WWJD about the Syrian refugees?

Syrian Refugees – What Would Jesus Do?

 The View from the Middle

“What would Jesus do about the Syrian refugees?”  I’ve heard this question more than a few times in the last week.  The people asking it think they are being quite clever and painting Christians into an indefensible corner.  These people are often not Christians and have at best a superficial knowledge of the Bible.

My response has been, “Which Jesus are you talking about?”  According to the Bible, Jesus is the Son of God and a very intricate being, possessing many qualities.  Is He compassionate and forgiving?  Absolutely!  He died for all our sins.  ALL OUR SINS!  But He is much, much more.

He is the Lion of Judah, powerful and even frightening.  In Daniel, He is the stone that smashes the kingdoms of the world.  He is the Rider of the white horse in Revelation that judges and makes war.  He is also just and will hold us all accountable for our choices here on earth.  This is the quality of Christ that I believe matters most as we discuss our handling of the refugees from Syria.  Jesus is the perfect judge.  He is not a good judge.  He is not a great judge.  He is the PERFECT judge.

With Jesus as the judge of these refugees, not a single lying, inhuman, psychopathic, murdering ISIS believer would make it to the United States or anywhere else in the world.  But we aren’t Jesus, and the WWJD bracelets don’t suggest that we can “be” Jesus.  They would simply urge us to “try” to be more like Him.  In this case they would recommend that we should try to be the very best judges of these people that we can, and I think that is exactly what the bill that just passed The House is trying to achieve.

The people who handle our country’s security, like FBI Director James Comey, are saying that our vetting process for these particular refugees is ineffective.  Given that fact, we should take this opportunity to pause and reflect.  We should study and improve that process.  That would make us better judges of these refugees and thus more like Jesus.  That process will never be perfect, but if we make the effort, it will be more reliable than it is today.

Finally, I do get some comfort from knowing that Jesus will eventually judge each of these thugs and they will receive true justice.  I can’t imagine what God’s justice will be for these monsters, but I’m sure it will be appropriate.  Feel free to use your own imaginations here.

The Flip Side of Under Our Skin - Race in America

The Flip Side of - Under Our Skin

 The View from the Middle

Almost immediately after the grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri announced its decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson, Benjamin Watson, a professional football player and a black man, sent out an expression of his emotions through Facebook.  His post was thoughtful, honest and dispassionate, which caused it to go viral overnight.  He has recently written a book called Under Our Skin which develops those feelings more fully, and which I highly recommend. 

I did find, however, that while I experienced the same emotions, I did so for very different reasons.  After all, I am a 63-year-old white guy, and have lived a different life from Mr. Watson.  I’m hoping that this view of the same circumstance, but from a different perspective will only serve to enhance Mr. Watson’s message.

Now, before you read on, take your mind back to the riots and looting that took place in Ferguson.  Remember “hands up, don’t shoot” and the deep division of opinion and even testimony in the wake of Michael Brown’s death.  Now, here are the feelings that I experienced at that volatile moment.

I’m Angry – The evidence seemed clear.  Michael Brown was a huge young man and a thug who threatened a storeowner, stole some Tiparillos and then walked down the middle of the street, asking for confrontation.  It was also evident that Michael Brown attacked Darren Wilson in his car and turned on him after the chase with the intent of assaulting him.  Michael was 6’ 4” and weighed nearly 300 pounds.  I probably would have shot him myself.

I’m Frustrated – We finally have a black President, and while I didn’t vote for him, my hope was that he would have a positive effect on race relations in this county.  But up to this point, I feel they have gotten worse.

I’m Fearful – Even though I’m very sympathetic to the plight of the black community in America, I fear I will be seen only for the color of my skin and my opinion will be marginalized or I could possibly even be physically assaulted.

I’m Embarrassed – I know that there are prejudiced people in America who are either ignorant of our country’s history or just don’t care.  I’ve heard the off color jokes and bigoted statements and sometimes I’ve even responded to them with silence, which isn’t enough.  I like to think that I’m as unbiased as possible, but if I’m the high side for whites in America, I understand the frustration of the Black Community.

