Shamelessly Politically Incorrect
Jim Croft
You are alone at night walking down the sidewalk of a large American city. At a distance you see a group of Hasidic Jews coming toward you. Would your heart skip a beat as you scurry to the other side of the street? How would you react if it was a group of Hispanic teens enjoying one another’s company with animated hand gestures signing gang-lingo?
Would you be more apt to hit your door locks in an inner city neighborhood than in Amish country?
Upon entry into a restaurant, you notice that a number of tables are occupied by unshaven characters sporting tattoos and worse for wear denim jackets with club insignia. Would you opt for another establishment?
Suppose you were waiting on a flight back to the USA. You glance to see 4 Arabic speaking men quietly talking among themselves. Afterward, you observe them kneeling in prayer just before boarding the flight. Would you be more apprehensive about that flight or one where you see 4 French speaking passengers in deep discussion who make the sign of the cross before boarding?
If your sensitivities would heighten or if you would take precautionary measures in any of the scenarios; you, my friend, are a politically incorrect profiler. But, don’t worry about it. The Bible contains more than a few incidents of profiler sentiments and practices. By the ridiculous standard set by liberals as to what is politically correct, many of our biblical heroes were most definitely politically incorrect.
Biblical Profilers
Jephthah led his army in a victorious battle against Ephraim. The Ephraimites who were caught trying to escape back across the river were given a profiler question. They were asked to say a word that the Ephraimites could not pronounce right, Shibboleth. Those who failed the test were executed on the spot. (Jdg 12:5-6)
In biblical times, the Jewish slang terminology for Gentiles was dogs. When Jesus encountered the Canaanite woman who begged the healing of her demonized daughter, he in effect called her a dog. (Matt 15:22-28) She wisely overlooked the insult and her daughter was made whole.
The Risen Lord had to repeat a vision 3 times to convince his disciple Peter that Gentiles were not unclean. After Peter had made sure that the Gentiles gathered at Cornelius’ home understood that God had assured him that he would not be contaminated by interaction with them, he preached the Gospel to them. They received salvation and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit before the musicians could make it to the platform to start playing tinkle-tinkle choruses for the altar call. (Act 10:10-48)
The Apostle Paul attached a profiling label to the Cretan believers. He admonished Titus to rebuke them harshly lest they persist in the Cretan inclination to be habitual liars, evil beasts and lazy gluttons. (Tit 1:12-13)
Islam
Our Government’s PC anti-profiling position concerning Muslims is award winning in absurdity. They depict those of us who voice concerns as unreasonable conservatives who see a demonic-terrorist behind every bush. To the contrary, people who are informed about Islamic inclinations toward those of other faiths know that violence is perpetrated worldwide by Muslims who are not members of terrorist groups.
Unlike the Liberal Media, we cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that Muslims persecute Christians because doing so is Shariah policy. In the following nations, during April of 2012 ordinary Muslims either took to the streets in violent anti-Christian riots or imposed prison sentences on believers. – Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Pakistan, Philippines, Nigeria, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.
Christians fled their homelands by the thousands; their homes, businesses and churches were torched; and hundreds were injured, scores were butchered. Believers who were former Muslims were tried, convicted and imprisoned for supposed blasphemous apostasy against Allah and Mohammed. Christian cemeteries were desecrated in Australia and Iran. It is PC foolishness to ignore the 5,000 annual honor killings committed by Muslims globally against their relatives who date unapproved people or who convert away from Islam.
The PC crowd would do well to ask themselves a question. When was the last time they heard reports of Buddhists, Hindus, Christians or the members of any other major world religion persecuting those of other faiths? At that point, we must recognize that Islam is distinctive.
In regard to profiling Muslims, it is wrong to suspect all of being potential terrorist. At the same time, it would be wise to have a profile understanding about generic Muslims as they increase in number in our nation. If the worldwide pattern remains the same, many seemingly harmless Muslims are a Mosque sermon or two away from justification for persecuting Christians.
Our government already denies Christians freedom of expression in historical forums where Islam is given free pass. It is not a big jump to say that we need to wake-up to who needs to be profiled before our PC preferential treatment of Muslims backfires.
Poverty
HHS has established $22,350 as the poverty threshold for a family of 4 with $3,380 added for each additional person. Welfare payments, food stamps, housing subsidies, free health care and other entitlements are freely awarded. Concentrations of entitlement recipients can be readily found in Appalachia, Indian reservations and our inner cities. It is not uncommon for a household to have 2nd and 3rd generation recipients.
It is not unusual for there to be complaints that the same locales often have substandard schools and teachers.
On May 23, 2012 the Fox Business Network aired a John Stossel special report. The current meaning of poverty in America today was the featured topic. The program’s revelations were astonishing. It seems that in our country rather than division by those that have and those that have not; it is the haves and the have a lot.
The stats quoted indicated that exceptionally high percentages of entitlement recipients have cars, air-conditioning, TVs with cable service, computer games and cell phones. At one point, people in line at a free cooked meals kitchen were questioned. Some insisted that welfare and food stamp allowances should be increased. One guest interviewed assessed that the USA is fast becoming a nation of moochers.
Imagine
With all that being said, let us now consider the reputation of Asian and Oriental immigrants to our nation. Most of them arrive with an appreciation for the right to liberty and the freedom to pursue happiness without any assumption that happiness is guaranteed. Multiple families frequently practice communal living to set aside funds to launch businesses. A high premium is put on ambition to succeed, diligence and education. The honor of parents and respect for teachers is culturally ingrained.
Let us envision what might happen in a 10 year experiment. The $ value of entitlements; dispersion of rented housing and owned homes; and the quality of schools and teachers remain the same. However, 5,000 fresh off the boat Asian or Oriental immigrants settle among the inhabitants of a given poverty stricken area. It might be in Appalachia; on an Indian reservation; or in an inner city. Do you imagine that any of the following might happen?
Entitlement dispersions and unemployment per capita would shrink. Much dilapidated housing would be refurbished. Schools and teachers once regarded substandard would suddenly have an increase of honor students and those graduated who go on to get higher educations. Significant numbers of the immigrants would break into income brackets that would empower them to move their families elsewhere.
If you imagine that much of the aforementioned would evolve; you, my friend, are politically incorrect.
Memorial Day
This is a time for us to reflect about the reasons for which our armed service personnel gave their lives. For many, it was for our right to express mindsets that are now considered politically incorrect. We should remember the fallen and give thanks for them.
To keep that which they died for, it is not sufficient for us to restrict activities for the welfare of our nation to intercessions to Almighty God. There is a need to bombard our state and federal legislators with our concerns. We should insist that the shamelessly politically incorrect positions expressed in this article are again deemed politically correct.
Only 50% of American Christians are registered to vote. Honor our fallen by registering to vote and by getting others to do the same. And, enjoy a great Memorial Day.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Jim Croft
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