Fiction- Stories, Myths and Legends. A TALE OF WORSHIP. ( First published on examiner.com, and partially rewritten.)

A long time ago, there lived a King who loved his country.  The people were, for the most part, very happy.  

However, there was one big problem.  Although the country was united, religion was still a problem.  The King came to realize that to truly unite the citizenry, a single religion must be adopted.  So the King turned to his wisest Adviser and asked what he should do.  The Adviser replied, "Bring in all the most educated, that they will present the best case."

So the King sent for the wisest scholars who would present the best reasons to define God in a way that would unite everyone.  In the end, only three were left, those whose words that the King found the most valid.  The King said " Let us decide now," and turned to the three and said, "Give me a reason to select you, and no other."

In the first case a wizened old man bowed deeply, and said, "It is obvious, the Sun is God.  This orb is the reason we have the most fertility, for when it shines the most, it is when we can plant and harvest the most food.  When the sun shines least, our crops do not grow."

"Ah," the King nodded , "sounds very good, who will dare to disagree."  In that instance the second scholar approached the throne.  "Your highness," he began,  "the Sun is indeed powerful, but it is the Clouds that are truly divine.  Not only can they block sunlight, but they provide us with life giving water to drink.  Our crops need water or they will die."

The King sat and considered this new testimony.  " Very compelling," he said to the second scholar, "perhaps you are correct."

At that moment, the third and final scholar spoke.  "Your highness, they are both wrong.  The earth beneath our feet is truly where we find God.  The soil nurtures the seed that grow our crops and provides us with plants that heal the sick.  Trees from which we build the shelters that protect us from the weather, are provided by the ground in which we walk upon."

The King frowned.  What should he do?  In frustration, he dismissed all but his trusted adviser.  To him he turned and said, "Give me council, what am I to do?"

The adviser thought for a moment and then replied; '' In each case, your majesty, we find a belief that we are are controlled by outside sources.  These sources must be worshiped, or we will be punished.  However, in no case is this true.  We plant crops according to the time of year that in the past has given us the best results.  We do not worry about droughts because we have created reservoirs in case of need.  Our soil is worthless unless we fertilize properly and rotate our crops."

The King was in despair.  "What are the people to believe, how should I rule?"  The adviser looked the King straight in the eye, and with a dignity that is born of confidence replied; "Perhaps they should believe in themselves.  For our ability to use and understand the natural resources around us, to the benefit of all, is where we truly find the hand of the Divine."

Date- 8/11/2013.

ETHICS AND MORALITY. MORAL COWARDICE- WHEN YOU SACRIFICE YOUR PRINCIPLES, SO NOT TO OFFEND. PT 1.

While writing about Political Issues through the years, there is one recurring theme I find most disturbing;

MANY AMERICANS DEMAND THAT THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS REVEAL AND STAND BY A SET OF MORAL PRINCIPLES THAT ARE EASILY IDENTIFIABLE AND UNCHANGING, YET ARE AFRAID TO FOLLOW THIS LINE OF REASONING IN THEIR OWN LIVES.

Many individuals are deathly afraid to reveal their personal beliefs on Religion and Morality, in fear that their family or friends will ostracize them.                                                 

This has always fascinated me.  Why would any person deceive others, just to maintain a relationship built on lies?  Yes, I understand that a Human Being is essentially a Social Animal, and the need to be accepted is a fundamental desire. However, what do you sacrifice, in the name of being part of a particular social circle?

To be clear, I am not including the individual who is trying to interact with an extremist group, or others that are clearly irrational in nature.  Sexists, Homophobes, Religious Fanatics, Xenophobes etc., are examples of Mindsets based on Fear, Hate and a general loathing of Humanity.

This article is to ask why an Intelligent and Caring person would decide to mask their beliefs, which are genuine in nature, from those that mean the most to them.

Let me ask a question, to all of my readers. Think of the people you are closest to. They may be a relative, or a friend.  By close, I mean an individual that you consider a close confidant, in that their advice would be considered a prominent part of any important decision that you make.  Would you be afraid of offending them, if they found out that there were certain moral absolutes that you were not in agreement?

