Faith fails in negative social, political and religious discourse

[caption id="attachment_16172" align="alignleft" width="246"] Immaculate Conception, one of the churches in Natchitoches, Louisiana[/caption]

Carol Forsloff — There is a line in a movie called Steel Magnolias when Olivia Dukakis, who plays one of the characters in the play/film about life in a small southern town, says, "If you have something bad to say, please sit by me." It is that statement that underlines an attraction we have to the negative, why bullies attract large groups, why the negative fills the news and why there is so much division in politics throughout not just the United States but the world.

The "Steel Magnolias" film takes place in a town called Natchitoches, Louisiana. It is one of the most picturesque towns in America, its beautiful streets lined throughout with trees and flowers. Churches are predominant in the town, with one on almost every corner. People say hello from their front porches to friends and strangers alike as they sit socializing in the quiet of the evening. It is a place one would equate with paradise, with its lush landscape, music and beauty all around. It is, however, like every other town in the South, with one foot in the 21st century and another dragging behind with a history filled with racial hurts and regional pride. It is not, however, the bell-weather of the negative, only the reflection of the times, when people reach  not to their better selves, nor their faith, but their endogenous hurts, some unjustified as they are, and biases that arrive from a long history of distrust of anything foreign, different, that creates change. For change comes slowly to the small towns, even as the negative grows everywhere.

Scientists tell us that attraction to the negative is part of how we interact with one another and determines what we read and talk about.  Religious leaders and prophets reminded people of that when the laws were written for people, to prevent them from falling into the traps that kept love from its divine place in the world community. Throughout the history of faith, there have been frequent reminders that loving one another is the primary commandment. The negative, however, whether that is stealing, lying, or even murder, are those places people find even more attractive when institutions fail.

It is in politics that the divisions seem most apparent, whether left or right, in almost every discussion. If the negative isn't negative enough, then folks addicted to it often cast blame on those who provide the information about political news, which is the media, one of the institutions among many under fire during times of turmoil. Even those who are to provide a safe harbor with those valuable commandments that help prevent people from falling for the seduction of the negative, fall prey to that same seduction. So preachers become politicians or become spokespeople for political views, taking sides in arbitrary arguments that fit a political bias under the guise of a religious one. So the opponent becomes demonized as a result, even from the pulpit, so the safe harbor of religion often becomes unsafe from the consequences of negative behavior and conversation. It is often these religious disagreements and demonizing based upon social and political negatives, that brings violence.

How do we avoid the traps that bring down our discussions to the baser levels of discussion and behavior? One way, social psychologists tell us, is to focus on issues, to read widely, and to read ideas outside our biases and social-political comfort zones. But that is difficult, given the fact most people read only what they believe. It is, however, essential in a democracy for people to be educated specific to issues, and when they are associated with personal bias, the opportunity for serious debate is lost.

It is that loss that brings the national suffering,  teachers of ethics tell us. And most importantly, they remind us that those who maintain the safety of faith's harbor must ever be vigilant that all people have access to its peaceful shores.

New social media music community, Fandalism, leads in establishinginternational bonds

[caption id="attachment_14661" align="alignleft" width="111"] Ukulele - among the many instruments played on Fandalism[/caption]

Carol Forsloff — While politicians the world over make bold promises about uniting folks within their various countries or speak of their abilities to make better relationships with others, Philip Kaplan's Fandalism is leading the way in doing what others have not. Music, as the universal language, is establishing bonds that go beyond local borders and human conflicts in ways that truly work toward making the world a better place.

As American politicians in 2012 prepare for a heavy Presidential campaign and international experts grapple with the internal wars and conflicts in countries around the world, Fandalism is making a difference in building relationships. How does that happen and what can governments and others learn from a music community that can enhance relationships in other ways?

Kaplan initiated Fandalism, a musical community website,  approximately six months ago. His backgrounds in computer programming, business development, and music (he's a drummer) provided the foundation for his putting together a unique site that was initiated as a Facebook application. But unlike the games and other activities on Facebook, Fandalism goes further than simply creating fun activities to encouraging new talent and supporting musicians in their collaboration efforts and their relationship-building. It is also truly democratic, as the master musician with a list of music credits starts like everyone else in securing a fan base and offering music others can appreciate or not. Popularity hinges on talent, relationship-building, and the belief that all musicians who are sharing their music are providing a personal gift to others. In this type of community, the 70-year-old country musician from the Southwest, who may have been closeted for years, makes friends with the 18-year old violinist in Asia with mutual appreciation and sharing.

Fandalism announces itself as a site for musicians, but it also has audience members who support and encourage the talent on the site.   Two of these people, John Lunn and Suzanne Morgan, have fostered much of the cooperation and collaboration that has occurred. But the musicians interact in positive ways with each other, and that's likely because Kaplan wisely set up his site to deflect the negative that occurs with many social media networks. As an example, the comment section clearly states that one should say something nice about the video or audio clip. This prompts people to think and act pleasantly and positively with their first response to musicians. It sets the stage for people to look for the good in each other. And that good is found easily, because many of the musicians are talented beyond the ordinary.

