It’s Not so Difficult!
The September 29, 2017 — mention of The Path of the Happy and Honest Way church.
Stand up this Sunday or take a knee. It is your right to do either.
THE NFL AND THE PRESIDENT
Football players begin to protest racially based violence by a minority of violent and racist police officers. They started by kneeling during the United States national anthem. Some may think this is deeply inappropriate. Many find this offensive. But that is exactly the point of protesting — get attention or don’t protest.
Apparently Donald Trump saw this as an opportune time to lash out for the benefit of those who find that protest an offensive. He did so by spouting with profane preface and racial innuendo, that those people should be kicked off the field and out of the NFL. He turned the protest from one of police brutality to one against America itself. It is hard to tell if Donald Trump really understands the weight of his words.
It is easy to tell that the current executive of the nation is not cut from the mold of what we have cherished. Our great history of both good and bad men have produced mostly — thoughtful, careful leaders of all people, preferring every attempt to appear honest if not actually capable of always being honest. And most importantly well versed in relevant knowledge.
Therefore a profane and bellicose bleat from a person who inhabits the position of what once was a role model, fires up not only his marginalized audience but the people on the other side of the argument as well. Professional athletes, (who in their own times can certainly be questionable in their own behavior and present unavoidable bad role models) well they bleat back. The debate sinks into the sad stupidity of America’s melting pot of un-researched opinions and declarations of absolute faith for supporting odd and incorrect facts.
Let’s take a breather this Sunday.
Here is an idea. Do what you want during the singing of the national anthem. Clap your hand over your heart. Close your eyes and glory in the idea of America. Kneel on one knee and suffer the thoughts of police brutality. But don’t stop there, when the song is over. I believe we should all take a knee. We should take both knees. Kneel and pray to your God. Pray for America. Pray for healing and beg for peace.
Most Americans will stand dutifully at the first musical notes of a song. But praying in public to your God who is greater than any country? This, for some reason isn’t so common.
Such a habit might strengthen your soul. It will certainly stand for more than just a quiet mediation on amber waves of grain.