Watching a few minutes of television commercials during this election season quickly illustrates the state of our nation. While the economic condition of the United States is in great jeopardy, it is not the most important issue before us. The moral depravity of our leadership is the most important issue.
Political ads fill most available advertising spots on television and radio. Newspaper, magazine and internet advertising is dominated by politicians being responsible for this or that. Unfortunately, the only thing they are not responsible for it their ethical behavior!
These media ads are filled with half-truths, sound bites taken out of context, innuendos and out right lies! All this to gain our favor! Even when one is caught in a blatant lie, the spin is "I'm sorry I misspoke on several occasions. I didn't mean to say ________ and it has nothing to do with my character or ability to carry out my responsibilities." Somehow the word "misspoke" has become the acceptable way to say "I lied!"
Political agendas can no longer be evaluated based on what a politician says. Actually, the opposite has become true. What they don't say is more likely the truth!
So, where does this leave you and I? When people are calling evil good and good evil, how are we to know who to believe? Only one way is possible and it's not our belief system, our experiences or our preferences. It is God's standards and guidelines presented in the Holy Bible.
This continual best-selling Book contains the only time-enduring truth. It is the operation manual for mankind. Not a Word has ever been proven wrong! Supported by the works of historians, archeologists and even skeptics, it is the inspired Word of God.
Any behavior or speech that does not line up with the Word of God is based on a lie, no matter whether it is from a politician, minister, business leader or from you or me! It is only when we read, study and meditate on Biblical Scriptures that we can know the truth.
Only by knowing the Truth can we truly be free to live our lives ethically, morally and be an example for others to follow. We don't have to be perfect, no one is. We simply have to know God and His plan for our lives. That plan was demonstrated by His Son, Jesus Christ. There is no other Way!
Spiritual darkness is covering the earth. The Bible tells us the Light in us will push back and even change the darkness around us. Christ in us is the Light and our Hope of Glory, even in the midst of the depravity of these times. In the Old Testament of the Bible we can read about how God sheltered His people during the plagues of Egypt. He has promised to do so again for people that believe and trust His Son, Jesus Christ.
So I ask again, are you ready?
Showing posts with label Ethical Behavior. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ethical Behavior. Show all posts
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Who Do You Trust?
As chaos erupts around the world, as the economy teeters on the brink of collapse, as politicians try to win favor with only their words, and as spiritual darkness permeates every sector of society, who can be trusted? How can we know who is deserving of our trust? We'll briefly explore these issues in this blog.
Webster's New World Dictionary defines trust:
"Firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity, reliability, justice, etc. of another person or thing; faith; reliance."
A starting point for this discussion would be to ask is a person "trustworthy." Applying Webster's definition would indicate that persons are trustworthy when they are honest, have integrity and are reliable. Most of us would agree this means that a person will tell the truth, not just most of the time but all the time. It would mean the person demonstrates integrity by what they say and do. It would mean one could rely on what a person says because they say what they mean and mean what they say! To shorten the thought, we can know whether a person is trustworthy by the demonstration of their character.
If one purchases a bottle of water that is certified to be 99.44% spring water and .56% sewage, would it be considered drinkable? Certainly not! Yet our evaluation of the character of politicians, business leaders and even church leaders doesn't seem to be affected if they "spin" the truth, if what they do is primarily for the purpose of enriching or aggrandizing themselves or if it is primarily for the purpose of accomplishing their political or personal agenda.
One might question at this point whether anyone can be considered trustworthy. No human being is perfect and most of us realize that perfection is not a mark of character. Character emanates from within, i.e., whatever is in our heart. Our personal experiences, desires, motives and beliefs shape our character. Our character usually changes throughout life, for better or for worse!
The Holy Bible, in Proverbs 4:23 and 4:24, says:
"Keep (guard) your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you."
I could interpret this verse as, "Keep honesty, integrity and good character in your heart. Don't deviate from these things, no matter what the cost. Don't speak false, deceitful words or half-truths because they will fill your heart and diminish your character."
1 Timothy 4:1 and 4:2 supports these truths. "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron..."
So, here's the bottom line. The character of man is demonstrated by what he/she does and says. Trust can be earned in this way or the true nature of a person can be revealed. The character of a person should tell us if they are trustworthy. Only a fool would place trust in a person that is not trustworthy! Who do you trust?
Webster's New World Dictionary defines trust:
"Firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity, reliability, justice, etc. of another person or thing; faith; reliance."
A starting point for this discussion would be to ask is a person "trustworthy." Applying Webster's definition would indicate that persons are trustworthy when they are honest, have integrity and are reliable. Most of us would agree this means that a person will tell the truth, not just most of the time but all the time. It would mean the person demonstrates integrity by what they say and do. It would mean one could rely on what a person says because they say what they mean and mean what they say! To shorten the thought, we can know whether a person is trustworthy by the demonstration of their character.
If one purchases a bottle of water that is certified to be 99.44% spring water and .56% sewage, would it be considered drinkable? Certainly not! Yet our evaluation of the character of politicians, business leaders and even church leaders doesn't seem to be affected if they "spin" the truth, if what they do is primarily for the purpose of enriching or aggrandizing themselves or if it is primarily for the purpose of accomplishing their political or personal agenda.
One might question at this point whether anyone can be considered trustworthy. No human being is perfect and most of us realize that perfection is not a mark of character. Character emanates from within, i.e., whatever is in our heart. Our personal experiences, desires, motives and beliefs shape our character. Our character usually changes throughout life, for better or for worse!
The Holy Bible, in Proverbs 4:23 and 4:24, says:
"Keep (guard) your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you."
I could interpret this verse as, "Keep honesty, integrity and good character in your heart. Don't deviate from these things, no matter what the cost. Don't speak false, deceitful words or half-truths because they will fill your heart and diminish your character."
1 Timothy 4:1 and 4:2 supports these truths. "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron..."
So, here's the bottom line. The character of man is demonstrated by what he/she does and says. Trust can be earned in this way or the true nature of a person can be revealed. The character of a person should tell us if they are trustworthy. Only a fool would place trust in a person that is not trustworthy! Who do you trust?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The New National Pastime--Blame Shifting!
If you don't believe the headliner, just watch a watch a news show, read a newspaper or surf the Internet. President Obama blames republicans for slowing up the recovery. Today, Vice-President Biden blamed the Bush administration again for the economic mess in our nation. Press Secretary Gibbs and the current administration blames FOX News for presenting unbalanced reports. State politicians competing in the primary each blame the others for taking money from big oil, banks and others. In an interview on NBC, Matt Laur questioned who to blame for the false accusation of racism against an agriculture department employee. A news reporter on HLN today posted a storyline, "Who is to blame for childhood obesity." A man who smoked too much and got cancer, sued the tobacco company for making cigarettes...and won! On and on, ad nauseum!
