Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

Where Was God?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:43:00 +0000

The nature of God as portrayed by many believers as being a loving, caring, concerned God many times gets tested by manifold asperities, myriad adversities, multiplied difficulties, multitudinous perplexities, and mega complexities. Several tragedies strike through helpless hearts like no man’s business, and we are left wondering what on earth is going on. But is there a reason why evil things happen?

The question of why God allows evil has been asked and addressed by more eminent persons than myself; yet on occasion, I do not hear the position I intend to present. I plan to consider the gamut of answers in a later book I have titled, "God of Summer: He’s Also God of Winter". But in this particular piece, the focus is on personal responsibility rather than divine providence. Are we responsible for the things that happen to us?

Treating a subject like this demands great care and overarching empathy for the many souls who are suffering in diverse ways. And for many—like the patriarchs Joseph and Job—we may assert or believe that they are not responsible for the things that happen to them. In view of this truth, this article is handled with refreshing gravitas and an indisputable awareness of existential concerns and consequences.

Nonetheless, the question arises and indeed will arise where we find ourselves asking, “Where was God...?” “Yes, where was He when I needed Him most and He remained silent.” “Where was He when my marriage was failing and I kept calling on Him to no avail?” “Where was He when my house was being burgled?” “Where was He when my business was collapsing?” Many other stinging situations or harrowing issues spring up leaving us asking where God was. Perhaps we have all asked, or we are about to ask such a question, soon.

Is it not quite astonishing that even staunch and devoted believers find themselves asking such questions and more? In a book, "The Guaranteed Secret", the author mentioned and revealed that important secret that can help us get through anything life will ever throw at us. One of the reasons that frustrate the workability of this secret, and which may very well be the reason why many people continue to face a distressing chain of issues with no respite in view is discussed here. Now, lest we think any of us is exempt, we have to think again. We all have our fair share of issues; although it very much appears that some have more troubles than we would expect or imagine.

For the many reasons that may be given for why things occur, and when they do; one potent reason surely has to be personal responsibility. Yes, on occasion, we are responsible for what happens to us. The world has wholly accepted this postulation. And this truth of personal responsibility cannot be restricted to only persons; it can be extended to communities and even nations in general. This truth has sound basis.

Humankind will continue to seek answers to some of these baffling questions, and while it will have its own reasoning and formulate its own conclusions, Christians subscribing to the truth of the Bible can equally turn to it not only for prescriptions but also a diagnosis of the issues we encounter.

To state it as bluntly as possible, one of the most puissant reasons why we have plethoric tragedies and continue to ask the question of “Where was God,” or in another way, “Where is God?” is down to our disobedience! Yes, our disobedience as believers is a cardinal point we need to consider. In truth and candour, we do not like to do what God wants us to do, but still expect what He has promised for obedience to His commands. And making a point like this will irk and ache many people. They may even go further and rebuke me for being legalistic. To them, we are under grace and I should not be saying something like this. But in a way, they forget Scripture.

Such may cite what Jesus brought to be in contrast with what Moses gave to the people. Indeed, they may reference this: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). There is equally a mention of the word truth; and truth, many believers do not like to hear. Indeed, there are many disobedient believers out there in the world living to please themselves and blaming God for the consequences. Their lifestyle is in stark contrast to a reminder in 2 Corinthians 5:15: “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

Consequences of Disobedience

The Bible has a great deal to say about this subject. One such classic case informs the view presented by this piece. From Joshua 7, God’s distinctive voice comes to Joshua after the people’s disobedience had attracted inimical consequences: they had been routed by a far smaller nation after they had chalked a significant victory over a greater people (Joshua 7:1-5). The Bible recounts: “And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you” (Joshua 7:10-12).

God was not with the people and hence they lost the battle. Thus, on occasion when we would like to ask, “Where was God,” or, “Where is God?” we should remember that perhaps God is not around. Yes, per chance, He was just not there and that is why the things happened the way they did.

The psalmist made an admission that most people will never ever come to the point of making. Upon a convicting introspection, he said, “My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness” (Psalm 38:5). Some may argue with the truth presented here, but without a doubt, “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard” (Proverbs 13:15).

While this might sound harsh and even disconcerting, the truth remains that there are people who will be afflicted until God gets their attention. Someday, they will join the psalmist in concluding, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:71). Yes, they will come to the point of agreeing with this view: “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word” (Psalm 119:67).

And as intimated above, this angle is one of many others that the mentioned book, will tackle.

Thus, beginning from today, look into your life and ask yourself whether or not you are responsible for the things that are happening to you. You must be bold and ask such questions. There is no need placing the blame on others. It only puts you in a weaker position. And as you assess yourself, may you discover areas of your life where you need to make important changes. Once such practical discovery has been made and a willingness to change stirred up; may God provide you the ample grace for you to move from discovery to implementation, leaving you to reap the realisable benefits that await you.

Blessings,

Dr. F. R. Silverson

Letters To Lovelyn (Vol. 1): A Beautiful Vat of Potential

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 17:27:00 +0000

My Dear Lovelyn,

The deft fingers of God produce such splendiferous creatures exuding fragrant beauty, distinctive grace, and enthralling charm in illimitable proportions; and in such a verifiable and refined class of individuals, you may take your reserved seat at its apogee.

The psalmist agrees and asseverates: “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”[1]

I am in a state of efflorescent excitement and exuberant felicity as I plop myself into a gambit of what would crank the shaft for some deep thoughts to skip out of my brain into yours. In fact, such has been the convulsion of ideas in the grey matter of my brain; and I am pleasantly impatient to allow its beautiful lava to crystallise through this medium of letter writing—an old-fashioned but much-loved practice boasting practical value and valuable effect.

White Crows Flying Low

It has been said time in and time out that there is no such thing as a white crow; and any such must be albinic. Should we agree with this view? Should we give up our search for such rare finds—that are not defective—and join the band serenading their non-existence? Nonetheless, I believe without a fleck of chimerical whimsicality that there are such rare creatures; I do believe there are: there must be many such.

Now, before you start searching for such, I have even more intriguing news for you: there is a certain creature I have searched through seven billion likes only to discover there is but only one that exists. My acquired consternation made me scowl in perpetuity and on occasion snarled, as I expected to find more than just one. In a state of unbearable lassitude I gave up the search and resigned myself to the truth that there is only one. Trust me, I did not want to believe that there is just that one; after all, I had clasped a titanic hope and sturdy expectation that there perhaps had to be one more—I genuinely believed there must be; and yet to my interminable chagrin, I found none other.

You may be wondering what at all I seem to be travelling in a circuitous, sinuous, and serpentine manner trying to describe. My deliberate desultory and discursive manner is a result of a frantic search that yielded no fruits. I must try to convey how much of a roundabout manner I have travelled seeking for this priceless hoard which has only proven a solitary jewel in such a vast universe.

You see, I know you may be inclined to go searching, but if you will permit me to save you some time and effort: you need not go searching! You may still struggle with the inclination to search, but you must put such a desire to bed. Like a flicker that can cause a conflagration, you need to extinguish it anon! Why? It would be a fruitless search and a wanton dissipation of resources; and this scarce time and effort once spent is irreplaceable. So don’t go searching.

Are you getting a trifle confused why I am writing in such a manner? Are your eager-beaver tints poring through your sense of composure? Are you losing your stockpiles of sangfroid? Should I not just say what I seem to be going on about? But how much frolicsome value and rollicking joy can you get from a rollercoaster, if it only travels like the London tubes?

Now, back to my analogy of the white crow. There are creatures rarer than this, but not sure what they truly are. Trust me on this: these creatures are flying so low they can be seen, touched and felt. Perhaps, you are scoping through the same telescope as I am. You have figured out what I must be referring to. I know you are a smart girl—yes, you are, and I have known it since our paths first tantalisingly crossed as an act of divine providence.

My Dear Lovelyn, you see, as a person, you are so rare; there is no other person like you. Yes, there is only one Lovelyn and that is you! Don’t be quick to tell me there are other people called Lovelyn. Shouldn’t I know this? Forget those people and believe me when I say there is only one Lovelyn and that Lovelyn is you. If the other people wearing a blinding tag or having a covering of gossamers with Lovelyn written over it will be up in searing arms; let them go on a demonstration—who cares? I am adamantine in my entrenched position that there is still one Lovelyn and that is you. Other people can also belt out their own stentorian tunes, but that will not change this truth that there is one Lovelyn and that is you—a spotlessly pure white crow living at present in England, but vigorously and passionately pluming her wings for a huge plunge, exquisite flight, and artistic display in the vastitude of a horizon called world stage. And the clocks will soon strike six for you.

Identity, Complexity, and Individuality

A squeezing pack of confused souls are sauntering the surface of the earth. In fact, there will be several other flaccid packs embarking on such infinitesimal processions as the world moves through this timeless proscenium called time. But, why such a situation? Identity problems!

I postulate with emphatic conviction and resolute confidence that the number one problem that we have is not even sin—it is identity. In fact, sin is a product of a misplaced, misunderstood, misconstrued identity! Pause and think about that for a moment. Such is the acute nature of the issue that it has snowballed and suppurated with expansive degeneracy and ubiquitous disrepair into a fully-fledged identity crisis of epic proportions. A careful reading of the text in Genesis reveals that Eve was the first person to suffer from this problem, and as “she was the mother of all living”[2] she has passed this undesirable trait to all her offspring.

