Friday, Sept. 17, 2004 | 5:25 a.m.
Brian Greenspun is editor of the Las Vegas Sun.
WEEKEND EDITION
September 18 - 19, 2004
In with the old, out with the new.
I know it sounds backwards, but I can't help thinking that things are regressing when every reason exists to move forward.
While the people of the Jewish faith are celebrating their High Holy Days -- it starts with Rosh Hashana, which began last Wednesday evening and ends with the Day Of Atonement, Yom Kippur, at the end of this week -- it has given me time to reflect upon the year that has just passed and the days, weeks and months ahead. It is also a time to ask God to forgive our sins and inscribe us in the Book of Life for another year, something each of us takes for granted when we assume we will be here for next week's lunch appointment.
Since the Jewish calendar is in its 5,765th year, it can and must be said that the Jews have a bit of an edge in experience over those of other faiths whose calendar suggests a 3,700-year deficit. There are a lot of jokes that start with that kind of set up and there is a lot of animus associated with that very concept, neither of which is appropriate for today's brief discussion. What I am thinking about today is no laughing matter.
I consider, for instance, the kinds of things that our ancestors might have beseeched the Almighty to provide in those early days -- an end to tribal warfare, a cure for some dreaded disease, a path to righteousness or a clear sign that his people were on the right moral and ethical path. I am sure there were a few selfish prayers thrown in -- in that regard there is nothing new about human nature -- but, by and large, the fear of God was real and meaningful.
I know I am treading on very thin ice, but I can't help commenting upon the tragic loss of life and property that the world is witnessing as storm after storm keeps pounding its way across the Caribbean and on up through the Gulf States of this great country. And while many Americans have built their houses of brick, so to speak, our poorer neighbors to the south have not had the luxury of solid construction and educated advance warning.
The result has been a needless loss of life and billions of dollars in economic devastation. And, while all that is going on, the airwaves and news stories keep recounting incidents of some religious groups using their own power of prayer, not for an intercession in Mother Nature's path of deprivation that would save people from certain death and destruction, but for far more selfish reasons. Political victory.
Now, I know I am not one who could match his religious fervor with that of most other people. I have always believed that what I believe, where I believe and how I choose to exercise that faith is a personal matter, and so I refrain from imposing my religious beliefs on others. I also know that I am in a shrinking majority of Americans who feel that way. Whether right or wrong, it is a fact that religion has moved front and center in not only the moral debate in this country but also, for the first time in any real way, into the social and political spheres of public discourse -- places that were once considered either off-limits or beyond the bounds of the democratic process. It used to be that religion was protected by the First Amendment and enough said.
Today, there is never enough said or done in the name of religion. Since I don't know for certain which is the right approach -- that's the nature of this faith thing, we don't know for certain, we can only believe we know -- it will have to be left for another time in another place for that to be revealed. But, for now, for this time and in this place I need to say the following: I don't believe God cares too much who is elected to what political office in this country. I think there are more important matters -- or, at least there should be -- for him to attend to, like war, famine, hurricanes that beat us up and then do it again before we can catch our breath from the last pounding, tribal genocide on the continent of Africa, children being mowed down in front of their parents in the name of religion, babies starving to death when there is food aplenty just beyond their grasp and a host of other examples of man's continuing inhumanity toward his fellow man.
So, using prayer for purely partisan advantage seems to me a luxury none of us should squander when we haven't managed to fix the big things that any religious person should feel compelled to address. If we are going to pray for our leaders, let it be that they have the wisdom to secure the blessings of liberty and to promote the general welfare of people everywhere. After all, wisdom and leadership are sometimes major disconnects among our leaders, and that is something a loving God should want to fix.
Now that I have said it, I am not sure I want to print it, because I know the kind and quality of letters I will receive. Let's put it this way, they will not be consistent with the Judeo-Christian tradition. So, there's the answer. I will print it and test the religious qualities of our readers. And, before I read one word in response, let me do the charitable thing. I would like to wish everyone the same happy and healthy new year that I wish for myself, my family and my friends.
And now for a crass commercial announcement. File it under "Las Vegas girl on her way to making good who would not be happy if she knew her father was doing this."
My daughter, Amy, has been following her own dream of making movies for the past few years. This weekend, her first movie of general release opened around the country. I don't know if it is good -- I am not the best critic in the world -- but I do know that it is funny. And in today's world, a few extra laughs couldn't hurt.
I know the age group between 14 and 25 will like it, and I believe that people my age and older will get a kick out of it, too. I know that because Amy's grandparents and parents laughed from beginning to end, and we are unabashedly unbiased.
The name of the movie is "National Lampoon's Gold Diggers" and it is playing at a theater near you. Try it, you may like it and just as importantly, you may help launch a career worth launching.
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