Cooperation, collaboration, and appreciation occur also among disparate groups and individuals who might otherwise neither find each other nor find areas of agreement for initiating a relationship. Music, however, does this. More than half a million members and counting consist of entertainers from every country on earth, including those places where there is serious conflict and war, such as Syria and parts of Africa.  The musicians include classical masters and country music artists, the young and the old, guitars, violins, pianos and every form of musical instrument, and people of all races, nationalities and cultures, all figuratively joining hands with their music. And they are succeeding where the politicians and protest groups have failed.

Folks may speak randomly of music as a universal language, but Fandalism's inner workings and philosophy go beyond that language to intrinsically establish human bonds that rise above the commonplace. It is also reviving old music while introducing the new in a listenable and enjoyable way.

While world leaders grapple with communication problems and conflicts and politicians squabble over their issues and other social media groups sometimes cater to the inane or the political argument, Fandalism is doing what others cannot in making people feel good and work together in developing something special. And for that, those who know it are grateful.

The ethics of lies and 'murders' in politics and life

[caption id="attachment_5763" align="alignleft" width="188" caption="Pinocchio - wikimedia commons"][/caption]








Carol Forsloff - A reporter stopped at a Portland McDonalds and asked for a small, chocolate-flavored coffee and when it became apparent the brew was not prepared and the customer inquired,  the clerk said “we have been working on it” and then visibly began the coffee preparation several minutes later,  reflecting once again a kind of murder that takes place in politics and life.

There is no such thing as a little murder, an elderly woman said many years ago to a girl who lied about being late from school, a lesson we might all take with us as we maneuver through our lives.  It is a lesson that underlines how breaking small rules can cause big hurts.   For when we break a little rule, such as being honest with others and ourselves, we can set up a pattern that becomes self-reinforcing.  At its worst it leads to killing without conscience in the same way someone lies.

That small lie about a cup of coffee might seem trivial to some.   After all in a world where there are tragic events and critical news, why would this be significant enough to even talk about it.   But those lies can murder institutions, our businesses, our politics and getting done those things we need to do.    A little lie about a cup of coffee can multiply and reminds us that if we lie about the trivial, would we not lie about more important and complex matters.

What a wise woman declared about lies and murder, reminds us of certain well-regarded rules of behavior that in the religion of many men have equal status, giving good direction for the way we live right now.

False witness is the eighth commandment, the rule about lies that is underlined in some simple rules, the kind that have been replicated and reinforced by teachers and followers of many faiths for many centuries.  Whether one believes in God or not, the rule itself is good.  False witness underlines the gossip in politics, the lies that people tell to gain advantage in some contest in the world.  False witness are the lies when we do wrong,  the issues we can’t face in admitting our mistakes.   The eighth commandment suggests we need to honor ourselves by admitting when we lie and recognizing those lies can hurt and even kill.

You shall not kill reminds us of the sacredness of life, about which many people would agree.  It is, however, given no more weight in what we do or don’t do among those ten great rules, than lying to our neighbors and our friends.

New York’s Congressman ,  Andy Weiner,  lied about sexual solicitations of young women on Twitter, an issue that makes us wonder how that relates with his governance and reason.  His scandal reflects the issues that pervade the politics of many countries in the world today.    It’s difficult to tell the truth that one has sent explicit, private pictures in a public place, but the lie to hide the wrong can multiply the errors that were made.   Citizens become disillusioned more and more with modern politics.    That disillusionment can influence if and for whom they vote, and in great numbers can impact the future of us all.

The issues become much greater when the lies are part of adulterous affairs, as in the case of Senator David Vitter of Louisiana years ago, whose public disclosure of his name on call girl list created quite a furor.    He first denied he had frequented prostitutes, but then, his wife beside him, admitted he had wronged her and had embarrassed his constituents as well.  Like Weiner, however, those consitutuents held fast, allowing Vitter to serve out his full term, then re-elected him again last year.   Deborah Palfrey, the madam of the call girl ring,  killed herself before facing continuing exposure and potential prison time.  Vitter, however, remains a Republican Senator today,  with only minor mention of adultery and lies.

What lying in a public place reminds us is the risk of killing government and faith in one another when we misrepresent issues even in our personal lives.  But the other lesson is on how we should behave and think about each other and what happens when we revel in the sins that others do.

We must acknowledge wrong doing in our leaders and surely should consider whether their faults might interfere with their ability to govern wisely as opposed to pointing fingers at the sins.   For in our daily lives how many folks commit those “little murders, “ shrug them off, and then begin again.   Then  It is the moat we find in eyes of others while the beams continue growing in our own, while we look at the faults and sins of others with a righteous indignation that implies that we are better than the ones whom we indict.

The little murder lesson reminds us how we can all do better when we look within ourselves growth and honesty and get past simply judging sins of other men.