It is fitting to shed more light on the claims I am making above. And for that, I shall reproduce the account in the Garden of Eden below from Genesis 3:1-7 [note my emphasis (v. 5)]:

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

This is a fascinating account that has been rehearsed in the ears of every believer ad infinitum; but I need to still repeat it to support my argumentation. Some people will erroneously conclude that by eating the fruit of the tree and their eyes being opened for them to see that they were naked, there must be nothing amiss with this. But that is a grave error such people will make, if they adopt such a position. Some may even go as far as suggesting that for them to know good and evil as suggested by the serpent meant that they did not already know evil from good. But that argument cannot stand the test of critical scrutiny. It falls flat on the face when one remembers who is talking—the devil, the father of lies (John 8:44)—and also that God had given man a clear command not to violate, with stated consequences (Genesis 2:17). Was the man so asinine and nescient he could not discern a “do” from a “don’t”? You see, there are more issues that we can argue about here, but so as not to digress from our objective, let’s return to the identity issue.

Adam and Eve had been made in the image of God: “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”[3]

If God created Adam and Eve in His image, then they were fundamentally endowed with the nature of gods. Psalm 82:6 supports this view, saying, “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.” To suggest—by the devil—that they were not gods was in itself deceptive as was his proposition that they would know evil and good. As part of Eve falling for this ruse was that she saw the tree as one “to be desired to make one wise.” This in itself is an issue of confusion. Is she suggesting that God had made her unwise, if we are to temper our critique with a suspicion of empathy?

Why would a person pay a huge price to become what he or she already is? Today, in this workaday world of ours, there are many who have not yet discovered their real identity and like Eve are taking steps with stinging repercussions awaiting. Men, women, boys, girls, the whole gamut of people one is likely to come across are struggling with identity issues. In sum, they do not know who they are neither what they are here for.

Such identity crisis shows itself in the level of complexity that we see in our world today. Just think of the length that people would go to become what they are not or trying to become. Life for many such people is as complex as a tangled skein and knotty rope that refuses to be straightened or untied. You see, Lovelyn, until a person solves their identity problems, they can only attract complexity in their lives even when they want to assert their individuality. It is a difficult issue to raise but one very true when carefully considered.

We as believers should not find ourselves in such a situation, although there are many who have set up camp there. You see, we were lost without hope and God sent Christ to restore our true identity. Based upon His work, we can boldly believe that in spite of where we have been, who we have been, and what we have done; when we come to Christ, we have our identity restored. And once we fully embrace this (and what He generously offers), we jump out of the cauldron of baffling confusion and complexity that many find themselves in. Paul encourages, us saying, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”[4]

Pristine Personality In Soiled Nature

In truth, the puzzling situation we find ourselves in is that we have a new man living in an old body. That by design will result in nothing but conflict. It is like mixing the cleanest and freshest oil with the dirtiest and filthiest oil; yes, they are both oils but one is in its best state and the other, in a deteriorated state; and mixing them will definitely spring up a few issues.

While we are saved, we still live in bodies which on several grounds, are flawed in every sense of the word. Likewise, there is almost infinite potential in you, but you live in a finite body. Paul writes, reminding us of such truth when he observes: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”[5]

The above Scripture should shine the truth on the situation that we cannot amount to much without God. Lovelyn, remember that the excellency of the power will be of God and not of you.

You see, many believers attempt to go solo in their quest to develop their talents without realising that they cannot do it outside of God. “But some do,” someone may quip! My riposte: Where do such people usually end up?

So never forget that while your strengths are limited, the dreams that God has currently given you and will continue to give will be nothing short of infinite in look, feel, and appearance.

Fit For A Divine Purpose

Seven billion souls are out there, and yet you are fit for the purpose for which God created you. Indeed, I have charted your course from being barely out of your teens to blossoming into a nubile person. Yes, I have seen the first fine caress of flushing love coursing through your veins. Moreover, I have espied you establishing yourself as a virtuous wife of a good man. Your progress in my view has been nothing but impressive. And from where I am descrying the events of your life, you are growing in leaps and bounds with great things ahead of you.

You ooze refreshing confidence, not the one that makes people turn up their noses. Your kind of confidence is good and needed. There are other attributes that we both are aware you have which you need for the road—they are necessary additions in the toolbox of life. That said, you have something that trumps the others all day: your willingness to believe God and your hunger for more of Him. These last two will send you very far in life. With prescient exactitude and resounding assurance, I can vaticinate you will rise to aerie pedestals, dizzy heights, and coveted pinnacles of life.

Wake up every morning, my dear, with bustling confidence and indomitable determination and look in the mirror and say to yourself:

The Lord is on my side,

I shall excel in life!

Never forget Romans 8:31: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Discover & Document Your Assignment

As an essential task, kindly go on a total discovery of your full assignment. Here are five questions you should ask yourself. Please endeavour to write a minimum of one page each for each question below:

1. Who am I? - Identity & Personality

2. Where am I from? - Origin & Heritage

3. Why am I here? - Purpose & Assignment

4. What can I do? - Potential & Gifting

5. Where am I going? - Hope & Destiny

Please do yourself a favour by writing out your answers. It would prove beneficial to you in every respect. Resist the temptation of only thinking in your head without transcribing your discoveries. You must believe, cherish, and document your discoveries.

If you are struggling with any of the answers above, please do well to ask God for help. He is only a prayer away. Know that some of the answers to the questions above may not be straightforward; yet you must answer them.

Define Your Assignment

Question Three above is of substratal importance and imperative thrust and as such it is worth elucidating. Once you have discovered your purpose and assignment, you need to define it in workable and sizeable terms. Yes, you need to break it down into minuscule parts you can relate to.

For example, I will tell you mine, when we get the chance to speak. I have broken mine down into three words. These are the three most important words in my world. No other words move me more than these three—that is my life in three words!

The culmination of your definition is for you to narrow down your assignment to the point you can summarise it in one statement. You should be able to tell me your life in just one sentence—that is the vertex of intense discovery!

You see, for laughs, if I could mention a word like:

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

This is listed as the longest word in most dictionaries, longer than “floccinaucinihilipilification” which is the Oxford Dictionary’s longest word; this sesquipedalian and hilarious word is a combination of words which give the meaning as “a lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust.”

Now to more serious matters, what I am driving at is that you should acquaint yourself so much with what your assignment is that you can even reduce it to a couple of words.

Spend requisite time and define your assignment to its finest details—it is a valuable exercise you must undertake.

Develop Yourself

It has been said that when all is said and done, more is said than done. Haven’t most people become talking shops prating on and on with nothing meaningful to show? You must not be caught in such a useless swirl or boondoggle maelstrom.

Ultimately, you must work and develop your assignment; but I cannot stress how important it is for you to develop yourself. I am a puissant exponent in asking people to develop themselves. Mediocrity is my best enemy: I covet practical perfection. Someday, I’ll let you know why I say practical perfection and not just perfection. But please invest significant effort in developing yourself. You must commit to such a peregrination with all the powers you can marshal. Fix yourself on a self-development bent.

Guess what, I am cheering you on to be the best you could ever be. I am already taken in by the progress you have made. I can’t wait for what the next phase has in store for you. But please devote your entire effort and last strength to a life of improving yourself so you can ascend vital ladders to arrive at the acmatic position a certain voice calls you to come up to. That voice is in your ears.

I hope you will enjoy this letter as much as I have, digging into a certain internal brook lying deep down within my soul and churning forth the words above. I pray you will find them a real blessing.

God offers you the support you need to get through life; however, do not refrain from giving me a shout out, if I can be of assistance to you in any way. I am at your service as God's servant.

Lovelyn, remember there is a beautiful vat of potential situated within you; it is yours, it is right within you and you owe yourself and the God who placed such in you to take full ownership, prime yourself, and aim your best efforts to achieve something of significant effect and substantial renown. I know you will!

Love always,

Dr. F. R. Silverson

Notes – All Scriptures are from the King James Version

[1] Psalm 139:14

[2] Genesis 3:20

[3] Genesis 1:26-27

[4] 2 Corinthians 5:17

[5] 2 Corinthians 4:7

You can email me at frsilverson@yahoo.com or read my blog at http://franksilverson.blogspot.co.uk/

Welcome

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 09:18:00 +0000

Welcome,

I am so glad you decided to visit my blog.

Enjoy reading and you can send any comments, complaints or commendation to frsilverson@yahoo.com.

