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How Far We Have Come

I marvel at our Country and our ability to remain independent and a place that so many others look to as an example. It is a wonderful and truly amazing thing.  Many predicted that our “Grand Experiment” would fail within one or two generations.  And yet, we have prevailed.  No individual President, disagreeable Supreme Court Justice or Nefarious Legislator has brought down our great Republic. 

Through our more than 240 years of history, our Constitution and Bill of Rights have survived, in spite of the human failings of our voting public, those we have elected, and those who have been appointed and approved by our elected leaders. So I maintain tremendous optimism for the future of our Great Country.  We have advanced Civil and Women’s rights, the legal system, and our quality of life beyond most, if not all of the other nations on earth.

And Yet…..

And yet, we have also sunk into petty bickering, name-calling and putting of self-interest ahead of the good of our nation time and time again. And like a beetle pushing a ball of dung, the situation keeps getting bigger and more disgusting the harder we push.  So I have some thoughts that have occurred to me as I have tried to navigate my own feelings about our leadership situation.  I have to admit; they were brought to a head this morning as I watch the Circus Maximus that our Senate Confirmation hearings have become.  But they are more general than that instance alone and bear broad consideration.

First of all we are a republic, not a democracy. Our founding fathers, in their wisdom, put that system of government in place, bluntly, to protect us from ourselves.  And whether or not we like the current or past occupants of office, that system does seem to have stood the test of time.

Second, we are all human. As voters and political supporters we sometimes let our emotions and self-interests lead us to mistakes.  Our leaders in their human frailty sometimes fall prey to poor decision-making or even greed. 

Through time, the positives of our system have been powerful enough to overcome our human frailties and the United States has prevailed and prevailed well. But now we have hit such an emotional and polarized tenor that we can no longer make any progress.  Meaningful change to social and economic systems are polarized by our partisanship.  This does not simply happen in the chambers of our government, but it is carried onto our streets, into our businesses, homes and places of worship. 

We have lost our vision. Merit and integrity no longer are serious decision making criteria, and characteristics such as gender, skin color or race become substitutes for human value.  And while I am a successful, middle-aged white male from the south, I am not just talking about “reverse discrimination” here, but also the fear of growth and loss of the status quo that has fueled so many of our failed policies that were intended to provide the appearance of “helping”.

Although I am blessed with some success in my life, I don’t claim to be smart or wise or profound. I am fairly simple man with simple desires.  I want a future for my children, some degree of financial security, a safe place to live, and the freedom to say and practice what I believe.  While I live nicely, I really don’t have an emotional attachment to large houses, cars with six figure price tags or the like.  In short I’m a pretty normal, though blessed, guy.

So here’s what I see happening as we look ahead of us. And note, I am not going to focus on the past successes or failings of our previous four or five administrations in detail other than to make a blanket statement that; based on where we are, regardless of political persuasions,  whatever it is we have been doing has not really worked.

Given that, I, as most other humans, have some opinions.

Change is at hand. We need change.  We have become deadlocked.  No ….. moribund.  We are drowning in our own political excrement.  So things are long overdue for a serious shakeup.  Whether or not I care for the individuals that have come to power as a result of that change, that change has occurred.  Both in the immediate past administration, due to the needed destruction of racial barriers in our most senior leadership, and in the current one in that it is not “Business as Usual” on the hill.

We have lost sight of what our Government is and should be. By the people and for the people.  Not by lobbyists, or for special interest groups or to provide lifetime lucrative employment and benefits for a group of beholden, gifted manipulators.  Now in making that blunt assessment of our government leaders, I must also confess that there are doubtless many ethical, dedicated and honest ones as well and I hope they remain.  But Government service was never intended to be a gravy train.  Neither was it intended to be a dishonorable profession inhabited by the lowest common denominator.  Instead, it was in the early days of our country, deemed to be an honorable pursuit and in many cases a means of giving back to our country.

Which brings me to the point that hit me in the face as I watched the condemnation, er, confirmation hearings this morning:

It was common for the early leaders of our country to have been very successful in their own right.  They unselfishly walked away from their own pursuits to apply those skills and talents that made them successful in business to the welfare and progress of our nation.  Those men are still revered to this day. 

They also tended to know and respect each other, even when they disagreed as in the case of Adams and Jefferson. 

They had human failings, such as Ben Franklin’s supposed womanizing. 

They did things that while repugnant from different perspectives of status in society, were somewhat the norm in “pollite circles” such as owning slaves.   

