Religion

I had considered beginning this column by easing into a few middle of the road topics, but that would immediately betray the title endowed upon this feature. So much for moderation, here's my thinking and thoughts on this week's issue.

The subject of prayer in public schools has surfaced again, and again it has been escorted from the highest court in the land in shackles. This issue is based around a doctrine that we call the separation of church and state and is deeply rooted in the Constitution of the United States. What? You can't find those words anywhere in the Constitution? You say all that you can find is something about Congress not making any laws respecting the establishment of religion. OK, so over the years, the judicial branch of our government has taken some liberties with the words that compose our constitution. They do this seeking to define not only the letter of the law, but its spirit as well as they apply it to cases and controversies that have standing before them. As our courts seek the tangible from the intangible, they often resort to what they call the intent of the framers. They ask, what were the words written into the Constitution meant to accomplish by those that drafted them? In Biblical Studies, we call this dynamic translation. Less emphasis is given to the words and more to the believed intent of the author. Regardless of how we got here; here we are. The question for today is have we been blessed or betrayed by this doctrine of separation of church and state with regard to prayer in school.

I cannot be wholly objective in discussing this topic, but I will apply some parallel thinking to the matter. As this issue is an emotional one, I will begin with the Red Hat. This metaphorical hat asks me how I feel right now, and I don't like it. I don't like it at all when anything restricts prayer in our schools. The red hat also prohibits me from justifying my emotion with logic. This enables me to state my emotion without anchoring myself to it. It also gives me the freedom to change my mind later because I have not tried to defend my emotions.

Next, I want to look at the benefits of such a decision to prohibit the support of prayer in public schools with such equipment as school public address systems. While using the yellow hat, we look exclusively at benefits and feasibility. The first benefit of this ruling that I see is that it protects those in the public schools from being subjected to the prayers of a devil worshiper. If prayer were allowed to be broadcast over a public address system, then we would certainly have to give equal time to a message that is already too prevalent in the fabric of our money hungry and icon worshiping society. The next immediate benefit is tied closely to the first. Such a decision does not show favoritism to one religion or one denomination over another. If everyone is excluded, there is at least a perception of fair enforcement. The final benefit that I will address in this brief column is that such an interpretation is probably closer to the letter of the constitution than many earlier decisions.

The black hat directs us to look for logical reasons why this ruling won't work. What are the risks, cautions, faults, and dangers in this approach? The first that comes to mind is that it creates a perception that God is not welcomed in public schools. With the national attention that has been directed towards violence in our public schools, many believe that bringing institutionalized prayer into our public schools is a necessary step in restoring respect for human life among those of a very impressionable age. The black hat also identifies the dichotomy that our currency reads, "In God We Trust" but our judicial rulings do not. Another risk is that school sponsored prayer has now been lumped into a category of other things that are prohibited in schools: guns, knives, and illegal drugs to name a few. The last risk that I will discuss is that such a ruling cannot be enforced uniformly. In some small communities where the family is still strong, churches are the social center, and thanks is given to God for seeing the blessing of another day; this ruling may just be ignored as not applicable. I recall the significance that the Department of Defense and the Marine Corps Headquarters placed upon sexual harassment training for all Marines. With the beating all of the services were taking in the press over related issues, such directed training was inevitable. This training and accounting for those that completed it were serious matters at service headquarters. They were also comical in some situations, depending upon how far away from the flagpole you were. Marines pulled out of the field and readied to go back to Iraq or make an unscheduled stop in Haiti had little time for this mandatory training. Seven hundred men with rifles, mortars, and machineguns ready to get on the next plane to anywhere really aren't receptive to such training. It defies the most basic premise of adult education--that the training must have immediate application. Likewise, the small community that relies heavily on agriculture, on the goodwill of neighbors, and is sheltered from the urban pace of life, probably doesn't see the applicability of this latest Supreme Court Ruling. If the summer harvest has been plentiful, I wouldn't be surprised to hear thanks to God being delivered over a public address system at the first home football game. In fact, I doubt that the quantity of the harvest will even have a bearing on this inevitable public prayer.