When we are accused of wrong, many of our first thoughts are often about blaming someone else. Why do we shift the blame? The answer is simple. We want others to be accountable so we don't have to be! When we blame others, we believe our shortcomings are less likely to be exposed. We don't have to change our behavior when others are made suspect. We can accomplish our agenda easier when we tear down others' agendas. It's easy to criticize and blame. It's hard to take responsibility. We think blame shifting can help us get ahead; instead it actually reveals one's cowardice and fear. Blame-shifting is the trademark for a victim mentality and the behavior of a weakling!
On the other hand, a good leader is accountable for his/her actions and takes responsibility for his/her own mistakes. The career of a leader is not built on blame but on accomplishment. The actions of a leader are not based on deception but on high integrity and good ethical behavior. Success for a leader is not based on pre-designed, empty words but on honesty, hard work, encouragement of others and sacrifices. A good leader has committed followers of like kind, not shallow, self-centered, blame-shifting weaklings.
Governments, businesses and individuals that build at the expense of others create glass houses. What we sow, we reap many times over. What do you want from life? Isn't it time for a new ball-game?
When we are accused of wrong, many of our first thoughts are often about blaming someone else. Why do we shift the blame? The answer is simple. We want others to be accountable so we don't have to be! When we blame others, we believe our shortcomings are less likely to be exposed. We don't have to change our behavior when others are made suspect. We can accomplish our agenda easier when we tear down others' agendas. It's easy to criticize and blame. It's hard to take responsibility. We think blame shifting can help us get ahead; instead it actually reveals one's cowardice and fear. Blame-shifting is the trademark for a victim mentality and the behavior of a weakling!
On the other hand, a good leader is accountable for his/her actions and takes responsibility for his/her own mistakes. The career of a leader is not built on blame but on accomplishment. The actions of a leader are not based on deception but on high integrity and good ethical behavior. Success for a leader is not based on pre-designed, empty words but on honesty, hard work, encouragement of others and sacrifices. A good leader has committed followers of like kind, not shallow, self-centered, blame-shifting weaklings.
Governments, businesses and individuals that build at the expense of others create glass houses. What we sow, we reap many times over. What do you want from life? Isn't it time for a new ball-game?
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Got Respect?
I remember a sound bite from a Rodney Dangerfield monologue that went something like, "I ain't got no respect." Most of us desire respect and recognition from others. Often in our society, we're looking for recognition for what we do. Not many will admit this but our achievements are often more for our own benefit than they are for the benefit of those we serve, like our employers, clients, family and friends. Wanting to achieve isn't wrong, but there is more to the story.
When I started my career, my objective was to be the best at what I did. Throughout the years, I always worked to be number one although I failed many times. I wanted to be recognized for what I achieved. Although I didn't realize it at the time, my desire to achieve came from a source of low self-esteem and deep feelings of inadequacy. Achievement was for my benefit, mine alone.
Only in my later years did I realize that real achievement comes from serving others well. When we lay aside our human needs for recognition and respect and focus on serving others in our work and personal lives, we get respect for who we are, not just what we do.
I've often observed the crew of the garbage truck that serves our home. When temperatures are freezing, they ride on the back of that truck and eagerly pick up my trash. In sweltering heat, they carefully pick up each piece of garbage that accidentally falls to the ground. If I forget to put the garbage out, they cheerfully ring my doorbell and remind me. I have great respect for who these men are!
Now it's time for some introspection. Here are some questions that are key to getting respect from others. Try to answer these questions as honestly as you can:
1. When other people tell you about what they're doing in their work or personal lives, are you more interested in their circumstances or yours? 2. When your serve others, is your focus more on what you get out of it or on how your service benefits them? 3. In your work, your church projects or chatting with a neighbor over the fence, are you concerned more about them or about you? 4. Do you spend more time thinking about yourself than about others? 5. When visiting with co-workers, family or friends, do you spend more time talking about yourself than you do listening to them? 6. When trying to get others to change bad behavior, do you see things from their point of view or do you throw the book of rules at them? 7. Do you consider yourself better than others?
I don't know about you, but I have a long way to go! If you dare, post a comment and tell readers how you did!
When I started my career, my objective was to be the best at what I did. Throughout the years, I always worked to be number one although I failed many times. I wanted to be recognized for what I achieved. Although I didn't realize it at the time, my desire to achieve came from a source of low self-esteem and deep feelings of inadequacy. Achievement was for my benefit, mine alone.
Only in my later years did I realize that real achievement comes from serving others well. When we lay aside our human needs for recognition and respect and focus on serving others in our work and personal lives, we get respect for who we are, not just what we do.
I've often observed the crew of the garbage truck that serves our home. When temperatures are freezing, they ride on the back of that truck and eagerly pick up my trash. In sweltering heat, they carefully pick up each piece of garbage that accidentally falls to the ground. If I forget to put the garbage out, they cheerfully ring my doorbell and remind me. I have great respect for who these men are!
Now it's time for some introspection. Here are some questions that are key to getting respect from others. Try to answer these questions as honestly as you can:
1. When other people tell you about what they're doing in their work or personal lives, are you more interested in their circumstances or yours? 2. When your serve others, is your focus more on what you get out of it or on how your service benefits them? 3. In your work, your church projects or chatting with a neighbor over the fence, are you concerned more about them or about you? 4. Do you spend more time thinking about yourself than about others? 5. When visiting with co-workers, family or friends, do you spend more time talking about yourself than you do listening to them? 6. When trying to get others to change bad behavior, do you see things from their point of view or do you throw the book of rules at them? 7. Do you consider yourself better than others?
I don't know about you, but I have a long way to go! If you dare, post a comment and tell readers how you did!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
What Do You Do When You Are Wronged?
It happens all the time. Someone steps in line in front of you. A co-worker gets favors instead of you. People criticize your lifestyle. Another car cuts you off. From early on my first reaction was to retaliate.
My examples are many. One I remember clearly occurred in an east coast hotel while facilitating a seminar. Wall charts had been created as exercises were completed and hung on the wall for the summary to this five-day seminar. When I left the room one evening late in the week, I wrote a message on a wall chart in big red letters asking the banquets crew to not destroy my charts. Arriving in the room the next morning, you guessed it, my wall charts were gone! Unwilling to control my temper, my tirade started with the hotel manager and finally led to the person that cleaned the room. Shouting accusations of stupidity in the staff persons face, I was stopped short when he responded, "Que, Senior?" Stopped short, I realized he could not read my message written in English.
Anger and retaliation seemed justified to me then. I knew no other way! Changing my ways seem impossible to me. Life had done me wrong and I was ready to take back what had been taken from me. No one would take advantage of me.
Pretty self-centered wasn't I? My hurts and wounds had made me the most important person on earth! Infringe on my rights and you would be held accountable. I'm not sorry for your plight because you likely did it to yourself. Judgment, criticism, and condemnation were my rights! Give someone the benefit of the doubt, you've got to be kidding!
