Note: some facts are deliberately disguised so as not to offend.
The shuttle driver was rapt with a local political contest and the preacher to-be mayor speaking to his platform. It was actually quite good, middle of the road, action oriented with an eye to solve root cause not incarceration as the first answer of government. A good candidate but not the story.
The conversation between the driver and I moved to public/private moral and ethical standards.
I asked him how many churches in the Snareville area. He hesitated. But I knew.
50.
Fifty churches.
I told him in a hypothetical that I will pick one of them at random and that church will set the standards for public morality and ethics now and forever. Laws must follow it.
Moreover, it is just this one pastor, this one time. Regardless of new hires the standard set once and forever by the current pastor. However he interprets sacred Scripture, that’s it for Snareville, forever.
My choice.
Random.
I named off several as a sampling.
If I did that, how would you feel?
The sobering look said it all.
Freedom from State Religion is a basic right in the USA. Accommodation for religious (freedom to) is always hard work to get the right balance. Takes time, effort and an open mind by all.
In public life, ethics and practice of shared values is a legitimate measure to measure candidates. If the candidate has exposed private lack of ethics and shared values, it is a disqualifier.
Know when you overstep your desires and your evaluation.
We parted friends.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry