. The reactions were as swift.

Ray Rice is/was a profession National Football League star. On the Baltimore Ravens NFL team. A running back. Swift, incisive player, talented. Strong, too. His fiancé then, now his wife, was not big and powerful. Slight and feminine. Knocked out cold. In plain view of the camera.

Today Ray Rice is out of a job. Maybe forever out of the NFL. As tragic as this event was and is, it is good that the Ravens and the NFL agree that domestic violence among their personnel must be attended to. The new NFL rules on domestic violence  carry a two game suspension for the first offense; a repeat offense is permanent suspension. Period.

Domestic violence is evil. In our nation and in our culture. Thankfully the NFL has made a strong stand with regard to its highly visible, highly paid and revered athletes. They are not gods. Some of them are evil, just like others scattered throughout humanity whether American or some other nationality. We must all take a stand against this evil.

I found this quote on the internet the other day.  It is anonymous, but the message is timeless:

            “We need to teach our daughters to know the difference between:

            -A man who flatters her and a man who complements her

            -A man who spends money on her and a man who invests in her

            -A man who views her as property and a man who views her properly

            -A man who lusts after her and a man who loves her

            -A man who believes he’s a gift to women, and a man who believes she’s a gift

                to him

            And then we need to teach our sons to be that kind of man.”

Evil is often a result, a symptom of an amalgamation of other factors. We teach or don’t, lead or don’t, stand up for principle or don’t. Sloppy living creates opportunity for unwanted results, symptoms, or evil. Think about it. The problem is ours to solve.

And we can do it by paying attention, asking for help when we need it, but above all, by not ignoring problems as they begin to emerge.

It is not OK to hit another person. It is even more not OK for a man to hit a woman, a child or any other human being weaker than he. We can instill this principle in our kids at home, in school, in social gatherings. We need to present a good role model for them to witness and be guided by when we are not in their presence. At all times.

Of course, we have events happening in our culture that send messages that can affect the outcomes we hope for. Doing violence to others takes many forms. Policies and practices of a school, an employer, a business entity, whatever, send messages and form expectations.

Hillary Clinton stated the following on the recent court case that allowed employers to escape some requirements to insure women’s reproductive healthcare on religious grounds:

“Many more companies will claim religious beliefs. Some will be sincere, others maybe not. We’re going to see this one insurable service cut out for many women…this is a really bad, slipper slope.”

Is this court decision violence against women? Is this a stretch of our logic? I don’t think so. Women must be free to determine their own future, their own medical treatment, their own advice and counsel on matters important to them. A health insurance plan should help the patient get what she needs in coping with medical and personal choices that have outcomes to her and her family’s life. This is not a court matter other than ensuring women have those rights! And it is not proper for an employer to decide what is moral and what is not in the personal life of an employee when such decisions have no impact on job performance.

It’s time to call out the Supreme Court. And employers who hide behind murky religious creeds. And politicians who cater to narrow interest groups and leverage public policy for personal gain. Shame on them all.

Evil lurks we are told. Evil exists among us. It is for all of us to see it and live accordingly.

Whether violence is a hit to the head, a slap to the face, or reduction of personal liberty, it is unwanted and dangerous to the fabric of our society.

May we remember this in all of our affairs. Meanwhile, thank you to the NFL for standing tall on domestic violence. And shame to the Supreme Court for narrowing personal freedom of women in the name of religious freedom of an employer.

Read your history books, Justices of the Supreme Court!  Freedom of religion works on many levels in our society. You've tortured it yet into a more horrible monster.

September 10, 2014

Consequences

So much to think about these days. Changing seasons, odd weather, changing climate. Future sources of energy (not oil!), domestic violence shifts, international violence, and unrest among religious minorities and still more topics to ponder. But here is a series of thoughts that oddly fit together. All of these are taken from the internet. They keep us wondering and thinking…

Please read them all through to see what I mean. This is not political, but then again it is. Try to ignore that and focus on the core ideas expressed here:

First is a quote from Andrew Sullivan:

“There’s effectively no Republican Party anymore. There is a radical movement to destroy the modern American state and eviscerate its institutions in favor of restoring a mythical, Elysian, majority-white, 19^th century past.”

In policy matters this controlling party in the U.S. House of Representatives and a controlling minority in the U. S. Senate appears to want to gut all government programs except the Department of Defense. That would leave a government only concerned in military matters and a very precarious foreign affairs arena destined to use the military power.

As Alan Grayson (Democrat Florida Congressman) has said:

“We have to get past this bizarre notion that every time there’s something in the world we don’t like, we bomb it.”

That is an overstatement but it illustrates the danger of being only concerned with military issues and then applying it to foreign affairs because you are effectively ignoring all other matters – public education, public health and welfare, public transportation, environmental issues, etc.

And if you need more ammunition for this, just look at what John McCain has said in the past 18 months:

            2013: “We must arm ISIS to defeat Assad (Syria).

            2014: “We must help Assad defeat ISIS.”

Which should we be focusing on, John? Syria or ISIS? Or your re-election, or your presidential aspirations? What drives you to open your mouth in public, John?

I may be wrong about this, but I think we Americans need to focus on what makes us human and get better at managing those issues. Lots of problems, lots of solutions, much to be grateful for, much work yet to do.

The largest task is healing from all the hurts we have suffered – real or imagined! Shifting outside of ourselves toward the needs of others is a good start. And then forgiving and ridding ourselves of resentments.

An old American Indian idea freely interpreted states the following:

“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.” – Author Unknown

Wounded yes. But no longer letting it control our lives. A good thought to remember as we move forward doing the best we can with what we have.

Increasingly it is more valuable and potent! Just think of the positive consequences of that!

September 9, 2014