You can guess the end I'm sure. My life was empty and lonely. I literally lost everything of value to me. Bankrupt and alone, I finally realized there was more to life than me! Flying in an airplane on my 45th birthday, I asked someone for help for the first time in my life--his name was Jesus Christ.
The Bible say that Jesus came to us full of grace and truth. Only He can supernaturally impart grace that will set us free. Don't misunderstand, it didn't happen over night. In fact, it's still happening, 23 years later! Only with the supernatural power of His grace received by faith, can we become others-centered and break free of self-centeredness. His grace is His ability that becomes ours when we trust Him.
The Bible says to turn the other cheek when we are wronged. This doesn't mean we have to become whimps! It means that we are to speak the truth with grace and love with the purpose of setting others free from the same burdens we may have carried. Here's the end: With God's supernatural grace in us, our responses to wrongs can be constructive, not destructive! We can live in peace that is beyond our understanding. We can become others-centered!
My examples are many. One I remember clearly occurred in an east coast hotel while facilitating a seminar. Wall charts had been created as exercises were completed and hung on the wall for the summary to this five-day seminar. When I left the room one evening late in the week, I wrote a message on a wall chart in big red letters asking the banquets crew to not destroy my charts. Arriving in the room the next morning, you guessed it, my wall charts were gone! Unwilling to control my temper, my tirade started with the hotel manager and finally led to the person that cleaned the room. Shouting accusations of stupidity in the staff persons face, I was stopped short when he responded, "Que, Senior?" Stopped short, I realized he could not read my message written in English.
Anger and retaliation seemed justified to me then. I knew no other way! Changing my ways seem impossible to me. Life had done me wrong and I was ready to take back what had been taken from me. No one would take advantage of me.
Pretty self-centered wasn't I? My hurts and wounds had made me the most important person on earth! Infringe on my rights and you would be held accountable. I'm not sorry for your plight because you likely did it to yourself. Judgment, criticism, and condemnation were my rights! Give someone the benefit of the doubt, you've got to be kidding!
You can guess the end I'm sure. My life was empty and lonely. I literally lost everything of value to me. Bankrupt and alone, I finally realized there was more to life than me! Flying in an airplane on my 45th birthday, I asked someone for help for the first time in my life--his name was Jesus Christ.
The Bible say that Jesus came to us full of grace and truth. Only He can supernaturally impart grace that will set us free. Don't misunderstand, it didn't happen over night. In fact, it's still happening, 23 years later! Only with the supernatural power of His grace received by faith, can we become others-centered and break free of self-centeredness. His grace is His ability that becomes ours when we trust Him.
The Bible says to turn the other cheek when we are wronged. This doesn't mean we have to become whimps! It means that we are to speak the truth with grace and love with the purpose of setting others free from the same burdens we may have carried. Here's the end: With God's supernatural grace in us, our responses to wrongs can be constructive, not destructive! We can live in peace that is beyond our understanding. We can become others-centered!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Are You Bona Fide?
Remember the movie, O'Brother Where Art Thou? The ex-wife of the George Clooney's character referred to her new fiancee as "bona fide." Defined in the Merrium-Webster online dictionary, it means sincere, genuine, authentic, honest, sincere, true and so on. I think time and society may have lost their regard for bona fides!
Persons held in high regard by a large part of society today are sports heroes, movie stars, politicians and some news reporters. It doesn't seem to matter if the sports heroes take steroids or suck on a bong, if the movie stars are adulterers or wife beaters, if the politicians purse their personal agendas rather than the will of the people or if news reporters constantly bias their reporting to support their political leanings. I don't know about you, but I can't identify many people in these professions that are bona fide!
My definition of bona fide is simply behaving ethically! Behaving ethically is treating others as we'd like to be treated and not satisfying our personal desires through fraud or deception. Behaving ethically is living every aspect of one's life with the highest level of integrity, even if no one is watching! Be bona fide!
Persons held in high regard by a large part of society today are sports heroes, movie stars, politicians and some news reporters. It doesn't seem to matter if the sports heroes take steroids or suck on a bong, if the movie stars are adulterers or wife beaters, if the politicians purse their personal agendas rather than the will of the people or if news reporters constantly bias their reporting to support their political leanings. I don't know about you, but I can't identify many people in these professions that are bona fide!
My definition of bona fide is simply behaving ethically! Behaving ethically is treating others as we'd like to be treated and not satisfying our personal desires through fraud or deception. Behaving ethically is living every aspect of one's life with the highest level of integrity, even if no one is watching! Be bona fide!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Can You Detect Unethical Behavior?
Maybe you've watched the crime solving TV program, "Lie to Me." I sometimes chuckle when I watch the lead character peering into the face of suspects as if he can see the truth in the pores of their skin! Yes, I know body language, expressions and gestures can betray the spoken word and there are experts that can discern these circumstances. For many of us, however, detecting unethical or criminal behavior is a little more difficult!
A partner in a CPA firm that attended one of my seminars related this story. The CPA was asked to submit a proposal to audit a larger non-profit organization in his community. The CPA arranged an initial meeting with the executive director to discuss the organization, its accounting and internal control systems and to obtain financial information. After the meeting, the CPA shared that he couldn't point to anything specific but had a bad feeling about the director. Recognizing this could be either his intuition or too much pizza for lunch, the CPA invited the director to play golf with his foursome Saturday. Upon completing the round, the CPA told the director he would not be submitting an audit proposal. His reason? The director cheated on his score on every hole of the golf course!
The CPA shared he had witnessed a character flaw in an individual that is often a symptom of a greater problem. About a year later the director's name appeared in newspaper headlines because he had embezzled funds from the non-profit organization! A good call I'd say!
I'm an old auditor and would be the last to say our best means of detecting unethical behavior is our intuition. But I would say that we honor our intuition far too little in our relationships with others. Unethical behavior is a fruit of a deeper root. The fruit is usually obvious if we pay attention!
A partner in a CPA firm that attended one of my seminars related this story. The CPA was asked to submit a proposal to audit a larger non-profit organization in his community. The CPA arranged an initial meeting with the executive director to discuss the organization, its accounting and internal control systems and to obtain financial information. After the meeting, the CPA shared that he couldn't point to anything specific but had a bad feeling about the director. Recognizing this could be either his intuition or too much pizza for lunch, the CPA invited the director to play golf with his foursome Saturday. Upon completing the round, the CPA told the director he would not be submitting an audit proposal. His reason? The director cheated on his score on every hole of the golf course!
The CPA shared he had witnessed a character flaw in an individual that is often a symptom of a greater problem. About a year later the director's name appeared in newspaper headlines because he had embezzled funds from the non-profit organization! A good call I'd say!