Look for PT 2.

ETHICS AND MORALITY. STOP BLAMING POLITICIANS FOR THE MORAL PRIORITIES OF THE VOTER. PT 1.

On and On it goes.  No matter what Time of Year it is, and how Far Away the next Election may be, Controversy and Rhetoric is still the Order of the Day for the Federal Government.

However, lets cut Through all the Speeches, News Bites and Most of All, the "BLAME GAME, " and look for the Real Cause(s) for the Lack of Progress in Creating New Laws and Public Policy that will Address any Problems the U.S. may have ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY.  Is it really the Fault of our ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES?  Are They ROGUE EGOTISTICAL DEMAGOGUES WHO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT, or ARE THEY BEHAVING AS THOSE WHO PLACED THEM IN OFFICE EXPECTED THEM TO?

Some of the GREATEST MISCONCEPTIONS AMERICANS HAVE ABOUT THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS, ESPECIALLY ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, INCLUDE;

-  THE DISPARITY IN POWER FROM ONE CONGRESSPERSON TO ANOTHER.

-  THE MORAL BELIEFS ABOUT WHAT ROLE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PLAY IN ADDRESSING ISSUES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE CAN DIFFER VASTLY BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE SAME CHAMBER, COMMITTEE OR EVEN POLITICAL PARTY.

-  THE MOTIVATIONS THAT LED TO THE ELECTORAL VICTORY OF ONE CANDIDATE, IN TERMS OF BRINGING OUT THE VOTE, COULD BE EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE OF THOSE THAT PLACED ANOTHER INTO ELECTED OFFICE.

FINALLY,

WHAT IS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT, ESSENTIAL AND VITAL TO VOTERS IN ONE PART OF THE COUNTRY, CAN BE TRUMPED BY THE BELIEFS OF THOSE IN A DIFFERENT SECTION OF THE FIFTY STATES.

THE PROBLEM CAN BE BOILED DOWN TO ONE ESSENTIAL THEME-  THAT TRYING TO CHANGE THE MIND OF AN ELECTED OFFICIAL ABOUT WHAT COMPRISES "GOOD" AND "ETHICAL" GOVERNMENT IS SOMETIMES USELESS. IT IS THE OPINIONS OF THOSE WHO PLACED THEM IN OFFICE THAT OFTEN CARRIES THE MOST WEIGHT.  AT LEAST THE ONES THAT:  A) VOTE.  B)  CONTRIBUTE.

Date-  6/4/2015.

ETHICS AND MORALITY. RIGHTS- WHAT THEY ARE, AND WHAT THEY ARE NOT. PT 1.

There is perhaps no more important word, when we discuss such issues as Freedom of Choice, Protection from Governmental Interference into our lives and, yes, "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."  Yet, the definition of RIGHTS seems to be something many don't understand. 

Even more alarmingly, there are those who define the term in different ways at different times, depending on the agenda they are supporting in the latest election cycle.

The goal of this article is to define what is meant when the word RIGHTS is used properly, and to shed light on the improper usage of the term.

In general terms, a RIGHT can be referenced and defined in several ways:

-  A Protection against Persecution for certain behaviors, that an individual or group may engage in.

-  The ability to make decisions about ones' own life, free of improper

influence or malicious retribution.

-  Protecting groups that are recognized legally, from hostile actions by those

who desire to inflict harm upon the members, without just cause.

-  Punishment administered to any individual, Either by Government, Social Organization, or Employer must be justified through defined procedures that allow the individual an opportunity to provide a proper defense to any and all charges. Further, that judgment will be based on facts and evidence that were gathered in a prescribed manner.  Of course, the degree to which these are implemented differs from the Public to the Private sector.

When speaking of Rights that are found in the Private Sector, we usually find them

to be creations of contractual agreements between Employer and Employee, or in By-Laws that are part of a fraternal organizations code of conduct for members. By their very nature, these Rights affect a very select group.

This is not true in the Public Sector.

End of PT 1.  

Date-  4/7/2014.