A Test of Principle: Slot Machines at the Mall

The 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant's gift to Western Civilization was a way to test the strength of one's moral beliefs.

One of Kant's "Categorial Imperatives" is to “act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law.” In other words, do to others only as you would have it done to you.

Through a twist of circumstance, some folks in the northern part of my county (Maryland's Anne Arundel County) are enduring the Philosopher's test vis-a-vis the possibility of slot machines being placed in a nearby shopping mall. (Click here to read the newspaper article.)

In a referendum last November, Maryland voters approved the placement of slot machines. It is reasonable to assume that many of those who voted "yes" might have voted "no" had they known the gambling devices would be installed at a shopping mall instead of a track for horse racing. The assumption, which proponents of gambling generally deny, is that slot machine parlors are the thin edge of the wedge for more coarse forms of entertainment, such as prostitution and strip clubs; and a clientele that is more transitory and sketchy than the current patrons at the popular mall.

Through a series of happenings that turned the slot machine plan on its head, the favored horse racing venues -- having financial problems of their own -- failed to post the money required to get a shot at the slots, which opened the door to the long-shot: The shopping mall, which is now in line to receive the lion's share of the machines the law permitted, because few other venues qualify.

There are, of course, the voters -- I mean, the neighbors -- who reportedly feel as if they are the victim of a "bait-and-switch," which they are. Had they thought a slot machine operation could show-up in their neighborhood, they likely would have voted against the proposition in last fall's referendum. Who knew?

That is the point. Maxims, rules, laws, commandments -- if we follow or obey them -- save us from having to live under our own bad decisions.

Long before I became acquainted with Immanuel Kant, I was taught a similar maxim: The Golden Rule, which says, "Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you."

It works, even today. You just never know when the casino you thought was a great idea, when you thought it was headed to the next county, will be breaking ground at the neighborhood shopping mall.

Lection Reflections: The Fourth Sunday in Lent

"Lection Reflections" is a short review of the themes of the coming Sunday's scripture readings as written in the Common Lectionary, Year B. For more information on the Lectionary, and how it can work to aid your Bible knowledge, click here!

This week's Sunday readings are full of timely challenges!

The first reading (in the order of appearance in the Bible) is II Chronicles 36: 14-23, and it records the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the exile of the people to Babylon, as foretold by the prophet Jeremiah.

There are two obvious lessons in this text: (1) Before crushing the rebellion of His people, God sends messenger after messenger to encourage their repentance because of His "compassion on His people and on His dwelling place"; and (2) God may use, as he did in this case, our circumstances and the most unlikely of people to bring us to repentance. You see, not only were the Babylonians the captors of God's people, but through King Cyrus the Babylonians made possible the re-building of the Temple. God, indeed, has a sense of humor.

Psalm 122 is a song of ascents, which is a song the faithful would sing as they made their way to Jerusalem and the Temple of the Lord. It begins: "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'"

A question: Does the opportunity to attend worship gladden our heart? To be sure, public worship is a privilege that we in the United States view as a right. We need only look at other nations in the world to see that the freedom to worship as we choose is not guaranteed.

The Gospel reading is found in John 6: 4-15, and records the familiar account of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with a little boy's lunch consisting of two fish and five small barley loaves. The final verse is one that caught my attention, because it reminded me of the temptation to sacrifice the "best" for the "good."

Jesus, seeing the intention of the multitude to make him King, immediately withdrew to the mountain. Do you and I have the same focus on the mission of God, and the same commitment to the purposes of God, to run from the entreaties of those who want us to do good things, but at the expense of the long-term, big-picture, best things? Or do we entertain the proposition in hopes that we can "fit all of it in"?

The final reading, Ephesians 2: 4-10, is full of encouraging words! The final verses, 8-10, will resonate with many people: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. . . "

However, I encourage attention to the beginning of the passage: "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us. . ." (Verse 1) Mercy. Great love with which He loved us.

To be sure, all such messages of affirmation and assurance give us reason to worship. I hope you have a great Sunday!

The Best Radio Interview in Years!

I was arrested this morning on my drive to work.

It wasn't the police who made the arrest. It was an interview of the U. S. Marines who serve in the solemn ceremonies where fallen warriors from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan arrive home in flag-draped caskets.

WAMU radio journalist Kavitha Cardoza conducted the riveting interviews, which really were more a seamless montage of voices telling intensely personal stories than a question and answer session. It was the best radio I've heard in years: Informative, intimate, inspiring, touching.

Click here for the podcast ("Bringing Home the Fallen") to hear the interview for yourself -- then tell me what you think.

Lection Reflections: The 2nd Sunday in Lent

"Lection Reflections" is a short review of the themes of the coming Sunday's scripture readings as written in the Common Lectionary, Year B. For more information on the Lectionary, and how it can work to aid your Bible knowledge, click here!

