God and I beg to differ.
Posted: Saturday, March 15, 2008
by straight talk
I write this predominantly to all believers and those who do not believe yet follow the recognized principal of the "Golden Rule". Now first I understand as a believer we are all sinners and fall short and have shortcomings. That said lets examine what we who profess to believe are supposed to be doing, required to, obligated to do as true believers or those who claim to be decent and good. That is, we are to examine our consciences and when we find a conflict over thought, words or deeds, that have hurt, brought pain or caused harm to someone either directly or indirectly we are to confess and repent and finally change or turn away from that sin or sins or deeds which have cause us to err. That is as we understand as the good fight. It is not an easy fight and we all fall short at times.
So in reality what many, not all but many, openly profess is meaningless, absolutely meaningless and has no weight in the courtroom of God, to use an earthly analogy. It is not the crutch of separation of church and state or that God has no place at work that is the issue at hand? Does not the golden rule apply there as well or to be expected? No quite the contrary and in my opinion, the opinion of those who use that to make what they do acceptable, not only to them but outwardly to others, is wrong and a misdirection of the truth. That is such a misguided answer or interpretation that what can one say? There is no response adequate for those who hold it as a premise. No, we do not and should never foster our individual faith beliefs on others. No we do what is right, just, fair and for the common good of all because and get this, we truly believe and implement by works and deeds that which we believe, a love of neighbor and for the common good of all.
So I ask believers, yes all believers and non believers who care to vote for these current politicians, at every level, just where has this been demonstrated in their works? In what they have done or failed to do? No not in eloquent speeches or words that are just that, hollow. No I will not go down the endless list I have already paced before you. Yet have we not seen immorality in our Senators deeds? Have we not seen it in our Governors, in our Congress through what they have done individually, in groups or in collusion with others or by their failure not to be there at crucial moments, not vote, avoid, in other words what they have failed to do? Is this not the truth of their record, not our record, their record, their deeds, their works? Yet they stand before us and profess and we, yes we accept this, why? We should be shouting them down, all of them and demanding change now, not later. Rhetorically can they not do now, that is if there words are not hollow.
So as I have written to and will write to until the message sinks into those who vote, sadly for the East Bunny, the trimmings and who openly profess by word and by showing up at church or where ever but not implementing that which they profess, just how do you reconcile this morally, in good faith and in your conscience? I will accept your opinion and right to it based on your beliefs that they do what you see as approriate. Yet I ask, how can you because by ones deeds, what they do or fail to do has a direct impact on others. Do you not see the signs and symbols of their works all about? Yes hope is not wrong when you can only hope. After all we hope in our religious and earthly beliefs. Yes and faith needs no proof. However, why would you continue to believe in falsehood? So, I ask once again, have these same ones had their day in the sun? Have they not demonstrated their works, their deeds?
Have we come to the point that we are really incapable of consideration and thought on a factual basis? Is it all about the wrappings and presentation? Is it all about the senses? In religious terms do we need the music or rituals to draw close to God? Yes, that does enhance the experience and that does draw one into worship but, the union with God is personal, one on one. Does that make sense? No, the sensory things help but God is God and to know Him we must study Him and get to know His ways and what He has done for us, given us, supplied us with and all out of love, to know about Him. Yet above all if we answer to that yes, do we implement what we believe in all things and in all ways? Be our belief in God or adherence to the Golden rule?
The same holds true with our leaders. It is not the sensory that should draw us to one but the person, their being. It may be the initial reason but in the end not the main reason for a belief in them. As God demonstrates His love for us, so too do they demonstrate love of neighbor in their works and deeds and not just in a profession of speech?
Yes it is truly as simple as that. There is no conflict in church and state there is just what is right and wrong, just and fair and that is not espousing ones faith, that is exercising what we are expected to do. So are you really who you profess you are, or areyou just there for the entertainment, or you like the way that pastor talks? A simple question but one that strikes to the core and only you can answer.