I am not excusing those failings any more than I find some of the behaviors of our current leaders and leaders-to-be to be praise-worthy.  But as we look to the future, we are looking at potential leaders in the case of the pending cabinet, who are brilliant businessmen, typically in the areas that they have been nominated to address.  They are putting their careers on hold to share their expertise and learnings with us.  And in return we are treating them in some places as vermin, not to be trusted and with superficial respect that actually reeks of unbridled distrust.

If someone came to me today and asked “Mark, we have huge challenges is this area in which you are an expert. We need your help.  Would you put your life on hold for mediocre compensation compared to your current income, and come help us?  And oh by the way, you will be reviled by the media, distrusted by everyone who has to approve your every move, and in general a target for unkindness and slander.  I wouldn’t have the stomach to say yes.  And yet our President to be, and the folks who have agreed to serve with him as cabinet members have done just that.  And for far higher personal stakes and risk that I can't even comprehend. 

In my usual fashion I have gone on far too long in this world and context of short phrases. But I believe these things are important enough to bear real thought, not just sound bites on MSNBC or Fox.  And I also believe with all of who I am that we need to give this change a chance to work, instead of sitting like a pack of jackals waiting to kill it.

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Judging is easy - Loving is hard

In will apologize in advance for this post being lengthy. I am a lifelong Presbyterian, the son of an outstanding church woman who was among those who led the effort to reunify the "Northern" and "Southern" churches in the 80's. I am heart-broken by the divisiveness that I have seen happening in the PCUSA that started almost immediately after re-unification occurred.

 We fight over property, we fight over ordination, we fight over sin. And then when we don't get our way, we take our football ( our financial support ) and go home. No wonder we are shrinking, we aren't living our faith - we are judging and fighting. Our behavior is not discernment - it has become mean spirited. I would point out that both "sides" of the current issue over the re-definition of marriage, have been guilty of that.  As an example, the punitive nature of actions to be taken against those congregations who, in all good conscience, feel called to leave. And the judgmental blasting of those who oppose the decision is self-evident. 

I would be less than candid if I did not state that I am not dismayed by and disagree with the redefinition of marriage by GA. I am not anti-LGBT, just against changing what I believe to be biblical definition. But I am also aware that the temple veil did not rend over remarrying those who are divorced (sadly, I am one of those) or ordaining women ( my spouse, mother and maternal grandmother were all amazing church women ).

 What I find missing from all of the bile and judgment being thrown at the PCUSA, including Franklin Graham's comments,  "input" from my friends at one of the churches that left and subsequently sued the denomination over property rights, and all of the "haters" out there who are determined to get their 15 minutes of fame by dumping on the PCUSA - is any offer to pray for our denomination.

The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and its predecessors  has founded many outstanding Universities and schools here and around the world, built numerous hospitals, has an internationally known and respected family services agency (Presbyterian Childrens' Homes and Services), is a leader in ecumenical mission efforts (including ministering to the needs of all people in situations that have and still put our missionaries in harm's way), and yes, is a voice for social justice throughout the world.

So for me, regardless of my own point of view, I pray for the unity and survival of the denomination. Paul's letter to the Romans reminds us that we are all sinners, James teaches us that mercy triumphs over justice., and our Lord reminds us that after Loving God, we are to love our neighbor. He does not make that Love conditional on seeing eye to eye with them. And while I think the denominations re-definition of marriage is man twisting scripture, I will not run. Instead, I will continue to participate fully in the life of that denomination and focus, act on and pray for healing through what we have in common in the PCUSA - Love of Christ, a focus on Spreading God's word, Mission and Social Justice.

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Too Dumb - Really???

So I was reading a post today that a FB friend had posted from the National Review. It was by Kevin D Williamson, regarding Lena Dunham’s “5 Reasons Why I Vote (and you should too)” message on behalf of Planned Parenthood. You can read it @

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/388945/five-reasons-why-youre-too-dumb-vote-kevin-d-williamson

It had been shared by a friend of mine who’s son has just turned 18. Regardless of my own POV on Mr. Williamson’s issue, I thought his criticism of an effort to get out the vote simply because he philosophically disagreed with the issue PP supports was first inappropriate, and secondly missed a critical point. Here’s the reply that I posted to him.