I’m Sad – A young man is dead and another young man’s life will forever be in shambles.  There are no winners here.  As I watch the looting and destruction I can almost “feel” the widening of racial divide in this country.  My heart also goes out to the shop owners who are innocent victims of the carnage.

I’m Sympathetic – I’m acutely aware of the intentional and systematic destruction of the black family for over 200 years in America.  I’ve read the history of subjugation and the denial of education (the great liberator) to blacks in this country.  Given this deliberate suppression, I’m actually surprised at the recovery the black community has made.

I’m Offended – Because of the color of my skin I’ve been labeled a racist by some and blamed for an inhuman practice that ended 150 years ago.  Because of the color of my skin I’ve been condemned for racial sins since abolition that I did not commit.

I’m Confused – I don’t understand why so many young black men resist arrest.  How do they think these confrontations will end? 

I’m Introspective – I understand that while I may be sympathetic, I have lived a very different life than the majority of black Americans.  Since I don’t carry the same baggage as they do, the answers to this issue seem oh-so apparent to me.

I’m Hopeless – I see the black community in America continue to suffer from the same depravation instituted by slavery.  Over 70% of black children are born out of wedlock.  More black boys drop out of high school and fewer young black men attend college even though I know that education is the key to equality and success in America.

I’m Hopeful – Because I’ve seen the country change for the better in my 63 years.  I’ve seen great role models like Martin Luther King, Condoleezza Rice, Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell and Dr. Ben Carson who have risen to the highest levels of influence in America.  I’ve seen racial attitudes change from generation to generation, and I see the innocence of our young people as many of them face the world today from a colorblind perspective.

I’m Encouraged – As I stated earlier, I have seen so much progress in my life that I have to be encouraged.  I continue to see more and more positive role models for young black men and women, now to include Benjamin Watson.  If our current President or the next has any intelligence at all, they will bring Mr. Watson into public service as “Racial Unity Czar” or something to that effect.  I have long said that empathy from whites and forgiveness from blacks will be needed to eventually resolve racism in America, and I think Mr. Watson might agree with that.

I must also agree with Mr. Watson that the real change needed is a “heart” change, and the source of that metamorphosis is Jesus Christ.   Through Him all things are possible, even racial unity.

If you have not read Benjamin Watson’s original Facebook post, fear not.  Just buy his book, Under Our Skin.  That post appears in the introduction.  We can only hope that his book goes as “viral” as his Facebook post did.

Safe Zones - Lethal to Freedom

Safe Zones – Lethal to Freedom

 The View from the Middle

In the wake of the terrorist slaughter in Paris, a discussion of “safe zones” seems a little silly.  Actually, even in the best of times a conversation about the need for safe zones in the America should sound frivolous.  In a world where we seem to see daily beheadings, kidnappings, rape of young girls, people being burned alive and suicide bombers, our entire country looks like a safe zone to me.

But, in the land of participation trophies, helicopter parents and bubble wrapped kids, safe zones could be tempting.  We must, however, take a step back and think about what we are sowing.  In our effort to keep our kids safe, are we raising children who can meet the challenges of the future or are we spawning a generation that will shrink from adversity and usher in the decline of this great nation? 

My wife, Brenda, used to have a refrigerator magnate that said, “don’t pray for an easy life, pray for strong character”.  If you are looking for evidence of the wisdom of that adage, look no further than the greatest generation of Americans that rescued Europe and the world in World War Two.  They didn’t have safe zones.  They had sacrifice zones called Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal and Normandy, and they sacrificed at home through rationing, war production (envision Rosie the Riveter) and worry.  These hardships made that generation stronger and they delivered a better country and life for their children than they inherited. 

And besides the weakening of an entire generation, there are a couple of fundamental issues I have with these so-called safe zones.  First, for whom are they safe?  If I believe in traditional marriage or if I’m pro-life or if I favor of a balanced budget amendment, am I allowed in the safe zone?   These safe zones sound more like “restricted speech and thought” zones.  And if we accept these politically correct thinking and speaking zones, how long before the bullies running them want a “safe country” as defined by their belief system.  We must be careful because we also know that these safe zone apostles are not confined by the truth.  They justify any means as long as “their” ends are met.  Before we completely throw out the first amendment maybe 1984 (the Orwellian classic) should be required reading in every high school because that is the final destination of this kind of safe zone thinking. 

