Mustangs and Jackasses--Religions and Criticism

President Obama made an inclusive remark during his inaugural address which recognized that not all Americans were believers in the standard religions.  Some, in fact, are non-believers.  What they believe is not as important as how they live in my estimation.

“For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves.”  Rm. 2:14

A student taught me a good lesson that I hope not to forget.  She was very kind to another student who could not read or write.  The more advanced student was very patient and supportive of the struggling student.  In front of both students I thanked her and told her that she had a very giving and Christian attitude.  She looked at me with a puzzled and surprised expression.  Before she left for the day, she put a note on my desk.  It seems that she was Buddhist and felt that the Christians had no more market on kindness than any other religion.

Our nation has laws that prevent discrimination due to sex, religion, age, or whatever.  At the moment, many older men and women don’t believe that the law is very helpful.  Realities for them more often prove that hiring preference is given to younger, cuter girls or given to younger, cuter guys.  And, of course, preferential treatment is just reverse discrimination when men are hired because a woman “can get pregnant.”  But treating one person differently from another because of our prejudice is really the point in President Obama’s reference.  We cannot differentiate because of our religions, our politics, our sex or sexual preference—the people of the United States are one people—no matter where we placed our votes.

If more of our God-given energy were put into helping others rather than criticizing those who don’t see things just the way we do, unimaginable feats could be performed on a daily basis.  But the constant critical attitude washes over our vision, pollutes our attitudes, and otherwise inhibits the growth of gratitude.

Rather than criticize the man, let our ministers and our people pray for our president and the ones who must make the decisions for this nation.  It takes courage to be a leader; it also takes courage to be willing to let someone else lead us.  But be led we must.  We are domesticated critters and need a good lead mare and a stallion to watch the rear.  Let the jackasses take care of themselves.