Here is a list of my articles till date starting with the most recent to the oldest. Just click on the one you would like to read:

28. A Tribute To Komla Dumor: When The Peals Fail

27. Corruption: Who Cares?

26. Political Morality Myopia

25. “Linsanity”: “Excellince” Is “Lin” Us

24. All Words, No Soul!

23. Strong Values – Less Cash?

22. Christian Celebrities: Truth And Illusion

21. Gambling - Addiction Or Choice (Part 4)

20. Tribalism 2: English Remains Key

19. Relationships: Pig-Mentality

18. Tribalism: The Keys Work Better Together

17. Unmasking The Real Culprit: Justice For The Sexually Harassed

16. Kufuor And Rawlings: Swords And Saints

15. Church Giving – Compulsion Or Choice

14. The Reward For Risk – Is Kweku Adoboli A Patsy?

13. Churches: Commerce Or Compassion?

12. The Akufo-Addo Saga: The Accuser And The Accused

11. The Curse Of The Verdant Chalice (Part 1)

10. Pornography – The Silent Killer (Part 1)

9. The Price Of The Prize

8. Contemplations Of An Extra-Marital Affair: A Didactic (Part 3)

7. Contemplations Of An Extra-Marital Affair: A Didactic (Part 2)

6. Gambling - Addiction Or Choice (Part 3)

5. Gambling - Addiction Or Choice (Part 2)

4. Free Press Or Foolishness

3. Frank Silverson’s Reflection: The Ultimate Leak

2. Contemplations Of An Extra-Marital Affair: A Didactic (Part 1)

1. Frank Silverson: Gambling - Addiction Or Choice (Part 1)

Thank you.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

Complete Notice

No part of this website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of the author, unless otherwise indicated for stand-alone materials. Any use must give due credit to the author.

A Tribute To Komla Dumor: When The Peals Fail

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 10:45:00 +0000

Cataract of Emotions

Having been sucked into a vortex of sadness since Saturday, I am gravid with pain and perhaps by inditing this piece, I may yet lessen the preponderant funereal and lugubrious grip of such emotions holding sway.

Death is not only cruel, it is much more.

It cuts and thwarts; yes, it triturates roseate dreams into much less than noisome rubbles. It is that which slices through even the most hardened heart and subjugates it with hoops of steel without recourse to feelings of consolation.

When such a beautiful flower blossoming into something of splendiferous beauty, value, and service is severed from its branch posthaste and without notice, it must surely be decried and lamented.

Komla Dumor, although not known personally by as many as knew him, seems to have had a relationship with all. Yes, it seems like all those who either listened to him or watched him, had a connection of sorts with him. He was simply supreme at what he did—and yes, to the best of his God-endowed ability—with admirable assiduity, meticulous zest, and infectious finesse. The coveted accolades he was feted with; matched by the affectionate outpouring of tributes like a waterfall on different media is conclusive evidence.

Afternoon Moon

What gets me cerebrating on this issue rather than celebrating not long after the passing of Africa’s colossus numero uno, is why such a young man in his prime flickers off the screen of life and we espy his, as having been a rather scurried life. Yes, he seems to have scampered across our eyes and we could have spent a lot more time together either in proximity or from a distance. Indeed, the night seems to have fallen right at noontime. But why not after a few more hours?

And why did the moon temerariously step out of its majestic mansion at midday to plop the curtain on a ceremony which was surely on an acclivity? What bathos to see this lunar appearance prove so destructive and thrust us into mourning when we would rather marinate in mirth as we watch and hear from such a nonpareil compère?

Recurring Concept Which Baffles Reason

Surely death seems to prove quite heart-wrenching at several instances. It has not lost its capacity to bewilder. It flaps its interminable wings only to confer on us an unbearable frisson leaving us with moistened eyes and a sizable lump in our throats. Our involuntary riposte is not far from snorkelling as well as choking on our tears.

We hear people dying every day and yes, they continue to die. In a sense, it is nothing new; and yet, we are still not comfortable with such a phenomenon—but how could we? How we very much will—if we could—wrestle and wrench its power, lop off its irritable tail, and curtail its dreaded tentacles. But for now, it continues to elude and baffle us in disproportionate measure.

On this side of eternity, our collective wisdom is yet to rectify this malady. On the other side though, not only will we understand the true reasons—why it happens when it does—rather than settle for plausible, ostensible, or perhaps even spurious and specious reasons. We can be confidently sure that this undesirable enemy who manages to invade the belfry and deny the bells their ability to cheer would be destroyed. And when that day comes, we can expect that not only would the peals never fail—they will cheer us for eternity.

But for now, we mourn and rightly so. And in so doing, we warmly remember close family members of Komla Dumor, particularly his wife (Kwansema) and children (Elinam Makafui, Elorm Efadzinam, and Emefa Araba). May the good Lord benignly provide them with clean, trim, fresh tissues to desiccate the rivers of tears that are facilely flowing down their crimson-coloured cheeks at such a difficult time. God’s broad shoulders are the only stable shoulders during such a parlous period in this transient peregrination called life. And may the Lord be with us all at such a trying time.

We all need comfort in divers ways.

Fare thee well, Komla.

Dr. F. R. Silverson

E: frsilverson@yahoo.com

Great Speech By President Obama at Mandela's Memorial Service

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 18:07:00 +0000

I found this speech pleasantly poignant.

I hope you enjoy reading it. Here is the full transcript:

President Obama addressed the memorial for former South African president Nelson Mandela; this is a transcript of his remarks as delivered.

Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. To Graça Machel and the Mandela family; to President Zuma and members of the government; to heads of states and government, past and present; distinguished guests -- it is a singular honor to be with you today, to celebrate a life like no other. To the people of South Africa -- people of every race and walk of life -- the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us. His struggle was your struggle. His triumph was your triumph. Your dignity and your hope found expression in his life. And your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy.

It is hard to eulogize any man -- to capture in words not just the facts and the dates that make a life, but the essential truth of a person -- their private joys and sorrows; the quiet moments and unique qualities that illuminate someone’s soul. How much harder to do so for a giant of history, who moved a nation toward justice, and in the process moved billions around the world.

Born during World War I, far from the corridors of power, a boy raised herding cattle and tutored by the elders of his Thembu tribe, Madiba would emerge as the last great liberator of the 20th century. Like Gandhi, he would lead a resistance movement -- a movement that at its start had little prospect for success. Like Dr. King, he would give potent voice to the claims of the oppressed and the moral necessity of racial justice. He would endure a brutal imprisonment that began in the time of Kennedy and Khrushchev, and reached the final days of the Cold War. Emerging from prison, without the force of arms, he would -- like Abraham Lincoln -- hold his country together when it threatened to break apart. And like America’s Founding Fathers, he would erect a constitutional order to preserve freedom for future generations -- a commitment to democracy and rule of law ratified not only by his election, but by his willingness to step down from power after only one term.

Given the sweep of his life, the scope of his accomplishments, the adoration that he so rightly earned, it’s tempting I think to remember Nelson Mandela as an icon, smiling and serene, detached from the tawdry affairs of lesser men. But Madiba himself strongly resisted such a lifeless portrait. Instead, Madiba insisted on sharing with us his doubts and his fears; his miscalculations along with his victories. “I am not a saint,” he said, “unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

It was precisely because he could admit to imperfection -- because he could be so full of good humor, even mischief, despite the heavy burdens he carried -- that we loved him so. He was not a bust made of marble; he was a man of flesh and blood -- a son and a husband, a father and a friend. And that’s why we learned so much from him, and that’s why we can learn from him still. For nothing he achieved was inevitable. In the arc of his life, we see a man who earned his place in history through struggle and shrewdness, and persistence and faith. He tells us what is possible not just in the pages of history books, but in our own lives as well.

Mandela showed us the power of action; of taking risks on behalf of our ideals. Perhaps Madiba was right that he inherited, “a proud rebelliousness, a stubborn sense of fairness” from his father. And we know he shared with millions of black and colored South Africans the anger born of, “a thousand slights, a thousand indignities, a thousand unremembered moments…a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people,” he said.

But like other early giants of the ANC -- the Sisulus and Tambos -- Madiba disciplined his anger and channeled his desire to fight into organization, and platforms, and strategies for action, so men and women could stand up for their God-given dignity. Moreover, he accepted the consequences of his actions, knowing that standing up to powerful interests and injustice carries a price. “I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I’ve cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and [with] equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Mandela taught us the power of action, but he also taught us the power of ideas; the importance of reason and arguments; the need to study not only those who you agree with, but also those who you don’t agree with. He understood that ideas cannot be contained by prison walls, or extinguished by a sniper’s bullet. He turned his trial into an indictment of apartheid because of his eloquence and his passion, but also because of his training as an advocate. He used decades in prison to sharpen his arguments, but also to spread his thirst for knowledge to others in the movement. And he learned the language and the customs of his oppressor so that one day he might better convey to them how their own freedom depend upon his.

Mandela demonstrated that action and ideas are not enough. No matter how right, they must be chiseled into law and institutions. He was practical, testing his beliefs against the hard surface of circumstance and history. On core principles he was unyielding, which is why he could rebuff offers of unconditional release, reminding the Apartheid regime that “prisoners cannot enter into contracts.”

But as he showed in painstaking negotiations to transfer power and draft new laws, he was not afraid to compromise for the sake of a larger goal. And because he was not only a leader of a movement but a skillful politician, the Constitution that emerged was worthy of this multiracial democracy, true to his vision of laws that protect minority as well as majority rights, and the precious freedoms of every South African.

And finally, Mandela understood the ties that bind the human spirit. There is a word in South Africa -- Ubuntu -- a word that captures Mandela’s greatest gift: his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity; that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us.

