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Faith-Based Make-Over With Tongue in Cheek
North Miami Beach, FL March
14, 2001 Aaron H.
Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then, Opinions pro or con are welcome.
FAITH-BASED NATIONAL MAKE-OVER WITH
TONGUE IN CHEEK
It seems that this is the appropriate time to ease America into "Faith-
Based" public practices. An Office dedicated to this idea has been
established in the White House - America's Icon of American-ness. A partial
list of Faith-Inspired public behaviors follows.
PUBLIC FAITH-BASED RELIGIOUS BEHAVIOR: The Muslim minority in the U.S. has
shown us the way. Five times daily pious Muslims inspire us by kneeling in
neat rows on prayer rugs facing Mecca. Other religions can display this
same public acknowledgement of their Faith but in ways specific to their
beliefs. Just a few samples are given below.
Catholics will kneel as they cross themselves asking for divine
intervention throughout the day.
Baptists will seek out the nearest stream and immerse or simply dunk
themselves as public expressions of their fervor.
Quakers will assemble at key times to sit quietly and when inspired, speak
out.
Congregationalists will congregate, Reform Jews will assimilate while other
traditional Jews will stand together and sway and bow towards Jerusalem in
Prayer.
PUBLIC FAITH-BASED BUSINESS BEHAVIOR: Dedicated business groups will say
Official Prayers before each meeting to show how Faith directs their
activities. Some other public performances of Faith-based business
practices follow.
Prayer Breakfasts. Business groups gather for breakfast and after a prayer
to whip up appetites, eat and then spend at least a half-hour listening to
inspiring homilies from biblical exegesis.
Prayer Lunches. Businesses groups will provide the meal while workers stay
at their desks. Top executives will be expected to address the work force
with models of accepted behavior. After the meal throughout the week all
will discuss selections from different Biblical renditions.
Sealing deals. At the conclusion of a contract all parties will bow their
heads and give thanks to the Good Lord who presided over the ethical and
civilized manner of the take-over or closeout of outmoded enterprises.
Non-renewal of Hires. Strictly faith-based methods will be employed so as
not to involve recriminations for going back on promises made when
individuals or whole departments were put to work.
FAITH BASED PRACTICES IN THE HOME.
These faith-based practices in the home are not really public but window
shades could be raised in gestures of openness and genuine piety.
Momilies will be expected of all mothers at all times.
Each meal will begin with holding hands and prayer thanking the Deity of
the family choice for allowing it to reach this happy occasion.
Following the meal each family will bow their heads in reverence and say a
prayer of thanks that it is not homeless like the unfortunates without Mom,
Dad, the Children and Spot-the dog.
Blessing will be a feature in each home when Parents will cup heads of
children and invoke the Deity to take care and protect the young and keep
them from harm's way once in the morning and once at night before prayers.
CASUAL FAITH BASED PRACTICES BY AMERICAN CITIZENS. In order to lead the way
among the nations of the world American public behavior in casual contacts
will be a model for the ages.
When meeting and greeting, hands will be grasped while the other hand and
arm will be used to hug both friend and stranger.
Public kissing will be restricted to air kissing of cheeks
Smiles and Faith-Based integrity will shine forth in all social
intercourse. We will just know we have done the Deity's will. This partial
and unfinished list will be expanded soon. Add ons anyone? Carol's Eval. 10.
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