I'm an old auditor and would be the last to say our best means of detecting unethical behavior is our intuition. But I would say that we honor our intuition far too little in our relationships with others. Unethical behavior is a fruit of a deeper root. The fruit is usually obvious if we pay attention!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Do Your Actions Speak Louder Than Your Words?
Before we were married, my wife thought I was a "straight-laced CPA." Probably, because I was! Well after all, I'm a CPA and have a professional image to maintain, or so I reasoned. She has said that even when I have fun, it's work. She's right. My upbringing taught me how to perform to get accolades and avoid criticism.
While I have grown some, I still have to make sure what I do isn't performance to get "attaboys," or to sway the opinions of others. The truth is that most of us perform some. Others are affected by our performance, at least for a little while. Eventually, however, hidden things will be revealed. Maybe I should say the hidden "self" will be revealed. My self-serving purposes will eventually become evident when what I do and say doesn't align with what's in my heart. In other words, I can only survive doing and saying good for a short time if I'm faking it. In some way, the truth will come out because my actions speak louder than my words!
If you are a parent and make a promise to your child, you better make it good. If you are a businessman that tells employees your primary objective is to help them accomplish theirs, you better make sure you share your profits. If you are a pastor that tells a congregation your goal is to help them live a better life, occasionally you should consider passing the offering plate and telling them to take something out! If you are a politician that insists serving the needs of constituents is the primary purpose of holding office, your actions better back up your words.
Here's the bottom line. Words are empty unless they come from one's heart and are backed by unselfish actions. When we're not genuine in our words or actions, others will know it!
While I have grown some, I still have to make sure what I do isn't performance to get "attaboys," or to sway the opinions of others. The truth is that most of us perform some. Others are affected by our performance, at least for a little while. Eventually, however, hidden things will be revealed. Maybe I should say the hidden "self" will be revealed. My self-serving purposes will eventually become evident when what I do and say doesn't align with what's in my heart. In other words, I can only survive doing and saying good for a short time if I'm faking it. In some way, the truth will come out because my actions speak louder than my words!
If you are a parent and make a promise to your child, you better make it good. If you are a businessman that tells employees your primary objective is to help them accomplish theirs, you better make sure you share your profits. If you are a pastor that tells a congregation your goal is to help them live a better life, occasionally you should consider passing the offering plate and telling them to take something out! If you are a politician that insists serving the needs of constituents is the primary purpose of holding office, your actions better back up your words.
Here's the bottom line. Words are empty unless they come from one's heart and are backed by unselfish actions. When we're not genuine in our words or actions, others will know it!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Why Can't Christians Say What They Believe?
In the past couple of weeks, many news reports and commentators' opinions have had a spot on Tiger Woods' reported sex addiction. Many of the commentators expressed their opinion about what he should do to overcome the scandal and the addiction.
On Fox News a couple of days ago, Brit Hume voiced his opinion about what Tiger Woods should do to get set free of his reported sex addiction and to get on with his career. To paraphrase, he said that Tiger Wood's professed faith in Buddhism couldn't set him free and the only religion that had that capability was Christianity through faith in Jesus Christ. He used "that name" and the media came unglued. Paraphrasing the responses, Brit Hume is a reprehensible, unprofessional, indiscriminate commentator. I wonder if the outcry would have been as loud if he had suggested Tiger Woods read the Koran and pray several time during the day!
Keith Oberman argued the news media shouldn't be a platform for proselytizing. Wikipedia's definition of Proselytizing is the act of attempting to convert people to another opinion and, particularly, another religion. Like every other commentator that has weighed in on this scandal, Brit Hume expressed his opinion. If he was proselytizing, my opinion is that they all were!
So, why can everyone but Christians say what they believe? Specifically, why can't a Christian use the Name of Jesus Christ without causing offense? I posed the question from the standpoint of a Christian because it's acceptable to use His name while calling Him a lunatic or a liar, or while swearing!
Here is my opinion. Jesus Christ, whether people believe in Him or not, holds the power of eternal life and death. He is the absolute source of ethical behavior; He is The Truth. For a non-believer to acknowledge Him as a source of wisdom and as a standard for ethical behavior would be admitting that their belief system could be wrong. Since their belief system is their identity, admitting its possible error could be emotional suicide. Worse yet, it would be admitting that they are accountable to someone and that they can't do and say what they want without retribution. In short, they're afraid they can't practice their religion, secular humanism!
Since Jesus was born, His Name has been hated. The New Testament of the Holy Bible contains historical documentation of this fact. Denial of His existence, criticism of Him and His followers, and legally restricting the speech and actions of Christians doesn't change The Truth. The Words of Christ, the New Testament of the Bible, are the only absolute standards for ethical behavior!
On Fox News a couple of days ago, Brit Hume voiced his opinion about what Tiger Woods should do to get set free of his reported sex addiction and to get on with his career. To paraphrase, he said that Tiger Wood's professed faith in Buddhism couldn't set him free and the only religion that had that capability was Christianity through faith in Jesus Christ. He used "that name" and the media came unglued. Paraphrasing the responses, Brit Hume is a reprehensible, unprofessional, indiscriminate commentator. I wonder if the outcry would have been as loud if he had suggested Tiger Woods read the Koran and pray several time during the day!
Keith Oberman argued the news media shouldn't be a platform for proselytizing. Wikipedia's definition of Proselytizing is the act of attempting to convert people to another opinion and, particularly, another religion. Like every other commentator that has weighed in on this scandal, Brit Hume expressed his opinion. If he was proselytizing, my opinion is that they all were!
So, why can everyone but Christians say what they believe? Specifically, why can't a Christian use the Name of Jesus Christ without causing offense? I posed the question from the standpoint of a Christian because it's acceptable to use His name while calling Him a lunatic or a liar, or while swearing!
Here is my opinion. Jesus Christ, whether people believe in Him or not, holds the power of eternal life and death. He is the absolute source of ethical behavior; He is The Truth. For a non-believer to acknowledge Him as a source of wisdom and as a standard for ethical behavior would be admitting that their belief system could be wrong. Since their belief system is their identity, admitting its possible error could be emotional suicide. Worse yet, it would be admitting that they are accountable to someone and that they can't do and say what they want without retribution. In short, they're afraid they can't practice their religion, secular humanism!
Since Jesus was born, His Name has been hated. The New Testament of the Holy Bible contains historical documentation of this fact. Denial of His existence, criticism of Him and His followers, and legally restricting the speech and actions of Christians doesn't change The Truth. The Words of Christ, the New Testament of the Bible, are the only absolute standards for ethical behavior!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
What Is Your Resolution?
It's that time again. It's January and New Year's resolutions are the substance of the media one more time. It is reported that some are resolving to lose weight, to quit smoking, to change their lifestyles, to get a better job and so on. For most of us, our resolutions almost always center on ourselves. I can't remember a news reporter interviewing someone that said, "I want to make the world a better place" or "I'm resolving to help others more" or "I'm going to demonstrate love for my neighbor this year."