We can never know how much of this sense was innate in him, or how much was shaped in a dark and solitary cell. But we remember the gestures, large and small -- introducing his jailers as honored guests at his inauguration; taking a pitch in a Springbok uniform; turning his family’s heartbreak into a call to confront HIV/AIDS -- that revealed the depth of his empathy and his understanding. He not only embodied Ubuntu, he taught millions to find that truth within themselves.

It took a man like Madiba to free not just the prisoner, but the jailer as well to show that you must trust others so that they may trust you; to teach that reconciliation is not a matter of ignoring a cruel past, but a means of confronting it with inclusion and generosity and truth. He changed laws, but he also changed hearts.

For the people of South Africa, for those he inspired around the globe, Madiba’s passing is rightly a time of mourning, and a time to celebrate a heroic life. But I believe it should also prompt in each of us a time for self-reflection. With honesty, regardless of our station or our circumstance, we must ask: How well have I applied his lessons in my own life? It’s a question I ask myself, as a man and as a President.

We know that, like South Africa, the United States had to overcome centuries of racial subjugation. As was true here, it took sacrifice -- the sacrifice of countless people, known and unknown, to see the dawn of a new day. Michelle and I are beneficiaries of that struggle. But in America, and in South Africa, and in countries all around the globe, we cannot allow our progress to cloud the fact that our work is not yet done.

The struggles that follow the victory of formal equality or universal franchise may not be as filled with drama and moral clarity as those that came before, but they are no less important. For around the world today, we still see children suffering from hunger and disease. We still see run-down schools. We still see young people without prospects for the future. Around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs, and are still persecuted for what they look like, and how they worship, and who they love. That is happening today.

And so we, too, must act on behalf of justice. We, too, must act on behalf of peace. There are too many people who happily embrace Madiba’s legacy of racial reconciliation, but passionately resist even modest reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality. There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba’s struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people. And there are too many of us on the sidelines, comfortable in complacency or cynicism when our voices must be heard.

The questions we face today -- how to promote equality and justice; how to uphold freedom and human rights; how to end conflict and sectarian war -- these things do not have easy answers. But there were no easy answers in front of that child born in World War I. Nelson Mandela reminds us that it always seems impossible until it is done. South Africa shows that is true. South Africa shows we can change, that we can choose a world defined not by our differences, but by our common hopes. We can choose a world defined not by conflict, but by peace and justice and opportunity.

We will never see the likes of Nelson Mandela again. But let me say to the young people of Africa and the young people around the world -- you, too, can make his life’s work your own. Over 30 years ago, while still a student, I learned of Nelson Mandela and the struggles taking place in this beautiful land, and it stirred something in me. It woke me up to my responsibilities to others and to myself, and it set me on an improbable journey that finds me here today. And while I will always fall short of Madiba’s example, he makes me want to be a better man. He speaks to what’s best inside us.

After this great liberator is laid to rest, and when we have returned to our cities and villages and rejoined our daily routines, let us search for his strength. Let us search for his largeness of spirit somewhere inside of ourselves. And when the night grows dark, when injustice weighs heavy on our hearts, when our best-laid plans seem beyond our reach, let us think of Madiba and the words that brought him comfort within the four walls of his cell: “It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”

What a magnificent soul it was. We will miss him deeply. May God bless the memory of Nelson Mandela. May God bless the people of South Africa.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com

Corruption: Who Cares?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 00:57:00 +0000

Awoken By The Cacophony Of Affairs

Having been on a perduring hiatus to focus on issues of practical significance, I find myself rousted and ferreted by the stridence of issues festering in the last few months. Indeed, since I have refrained from writing, I have done well to suppress the urge; but somehow, on this occasion, I can tell my fancy has been tantalisingly teased and tickled, and my writing aqueduct punctured beyond repairs. And as such, this piece captures the confluence of emotions and ratiocinations.

Do I expect to set a conflagration to deflagrate the chaff of corruption that so engulfs my motherland? Probably not. In any case, the ideas I intend to distil might yet—and I say this with bated breath—set off a flicker that may peradventure amount to something of significance in the wider scheme of affairs. After all, in the days that we live, many get the chance to read online and while I may not be interested in adding to the garbled cacophony on the airwaves and other media; it may well be that somebody of high standing and political clout may yet stumble on the musings of a concerned soul and experience an epiphany of sorts.

And while I may not be showered with national laurels for pointing out that indeed the emperor is naked; personal gratification would surely be the coveted crown which I will boldly and incessantly wear with endearing and enduring aplomb.

Palpitating Hearts Of Corruption

The passion for corruption is in the national blood; it is inherently ingrained and innately inculcated. If we were to see a true micrograph of the situation; it would betray a tapestry brimming with a motley of corruption. And which aspect of our pied culture would be exempt? Religion or the judiciary—it is right there as a welcome bedfellow. It is one chorus jarringly sung in many a sector of our national symphony with barish bellicosity and brazen belligerence to the discomfort of those listening and expecting a much more sonorous tune.

Before anybody tries to play the onus probandi card with me; they should quickly remember that only a callow stripling would be so temerarious to question this suggestion of corruption when this flagrant painting is visible to the blind and its noisome music is audible to the deaf—not to mention that even the dumb are shouting it on rooftops; and the cripples are running to bruit about the message. And what about the many statistics that everybody can easily lay their hands on?

Even if we were to wipe our mouth clean with the cleanest, trimmest, freshest tissue, one great leader’s statement implicates us when he says, “For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but within they are full of extortion (prey, spoil, plunder) and grasping self-indulgence.”

Corruption is systemic in our setup and to attempt to start name calling would be an attempt to expunge miniscule maculae and vestiges when there are several emblazoned splotches in one’s purview.

For some perplexing and dizzying reason it seems we get to catch the small fish while the big fish seems to escape with gross impunity and a lack of effrontery. How possible? What sort of sieve catches small particles and lets go of big items—even monoliths? This sounds contrary to expectations but appears to be the prevailing situation.

Or perhaps the big fish is too big for the pan; and we might as well let go of it and concern ourselves with what can fit the pan of our system? Or somebody tell me whether there are untouchables: people wielding unimaginable power and being well ensconced on aerie pedestals far beyond the law or any internal control system? And while we may comfortingly disport ourselves that such is not the situation; anybody who even cursorily considers life will acquiesce with this position.

The Status Quo

Society seems to be set up in such a way that some of the vilest crooks are neither proscribed nor pilloried but rather praised and pleasured.

Thinking about issues in a deeper way, one may notice some paradoxes that society has to offer. Take for example our financial systems: Who truly pays more tax in terms of percentages — is it Sam, the über-rich guy, or Tom, the struggling poor? How could Tom get access to what Sam has access to? And the least said about some of the big corporations the better.

And even when it comes to credit offerings: Who gets the best rates (or even any money at all) — is it Sandy who has money to spare or John who needs an all-night vigil to force the heavens to purvey his next meal?

In medical systems for example: Who gets the best treatment – Martha, who needs it the most, or Tamara, who can more than afford it?

Unsurprisingly, while corruption may be endemic; some of the most skilful crooks are some of the most educated who know how to get around the rules with ease. Rather than using their education and knowledge to help society; this has become their forte in their attempt to grease their rough palms, line their bottomless pockets, and sustain their ever-enlarging tastes.

Let’s not get started on the politician who seems to be the next thing to a saviour personified. How they prate on about the ills of society only to exacerbate the condition once the rudder is handed over to them is nothing short of mind-boggling.

Acceptance & Languor

When the subject of corruption comes up, we are very quick to apportion blame. And rightly we may expect responsibility and accountability from those at the helm of affairs in the nation. These people should be prepared to accept such with grace as after all the buck stops with them. When organisations fail; the head goes. And this is not rocket science. In that sense we have every right to require the highest standards from those in whom we have reposed our confidence through exercising our suffrage at the ballot box.

But for what some of these leaders are guilty of; they may need to answer an important question posed by one writer speaking under inspiration who asks: “What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor?”

Lest we place an unfair charge on all, it may well be that some of these leaders are not guilty of corruption; but how would we know beyond the slightest shadow of doubt? Perhaps we should rewrite the statement that, “Dead flies can make a whole bottle of perfume stink, and a little stupidity can cancel out the greatest wisdom.”

When tyros who are offered the lofty chance to taste the glorious fruits of service in a public office start saying things that show that like a dog, they have not only smelt but actually caught sight of a juicy bone and hence have impishly started wagging their tail in anticipation of the booty; or like a lion they have espied their prey and are patiently stalking with a view to pounce; then what about those who have been in office as ancient as the word suggests?

If one trial—with the accused caught pants down—is anything to go by; then it does not seem to get better with age. In that scenario, the eldest absquatulated before the younger ones—once the judge posed a piercing question which convicted all the plaintiffs eager to spill blood.

For our contemplation we may want to ask ourselves: Do we elect people who are corrupt or does the office make them corrupt?

If someone may say that just by being in the garage, you do not become a car; now what about water remaining in a freezer, does it not change from liquid to solid for it to be referred to as ice?

