What do you think?

Folks, information came to me that Barak Obama was educated in a Muslim school and embraced that religion. This rumor turned out to be false. In other words it was a lie. Why was this done? Because this man is going to run for president of our country in 2008 if he receives the Democratic nomination. His enemies used this lie to try to prevent his nomination. Some sage has said that America cannot be defeated by outside forces but we can lose our freedom by wrangling among ourselves. Are we in danger of doing this now? Perhaps, just perhaps we are.

I remember a different time and a different approach to discussing our differences. When I was a young boy I used to sit in the evenings in a country store and listen to the men discuss politics. My father was right in the midst of these heated discussions. Their voices would rise as they tried to persuade others to change their beliefs. I heard the pros and cons about the ability, of the then President Herbert Hoover and his opponent Franklin Roosevelt. In later years the merits of Wendell Wilkie were hotly debated! In fact during this time my father’s nickname was Wilkie because of his fervor for this man. So they argued loud and fiercely.

However when the proprietor of the store, Ora Brumbaugh said it was closing time they all got up and bid their friends a cheery goodnight. In fact four of these men would all ride together, we call it car pooling now, to their place of employment. They had their differences concerning politics but it never affected their friendship and working together on their jobs and community projects. This is what I remember. How I long for us to have the same attitude! Respect for the individual regardless of their beliefs.

One thing I believe is that our enemies rub their hands with glee as they see and hear us tearing each other apart. Are we doing their dirty work for them? Our country is deeply divided and we need to overlook our differences and work together for the good of all citizens!

Today I receive e-mails from all over the world from former students and other friends concerning politics and religious beliefs. I differ with some of their beliefs!

Does this cause me to hate them and discard them as friends?

Of course not! That is folly! My friends and colleagues are entitled to their beliefs regardless of their political persuasion or religious beliefs. At least that is what I think!

I seem to remember a MAN hanging on a cross and looking down on his political and religious enemies and saying, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

Hmmmm. I wonder about my thinking! What do you think?

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