Cell Phone Etiquette

After getting some coffee, I went over to the counter where there are the sugar, stirrers, and napkins. Standing at that counter was a women busily engaged in a cell phone conversation – not doing anything with coffee – just standing right at the counter talking. I picked up a packet of sugar and then had to reach in front of her to get a napkin. She never moved, just stayed planted there, despite blocking people’s access to the supplies at that counter. She was still there minutes later, talking away, rather than going to a table, or better yet, hanging up and calling back at a more opportune time.

Recently I saw a woman walking her dog, talking on her cell phone. She crossed the street without looking, totally absorbed by her conversation. Fortunately I saw her and didn’t hit her. People being so distracted are a hazard to themselves and others.

I have a sister-in-law who works at a store. Many of the younger employees go into the ladies room, where they talk for lengthy periods of time on their cell phones on company time. I’ve seen women talking on the cell phone while negotiating their huge SUVs through crowded store parking lots. Of course there’s always the loud-talking person on a train carrying on a cell-phone conversation that nobody really wants to hear, but is forced to anyways. Kids in school text while in class, which I believe is disrespectful to the teachers.

While the cell phone is a marvelous invention in many ways, it is terribly abused. Car and train accidents have been attributed to cell phone use. People will text while driving, and many flagrantly disobey the law against cell phone use while driving. The cell phone seems to have caused people to believe they must be in nearly continuous contact with their friends or something terrible will happen. Unless you’re on call as an EMT, fire fighter, or some other emergency job, getting that phone call just isn’t that important.

I believe it is incredibly rude to be talking on a cell phone when you are out with another person or group of people. When you do that, the message is “I’d rather be with that person than you people.” I gave a ride to a guy who was going to the same meeting as I was. After the meeting, as soon as we were on the road, he listened to his voicemail messages, and then began returning phone calls for most of the hour’s trip home. I was offended because he felt taking care of business was more important than spending some time talking with me, who was kind enough to give him a ride. I was stuck because I couldn’t listen to the radio (he was chatting away on his phone) or talk on my cell phone (against the law, remember?).

There needs to be better cell phone etiquette and more consideration for other people. People need to remember not to talk on cell phones in public places, because others really don’t want to hear your conversation. Don’t use your phone and drive. Don’t talk when out with other people. If you have to talk in a public place, keep it brief and be aware of your surroundings. Are you blocking something? Are you in people’s way? Don’t be afraid to turn off your phone when receiving a call just isn’t proper. Turn off that phone when talking on it is not a good thing to do! Let the caller leave you a voicemail or text message, and you can respond later. It isn’t that urgent. Be considerate of the people you’re with. Don’t make your cell phone use annoying to others.

Reflections on Bastille Day

July 14 is Bastille Day in France. The French revolution followed and was inspired by ours. Many of the Latin American countries, once they gained independence, used the United States as a model for forming their own constitutions and governments. Our country has survived reasonably well despite a terrible civil war; internal divisions over slavery, civil rights, and other issues; and severe economic downturns throughout our history (the worst being the Great Depression of the 1930s).

I am fascinated by the fact that many of these other countries, especially those patterned after the United States, have not done as well. They have suffered from dictators, coups d’etat, revolutions, repression, and a host of other problems. Look at Argentina. It has a similar population to ours, with immigrants from many European countries, and a government similar to ours. Why have we done so well compared to these other countries?

The only thing I can think of is that God established the United States for particular purposes, and has preserved us for those purposes. I’m not saying we’re a new Israel or are superior to any other nation. All I’m suggesting is that God had a purpose for us, and I suspect God has other purposes for other countries.

What are those purposes? I can think of a few: a haven for the oppressed; a nation where a person isn’t forced into the state religion; where a person can worship as he or she wants without government interference; where moral and ethical standards are upheld; and a place from which missionaries can go out into the world. If these are indeed our purposes, then we are drifting away from some of them. If we as a nation become post-Christian, then I fear that God will withhold his blessings from us.

Pray for your country, that it will turn to God and fulfill God’s purposes for it.

Power Corrupts

Gov. Sanford of South Carolina is just the latest of a long line of political figures who think they can get away with it. Former NY Governor Elliot Spitzer thought he could get away with it, but he didn’t. A whole bunch of Washington politicians thought they could get away with it, but they didn’t.

Why do they think they can get away with these “indiscretions”? I think they believe that once they get into a certain position, they are invincible. They see some of their colleagues getting away with stuff, and feel they should be able to do the same. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Maybe if they went to church or temple on a regular basis they might be better equipped to resist these inevitable temptations. Maybe worshipping God in fellowship with others, hearing The Word proclaimed, and praying together as a body would make them more aware of God’s love for them, their responsibility to not dishonor God in what they do, and their obligation to observe God’s moral and ethical commandments.

As it is, I suspect most of these politicians are far from God. Their church or temple attendance is sporadic at best, and they are more interested in self-serving than in serving God. In Romans 12:1 the Apostle Paul exhorts us to worship God with our lives:
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. NRSV

Even though you and I aren’t among the powerful, we can still fall into serious temptations. When we do something wrong and are found out, it just isn’t as public. So let us remain (or become) close to God, attend church or synagogue regularly, and pray every day. Then we can withstand the temptations that come our way.

Lessons from Michael Jackson

With the passing of superstar Michael Jackson, it made me think of some lessons we can draw from his life and his death.

First, we all die, no matter who we are, how famous we are, or how rich we are. Even the rich and famous can die prematurely. Michael died prematurely, it appears, as a result of the abuse to his body from the many drugs he’d taken.