So what brings about the corruption? Is it our systems that enable the people to become corrupt or these are corrupt people who only pander to their corruption proclivities like a duck takes to water and a monkey cherishes a banana?

On introspection, we may agree that our approach to dealing with corruption has not been as effective as it could have been. Sometimes it seems as though all our concerted efforts—which we may construe as genuine means to ameliorate a menace—are nothing but a mere façade. Ipso facto, on occasion, our placid temper to corruption coupled with our most puissant effort has in some respects been like a frantic adventure to clasp onto water in a clench fist.

I observe that even for some of the advanced economies not only tax avoidance which is legal takes place but so does tax evasion among others. I shudder to think of our translucent tax system; and I ask myself how much “light” is passing through? Even if it was opaque, some light would still somehow manage to pass through; how much what we have?

Strangled By Corruption

But on a more serious note: Could it be that what an ancient sage points out is a verisimilitude of our situation when he says, “As for my people, children are their oppressors...”? If the answer to this question is true then we have a serious problem on hand.

What would become of an armoured vehicle with a child at the wheel? Would it be surprising where it precipitately heads as well as the trail of damage it leaves in its wake?

Whether it is petty corruption, grand corruption, or systemic corruption; the exacerbation of the issue may manifest itself in poverty, inequality, broken public services, politicians who serve themselves, business owners who abuse their power, bribery, embezzlement, theft and fraud, extortion and blackmail, or cunning or palpable favouritism, nepotism and clientelism. And it is certain that people are increasingly waking up to demand a change in the trajectory that we seem to be peregrinating as a nation. But would taking to the streets really be a potent solution?

In all honesty, it is only a fanciful and fantastic thought as to what our nation would have been like if corruption were entirely purged from the system without even a scintilla present. In fact, it would no doubt be a breath of fresh, fragrant, redolent air contrary to the rancid ambience we seem stuck in. But to believe that such a situation—total eradication rather than mitigation is possible—forget vain promises of yore—would be almost chimerical in one sense and puerile in the other. How can you believe a thing like that? It may be a lot easier to dry the sea and build solid skyscrapers on the reclaimed land than to believe that we can totally rid this nation of the malodorous fumes of corruption that is asphyxiating the populace. Is that pessimistic?

Corruption is an age-old menace that no country has fully got rid of. It is like the sun; it shines everywhere. So why then are some countries always competing to come first in the tables of most corrupt countries? In fact, some of them are so much associated with it that you can bet with unerring accuracy that they will occupy apical spots. And in any case, who really decides how corrupt these countries are? Can we fully be convinced they themselves are wholly free from the dust of corruption?

As I have looked at some of these countries, I have noticed that these are some naturally-endowed countries but ones very much associated with poverty. In that sense it seems that while all countries are corrupt—and I repeat they all are—it appears some have found a way of quashing the grumbling exhalations and silencing the susurrations of aggrieved souls by improving the lot of the people. For others, they are yet to learn this vital lesson.

Festering Wounds

You may read whatever you want and believe what you are inclined to believe. Although I have rightly apportioned blame to the leaders, perhaps that may not be representative of the wider picture—in fact the net needs to be widened. This is because corruption is so prevalent it has permeated every fibre of our nation’s esse. It goes beyond mere leaders, as after all, the nation is not made up of only leaders. In that sense, corruption is as bottom-up as it is top-down.

Thinking further, one may ask the question: Could it also be that some of the people who sometimes grouse or even preach are themselves corrupt?

Do they succeed in shielding their shady deals with the ferocity of their claims? Is that the alluring stratagem they adopt to scatter sand particles of deception and distraction into the eyes of those who may be inclined to probe? Or are they aided and abetted by the principle that silence means consent?

And what about some of the whistleblowers? Do they truly find corruption repugnant or they do so because they are disconsolately excluded from sharing in the booty? Do they come out only because that is their last trump card?

Whether we are inclined to agree or not, we are a corrupt people and in some respects may be getting more and more corrupt—forget what some pundits may proffer. And a point like this may attract a peacock’s or even a porcupine’s response—and rightly so.

The Revolution of Conscience

We may do well by strengthening multilateral institutions, reducing poverty, increasing remuneration, improving work conditions, streamlining and simplifying procedures, stemming the monopoly dominance in some fields, augmenting regulator discretion, and increasing the level of transparency in several sectors. These are all truly essential means of tackling this gnawing and galling issue of corruption.

Moreover, while we may see leaders attempting to bring this issue under control; and indeed, they may very well go about turning off the tap at the mains to stop the water from flowing into the large barrels and broad basins that have been expectantly placed underneath the tap; but if some of those charged with doing this are themselves corrupt, then we can expect that whilst the tap is still closed, the water in the reservoir will continue to diminish by their own contrived artifices.

Looking at the Arab Spring etc. and all that has transpired—judging by what we see and read of those countries—one suggestion may be that its smouldering ashes have woefully failed to deliver the utopia that some of them were even willing to be immolated for.

In view of such, I call for a different kind of revolution; I call this “The Revolution of Conscience.”

And we cannot wait for any religious body to lead such a revolution. How possible? Can the blind—and some of them are as blind as a bat—lead the blind? We need an awakening on the personal level. This is the sort that transforms inwardly and shows outwardly. It is so effective; it is like having the Fire Service put out a fire on a stove.

If that does not happen, all we will be attempting to do irrespective of all the rules—which will be flouted and broken like the sun dries out the dew—will amount to naught. In truth, these people will only get more skilful in both their devices as well as covering their trails.

To reiterate an earlier point, in a way, some of the policies to deal with corruption have been risible at best and feckless at worst. It has been synonymous with attempting to put out a conflagration by blowing out air through one’s nostrils.

The Way Forward

When the moral fibre of a people has become this decadent—spare me what looks like a majestic exterior; we all know that the interior is graveolent—it does take more than a weak effort in mitigating it. It requires painstaking assiduity and considerable time. But leadership remains crucial in lowering the temperature of what has become a crucible of corruption decrepitating the nation.

On the national scale, I guess there are some good people with truly Homeric qualities who love politics and would love to play a vital part. But prudence may suggest to them that to participate in politics now is like a virgin bride apparelled in spotless white who decides in a rush to skip the drive to the church for natation in a morass.

For such folk, perhaps their candour and artlessness would not find a place in a profession that seems to be steeply rooted in deception for which one has to of necessity be a snollygoster of sorts to be able to skid effortlessly and facilely on its tangled ropes and plexiform paths.

And still I am left asking a question of lasting significance and monumental value: But if our political landscape is so fomented with the froth of filth; who is going to clean it up? And that is one that we should all process in our cerebration.

While we may all have valid and laudable suggestions, I may yet postulate that considering the magnitude of the issue at hand, an ethereal rather than a sublunary aid may be needed as a matter of urgency. In that sense, we should all impetrate the One from whom all Nature flows and hope that He is favourably entreated by our orison.

Why such a suggestion, one may query? This is because, for some people their cacoethes, peccadillo, foible etc. is to incessantly cave in to their corrupt desires. And forget about substantive and compliance testing, all internal controls, all the harsher sentences that the law will stipulate—forget all that—there are some who will peddle their skulduggery and play the system with flair like a bird takes to the air. It may just be that for those people, only divine intervention may be the way out.

In essence, I posit that there are people who have no bone of compunction in their being and if they were caught; they would be sorry for getting caught rather than what they did. For the presence of such people scattered in every sector of our nation, the millstone of decay will incessantly hang uncomfortably over our neck as long as they continue to contrive—and aided by our inability to weave them out—to ascend to the loftiest and lordliest offices of influence. And would they trifle care when they have and continue to glaringly get away with it?

Dr. F. R. Silverson

“Intellectualism without conscience self-destructs.”

frsilverson@yahoo.com

Excerpt from my upcoming book: Don't Lose It! (2)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:11:00 +0000

Here is a poem from my forthcoming book;

Life’s capricious journey,

Several perplexities pullulate;

For those who dare not lose it,

A victor’s prize awaits.

F. R. Silverson

I shall return with more insights.

Have a good day.

Dr. Silverson

Excerpt from my upcoming book: Don't Lose It! (1)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:57:00 +0000

For ease of memory, I have decided to summarise all my books into six words. Yes you read it right; SIX WORDS!

This should ensure that with such profound brevity, one gets a good grasp of the whole book with a glance.

Here is the summary for Don't Lose It!:

Circumspection paramount: valuable eggs, pitfalls abound

Hope you are able to decipher what it is all about.

I shall return soon with: Excerpt from my upcoming book: Don't Lose It! (2).

Have a good day.

The FP Top 100 Global Thinkers: The Revolutionaries

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:35:00 +0000

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/11/28/the_fp_top_100_global_thinkers_arab_revolutionaries?page=full

POLITICAL MORALITY MYOPIA

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 03:57:00 +0000

In this article, I examine the subject of political morality myopia. I consider it apt to take a break from working on a few publications in order to address this subject to the best of my ability. I once came across an assertion by the American historian, Henry B. Adams to the effect that: “Morality is a private and costly luxury.” Though I initially dismissed this statement as absurd, I reluctantly found myself not only discerning some form of wisdom in it, but also saw its manifestation in practice. Hopefully, this discourse will unearth reasons for one to be in acquiescence.