I'm reading a book by Joyce Meyers called "The Love Revolution." She says that selfishness is behind almost every problem the world faces today. I'd go one step further and say self-centeredness is the primary cause. And why shouldn't it be? It began in the Garden of Eden!
I lived the first 45 years of my life as a "self-made" man. The only thing my lifestyle made was a mess! When my world began to collapse my defense was to blame others for my problems. And why not? Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent! The devil made me do it!
One of my favorite lines from the movie Gladiator was when General Maximus said to his men before a battle, "What you do here today will echo throughout eternity!" We will be accountable to God for the things we do here on earth, whether or not we believe in Him! Self-centeredness in the Garden of Eden brought spiritual death to all mankind throughout eternity. We are mankind!
But there is good news! "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) God first loved us so we could love him...and others! He made the Way in Jesus Christ for us to escape our self-centeredness and to become "others-centered." In the end, the only resolution that will matter is whether we have resolved to love God and one another. This is true ethical behavior! We can become resolute this year and point the Way!
I'm reading a book by Joyce Meyers called "The Love Revolution." She says that selfishness is behind almost every problem the world faces today. I'd go one step further and say self-centeredness is the primary cause. And why shouldn't it be? It began in the Garden of Eden!
I lived the first 45 years of my life as a "self-made" man. The only thing my lifestyle made was a mess! When my world began to collapse my defense was to blame others for my problems. And why not? Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent! The devil made me do it!
One of my favorite lines from the movie Gladiator was when General Maximus said to his men before a battle, "What you do here today will echo throughout eternity!" We will be accountable to God for the things we do here on earth, whether or not we believe in Him! Self-centeredness in the Garden of Eden brought spiritual death to all mankind throughout eternity. We are mankind!
But there is good news! "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) God first loved us so we could love him...and others! He made the Way in Jesus Christ for us to escape our self-centeredness and to become "others-centered." In the end, the only resolution that will matter is whether we have resolved to love God and one another. This is true ethical behavior! We can become resolute this year and point the Way!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
It's Not All About Me or You!
If you've studied or read about quantum physics, you know that an underlying theory is that we all are a part of the whole, that we are connected in some way. In other words, what we believe and do affects those in our areas of influence. Whether or not we believe the theories of quantum physics, it is true our behavior influences those around us, for good or for bad.
The truth is that most of us are self-centered. That may seem harsh but I doubt few of us have often sacrificed for others to our own hurt. In good times and bad, in the United States at least, we are after what is good for us and what makes us happy.
There is a principle in the Bible called "sowing and reaping." Some churches have used that principle to motivate people to give and to fill church coffers. Whether some admit it or not, sustaining their church or organization is at the root of the teaching. Self-centered was the word I used above. Even if the motive is to serve constituents, the end does not justify the means.
The principle of sowing and reaping, interestingly, is a natural law, like gravity for example. It works in both positive and negative ways. It works whether we believe it or not! How we treat and relate to others today, mirrors how we'll be treated tomorrow.
I know someone whose entire life has been focused on themselves, on their desires and needs. This person does think about others' needs, and even tries to serve others from time to time. Underlying the things the person does, however, is their focus on what they can get back for themselves. This is self-centeredness!
We have to learn how to be "others-centered." Our motives to serve others must first come from a genuine desire to make positive contributions in our circles of influence, not from a desire for personal gain. Yes, it means giving up some of our own desires. The end result is, however, that we will get back more than we give!
The truth is that most of us are self-centered. That may seem harsh but I doubt few of us have often sacrificed for others to our own hurt. In good times and bad, in the United States at least, we are after what is good for us and what makes us happy.
There is a principle in the Bible called "sowing and reaping." Some churches have used that principle to motivate people to give and to fill church coffers. Whether some admit it or not, sustaining their church or organization is at the root of the teaching. Self-centered was the word I used above. Even if the motive is to serve constituents, the end does not justify the means.
The principle of sowing and reaping, interestingly, is a natural law, like gravity for example. It works in both positive and negative ways. It works whether we believe it or not! How we treat and relate to others today, mirrors how we'll be treated tomorrow.
I know someone whose entire life has been focused on themselves, on their desires and needs. This person does think about others' needs, and even tries to serve others from time to time. Underlying the things the person does, however, is their focus on what they can get back for themselves. This is self-centeredness!
We have to learn how to be "others-centered." Our motives to serve others must first come from a genuine desire to make positive contributions in our circles of influence, not from a desire for personal gain. Yes, it means giving up some of our own desires. The end result is, however, that we will get back more than we give!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Danger of False Expectations
Some of us don't enjoy communications with others. It may result from our behavior style, a dislike of interaction with others, control motives, our business environment or a hundred other reasons. Whatever the reason, a common result is false expectations of the behavior of others.
When we fail to get the other side of the story, so to speak, most actions we take are centered on ourselves. We look at things from our own point of view and, even though we may spend considerable time thinking about a situation, our actions almost always include expectations of the the response of others. Because these expectations are generally shaped from our own perspective, the responses of others are often different from what we expect.
For many years when I had a business decision to make or when my wife and I faced a significant mutual decision, I'd think about the situation, resolve my concerns and then decide what to do. Once I'd decided, I told my wife what I, or we, were going to do. It took me a lot of years to recognize she needed time to process the situation and my decision. My expectations were that she would just go along with me, and those were false expectations! I'm a little better now but not completely cured!
As you might expect, decision-making in our home usually had pain connected with it! That's the danger of false expectations. When we've determined in our minds what another person should do in response to our plans, it's rare that our self-centered expectations will come to pass. Whether it's a husband and wife team, a business team or other groups of people working toward a common goal, communication and personal interaction go a long way to eliminating the negative results of false expectations.
Post a comment and share how you handle these situations.
When we fail to get the other side of the story, so to speak, most actions we take are centered on ourselves. We look at things from our own point of view and, even though we may spend considerable time thinking about a situation, our actions almost always include expectations of the the response of others. Because these expectations are generally shaped from our own perspective, the responses of others are often different from what we expect.
For many years when I had a business decision to make or when my wife and I faced a significant mutual decision, I'd think about the situation, resolve my concerns and then decide what to do. Once I'd decided, I told my wife what I, or we, were going to do. It took me a lot of years to recognize she needed time to process the situation and my decision. My expectations were that she would just go along with me, and those were false expectations! I'm a little better now but not completely cured!
As you might expect, decision-making in our home usually had pain connected with it! That's the danger of false expectations. When we've determined in our minds what another person should do in response to our plans, it's rare that our self-centered expectations will come to pass. Whether it's a husband and wife team, a business team or other groups of people working toward a common goal, communication and personal interaction go a long way to eliminating the negative results of false expectations.