There is the potential for a lot of heavy lifting in Sunday's lectionary.

Genesis 22: 1-14 records Abraham's intention to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, in obedience to God's command to do so. It is hard for modern-day readers to grasp the idea that a good God would ask a faithful man (Abraham) to kill an innocent child (Isaac), and I would wager that most preachers will pass on using this passage as a sermon text. It is extremely difficult to challenge ideas that have taken root about a passage encountered long ago by most people in the pew. But blessings on the preacher who takes-up, yet again, a story that explores the foundations of faith in God, and the role of obedience.

Psalm 16 exalts the Lord as the psalmist's portion in life; and his deliverer in death. This is a good psalm to recall the comprehensiveness of God's love, faithfulness, and mercy.

Mark 8: 31-38 reminds us of the exacting cost of Christian discipleship. One cannot read it honestly and not be challenged by its requirements: Self-denial, cross-bearing, and obedience. It almost -- almost -- goes without mentioning the proliferation of groups in the Christian Church that promote self-actualization over self-denial; blessing-seeking over cross-bearing; and self-satisfaction over divine obedience. Again, heavy lifting for anyone bold enough to deal with the text on its terms.

Finally, Romans 8: 31-39, which includes the oft-quoted verse (28) about all things working for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purposes, is a reminder (a) that there is often suffering for those who choose to follow Jesus; and (b) that we are ultimately victorious over these mortal impediments, because nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (39).

While there is the potential for heavy lifting in the exploration of these readings, the real work is the application of God's word in our living. It is work, to be sure, to live faithfully according to God's plan, in God's time, and to work in God's way; but it is work that is true and rewarding. Or, as Jesus asks in day's Gospel reading: "For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8: 37)

Have a great Sunday!

When You Really Like Your Work. . .

Tony Lepore is a now-retired Providence, Rhode Island police officer who first distinguished himself more than 20 years ago as a man who truly enjoys his work.

While performing the often mundane task of directing traffic, he executed his duty with humor and style. Although he retired from active police work, he still works traffic as a retired police officer. (Click here to see him at work. When finished, hit "backspace" or the "back" button on your browser to return to this blog.)

Few jobs are as mundane, thankless, or dangerous as directing traffic. Motorists are often unwilling participants in a traffic scrum if a traffic cop is needed. The weather is often less than ideal, particularly in New England. And there is the constant risk of getting clipped by an inattentive motorist.

I am happy that Officer Lepore didn't permanently hang-up his whistle when he retired from the police force. He encourages us to find joy in whatever it is we do. And having faithfully pursued joy, one's task becomes lighter; others are positively affected; and God is glorified.

Coach Tony Dungy: NPR Interview

In case you missed it, there is a worthwhile interview of former Indianapolis Colts football team head coach Tony Dungy that first aired yesterday, Monday, on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition." (Click here to reach the NPR page containing the the podcast.)

There is a lot to like about Tony Dungy: He seems to "walk the talk," and was more than willing to give up the spotlight of sport -- while at the pinnacle of his career, no less -- for a less conspicuous, but a more enduring pursuit.

Part of the story, as noted in the radio interview with Steve Inskeep, is the effect of the suicide death of Dungy's son on the coach's view of life.

The Devil's Hand is Tipped

Are people charitable only when it benefits them?

Do people work hard only because they are paid well?

These questions came to mind as I monitored the public discussion about the effect a tax hike on those earning more than $250,000 would have on charitable giving; and the necessity of so-called "retention pay" to motivate highly-paid Wall Street executives.

In the first case, persons earning north of $250,000 a year would not be able to deduct as much of their charitable giving as someone earning less than $250,000 a year. The harm of such a change in tax law, the critics say, would be a drastic reduction in the flow of money to the needy through one's favorite charity.

In the second instance, so-called "retention pay" is deemed essential to keep productive Wall Street brokers from seeking work at financial firms with looser purse strings -- even firms clinging to federal bailout money to stay afloat.

For just a moment, the devil had tipped his hand. If we, indeed, give only because it benefits us; and if it is size of the paycheck that determines the level of our loyalty, or our enthusiasm for the task at hand, then it is time to man the life boats. Civil society is headed to the depths.

Money is a hard task master. When asked, "How much money is enough?," 19th century industrialist John D. Rockefeller replied, "Just a little bit more."

A similar answer, it would seem, is hidden in the devil's hand.

Yet, we need not despair so long as there are those who give as Jesus said we ought: In secret. Not for the recognition of the recipient, nor for the praise of one's peers, not even for the tax break, but only for the secret affirmation of God.

We need not despair so long as there are those who work for the things that money cannot buy: A legacy that lives on in the lives of others; a good conscience before men and before God; a hope that one has truly given to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God the things that are God's.