Accordingly, it remains cardinal that I build a premise for my argument to ensure a lucid presentation of ideas. In view of this, I commence by defining morality and myopia. First, morality has been defined as the quality of being moral. It has to do with conformity or a degree of conformity to conventional standards of moral conduct. Further, it encompasses a system of moral principles or an instruction or lesson in morals. Secondly, the word myopia, which from ophthalmology refers to a condition of the eye in which parallel rays are focused in front of the retina with objects being seen distinctly only when near to the eye, being nearsightedness, has come to be associated with lack of foresight or discernment, in other words a narrow-mindedness.

Consequently, morality myopia encompasses a narrow-mindedness relating to the conformity to the rules of right conduct which embraces moral or virtuous conduct. As far as I am concerned, I strongly believe that morality is (or should be) morality whether it’s in politics, social or even in a church setting. However, reality suggests there is a developing notion of political morality either explicitly or implicitly.

Notwithstanding the struggle to agree on a perfect moral code acceptable to all, there is still faith and support in what most people agree as an existent moral code either stated or unstated. On the contrary though, some may argue that everybody has, not only their own sort of understanding, but also their opinion and choice of what is right or wrong. However, that may be dismissed as being a perceived right or ideology rather than an established truth. Was that to be held as absolute truth, then standards, rules or laws would themselves be redundant considering the capricious choices of humans. Furthermore, nations would not need constitutions as everybody becomes a law unto themselves; everybody formulates laws as deemed fitting to them.

In a slight digression, I am tempted to think that one may wonder why I am even spending time writing this article and what my motive is. I have been perusing some of the stories breaking and the comments that people have been making. It appears people seem to be analysing issues through either the “red, white and blue” or the “green, white, red and black” spectacles. It comes therefore as no surprise that their views are coloured and hence the blatant display of their myopic assessments.

The tricky question that we need to ask ourselves is where the boundary between our political leanings and critical thinking should lie. It is increasingly palpable that when stories break, most assessments of facts are bereft of a smidgen of critical analysis. It occurs then that just because someone is from a particular party either in government or in opposition, they find it expedient to clearly twist issues under the guise of political spin. Such spin is carefully carried out to throw dust into the eyes of the masses.

In practice, such people see grey and craftily refer to it as either a shade of white or a shade of black. They even refer to a spade as a large spoon not meant for culinary purposes. Their motivation stems from what this article describes as political morality. As an extension, such people decide what is right and wrong depending on who is doing it. For them, political morality is party specific hence what they would bemoan if it were done by members of an opposing party would be very much condoned by them if done by their own party members. To such, what is good for the goose is only good for the goose and not the gander.

This is something that I think has been going on for a while and has gained momentum lately, leading me to wonder what kind of people we are. One would expect that despite the fact that we support a particular party, we would still be in a position to recognise if the actions of the party are morally inept, bankrupt or corrupt. Additionally, that if a matter is execrable; it ought to be judged as such and not twisted under the guise of political expediency in view of either garnering political capital or damage limitation.

Contrary to what some politicians think, not all the masses can be fooled. Like it has been said, you can fool some of the people some of the time and perhaps all the people some of the time but you cannot fool all the people all the time. That is a thought worth considering.

We as a people must start finding ways of critically analysing and assessing issues and looking at the facts of the matter to the very best of our ability. Just because we are in favour of a particular political party should not make what is wrong seem right.

Unfortunately, I have observed that this same political morality myopia seems to spread to other areas of our lives. This may explain why when someone connected to us does something that is flagrant, we seek to find a way round it, or when somebody from our tribe does something wrong, we seem to condone it but cannot stand it when the same action is done by someone else from another tribe.

We should pause and ask ourselves, where is the plumb-line? Do we really subscribe to the widely held view of morality or do we make the rules as and when they seem good to us. This matter of political morality myopia is really pervading the fabric of our nation. The evidence is not farfetched with all the increasing media outlets available to us. In looking forward to the elections, I shudder to think that our own idea of political morality and not morality itself would influence us to choose a candidate who may not be up to the task but just because we think we support that party.

No matter how much we might want to sweep some issues under the carpet, the matters of morality cannot go away. How we assert that we do not care about the personal lives of people who lead us, as long as they can do the job! Well, why do we get up in arms when the very same people abuse our confidence [suffrage] by either failing to deliver on their promises or exploiting the nation’s resources?

A nation that has voted or votes for morally bankrupt leaders has no business bemoaning the moral decadence of its electorates and nation in general...after all, birds of the same feathers flock together. It is also worth drilling home the point that there is nothing like “my morality” and that what is morally inept is exactly so, no matter how disguised it may be or passed off as.

In conclusion, I remain mindful of the elusive nature of morality and despite the fact that we may disagree on some nitty-gritty, the idea of our moral code remains. Hopefully, there are some critical minds out there who would be daring enough to discard their “red, white and blue” or “green, white, red and black” political blankets and show some real guts and cease from being snollygosters. The trumpet is sounding for some politicians, “arm-chair politicians” and “media politicians” to desist from political morality myopia. Such would surely be salutary to our increasingly stale political environment of a nation.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson is the author of several online articles covering different subjects. He is an author with a knack for tackling issues that polarise opinion. He aspires to bring an objective insight to such topics. Dr. Silverson has written three books about to be released titled; Don’t Lose It! The Golden Seven, and Contemporary Thought and Insight.

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

“LINSANITY”: “EXCELLINCE” IS “LIN” US

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:00:00 +0000

The diffusion of excitement across continents emanating from a man whose talent has enabled him to rise to phenomenal heights cannot escape my notice. Such a story deserves my attention and rightly so. Having taken keen interest in the last few days in a sport that I never followed, in a bid to track the exploits of the man of the moment, I am now moved to pen my thoughts specifically because of the response that Jeremy Lin gave to people who made derogatory remarks about him on air.

It was Aristotle, the Greek philosopher who once concluded: “Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” Having been taken in by the global hype of the rise of a superstar of a sort, I wondered what kind of a superstar this one was. In my time, I have seen some increasingly repugnant stars who cannot help but to demonstrate flagrant audacity, obnoxious effrontery and palpable uncouthness simply because of their talent.

In general, excellence is seen as a state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree, an exalted merit or superiority in virtue. It is a valuable quality by which any one excels or is eminent. To me, Jeremy has demonstrated this “Excellince.”

For readers who are not sure of who I am talking about or have not heard of Jeremy Lin and what the buzz is all about, it is worth providing some background. This is a 23-year old basketball player who is the first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Both basketball fans and non-fans alike were enraptured by his spearheading of the New York Knicks to seven straight wins. Well, I can hear someone asking, so what is extraordinary about that? The story takes on an amazing feel when one considers the issues leading up to his meteoric rise to fame from being a relatively unknown benchwarmer to global superstar within two weeks.

As it turns out, Lin wasn’t offered a sports scholarship and ended up attending Harvard [the last Harvard player in the league was Ed Smith in 1954]. Upon graduating, he was dumped by both the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets before being picked up by the New York Knicks in December. He did not even have a place to stay in New York and had to make do with his brother’s sofa. With the New York Knicks, he found himself a benchwarmer for a team who were stumbling, until his opportunity came to shine when two starters were missing. The rest is history. Lin has since amassed the most points (136) of any NBA player in his first five starts since the NBA and ABA merged in 1976.

As can be expected, such notable performances, his heritage and the stories surrounding his impressive ascent make this story one that resonates with sports fans and non-fans alike. Who is not moved by the story of the underdog? Accordingly, the Jeremy Lin sensation has ripped through the NBA and beyond like a hurricane. Reports suggest that his ascendance has led to a wave of “Lin-spired” food and drinks that have flooded New York City menus, with bars around Madison Square Garden, selling “Lin-burgers” and “Lings” and several bars have concocted “Lintinis,” while the Shake Shack chain is offering a “Jeremy Lin-Mint,” a chocolate and mint cookie milkshake.

While such a hoopla and this new found status could so easily knock the average man off his perch, Lin has remained humble and low key, which is rather unusual for most basketball players.

In a sign of the strength of the man which I believe is the highlight of this hype, he chose to respond graciously to the use of an inflammatory headline capturing an idiom that contains a word that can also be used as a slur against Chinese people. One would have expected a very different response from what Lin gave. After leading the New York Knicks to a 104-97 win over Dallas Mavericks (the defending champions) on Sunday, he stated: “I don't think it was on purpose or whatever, but (at) the same time they have apologized. And so from my end I don't care anymore.” Lin also added: “Have to learn to forgive, and I don't even think that was intentional. Or hopefully not.”

What I find so fascinating about this story is that even the New York Knicks themselves did not appear to know the pearl in their pack considering they did not really play him for nearly two months, not to talk about those who could not spot such a talent before this buzz.

Secondly, the humility displayed and the willingness to so easily forgive. Given that talent abound with all its attendant issues, it is quite salutary to discover a real meeting of mind and heart. The ability to forgive does not come very easily and it is always heart warming to see one exhibiting such an attribute.

So what lessons can we learn from this? In reflecting on the above, I concur with Earl Nightingale’s succinct conclusion: “Excellence always sells.” This should prove a good motivator for all of us.