Post a comment and share how you handle these situations.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Valuing People
I spend a lot of time in hotels and airports while traveling for my work. A lot of the time my mind is on an upcoming event, meeting my deadlines or just getting to my destination. People pass me by and often their presence doesn't even register with me.
The custodian removing trash from the bins, the airline agent behind the ticket counter, the maid in the hallway, the groundskeeper sweeping cigarette butts from the sidewalks or the businessperson hurrying down a concourse all have value. They have value in what they do but, most of all, they have value as people.
The problem is many people have lost sight of their value. Life can be hard and it's not often we have another person express their appreciation of who we are. Telling another person what you like about them is an interesting experience. I had that opportunity last week with a number of young accountants in one of my seminars.
After I finished expressing my appreciation for each one individually, one of the men shared he realized it was time to pay attention to some of the things he needed to change about himself to be a better person. Another man shared he hadn't realized a major strength of his personality. A young woman had tears in her eyes as I spoke my recognition of attributes she longed for others to see in her.
Whether they admit it or not, deep inside everyone wants others to like and appreciate them. We have the opportunity to give bouquets to every person we meet! Post a comment and share an example from your experience of offering appreciation to others.
The custodian removing trash from the bins, the airline agent behind the ticket counter, the maid in the hallway, the groundskeeper sweeping cigarette butts from the sidewalks or the businessperson hurrying down a concourse all have value. They have value in what they do but, most of all, they have value as people.
The problem is many people have lost sight of their value. Life can be hard and it's not often we have another person express their appreciation of who we are. Telling another person what you like about them is an interesting experience. I had that opportunity last week with a number of young accountants in one of my seminars.
After I finished expressing my appreciation for each one individually, one of the men shared he realized it was time to pay attention to some of the things he needed to change about himself to be a better person. Another man shared he hadn't realized a major strength of his personality. A young woman had tears in her eyes as I spoke my recognition of attributes she longed for others to see in her.
Whether they admit it or not, deep inside everyone wants others to like and appreciate them. We have the opportunity to give bouquets to every person we meet! Post a comment and share an example from your experience of offering appreciation to others.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Are You Good at Self-Exhaltation?
I worked hard for years to sell myself in business, relationships and church. In all of these circumstances, I only felt accepted if my performance was what those over and around me expected or wanted. In fact, I was trained this way as a child. It was "good boy" when I did the right thing; "bad boy" when I didn't. When I messed up, I always tried to cover up, i.e., hide the mistake or attempt to make it seem trivial. All the while, I was selling myself to cover my perceived inadequacies.
On my first job in public accounting I made so many mistakes I was sure I'd be fired every afternoon. I remember the feelings of inadequacy when I went to work for an international CPA firm and received continual criticism for not performing up to expectations. In these and other circumstances, I worked harder, longer and faster than others to cover up my low self-esteem. I told everyone I was the best at what I did even though I didn't believe it! I was good at exalting myself over others.
Old habits are hard to break. My self-esteem has improved through the years as I actually became good at the things I do. Doing things for recognition has given way to learning to be who God made me to be. But the child inside me sometimes still wants to sell himself to be accepted. I has become such a life pattern that I sometimes do it without realizing what I'm doing. For example, someone in one of my recent seminars was offended because they felt my introduction and other comments were self-aggrandizing. This person may have been right because I did what I always do!
I'm very critical of others that exalt themselves, particularly those in leadership positions. It's taken me a long time to understand that, when I perceive the behavior of others in a negative light, God is probably holding up a mirror to my face! The Bible says in Luke 18:14, "...for everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." The truth is self-exaltation is pride. Pride is the opposite of humility. Pride blocks our success. Humility makes the way for us to be all we can be! More on the power of humility in a future post. Post a comment and share your story!
On my first job in public accounting I made so many mistakes I was sure I'd be fired every afternoon. I remember the feelings of inadequacy when I went to work for an international CPA firm and received continual criticism for not performing up to expectations. In these and other circumstances, I worked harder, longer and faster than others to cover up my low self-esteem. I told everyone I was the best at what I did even though I didn't believe it! I was good at exalting myself over others.
Old habits are hard to break. My self-esteem has improved through the years as I actually became good at the things I do. Doing things for recognition has given way to learning to be who God made me to be. But the child inside me sometimes still wants to sell himself to be accepted. I has become such a life pattern that I sometimes do it without realizing what I'm doing. For example, someone in one of my recent seminars was offended because they felt my introduction and other comments were self-aggrandizing. This person may have been right because I did what I always do!
I'm very critical of others that exalt themselves, particularly those in leadership positions. It's taken me a long time to understand that, when I perceive the behavior of others in a negative light, God is probably holding up a mirror to my face! The Bible says in Luke 18:14, "...for everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." The truth is self-exaltation is pride. Pride is the opposite of humility. Pride blocks our success. Humility makes the way for us to be all we can be! More on the power of humility in a future post. Post a comment and share your story!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The Way We've Always Done Things
If it's not broken, don't fix it! Too often I'm happy with the ways I've always done things. I'm usually proactive in my approach to business but my ways of doing things are often rooted in tradition...mine!
On the DISC behavioral profile, I'm a high D and a high C, i.e., highly dominate and highly compliant (rules oriented). Once I adopt a way of doing a thing, I frequently repeat the behavior routinely without thinking. This is both good and not so good.
My behavioral style is good because I make decisions easily and accomplish tasks quickly. It's not so good because I'm often insensitive to the thoughts and needs of others. In other words, they way I've always done things works for me but it may not work for others. My ways may even hurt or offend others.
Good interpersonal skills will always put the needs of other persons first. This requires us to step out of our normal behavior patterns and to become "others centered." To become more effective leaders, we need to think about the needs and objectives of others before we act or speak. When we approach our jobs and relationships in this way, our old ways will rarely impair our success. What do you think?
On the DISC behavioral profile, I'm a high D and a high C, i.e., highly dominate and highly compliant (rules oriented). Once I adopt a way of doing a thing, I frequently repeat the behavior routinely without thinking. This is both good and not so good.
My behavioral style is good because I make decisions easily and accomplish tasks quickly. It's not so good because I'm often insensitive to the thoughts and needs of others. In other words, they way I've always done things works for me but it may not work for others. My ways may even hurt or offend others.
Good interpersonal skills will always put the needs of other persons first. This requires us to step out of our normal behavior patterns and to become "others centered." To become more effective leaders, we need to think about the needs and objectives of others before we act or speak. When we approach our jobs and relationships in this way, our old ways will rarely impair our success. What do you think?
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Other Person's Point of View
In previous blogs, we've discussed how a person's heart motives, life experiences and learned behaviors affect their ethics and decision-making. Generally, we decide to do what we think is right. We see and interpret facts and circumstances through rose-colored glasses, so to speak.
When my wife and I have had differences of opinion (there have been more than a few!), she has said that we're just looking at different ends of an elephant. You remember the analogy: Several sight-impaired persons holding on to different parts of an elephant (a leg, its tail, its trunk, an ear, etc.) each saw the elephant differently. Same elephant but different views. Our personal views are often derived from what we're holding on to!