“Mr. Williamson - I admire your action to speak out. However, criticism of radicalism by a particular demographic, and insulting them doesn’t bode well for your faith. I am a devout Christian, though a non-Catholic. I do not believe in abortion for convenience. Now that being said, I find nothing wrong with anyone using whatever “bully pulpit” they have to get out the vote. We have one of the lowest voting percentages of any free nation. So instead of your judging of the “enemy” and sophomoric shallow insults, you might consider that a dose of radical activism pointed toward your readership would be of more value. Why aren’t you encouraging the “faithful” to shake off their complacency and go vote their conscience? Of course, you have to be willing to accept that God speaking through them might not necessarily provide a result that it consistent with your particular point of view. Oh well, that’s our Lord for you. Grace, Peace and Love - Mark Snyder”

I would be interested in your thoughts?

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Satan IS laughing with delight, but not for the reason you think!

Satan IS laughing with delight, but not for the reason you think! A brother in faith posted what was, in my opinion, a rather judgemental item regarding “giving in” to the “gay issue” for the sake of political correctness. Expressing the opinion that a minority is imposing normalcy for an “abomination” upon the rest of us. This friend, who I know well and love, is someone who is a great dad and husband, faithful member of his church, generous with his time and talent; and would describe himself as very “conservative” [ he would actually probably use the term “right” and mean it in both contexts :-) ]. He commented that Satan must be laughing hysterically over all of this. So, in my usual shy and retiring manner, I replied to his post as follows: Well, I agree, Satan must be “lauging with delight” because: - the Sribes and Pharisees are still running the church, - we are still focuing on what separates us rather than what binds us, and - we are still judging each other. My dear friend you are right, tolerance is not the goal. Sin is sin and grace is forgiveness. However, forgiveness is not condoning. I am not smart enough to know where to draw the line here. But hate - from either side of this issue, is not the answer Christ had in mind. I agree with you about this being a political issue. However, if perhaps people weren’t so judgemental by nature, it would not have progressed to the point of being a political issue. It sort of that reap and sow thing. So, I will continue to believe that my gay neighbors are living in sin, but I will continue also to believe that one should have the right to visit the other one in intensive care - even if he is not legally “next of kin”. I will continue to hope that is a direction that none of my loved ones go, but I will continue to be thankful for the gay couple who lived behind my elderly parents and were so kind and helpful to my mother in her final years. If we seek the good in people, we can see the pieces of God that live in all of us. If we choose to get caught up in anger and hatred, we will get nothing back but the ugliness Satan puts in our own hearts. I believe that if I live God’s Love, other people will believe and follow. If I live Satan’s hate, he will continue to rule the earth. Grace, Peace and Love my brother.

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Freedom OF Religion vs Freedom FROM Religion

On Patheos today, there was an article about the Supreme Court ruling that the Cross shaped piece of debris left as a tribute at Ground Zero was not a religious symbol. The article was posted in order to generate a lot of discussion and it was very successful in that regard. I pulled out the barkers and haters from both the secular and religious sides fo the argument. After reading many of the comments, I think the problem is confusion of freedom OF religion with freedom FROM religion. Freedom Of Religion is intended to respect everyone’s individual choice about what they believe, vs. freedom FROM religion, which focuses on blocking any expression of religion in a public venue. Thousands of individuals died in the horrific Tragedy of 9/11. If a “Cross” gives some people comfort, then why is that a problem. Are those who believe differently so intolerant, that they can’t allow that? Those who cannot appear to be viewing life as a zero sum game. They claim that Christians do not leave room for any other point of view, yet some of them seem to be doing the same thing. My agnotic and athiest friends tell me that one does not have to have God to be good. I guess you don’t have to have God to be a hypocrite either.

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Let's REALLY Face it Folks

A dear and respected friend of mine recently posted in response to the CNN article by Guy Benson that claimed twice as many Americans were hurt by Obamacare that were helped. My purpose of this post is not to debate that issue one way or another, but it is to talk about root causes that keep us from really dealing with the issue. My Friend posted the following - "Let's face it, folks. If the ACA were a 100% partisan Republican plan with the same level of failures and problems, legislation to repeal it would be sailing swiftly through the House and Senate. The print media and tv networks would be cheerleading all the way." My response to him was - "Let's really face it! If the ACA were a 100% partisan Republican plan it would have the same level of failures and problems - just slanted a different direction. And I predict that the houses of the legislature would be just as ineffective then as they are now in repealing it. It's a polarization and human greed issue, not a conservative vs liberal issue. Until we get past demonizing and focus on common need, without political labels, there will be no real progress. A great professor I knew, Dr. William Hannah, formerly of Westmont College, made a very profound statement once. We were discussing all of the special interests, greed and complacency that impacts us and he said; "man has become ungovernable". Perhaps we've eaten too many apples from the tree of knowledge my friend." What do you think?