In sustaining that thought, I am in acquiescence with Ted W. Engstrom that, “Excellence is a process that should occupy all our days.” With a constant desire to attain such, we would come to a point where we would see excellence not as a skill but an attitude, as agreed by the American writer, Ralph Marston.

What is true is that excellence can be attained by all. The way to such a path is what the Spanish philosopher, Jose Ortega y Gasset, believes should involve a “man or woman who asks of himself more than others do.” This then admonishes us to push the boundaries further with the belief that we have the ability to excel at anything we set out to achieve.

The American Educator, Booker T. Washington, finds that, “Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.” From this, one can agree that if we continue to do common things in common ways, then we can at best remain mediocre. However, the path to excellence may not be an easy one and may not possess the label of instantaneity. I therefore find the need to agree with Pat Riley, the American coach that, “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.”

In a nutshell, I am of the view that we all have a “Lin” within us; a rare ability or talent which may be laying latent waiting for an opportunity to shine. While it is hard to see a star shining in broad day light, when the night season comes, stars don’t struggle to shine. The human disposition is such that it has the ability to exceed known imaginations. You would be surprised to know what exactly you can do or the limits you can push yourself to given the right circumstances and right attitude.

I therefore conclude with the belief that you are the next Lin. There is excellence in you waiting to emerge and the only barrier could be yourself.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson is the author of several online articles covering different subjects. He is an author with a knack for tackling issues that polarise opinion. He aspires to bring an objective insight to such topics. Dr. Silverson has written three books about to be released titled; Don’t Lose It!, The Golden Seven, and Contemporary Thought and Insight.

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

ALL WORDS, NO SOUL!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:59:00 +0000

Words, words, words!

Conviction not a premium

We shall surely fit in

As long as we are heard?

F. R. Silverson

From the poem above, one can speculate this piece as being an interesting subject to consider. The compelling foundation for this article is a pertinent observation of human life and what can be perceived in practice. Truly, this is a poignant subject to consider by all standards; All words, No Soul!

It is not farfetched to discover people saying things and portraying lifestyles that outwardly communicate a conflicting message to what they are internally. Such is the situation that there is not even a smidgen of resemblance between the visible and the invisible. Consequently, their profession has little similitude to what is in practical existence. A quick look around would unearth some Christians doing things not necessarily based on faith. It is almost a mere façade with an objective of fitting-in. In a way, they act like they are just a part of the orchestra and unsurprisingly go through the motions, remonstrating to the conductor’s commands, albeit bereft of a modicum of contextual understanding.

The argument for this title’s piece can be said to be at least trite and at best intriguing or cautiously evincing a measure of thought provocation. The soul has been explained to encompass a tripartite composition; mind, will and emotions. Accordingly, the analogy has to be empty words not in alignment with one’s will, mind and emotion; simply words. One can discern a wider interpretation of this. Metaphorically speaking, the connection pervades the totality of life where what one does and says do not add up to personal conviction or corporate repose. Is that why it has been said in Latin, “fronti nulla fides” translated as “no reliance can be placed on appearance” or “don't judge a book by its cover”?

Some may hastily question what my motivation is and where I am going with this. Well, such questions are justifiable in the scheme of events. My continuous observation of society both secular and religious can only be the percussor to such writings. My motivation remains a willingness to use the print media to achieve what I call the 4 I’s; inculcate values, inform ignorance, inspire action, and initiate change.

I have discovered many people on what has been tersely referred to as being on “auto-pilot”. It is “all words but no soul,” there is no indubitable conviction in what they do. Ipso facto, there is no certitude in either what they do or say.

The application of such is not rocket science. In Jesus’ teachings, He made mention of such. He once unequivocally declared, “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:28, King James Version - KJV). From this, He avowed that the people’s outward disposition did not tally with their internal positioning. This notion is further amplified by Apostle Paul when he observed a similar situation and went on to offer a causation of such. This he noted as: “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” (1 Timothy 4:2, KJV).

Moreover, in an attempt to decry the disposition of man to enter into verbal discourses without corresponding actions, Jesus at one point, sadly questioned, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46, KJV). Jesus discerned that the people were calling Him Lord, Lord, but not interested in following his teachings. Their mirroring of our society, as it is today, was keenly based on profession but not practice. It was all about words and no action to support it. There is such an uncanny resemblance even now where you can easily cite examples of people who say so much and yet have nothing to show for it. Is that why it has been said that, “Empty barrels make the most noise?”

The issue of all words and no soul predated Jesus’ time. The prophet Isaiah wrote about this in no uncertain terms. He averred, “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men” (Isaiah 29:13, KJV). This very scripture was paraphrased by Jesus when he also stated, “These people draw near unto me with their mouth, and honour me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8, KJV).

The realisation that strikes me is that even today in our churches, people are virtually taught to go through the motions, and no wonder the prophet Isaiah mentions that “their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.” In a way, they do things to fit in and be seen as being a part of what is going on although they may not necessarily be interested in such. Their real mind, will and emotions do not accede to what they are doing. It is sad because even in some seasons, you find people doing things that they don’t believe in but just out of show or out of the willingness to be seen they end up doing things that are not exactly what they would have liked to do.

Jesus taught about the Pharisees where he mentions that they are like whitewashed tombs. He noted that they prayed outwardly so they can be noticed. Additionally, He also cautioned against giving gifts as a show for outward praise as seen in Matthew 6:1-4: “1Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theatre, but the God who made you won't be applauding. 2-4When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—'play actors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out” (The Message).

Jesus further extends this teaching to the issue of fasting. To this He says: “When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well” (Matthew 6:16-18, The Message).

We may be seen as being what we are not. However, we need to realise that what is essential is that there is a reward for what we really are or have chosen to be. This then brings to mind a clarion call that Prophet Joel issues when he trumpets: “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity” (Joel 2:13, New International Version).

In a nutshell, we should come to that point where we ensure that there is soul in the words that we say. Further, that there is a conviction in the actions that we render and also what we portray outwardly is in line with what we are within. Otherwise, it would just be “all words and no soul”.

The thought that this article leaves the reader with is this; “Do you mean what you say and do you say what you mean? Do you do what you mean and mean what you do? Is it all about words and no soul?” That is one for reflection! With an inexorable determination, we shall hopefully ascend to the pedestal where there is perfect alignment of our words with our actions, which should reward us with necessary dividends.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson is the author of several online articles covering different subjects. He is an author with a knack for tackling issues that polarise opinion. He aspires to bring an objective insight to such topics. Dr. Silverson has written three books about to be released titled; Don’t Lose It!, The Golden Seven, and Contemporary Thought and Insight.

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

STRONG VALUES - LESS CASH?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:03:00 +0000

According to John W. Gardner, “Our problem is not to find better values but to be faithful to those we profess.” I am motivated to write this piece because of the headlines over the weekend where at the Commonwealth summit, David Cameron and the UK government sought to put pressure on some African countries by threatening to withhold UK aid from governments that do not reform legislation banning homosexuality, thus making this demand a subtle conditionality. The aid in question refers to general budget support which is a type of bilateral aid. Mr Cameron told the BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that, “British aid should have more strings attached.”

It is apt for one to ask the question, “Are they saying that by us having strong values then they would give us less cash? Do they mean to imply that by us standing our ground on subjects like homosexuality then we would receive less cash? What an interesting demand to be making at a time like this. It is in times like this that Carol P. Christ’s assertion that, “Beliefs and values that have held sway for thousands of years will be questioned as never before,” makes so much meaning.

Before ranting and raving and losing one’s head on a subject like this, it is vital to look at the issue in an intricate manner from both sides. Two key questions may consequently arise to ensure a level-headed debate ensues. First, have they got a point? The follow-on question then would be, is the point valid?

In the first place, there is an explicit threat for us to change our stance on certain issues including homosexuality else risk our aid being withheld. What then is their point? In this case, they are donors and a donor has the choice or right to put his money where he wishes. A donation is given without the donor feeling compelled by the donee. So if the British government is giving aid, they reserve the right to choose who and where their aid goes to. The fact then remains that whether we like it or not, they can put their money where they want as it is their own money.

As to arguments about what happened in the past with suggestions of the British plundering our wealth, I shall leave that to my next article; African Backwardness – Imposition or Choice. Sustaining the argument of them being donors, it then reasons that the donor maintains a prerogative and this idea may subsequently justify why they appear to pass the first test posed above.

Nevertheless, the second question posed above may prove more debateable. In reminiscing over the validity or otherwise of their threats, in the frame of affairs, more thought may be supportive. One may find that many of the African democracies have been influenced in one way or the other either explicitly or implicitly by Christianity. In the last century or so, no other country can lay claim to being an exporter of Christianity to African countries more than the British. Many years back, they sent a whole number of missionaries who came to evangelise to us Africans at a time when we did not worship God and were deeply rooted in traditional worship; our own unique form of worship. The English in particular exported Christianity to us which did and continues to shape our thinking.

Additionally, they brought us the Bible, one of their notable legacies bequeathed, which has and still influences our mentality in an explicit manner. In contrast to their earlier proselytising, they are now coming back and requisitioning us to go against the dictates of the Bible that we now hold as authoritative on matters of morality and general living. What a sad turn of events!