I recently found my self in a conflict with a counter party to a contract. In fact, the other party terminated the contract because they believed I had violated its terms. I believed, on the other hand, that I had been careful not to violate the contract terms. After a day or so, I realized that my evaluation of compliance had been solely from my point of view. Looking at the situation from the point of view of the other party, I could see where my behavior could be considered a violation of terms. It was not my intent to violate the terms but I could see from the other person's view how I did.
I felt badly that I had made a serious mistake. Unfortunately, there was no chance to repair the damage. In these situations we can either get mad, sad or glad. I've decided to be glad for the increase in wisdom this situation has provided me! Sometimes we have to learn ethical behavior the hard way! Post a comment and share your learning experiences.
When my wife and I have had differences of opinion (there have been more than a few!), she has said that we're just looking at different ends of an elephant. You remember the analogy: Several sight-impaired persons holding on to different parts of an elephant (a leg, its tail, its trunk, an ear, etc.) each saw the elephant differently. Same elephant but different views. Our personal views are often derived from what we're holding on to!
I recently found my self in a conflict with a counter party to a contract. In fact, the other party terminated the contract because they believed I had violated its terms. I believed, on the other hand, that I had been careful not to violate the contract terms. After a day or so, I realized that my evaluation of compliance had been solely from my point of view. Looking at the situation from the point of view of the other party, I could see where my behavior could be considered a violation of terms. It was not my intent to violate the terms but I could see from the other person's view how I did.
I felt badly that I had made a serious mistake. Unfortunately, there was no chance to repair the damage. In these situations we can either get mad, sad or glad. I've decided to be glad for the increase in wisdom this situation has provided me! Sometimes we have to learn ethical behavior the hard way! Post a comment and share your learning experiences.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Whose Report Do We Believe?
As bystanders to the political debate over health care, whose words do we accept as true? A barrage of disingenuous television ads, newspaper articles and unsolicited emails attempt to sway us to a person's or a party's way of thinking. Misinformation, claims without supporting facts and blatant lies cloud a clear understanding of the facts. How do we know who is telling the truth and who isn't?
Biblical principles tell us to judge a person by their fruit, whether it's good or it's bad. In some cases, that is easy; in others, it's not! In politics, most fruit is hybrid. As it grew from a pure blossom to eatable fruit, it was contaminated by compromise, personal agendas and even corruption. In fact, one might conclude there is no longer any such thing as good political fruit!
I'm going out on a limb to submit there is only one valid set of standards to measure the words of another. Those are the standards of the creator of heaven, earth and all that is within them. I'm sure some will say, "I don't believe in God." To them I'd respond, it doesn't matter what you believe about God.
While documented in the Holy Bible, the life of person Jesus the Nazarene was also documented by many Jewish historians that lived during his time. To born-again Christians, Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, Lord and Savior of their lives. He lived his life to demonstrate God's principles of truth. Whether or not one believes in God, the life and behavior of the historical Jesus demonstrates standards of right living. His life demonstrates truth and is the only absolute standard one can use to determine truth.
So, here it is. If any person, government official, politician, news reporter, corporate leader, president, congressperson, senator, preacher, friend or foe, speaks words or takes actions that are contrary to the documented life of Jesus, they are not truth and should not be accepted or tolerated. In a court of law, a witness is required to swear his/her testimony is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help them God! Anything short of that is a lie, spoken by a liar! Whose report will you believe?
Biblical principles tell us to judge a person by their fruit, whether it's good or it's bad. In some cases, that is easy; in others, it's not! In politics, most fruit is hybrid. As it grew from a pure blossom to eatable fruit, it was contaminated by compromise, personal agendas and even corruption. In fact, one might conclude there is no longer any such thing as good political fruit!
I'm going out on a limb to submit there is only one valid set of standards to measure the words of another. Those are the standards of the creator of heaven, earth and all that is within them. I'm sure some will say, "I don't believe in God." To them I'd respond, it doesn't matter what you believe about God.
While documented in the Holy Bible, the life of person Jesus the Nazarene was also documented by many Jewish historians that lived during his time. To born-again Christians, Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, Lord and Savior of their lives. He lived his life to demonstrate God's principles of truth. Whether or not one believes in God, the life and behavior of the historical Jesus demonstrates standards of right living. His life demonstrates truth and is the only absolute standard one can use to determine truth.
So, here it is. If any person, government official, politician, news reporter, corporate leader, president, congressperson, senator, preacher, friend or foe, speaks words or takes actions that are contrary to the documented life of Jesus, they are not truth and should not be accepted or tolerated. In a court of law, a witness is required to swear his/her testimony is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help them God! Anything short of that is a lie, spoken by a liar! Whose report will you believe?
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Do Codes of Conduct Ensure Ethical Behavior?
With the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2002 came the requirement for publicly-held companies to establish and communicate a code of conduct for their businesses. Most professions, like the CPA profession, have had codes of conduct for decades. Many governmental entities and their employees are required by law to adhere to certain ethical practices. Listening to the daily news, however, may cause us to wonder if any of these codes of conduct work! In this blog and several to follow, I'll discuss this important issue.
In past blogs, I've discussed the impact of heart issues on our behavior. If the life experiences stored in our hearts lead us to unethical or even criminal behavior, a code of conduct probably won't change us. On the other hand if we are unaware of acceptable standards of behavior, the framework of such a code may help us discern right from wrong.
Perhaps a more important issue affecting the results of establishing a code of conduct are its underlying principles. Are they created by man for the benefit of man or are the principles rooted in a stronger power? In other words, are the principles based on man's standards or are they God's? Whether we believe in God or not, many business leaders have learned that principles demonstrated by the historical life of Jesus Christ are highly effective in business. A book written by a well-known business consultant, Laurie Beth Jones, entitled Jesus, CEO--Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership, is an excellent source of study if you are interested.
In this series of blogs, I'll present components of a business code of conduct based on God's standards from the Holy Bible. Many of these principles have been incorporated in the business practices of small and large businesses; they are the foundation of ethics for success! Come follow me on this journey!
In past blogs, I've discussed the impact of heart issues on our behavior. If the life experiences stored in our hearts lead us to unethical or even criminal behavior, a code of conduct probably won't change us. On the other hand if we are unaware of acceptable standards of behavior, the framework of such a code may help us discern right from wrong.
Perhaps a more important issue affecting the results of establishing a code of conduct are its underlying principles. Are they created by man for the benefit of man or are the principles rooted in a stronger power? In other words, are the principles based on man's standards or are they God's? Whether we believe in God or not, many business leaders have learned that principles demonstrated by the historical life of Jesus Christ are highly effective in business. A book written by a well-known business consultant, Laurie Beth Jones, entitled Jesus, CEO--Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership, is an excellent source of study if you are interested.
