Delta County Board of Commissioners Meeting (8/1/2023): Church & State Discussion, Grants, Concerns, and Contracts

Portrait of John Locke

1697

Sir Godfrey Kneller

As a representation of a person

who argued both ways 

at different developmental stages

of their lives.

This was definitely another action packed show of interest and intrigue. There were discussions that ranged from approving controversial contracts all the way over to religious discussions and its influence on governance. Discussions on grants and other interesting issues also came up so you should watch this one yourself. My opinion is below, and that is pretty neutral. I just watch because Days of Our Lives got really boring but this is like 3D exciting! (Popcorn in hand!)

I actually like some aspects of the introductory speech on the different perspectives of the nature of religion in society. It is an opinion and if given an opportunity to be heard there may be others with different opinions on how the nation was formed that may want similar time (Just to show government doesn't advocate for any particular religion. DEI was rejected but we do not know if the concept of diversity itself has been rejected. I don't think so, but I cannot say for sure.). Our goal is to just listen and understand whether or not those beliefs resonate with us as individuals (No need to accept or reject right away or even at all. You are a free person who decides things for yourself.). However, I do feel I would like to get some alternative opinions before I can come to a conclusion. I think there could be more to say on the topic. 

My only real concern is the venue for deeply religious discussions because it seems to send a signal that local government will be religiously based (I think that was the essential point of the speech. In some things I understand and agree but I disagree with specificity versus generality. Government should be guided by general principles of "moral conscious" and not on specific rituals or verbal artifacts of practice.). I think instead of soaking up too much public time discussing different religious and varying historical perspectives we might be better off using our time focusing on specific government functions and resolving problems to help our community. I think they may consider a YouTube streamed interfaith discussion on the nature of religion, religious living artifacts and governance, etc.. Just my thought. 

Related articles you can find on our beloved Escanaba Daily Press (They got reporters on the ground. A few good articles when you search out the county meeting. Opinions on racism, recall delays, new contracts, etc. News that keeps you up to date! If you want to advertise locally this would be the paper you would do it in.)

Rantings on Government and Religion (Is There a Reason Why They are Separate?)

During our founding fathers/mothers time most things in life were seen as having religious connections in natural form. Religion was interwoven with our understanding of the world and it is deeply embedded in our perception of society (We still debate religion and state. See The Establishment Clause.) Religious dominance become so encompassing in some places that the Pilgrims fled the stifling nature of religion in England in the earliest years to be able to practice their own religion in a far off land. Our founding fathers and mothers did not feel comfortable or welcome in England. Some might say that they were persecuted and hoped to find peacefulness and fairness in this land (This is why I respect that tradition and swore oaths to the Constitution and it rights.). Overreaching religiousness into all aspect of governance can sometimes lead to problems as we have seen in history when there is an inappropriate crossover of responsibilities. ie. government's job is not to teach specific religious adherence but can promote general societal values.

The pilgrims fled persecution and we have learned from them and incorporated those hard won lessons into our Constitution through protections for freedom of religion and freedom of speech (This is why American is the land of freedom and opportunity!). The root of many of our modern traditions blended preChristian Greece, with Judao-Christian-Islamic (There is lots things to show the same root values are apparent and woven into our history. Free and Slave alike.) as well as some of the blending of Native Americans organic beliefs (i.e. we beat the British by learning from the Native Americans.), and adopted their best to create modern American society. We can trace that democratic line all they way back to the philosophers of ancient Greece who could separate state from religion in order to advance the needs of society. We base our governance philosophy on that division of power concept because it ties the most people together into a single vision of America (i.e. not American and "American, or First and Second class Americans, White or Black, etc. where division exists it typically means toxicity has entered the political arena.). Faith of our Forefathers

I'm a believer in universalism as a light R. All healthy-positive religions are acceptable to practice and people should have religious freedom to worship as they please. They also have the right to engage fully in government, civic, military and other affairs without being forced to accept another person's religion as dominant and/or superior and/or more truthful (In history some have misused religion to harm others. i.e. fights between Catholics and Protestants, fights between Sunni and Shia, etc. It is a human problem perverted by narrow religious perception/lens that damages the togetherness and humility that religion was trying to teach us. As far as I have read from the history books, Jesus was darker skinned and he advocated for love, kindness and the soft nature that often comes with highly intelligent, gifted, spiritually endowed individuals. Thus we should accept diversity for some of the best of us were not all the same shade. If you want to take a more spiritual view, all life is goal directed.) 

I believe in a free nation where every man and woman can practice any religion as it was intended. That is my conservative side, smaller government, and all the other stuff seems to make sense but is strategic not religious. To some I'm a Rino for not being Far enough right and perhaps to some others on the left side I'm a Dino for not being liberal enough! I say that my beliefs are my beliefs. Feel free to toss them out and adopt your own. My only suggestion is to encourage togetherness and respect those people and leaders who seek to tie us together into shared goals and are humble about their religious beliefs as a truer sign of deeper faith. If we really knew our significance and insignificance in this world we would have no option but to be humbled by our awareness.

A Lesson Learned: Religion at its root can teach us so many good things about people and the nature of life and the universe. It should be humble and encouraging and guide many of thoughts and actions toward prosocial outcomes that lead to better societies. It should never be forced, but only be like a worm to be dangle and lured in ever so slight manner. If the fish notice and nibble, then they are on the path to salvation (Depending on your religious beliefs). They call it a term like path, hearing the call, enlightenment, and inspiration versus forced march, genocide, cleansing and other such words. 

John Locke pushed a very tolerate view of religion in society "I may grow rich by an Art that I take not delight in; I may be cured of some Disease by Remedies that I have not Faith in; but I cannot be saved by a Religion that I distrust, and by a Worship that I abhor."   John Locke, 1689 A Letter Concerning Toleration, p.31.