The military has all kinds of slogans to inspire. I remember mine to this day "strike hard, strike fast". Yes, that is what we need to do to change our nation, take back our country. We need to strike hard, place what we profess first and Change Congress and Change America. Change will not come on hope alone but by deeds and works, that is the right deeds and works of people who profess and place that profession into action.
I will continue to draw you to these issues with the hope you will also spread the word among friend and family. We must spread the word for America and all Americans of every race, color, creed and yes for those exploited by a system of greed so evident and predominant it cannot be allowed to prosper any longer anywhere. That is if we are who we say we are? That is the message of hope to take to the world that America is One Nation Truly under God! That is the message of evangelization because we profess to be a Christian nation and we too are known by our works. Should we not start with our own house?
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2008 Copyright 2008 Robert Melaccio
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)hi robert, the hypocrisy of organized religion has stopped me a few different times in my life from attending services. i grew up Catholic, and tried presbyterian, but i would listen to what went on in the hour, and know people who professed profoundly, but at the A&P afterwards, where almost all the congragation seemed to head, i heard husbands yelling at wives, kids beng unruly, wives dissing this one or that out of envy and jealousy, and decided i had a closer connection on my own with God, so i don't go to church-black sheep, and yet feel God within, i talk to Him several times a day, i treat others the way i want to be treated, and i so wish we had a candidate worth the gas to the polls! thank you for a well written, candid, and interesting article, best regards, sue thomPlease log in to respond to this comment.Yes Susan it all starts with you meaning the individual. Now we should not forget our human frailties, our weaknesses and that we all fall short. That said because a person goes to church does not mean they are who they profess they are. We go to church to worship, learn and share knowing all about us are no moe then us sinners. It is however, who ever that really wants to be born again, as they say, who consistently examines themselves and faces their sinfulness and demonstrates their faith through their works. When we become holy in our own minds that is the failure. Yes, Sue it troubles me as well but I try to remeber there are days I am not quite the saint myself, if ever. I sincerely aprpeciate your reading and your most kind comments. Best as always RTMPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Mr. Melaccio it seems as though you and Judy Lake think much the same. This is a great article.Please log in to respond to this comment.Yes, you could say me and Judi are boat shakers but then again great minds think alike. I think very highly of her and to be included with her is an honor. That said, there are many like us on this site and others who are just plain tired of it all. If you have read my other works, of which there are many, you will see the theme has run since I started writing and long before in my poetry. I also write on PROBLOGS and address the political scene only. I do sincerely believe God is providing us in America to be the nation of leadership we can be or to go in the other direction. It all starts with one. It is in my opinion a decisive moment historically and not so much of race or gender but ideology and beliefs? Thanks you for reading and your comments, respectfully RTM.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Robert, great article and point well delivered and appreictaed, but aside from people not practising what they preach we also have the problem of people interpretting the rules of religion differently. There are for example some Christian groups that are teaching children (Jesus's army?) to be soldiers for the Lord and to be agrressive/violent against other faiths. That is a clear twist of faith as far as I can tell. Meanwhile there are those that are anti homosexual as the Bible says it is forbidden but then there are those more tolerant as the Bible also preaches love thy neighbour, forgiveness etc. Personally I feel that as long as we are raised (religion or no) to know the difference between right and wrong and can be tolerant, forgiving and compassionate with a desire to understand what makes us different then we have a chance of a better world.Please log in to respond to this comment.Love of neighbor does not mean accept the deed. Love of neighbor means be understanding, compassionate, merciful not vengful. You are totally correct there are many different beliefs in Christianity, Judism and with Muslims and other faiths we are not even aware of. The three main religions and even within that specific faith many do not get along. Believe what I say is their answer. How Sad when the God of all demands LOVE. Have we seen love practiced or like I said is love only a one way street? Yes Creative there are so many religions and so many different opinions and interpretations just who is right or wrong? The bottom line to all of it is choice and conscience. I prefer to practice Love of neighbor. Now like I said that does not mean I have to like what they do. You shall know them by their works. if they take, use, exploit for their own gain they no matter what they profess do not do the work of God. This world will never have the answer until God returns to clear it all up. Thanks for your feedback, I enjoy your work. RTMPlease log in to respond to this comment.
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