In this series of blogs, I'll present components of a business code of conduct based on God's standards from the Holy Bible. Many of these principles have been incorporated in the business practices of small and large businesses; they are the foundation of ethics for success! Come follow me on this journey!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Has Lying Become an Acceptable Business Practice?
While a friend was visiting from out of state, the transmission on his van began leaking. Since there was no loss of functionality, he drove the van to a new car dealership for inspection. The service consultant explained an internal seal had broken and the metal around the seal was damaged, which required replacement of an expensive part. The original repair estimate of $700 was now $2,100! Not only did the repair estimate triple, the service consultant said the part had to be shipped in and the job could not be completed for three days! Questioned about their diagnosis, it became apparent the dealership had not disassembled the transmission and could not have known that the internal seal was broken and that the part was damaged! Some might call this scenario extortion but, at best, it is lying and is not acceptable!
Spending a few minutes on the phone with the owner of a reputable transmission service, my friend was given a worst-case repair estimate of $1,100 (including a free tow to their location). Transmission service employees worked over night and into the weekend to complete the repair job, installed several parts at no charge and enabled my friend to return to his home in time for the first school day for his children! Amazingly, the owner told my friend that he could call with his credit card number when he returned home!
What a contrast: Unethical business practices versus the highest standards of integrity! The owner of the transmission service and his employee (Colorado Transmission Service in Colorado Springs) demonstrated their servant hearts and Christian values by putting my friend's needs before their own! These are ethics for success!
Spending a few minutes on the phone with the owner of a reputable transmission service, my friend was given a worst-case repair estimate of $1,100 (including a free tow to their location). Transmission service employees worked over night and into the weekend to complete the repair job, installed several parts at no charge and enabled my friend to return to his home in time for the first school day for his children! Amazingly, the owner told my friend that he could call with his credit card number when he returned home!
What a contrast: Unethical business practices versus the highest standards of integrity! The owner of the transmission service and his employee (Colorado Transmission Service in Colorado Springs) demonstrated their servant hearts and Christian values by putting my friend's needs before their own! These are ethics for success!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
The Ultimate Unethical Behavior--Deception
From my study of business law years ago, I remember that contracts are only valid if both parties understand the contents of the contract. Laws have been enacted that allow unilateral cancellation of certain contracts within a number of days of signing to make sure all parties understand the effects of the contract. One of the purposes of these and other statutory protections is to prevent one party from taking advantage of another through deception.
Deception is simply defined as the act of deceiving or misleading. I suppose that act could be unintentional but in most cases there is a purpose. Years ago I purchased a vehicle from a classified ad in the newspaper. When I inspected the vehicle, the owner told me is was in good condition. After trusting his words, I found out later the engine had so many problems it needed to be misplaced! Yes, I was naive. I should have had the car checked out by a mechanic. Instead, I trusted the owner and was deceived.
You may be aware that this same situation is happening to us every day in our government. Leaders we should be able to trust are telling us how good proposed legislation will be for us as they rush to make it law before anyone, including members of congress, has time to read and understand its contents. Politicians, many of them lawyers, are voting on bills designed along party lines that they have not read in detail. With a means justifies the end attitude, the current administration is passing legislation that is more than deceptive, some of its provisions are evil!
If you don't believe me, consider just two examples. First, the Cash for Clunkers bill seems like a good deal since a lot of people get new cars. To reduce the use of fossil fuels, we're told, the older vehicles and all their parts are being destroyed. While many lower income families don't have transportation to get them to work, these "clunkers" (many of which are in decent running condition!) are being demolished. Then there is the debt on the new car. Credit got this nation into the problem we face, so more credit is going to get us out? Right. Oh, don't forget the clause in the bill that requires every computer used by dealers to file for the rebates to become government property! No deception here!
Do you have the stomach for one more example? I think most of us, regardless of political affiliation, would like to see health care for everyone. That would be good. So when we hear politicians talking about how good government-run health care will be, we trust they have our best interests at heart. In fact, we trust them so much we don't read the bill and fight to the death with anyone that is critical of its contents. One read of even a summary of the bill will reveal that the government, now our god, has the power over life and death--ours! Killing the young and the old will now be powers of bureaucrats under government-run health care! Among the many limitations of freedom in the bill, you'll also find the requirement for each of us to provide our personal banking information, along with electronic funds transfer authorization, to the highly-reliable voter registration organization, ACORN!
Here's how I see the progression: Failure to conduct the affairs of business, politics and personal lives ethically has bred unethical behavior as a norm. Most unethical behavior is supported by deception. Eventually, deception gives birth to blatant evil. Has this happened to our nation? You be the judge!
Deception is simply defined as the act of deceiving or misleading. I suppose that act could be unintentional but in most cases there is a purpose. Years ago I purchased a vehicle from a classified ad in the newspaper. When I inspected the vehicle, the owner told me is was in good condition. After trusting his words, I found out later the engine had so many problems it needed to be misplaced! Yes, I was naive. I should have had the car checked out by a mechanic. Instead, I trusted the owner and was deceived.
You may be aware that this same situation is happening to us every day in our government. Leaders we should be able to trust are telling us how good proposed legislation will be for us as they rush to make it law before anyone, including members of congress, has time to read and understand its contents. Politicians, many of them lawyers, are voting on bills designed along party lines that they have not read in detail. With a means justifies the end attitude, the current administration is passing legislation that is more than deceptive, some of its provisions are evil!
If you don't believe me, consider just two examples. First, the Cash for Clunkers bill seems like a good deal since a lot of people get new cars. To reduce the use of fossil fuels, we're told, the older vehicles and all their parts are being destroyed. While many lower income families don't have transportation to get them to work, these "clunkers" (many of which are in decent running condition!) are being demolished. Then there is the debt on the new car. Credit got this nation into the problem we face, so more credit is going to get us out? Right. Oh, don't forget the clause in the bill that requires every computer used by dealers to file for the rebates to become government property! No deception here!
Do you have the stomach for one more example? I think most of us, regardless of political affiliation, would like to see health care for everyone. That would be good. So when we hear politicians talking about how good government-run health care will be, we trust they have our best interests at heart. In fact, we trust them so much we don't read the bill and fight to the death with anyone that is critical of its contents. One read of even a summary of the bill will reveal that the government, now our god, has the power over life and death--ours! Killing the young and the old will now be powers of bureaucrats under government-run health care! Among the many limitations of freedom in the bill, you'll also find the requirement for each of us to provide our personal banking information, along with electronic funds transfer authorization, to the highly-reliable voter registration organization, ACORN!
Here's how I see the progression: Failure to conduct the affairs of business, politics and personal lives ethically has bred unethical behavior as a norm. Most unethical behavior is supported by deception. Eventually, deception gives birth to blatant evil. Has this happened to our nation? You be the judge!
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