'There should be a law/system'

Our country, our political system, has many stresses and strains pulling in different directions causing conflicts. When conditions become troubled, the answer above is often heard as a solution. It seems good within reason, but there is a problem as old as the human race. We tend to believe we know more about how to control our life than any other being. Our experience, as we grow and mature, is a result of what happens to us, what we are taught by parents, teachers.

Part of our belief system is absorbed from those with whom we live, what they say and believe. A very strong influence in all human activity is that of self-interest.

From birth, each of us depends upon our real needs being met. We must learn that to be what we are created depends upon others, a minimum number who must work together for the common good.

Laws are enacted, systems developed to guide us in meeting needs, providing good. This flawed human nature, having the freedom to try to work out our destiny, begins to trouble us as the self-interest of others conflicts with our own.

Also, any law, any system designed to meet our needs cannot meet our "wants." Nor can one be developed that works perfectly. The human mind has the capacity to work around laws/systems, defeat the purpose for which they were created.

It has to do with beliefs. What we believe, to a great extent, controls our daily actions. My beliefs may be contrary to yours. This conflict breaks out in our daily living and how we treat fellow human beings, on a family, local, state, national, even global basis. Hearing different expressions of solutions offered by politicians seeking office, positions of political parties, I have wrestled with the question, "How can supposedly intelligent, educated human beings have so many different views?"

A far more important question is: "Which direction should our nation go and who would be the best leader(s)"? A guide found in the Bible is worth considering. "You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free." But where is truth in conflicting opinions?

I have tried to summarize my thoughts and events which I would call "Life-changing." In reality, this is an ongoing process, difficult to describe, for a hazy idea can capture attention and takes days, months, even years to change my life, my beliefs. I would like to share some occasions that fit such a description.

I was born in the Ozarks near the Arkansas line in Taney County, Mo. There was not a single person who fit the category we then called Negro, living there. I grew up with some prejudice, but it was not experienced prejudice. I had no basis for prejudice except what was heard and observed. I was familiar with, "the tar baby" story and the song "old black Joe." Attending the University in Columbia, I was exposed to the black community for my first personal experience. There were brash groups of young black people who spoke loudly, were in small groups and some behaviors reinforced prejudices already formed. Two people gave me a chance to see differences I could experience. As a "houseboy" in a fraternity house where medical students were living and studying, I did chores to earn my room and board. We served meals and ate the same food as the students but we did not eat with them. The food was cooked by a black woman.

The first was a tall, thin woman of advanced age, with some rather severe health problems. She was a Christian woman and I could find no fault with her work or behavior. She was a quiet woman, did her work well. During the summer, because of health problems, she needed a replacement.

A short, jolly, plump woman was hired as a substitute. My understanding was that the older woman would be returning in the fall. Instead they kept the substitute. I suspected that she undermined Carrie, the older one, and kept the job.

She was a good cook, enjoyed life, pleasant to be around. She liked to party on weekends and would come to work with the odor of alcohol on her breath. She never mentioned church and we knew little about her life but the comparison of the two was an education for me. There was a distinct difference in the morality of the two.

Two more experiences were life-changing. As a soldier in 1945, I was assigned to Fort Leavenworth as a counselor to soldiers returning from overseas as they were discharged. As a counselor, I was to fill in a brief form describing their military experience and help them understand benefits available to them. I had access to a card showing test scores when they entered service. That card contained results of their AGCT, approximately the same as an IQ test to determine where they could best serve. We saw 10 to 20 individuals each day. Soon after I started a large, handsome, black First Sgt. came to my booth. His was the highest rank normally given to enlisted men and a measure of the responsibility earned. He had seven chevrons on his arm, indicating three and one half years overseas service.

Before entering the Army, he had been a school principal, had a master's and higher test scores than mine. I had to adjust my thinking, my beliefs, about the black race.

A few weeks later a small black man was processed. He was a private in rank, had been overseas also. But in completing his record he could not understand a question with more than three or four words. Checking his card he had a very low score on his test. It was six points below what I had understood was the lowest possible, another attitude adjustment, the need to look at individuals, not as a group.

As we stand before God (some would say in judgment), I believe he sees us as we truly are and loves us in spite of who we are. This is true regardless of color, ability, appearance, history, group to which we belong and achievements.

To judge a person by the group we place them in, by our prejudged opinion of the group, is unfair, unjust and deprives them of the freedom to be the best they can be.

A phrase kept coming to my mind, "convince a man against his will, he's of the same opinion still." On the Internet it was attributed to Dale Carnegie, Ben Franklin, "anonymous" in 1792, a British feminist, and finally to Samuel Butler (1612-1680). "He that complies against his will, is of his own opinion still, which he may adhere to, yet disown, for reasons to himself the best-known."

A small group was discussing an issue involving some stress. One person commented, "This is the way I feel, that's the way it is." Another moment for reflection, how I see life can be, often is, based on a painful or joyous event.

I need to define for myself and possibly a reader or listener any information which might bring a life-changing moment of understanding. We also need to understand the differences between argument, discussion, dialogue, sermon or other methods of communication. Using the same words but applying your own meaning to their words is a sure road to lack of understanding.

Finally, I would appeal to all who seek wisdom: Study the history many quote so glibly. Is it what really happened or is it based on someone's effort to win an argument? Do facts support claims or are you a victim of "Figures don't lie, but liars will figure"?

The history of our great country shows us a "better way" that of what is best for each and all of us. Let us use the example of the great leaders who knew their work was very important. Sharing responsibility and results can bring great rewards. Let's give it a chance to work.