Finally, I’d like to ask what these safe zone advocates think about The Black Panthers or Louis Farrakhan.  Are they as offended by terms like “cracker” and “honky” as they are about the “n” word?  Al Sharpton, may try to rationalize these words as terms of endearment for white folk, but in reality this is just racism in the other direction.    My guess is that all of these guys will be welcomed into the “safe zones”, but I won’t be.

I certainly don’t advocate using derogatory terms to describe anyone.  I constantly pray for unity in our country, and I think the vast majority of Americans are just like me.  I also believe, however, that we will always have a few idiots who will try to elevate themselves by putting others down.  Unfortunately, this is the human condition, but we can’t allow a few morons to drive us to throw out the fundamental principles on which this great country was founded - freedom of speech and thought.

On Quentin Tarantino's free speech

Quentin Tarantino's response to the police boycotts around the country is, "I thought I had free speech."

And you do, Quentin.  That's what makes this country so great.  But what you forgot is - so do we.  And we have freedom of choice.  We can choose to see your movies, or not.  So, speak away and accept the consequences.  After all, you didn't do this to promote your new movie and make a bunch of money, did you?

Obama - Divider in Chief

Obama – The Natural

 The View from the Middle

Let me start this article by saying that I am sick of the negative, personal attacks that are so commonplace in politics today.  These assaults are usually opinions stated as fact or worse yet, total fiction like Harry Reid’s claim that Mitt Romney hadn’t paid taxes for 10 years.  And people use this technique purely for personal gain.  They want to be elected and couldn’t care less what affect this negativity has on our country, which I think is substantial.

This is why I am not a big fan of Donald Trump.  His reaction to criticism of his policies is often negative, personal and very divisive.  This might work for The Donald, but it is not good for the Republican Party or for the country.  But if we really want to talk about the king of negativity, we have to consider Barack Obama.  He’s a natural at it.

He recently mocked the Republican candidates for criticizing the CNBC moderators from last week’s debate.  Despite the fact that the moderators have been universally described as biased, partisan hacks that mismanaged almost every aspect of the debate, Obama suggested that their complaints showed that they couldn’t handle Putin or the Chinese once in office.  This is a perfect example of a non-substantive comment that means nothing, but will be effective if WE fall for it.

Remember, this is the guy and the party that wouldn’t even agree to have a debate on Fox News.  Who looks scared now?  And, he has been pushed around and outmaneuvered by Putin since he got in office.  At least Trump was actually able to get a concession from CNBC when they reduced the debate time to two hours from the planned three.  We gave Iran massive concessions and couldn’t even get our four imprisoned Americans released from Iranian jails.  THAT should have been a precondition to even talk about a nuclear deal.

But we shouldn’t be surprised about Obama’s habit of spewing negative, vitriolic rhetoric.  His mentor, teacher and patron saint is Saul Alinsky, and Obama runs his playbook at every opportunity.  Here is an exact quote from Saul’s book, Rules for Radicals.  It is his rule #5.

“Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.  It is almost impossible to counterattack ridicule.  Also it infuriates the opposition, who then react to your advantage.”

Read his book.  It is clear that Saul Alinsky has no idea how to manage or govern anything.  He only cares about acquiring power at any cost.  When that is your patron saint, it shouldn’t surprise us that Obama is great at dividing the country, pitting factions against each other in order to win elections, but then he fails miserably at governing once he is in office.  Once you use ridicule to get Americans to hate each other, it is impossible to bring them back together in order to accomplish anything.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Obama continues to ridicule Americans who disagree with him, even in the sunset of his Presidency.  He’s a natural.  It’s like criticizing a snake for striking.  But we, as Americans, need to see through this self-serving strategy and keep them out of public service.  By the way, there is another Saul Alinsky acolyte ridiculing for your vote, and that’s Hillary Clinton.  Ah!  It all makes sense now, doesn’t it?