Where Are You Wearing?

This is an interesting article that I found on Relevant magazine (usually a fairly liberal Christian magazine).  I've often sympathized with sweat shop workers and talked about what a tragedy it is that people are abused in such a way.  This story makes the idea seem much more personal than mere facts, though.  The author of the article brings into the spotlight a family in China who work hard in a Teva manufacturing plant (this makes me feel a tad guilty, because I have supported this company).  This brings into sharp relief my ethnocentric (and ego-centric) ideals.  I'm at a loss for a solution to this dilemma, though.  Does anyone have any ideas for ways that God would have us remedy this problem?  I know I will be praying about it.

Noah

Statistical Morality

Recently I read an article in the Colorado Springs Gazette that was very thought-provoking.  The article focused on the current speed limit on the Interstate through the city.  Apparently, the limit on the Interstate is being raised from 55 mph to 65 mph (don't worry, this isn't just an article about local affairs; it has real-life application).

The main consideration taken by the city of Colorado Springs when deciding whether to raise the speed limit was that 80% of drivers were already driving at 69.5 mph.  If a majority of the drivers on the Interstate were already speeding, why not just raise the speed limit?

To many this may seem like an appealing method of changing laws.  To me, it seems like a very dangerous method of reasoning.  It is what is called 'statistical ethics': legally considering something ethically and morally right because a majority of constituents are found to consider it right.

But this brings up a lot of questions in my mind.  Why didn't the city decide to change the speed limit to 69.5 mph?  When the limit is changed to 65 mph, will 80% of people start driving at 79.5 mph?  If 80% of people were breaking some other law, would the city change or amend that law?

But it is hard to legislate when there is no clear definition of what is right and what is wrong.  The majority arbitrarily decides on these definitions, and subsequently chooses a punishment for any crime.

This leads us to a point where there is no logical basis for our government besides statistics.  But using statistics in legislation is meaningless: statistics are the basis of the laws, but the basis of the statistics is mere arbitration.  Laws are determined by mere whimsy; the majority's feelings decide what is right and what is wrong.

This argument presupposes a fundamentally humanist perspective - man (or at least the plurality of men) is basically good and makes right decisions regarding fellow humans.  If this is a person's worldview, that person should, by definition, be satisfied with the implementation of statistical ethics in the making of laws.

But I must differ.  Mankind must rely on a supernatural source (namely, God) to define good and evil.  God, in His very existence, demonstrates what is good and what is not good.  Without Him and His word to define good, mankind would be lost in a whirlwind of self-fancy.

So forget statistical morality - our lawmakers need to start (dare I mention that taboo phrase?) legislating morality.  Without God and His definitions of good and evil, a government is doomed to self-destruct.

Sadly, most of the people in Colorado Springs probably found nothing inherently wrong with raising the speed limit because a majority drivers were speeding.  But I, for one, will not become too quickly enamored with this idea of statistical morality that pervades our society.

More Hints for my 10 Books

Here are some more hints for the 5-5-6 blog.

1)  But as things are, nothing but grief is left me by my companions.

This is the translation.  The book was written by a Greek author.

2)  However much an Aberdeen terrier may bear 'mid snow and ice a banner with the strange device Excelsior, he nearly always has to be content with dirty looks and the sharp, passionate bark.

Author's last name contains a synonym for 'domicile.'

3)  "No; but I don't know everybody yet.  I haven't lived here quite two weeks. 

Already correctly identified as 'Huckleberry Finn'

4)  Whatever unfortunate entanglement my dear boy may have got into, I will never reproach him with it after we are married.

Already identified as 'Importance of Being Earnest'

5)  Once, I had been taken to see some ghastly wax-work at the Fair, representing I know not what impossible personage lying in state.

You all figured out that this was from 'Great Expectations'

6)  They are not holy.

Book was written by the founder of Ligonier Ministries; title contains a derivative of 'holy'

7)  That hot toast soaked in soup was delicious, only there wasn't much of it, and as Father particularly like it, we had to leave it for him.

Correctly identified as 'Life With Father'

8)  "And sure as I am a Christian woman," said Mrs. Shelby, "you shall be redeemed as soon as I can any way bring together means."'

From 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'

9)  "Now, you are a nice young fellow, ain't you?"

Identified as 'Oliver Twist'

10)  But at last she said: 'Lords, you are weary and shall now go to your beds with such ease as can be contrived in haste.'

Correctly identified as 'Lord of the Rings' (Return of the King, to be exact)

I hope this helps you all!

Tagged

The Bessingers tagged me for the seven interesting things blog.  So I'll try to think of seven things that you all will find interesting about me.  This could be hard for me (and will probably be boring for you), but here goes...

1)  Bach is my favorite composer.

2)  I like to reorganize my room every few months.

3)  I love French bread.

4)  I will not wear button-down shirts (dress shirts) untucked.

5)  I have an inherent love for golden retrievers.  I don't know why; I just do.

6)  Snowy weather is growing on me.

7)  I don't have any interest in hunting or fishing.

I can't think of anyone to tag, so I'll continue my tag-killing trend and not pass this one on.  I feel terrible, but my whole family has already been tagged.

In Christ,

Noah

Tagged Again!

I thought I would do the book tag since Sarah tagged me a few days ago.  So here goes...

1)  But as things are, nothing but grief is left me by my companions.

2)  However much an Aberdeen terrier may bear 'mid snow and ice a banner with the strange device Excelsior, he nearly always has to be content with dirty looks and the sharp, passionate bark.

3)  "No; but I don't know everybody yet.  I haven't lived here quite two weeks. 