Let's take a quick moment and look at alternatives to this most recent ruling. I'm talking here about alternatives available to Christians that are prohibited from leading such prayers in school. The first viable alternative to increase the level of evangelism elsewhere. Christianity is a faith that is not intended to be locked up in church. It thrives and grows with one to one relationships. The same Bill of Rights that is the basis of this separation doctrine also gives me the right to walk onto almost any street corner in the country and profess what I believe, to lead my family in prayer in a public restaurant, or display my faith through my deeds. Another alternative is to offer a prayer over an AM or FM broadcast. I think I still have a collection of radios with promotional advertising on them that were given out on special days at ball games. Such radios are very inexpensive. Broadcast the student led prayer only to those that tune in. The final alternative that I will provide here is the opportunity for silent prayer. I remember many days in high school where students gave morning devotions over the intercom, and just as many where we had silent devotions.

This is certainly not an exhaustive discourse on the subject. On the contrary, it was a three minute examination using the parallel thinking tools (it did take a little longer to transfer my notes to this page). My final bit of thinking on this subject returns me to the red hat and another check of my emotions concerning the Supreme Court's most recent ruling. I still don't like it, but accept the ruling as reasonable in light of the liberties it preserves.

I expect that the courts will be busy with this issue for years to come. That much is a self fulfilling prophecy of the framers of the Constitution. The issues of church and state have clashed for two thousand years, and the Constitutional prohibition of Congress enacting laws on this subject, places the constitutional issues squarely in the judicial court. I expect to hear much more on this subject in the days to come.

Fire That Management Consultant!

It's time to fire that management consultant. James has replaced him or her with two verses. My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20 (NIV)

As a trainer-consultant, as a program manager, as a commanding officer, and as an Inspector General--I can confirm that the primary source of problems in most organizations is listening. There is a world-wide consulting industry built around a world that subsidizes poor listening. Most of us claim to be good listeners, but seldom have we put the skill to the test. If you are truly listening, neither your mouth nor your mind will engage with counter argument at the first point of disagreement. I've read a great deal of the literature about the importance of listening to understand. In most cases, this is only a Band-Aid on a gushing wound. Current management doctrine has it backwards. We must want to understand before we listen. James tells us to be quick to listen. This is not a technique. It is a state of consonance between our heart and our mind. It means we are receptive. It says my first choice is always listening because I want to understand.

James also tells us to be slow to speak. I can't stand to be cut off in mid-sentence, especially in a conversation that is based in opposing points of view. When I'm cut off, I know that the other person isn't listening and that both my words and my efforts are wasted. There is one thing worse than being cut off, and that's when I catch myself cutting off someone else. It's not because I didn't have the repertoire of skills. It's because I was lacking the motivation to listen. Something was driving me to answer quickly without regard to what the other person had to say. Whatever that something might be--anger, insecurity, pride, or anything else--I don't like it in the driver's seat. Yes, one of the things that comes not back is the spoken word. Be slow to speak is exceptional counsel.

The final piece of counsel is to be slow to become angry. Part of what we look at in the teaching of thinking skills is the link between emotion and logic. Both are essential to thinking; however, as soon as we tie our emotion to our logic, we have anchored ourselves to a position and will fight for it at costs disproportionate to its value. Anger is not necessarily bad, but coming too quickly to anger is dangerous. Nothing will stifle communications like an individual that is quick to anger. Seldom will anything of value be discussed in his presence over concern that his anger will again erupt. James also counsels us that our anger will not bring about God's righteousness. If we think that our anger can set things right, we're just wrong.

If you didn't have a leadership, management, or organizational development consultant before, you do now. Put James 1:19-20 on your heart and in your mind. It's long term consulting advice that you have to pay for only if you don't use it.

Just Do It!

Talk the talk and walk the walk. You've heard it before. It comes with every organization. Unfortunately, too many people translate it as talk the walk. That's right, you'll do fine so long as you talk a good game. In many cases, that's all that it takes to get by. Say the politically correct words and then go about your business as usual. Yes, hypocrisy has tenure and he's going to be tough to get rid of.