Second, we should take care of the body God gave us and not abuse it, as Michael apparently did. I’m sure he would have been with us much longer had he not abused prescription drugs.

Third, nobody is immune from the tragedies and heartbreaks of life. That’s why we need God in our lives, to uphold us through those tough times.

Fourth, Michael was once fabulously wealthy, but much of that wealth disappeared. Again, no matter who you are, you must hold to the things of this world loosely, because they can be taken from you in one way or another.

Fifth, nobody is above the law. Of course we’ll never know for sure if Michael did illegal and immoral things with children. Nevertheless, the lesson is clear: we are accountable for our actions, both to the law, and more importantly, to God.

Lastly, Michael has received many tributes and praise in the past week since his untimely death, but he’s not here to enjoy them. He leaves a tremendous legacy from his music and his charitable works, but that will eventually fade. What lasts is your relationship with Jesus Christ and what you did to glorify God. I don’t know Michael’s relationship with Jesus, but I do know that you and I should take this opportunity to draw closer to him.

Remember the words of the Apostle Peter from 1 Peter 1:3-4:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you. NIV

Remember also the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:19-21:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” NIV

Independence Day

On July 4 we celebrate our Independence Day. The 4th of July commemorates the approval of the final draft of the Declaration of Independence by the 2nd Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. Of course this bold step did not guarantee that those 13 original colonies would be given their independence from Great Britain. King George wasn’t about to relinquish control over his money-making colonies without a fight. I’ve never known of a king or politician who is willing to give up a source of taxes.

So those brave colonists had to fight for what they believed in, and miraculously they beat the superpower of that day, Great Britain. In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was a radical document, and still is to a large extent. First of all, it defied the king of a powerful nation, a very dangerous act that could have resulted in disaster. Secondly, this remarkable document contained principles that were unheard of in that day and age.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The Declaration is the foundational document for our Constitution, and it is based on biblical principles and the best of Enlightenment thinking. We should celebrate the freedoms which God has blessed this great nation of ours, realizing that our freedom truly is from God. In celebrating these freedoms, we must also remember we have responsibilities. We are not free to live excessive lives as we as a nation have been doing until the recent economic problems. We are not free so we can pursue selfish ends. Our independence should not make us irresponsible and self-serving, as the Apostle Paul so eloquently puts it in Galatians 5:13:

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence. NRSV

God, through the Apostle Peter, gives us guidelines for being good citizens (1 Peter 2:16-17, NCV):

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Live as servants of God. Show respect for all people: Love the brothers and sisters of God’s family, respect God, honor the king.

New York State’s Mess

As a citizen of New York Sate, I am embarrassed by and furious with our politicians. This total inaction as both parties jockey for leadership is unacceptable. The additional tax on residents of certain counties to help pay for the MTA budget shortfall is absurd and unfair. All the political game-playing and lack of will to reduce costs is not in the best interests of the state.

Here’s a novel idea: THROW THE BUMS OUT!

As a matter of principle, I’m voting against the incumbents in the next election. If everybody did that, eventually we would have all new representatives who hopefully would get the message: Do Your Job! Conduct the people’s business, not the party’s business, not your own personal business, but THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS!

I believe the actions of our government representatives from the governor on down have been immoral and unethical. They promised to serve the people, and have not. They were voted in with the understanding that they are the people’s representatives, and they have not been. That makes them liars and cheats in my opinion, not to mention irresponsible.

Let me warn you, if NYS continues on these paths with the same old leadership, we will collapse under our own weight of inefficiency, high taxes, inaction, and lack of will. We are certainly no longer The Empire State, but have become the Do Nothing State. Another warning: everybody thinks the folks in Albany are bozos, but my senator or representative is OK. Don’t fall into the trap – vote the bum out, even if you think he or she is OK. The problem is systemic, and the system must be thoroughly purged to become functional again.

On July 4 we commemorate our independence. Did we struggle against corrupt leaders (King George and Parliament) and oppressive taxes just to have it all over again 200+ years later? Living in a democracy, we citizens have a responsibility. If we don’t let our voices be heard, then we’ll get the government we deserve.

Free Iran!

I was hoping that all the demonstrations in Iran would topple the oppressive theocracy and usher in some sort of democracy. I remember when the people demonstrated day after day in Eastern Europe, and toppled the communist governments. I remember when the people demonstrated in the Philippines and toppled the repressive Marcos regime. Why did Iran’s revolution fizzle?

I don’t know the answer to that question, but I believe we should pray for that country. The regime is repressive, plus Iran’s quest for a nuclear bomb is a threat to everybody. I would like to see Iran become like Turkey, which is overwhelmingly Muslim but a strictly secular state. The Turks did that to avoid just the kind of situation we are finding in Iran.

I believe in strict separation of “church and state” as the founders originally intended, not as it is being misinterpreted by the courts since 1946. Our Constitution allows people to practice their religion – any religion – freely as they choose. No particular set of religious beliefs, practices or observances are forced on anybody. That is a difficult concept for Muslims, yet a similar situation is working well in Turkey. A religion should be able to stand on its own, and shouldn’t need or require government help in enforcing its rules on the population.

That doesn’t mean, however, that certain standards of decency shouldn’t be enforced by governmental agencies, consistent with that culture’s concept of decency and indecency (and that concept may be rooted in that culture’s religious tradition). So if a culture feels that public nudity is indecent, for example, then those standards should be enforced.

Getting back to Iran, pray for that country, that they will be freed from the tyranny of the mullahs and will no longer be a threat to its neighbors and the world.