4)  Whatever unfortunate entanglement my dear boy may have got into, I will never reproach him with it after we are married.

5)  Once, I had been taken to see some ghastly wax-work at the Fair, representing I know not what impossible personage lying in state.

6)  They are not holy.

7)  That hot toast soaked in soup was delicious, only there wasn't much of it, and as Father particularly like it, we had to leave it for him.

8)  "And sure as I am a Christian woman," said Mrs. Shelby, "you shall be redeemed as soon as I can any way bring together means."'

9)  "Now, you are a nice young fellow, ain't you?"

10)  But at last she said: 'Lords, you are weary and shall now go to your beds with such ease as can be contrived in haste.'

Hints:

1)  #6 is by a modern theologian - the sentence reflects the theme of the book

2)  5 of the authors are British

3)  #4 is in book form, but I don't know if it actually would be considered a book...

4)  One of the books is an English translation

5)  Two of the books are by the same author

And I don't know of any other blogs besides those that have already been tagged.  Did Sarah tag the Lambs?  Sorry, there's no way I can tag six people.

In Christ,

Noah

There Is Still Hope...

Don't worry my faithful readers, I haven't abandoned you!  I'm really busy with finals right now, but I only have one more to go.  Once that is over, I'll get back to posting on here.

In Christ,

Noah

An Open Letter to President-Elect Barack Obama

Dear Mr. Obama,

I learned on Tuesday that you had been elected to the position of president of the United States.  On January 20, 2009, you will be inaugurated into one of the most influential offices in the modern world.  Though I doubt you will get anywhere near the amount of media attention that you have received during your historic campaign, you will still be under the scrutiny of the American people throughout your term.  You have seen for yourself what people are capable of doing to the political figures who have held this office prior to you.  You have seen the verbal abuse that President Bush has suffered during his eight-year presidency.  For your willingness to subject yourself to public opinion, I admire you.

But there are many things I don't admire you for.  In fact, you and I disagree on a great deal of points.  But I'll get to that  later.

I remember the first time I heard your name.  It was in 2004, when you were running against Alan Keyes in a race for one of Illinois' seats in the United States senate.  You and your story were inspirational, not only in that race, but also when you gave your excellent keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

I didn't hear much mention of your name again until early in 2007 when you declared that you were running for the Democratic nomination in the 2008 Presidential election.  I am ashamed to admit that even when I learned this, I simply shrugged my shoulders and ignored your presence in the political arena.  Though I would be able to cast my first vote ever for the president of the United States in the very race that you would be running, I didn't once consider you, except to consider how another candidate could win a head-to-head election with you.

I became very interested in a different political figure who was trying to win the Republican nomination for president.  I followed his campaign eagerly, becoming excited any time a news headline appeared about this candidate, and rejoicing when he set fundraising records.  I watched live speeches and read live blogs about this man, eager to obtain any new information about him.  But I never paid much attention to you, Mr. Obama.

Except when I made snide remarks about your stance on issues like abortion, gun control, welfare, social security, and tax reform.  Or when I scoffed at your fundraising totals, and laughed at the attacks shared between you and your biggest opponent, Hilary Rodham Clinton.

Now, Mr. Obama, I'm not saying I agree with you on these issues now.  By no means do I support your radical beliefs about killing human beings while still in their mother's womb.  I don't support your policies which would reward people for not obtaining employment.  I may be a college student, but I would not allow you to bribe me with your plan to pay me a $4000 scholarship every year just for "volunteering" 40 hours of time for my community.  I could go on and on about ways that I don't agree with you, but that is not the point of this letter.  I know that God can, if He wills, change your heart on many of the moral issues which you take an immoral stance on.  I know that it is not the end of the world if you succeed in convincing the US Congress to adopt some of your radical socialist/Marxist policy ideas.

Despite my vehement disagreement with you, even when you won the Democratic nomination to run for president, I still ignored you.  I accused you of simply taking advantage of the American people by filling their minds with nonsensical rhetoric, even when all I was doing was talking about you.  When it became clear that you and Senator John McCain would be the two major party candidates for president, I began talking about your chances against each other as if this election was all just a big game.

Then, as election day neared, I became even more cynical.  I complained about all of the media attention the presidential race was getting.  I'll be glad when all of this drama is over, I thought.  I talked about how you were really no different than John McCain as far as economic, foreign, and tax policies.  I complained that the major media outlets gave you too much air time and commented on how they never provided information on third-party candidates for the presidential election.  Though my prayers were sincere, they were always in general terms.  I would pray for "the election".  I would pray that God would move on the hearts of His people to encourage them vote according to His moral statutes and His Word.

But, Mr. Obama, I have a humbling confession to make.

I never once prayed for you.

I am not by any means proud of this fact.  It shames me to no end to know that through all of this, I never once even thought about praying for you.

I could have started praying for you after I saw your keynote speech on July 27, 2004.  I could have started praying for you on February 10, 2007, when you announced your candidacy for president.  I could have started praying for you on August 27, 2008, when you became the Democratic party nominee for the office of president of my home country.  I could have started praying for you in mid-October, when it became abundantly clear that you would win the presidential election.  But I didn't.  And of that, I am greatly ashamed.

I want you to know, Mr. Obama, that I have now started praying for you.  I am praying that your radical view on abortion will change.  I am praying that God will give you guidance as you endeavor to lead our country through new and trying times.  I am praying that God's will be done in your life, and in our country.

In the first election year that I was eligible to vote, I did not and could not cast my first vote for you, Mr. Obama.

But tonight, I pray my first prayer for you.  And I want you to know that my prayers for you will not cease.