James does not accept this dichotomy between words and actions. He tells us to accept the word planted in us and do what it says. If we don't, we are the hypocrite and must ask ourselves what we truly believe. Belief is not relegated to our intellectual capacity. It must pervade our hearts and been seen in our deeds. To do less is the same as saying the Bible was a good read and put it on the shelf next to Gone with the Wind. The word of God is not meant to be kept on a shelf. It fits awkwardly into words--not because the authors were not exceptional writers, but because the words challenge us to free them from the paper, invite them into our hearts, and carry them with us in our deeds. Yes, much of the Bible is poetic, but the true poetry is in putting God's word into our actions.

"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does." James 1:21-25 (NIV)

4th and 1

What’s the nature of man,

When it’s 4^th and 1.

Why it’s to go for the gusto,

Seek the Father and Son.

But that’s not our way,

When it’s 1^st and 10.

We go back to our playbook,

Just lookin’ for sin.

I’m not talking ‘bout criminals

Or headliner crimes.

Just everday folks

Missin’ signs of the times.

We’re bankin’ on stocks

And bonds just the same.

But leavin’ salvation

For a day full of rain.

We’re storin’ up treasures,

And investing with zeal,

In the things of this world,

That someone could steal.

New cars and new icons,

Give us a day full of joy.

They’re shiny and polished,

‘Til rust does destroy.

Now we’ve all heard some preachin’

On Heaven and Hell.

But we leave it at church,

Lest our neighbors we tell.

That kid on the corner,

With the clothes that are torn.

Keeps singin’ eternal sorrow,

Lest you’ve been reborn.

But ‘tween money and credit,

I’m doin’ all right.

Don’t give me that spiel,

‘Bout a thief in the night.

Those preachers on TV

Tell me not to wait

To save my soul

From some fiery lake.

But I’m changin’ the channel

Without one hint of guilt

My home is my castle,

I’ve earned what I’ve built.

They’d have you believe

Things I rather ignore.

Like selling all that I have,

Then givin' it to the poor.

They say their fishes of men,

But to me they’re a pain.

I’ve got things to do.

Come back when it rains.

Now I know I’m not perfect

I’ll be the first to admit.

I’ve sinned in my time,

But it’s not time to quit.

Oh sure there’s a God,

He's out there somewhere.

Beyond the planets and stars

Yes, I do hope he cares.

But I think we’ve outgrown Him.

We’re on the right track.

The more money I spend,

The more cash I get back.

Yes, I’m doin’ just fine

On my own don’t You see?

Just bought a satellite dish

For my big screen TV.

Sure something is missing

From my eternal soul.

But I’ll fill it myself,

I’ll try rock ‘n roll.

Or jogging or swimming

Perhaps give Yoga a shot,

But give up the good life

For your offer of what?

Submission, forgiveness,

And the power of prayer.

I wasn’t born yesterday:

Done that, been there.

And the world still had wars

And hunger and fear.

So I’ll just look out for myself

Now don’t shed a tear.

For it’s my own decision

And You’ve suffered no loss.

Please don’t tell me again

About a death on a cross.

Or a life without sorrow

After this one I know.

Or the signs of the times,

They’ll come and they’ll go.

It’s first down and ten,

And I’ve only begun,

Lord, please stay on the sidelines,

‘Til it’s fourth and one.

Yes, I've had my troubles,

Even called on Your Name.

But when things settle back down,

I'm just not up for the pain.

Of lovin' my neighbor

As I love myself.

Or loving You first,

With my life and my wealth.

Do you know what it's like,

To be rejected and all?

I'd like to help Lord,

But I can't answer the call.

I'd get funny looks,

From the guys at the plant.

When I'd invite them to dinner,

They'd just say they can't.

It's a long way to the church,

And gas isn't free.

If You wanted my soul,

Well, You'd come and see me.

I'd like to accept You,

I'd explain it some more,

But I have to go now,

There's a knock at the door.