Further consideration of the foundations of the British Empire will unearth the vital role that Christianity played in advancing the course of the empire. However, today, in the context of humanly logical wisdom, they have neglected their “first love” and are unabashedly trying to exert pressure on others under the guise of human rights. It is abhorrent how “human rights” act as a shield for many to peddle their own selfish ambitions which in this case is to ask others to also abandon the values which they hold dear.

Under these circumstances and also in view of the fact that the subject of homosexuality remains a very sensitive issue in many cultures, this debate cannot thrive on a quiescent response; it requires those who feel strongly about the issue to express their opinions in an unequivocal manner. After all, today, what kind of strong moral values can Europe set for us to follow? Are we not aware of the moral decadence that is fast pervading their societies? Is that the standard we should be aspiring to? Is that the guide they want us to follow? What sort of role models are they being to us when their people are doing whatever they like to satisfy their sexual proclivities amongst others, in a brazen manner?

For the most part, any well informed person on the social fabric and mentality of the African society will agree that for the second question to do with the validity of their threat, it may be construed as lacking substance and failing to withstand contextual scrutiny. Consequently, it may be perceived as an attempt to rock the boat. This stems from the fact that majority of Africans shun homosexuality and perceive it as a perversion of the moral code. To put it more succinctly, it is an aberration!

Having said that, one would be perceived as lacking a modicum of social awareness to suggest that there aren’t some who favour this practice. It would be vast ignorance to believe that it is not an ongoing practice by both indigenes and foreigners alike. The fact of the matter is that homosexuality is an age-old vice which has refused to go away and one wonders whether it would, considering the influence that some of its proponents wield. Irrespective of that, the vast majority of Africans would shun homosexuality on any day and under any condition. They would never subscribe to homosexuality and changing social opinion may be akin to undertaking a Sisyphean task.

For one country in a position of advantage to ask another to get rid of its values to get more cash is a very sad and unfortunate situation. What such countries forget is that their wealth is God-given and as such it is morally bankrupt to use that wealth to push others to abandon their values. This is totally out of place and would be obdurately frowned on by most African countries.

Furthermore, one may pose a reasonable question along these lines; “Why don’t they ask some countries with questionable “human rights” to amend their ways else they would cease buying oil or discontinue trading with them? Well, for most countries, Africa is synonymous to a beggar carrying a cup and chasing a rich man for some loose change he (the beggar) badly needs to survive. This has thus given them the power and authority to dictate to us how to live our lives. Is this neo-colonialism dressed like Father Christmas asking a child to behave well for some sweets?

In sharp contrast to some of their demands, I remember that not long ago, Theresa May, the UK Home Secretary told the Sunday Telegraph she “personally” would like to see the Human Rights Act scrapped just because of the problems it caused for the Home Office. How unbelievable! She told her party conference in Manchester that: “I'd personally like to see the Human Rights Act go because I think we have had some problems with it. I see it here in the Home Office, particularly, the sort of problems we have in being unable to deport people who perhaps are terrorist suspects. Obviously we've seen it with some foreign criminals who are in the UK." Prime Minister David Cameron said he agreed with Mrs May that the act should be scrapped and replaced with a British Bill of Rights. At this juncture the reader can make his or her mind up about these apparent double standards.

Naturally, this issue makes me think of issues in a broader sense. It is becoming obvious in the day that we live in that morality appears not to hold any longer and if one has strong values, they are highly likely to have less “cash”. Let’s bring the discussion to our own country and apply it to ourselves. Up and down the country, people find themselves in offices and departments that we all know about (without the need to name and shame anybody) where if you choose to maintain strong values, you will never make it. It is an informal rule that one is expected to bend the rules and cave in to pressure if one wants to make more “cash”.

It is sad that society today does not really celebrate people who stand for their values. We have become a people who pay lip service to the essence of morality by doing very little to celebrate it. On the other hand, we have allowed people with convoluted views and notions of morality to assume positions of influence.

So while we think about or focus on what the British government is seeking to do, I personally believe we should do well to ask ourselves this vital question: “Do we as individuals cherish and celebrate strong values, or we are ready to just cave in and take some shortcuts to make some quick bucks?

Dwight D. Eisenhower finds that: “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” For what the British government is contemplating, what history would teach us is that when an issue comes up like this, it generates a transient brouhaha and when the dust settles...before we know it, most nations begin to cave in because of the perceived financial penalty “suffered.” With this view of history, perhaps John Ratzenberger’s direction that, “Find people who share your values, and you'll conquer the world together,” may hold sway if history is not to be repeated. This gives the idea of strength in numbers.

A vital clarion call from this piece is for us to prove to the so-called “masters” that we are not puppets and that we would maintain a resolute stand today and tomorrow with no view to give away our values. However, for us to come to that level, it must begin individually. It must be a collection of individual resolves culminating in a homogenous conclusion of affairs to weather the strategy of divide and rule which has been used to exploit chinks in our armoury. Any division in our ranks would be exploited and if we are not careful we would shed off our values before realising it.

In conclusion, this article leaves the reader with a thought for deep reflection; “Would you would rather have strong values for less “cash” or less values for more “cash”?

God bless our continent and light it up from being seen as the Dark Continent.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson has written other articles available online.

Blog: www.franksilverson.blogspot.com

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

CHRISTIAN CELEBRITIES: TRUTH AND ILLUSION

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:17:00 +0000

“Reality is not what it is. It consists of the many realities which it can be made into,” says an American poet by name Wallace Stevens. It is against this background that I am moved to pen this piece, as I read some of the stories emerging about what appears to be going on behind the closed doors of an ‘adored’ star. To me, this emphasises the reality of life as against the projected image in the public eye. I thus proceed on my discourse with both sadness as well as an explainable element of expectation, shielding away any feelings of shock.

I have observed what has been happening to our so-called Christian celebrities in the last few years and how they have began resorting to the media to air their grievances as well as spill the beans. This has led to accusations and counter accusations amongst others. Is this the new trend? What would our early Christian leaders have done, faced with the same issues? I guess they would be turning in their graves considering our new found approach to conflict resolution inter alia the use of the media.

Well, let me build a premise for my discourse to ensure my audience can relate to my argument. Recently, celebrity culture has made its way into Christendom at a breathtaking pace. The idolising of human beings endowed with a talent has swept through the fabric of most denominations. This has always been true of secular settings where human beings are deified. Unfortunately, this act seems to be finding its way into the body of Christ. We now have Christian celebrities who both lay claim to this title as well as being bestowed with it by people, in a way that may be deemed questionable considering their call as servants of God.

However, before ranting and raving at these so-called celebrities, it is worth asking an important question. Who has turned these people into the celebrities they are? In saying that, I note that there is confusion between the truth and illusion about who these so-called celebrities are and what is really expected of them.

Truth may be seen as being the actual state of a matter or the conformity with fact or reality, in a way encompassing fidelity to a required standard or law. It may also explain a verified or indisputable fact, proposition or principle. In essence truth embodies an obvious or accepted fact, one that is genuine. The difficulty with stating or perceiving truth comes from the fact that truth itself can be an elusive concept. This is what Ralph Waldo Emerson echoes in a different light when he says that: “Truth is beautiful, without doubt; but so are lies.” Illusion on the other hand, has to do with false appearance or deceptive impression of reality, a false or misleading perception or belief. In psychology, illusion is defined as a perception that is not true to reality, having been altered subjectively in some way in the mind of the perceiver.

The concepts of truth, reality and illusion are very difficult to fully identify. They may be deemed as being impostors or impersonators with each demonstrating an inextricable similitude to the other. This idea is further lent support by Albert Einstein who contends that: “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” In addition, Herman Wouk finds that: “Illusion is an anodyne, bred by the gap between wish and reality.”

Turning to the issue of Christian celebrities, I personally see a celebrity as an ordinary person endowed with an extra-ordinary ability of which virtue may not necessarily be an appendage. What is true is that moral excellence is not a given for any Christian celebrity. No matter how we are made to sometimes feel by these celebrities either by what they sing or preach that moral excellence is an attribute they possess in abundance, the reality on the ground may be somewhat different. Countless stories abound to corroborate this assertion and a quick research should hopefully produce many astounding cases.

Moreover, it is hard to argue whether we are taken in by these celebrities based on what we perceive them to be or what they make us believe them to be. What remains questionable though is how we exalt fellow human beings to levels that are unexplainable simply because of their God-given talent. We have created a culture where we place these people on infallible pedestals hence we find it hard to comprehend their fall. Consequently, we react in shock and dismay when their stories break, forgetting that these are no stories at all. In effect, they are only snippets of reality seeping through the veil of decency and skulduggery that some of these people hide behind. After all, these are people living in one reality which is different from the illusion that taints our view of them. For some of these so-called celebrities, duplicity is an act that requires careful management of which many are gifted with. If it were not so, a lot more stories would emerge.

While not condoning these actions, what we must all realise is that these are human beings subject to the same frailties common to us. The only difference being they live their lives in the public eye. I personally see some similarities between the lives of these celebrities and that of those in the secular arena. Although most of them are perceived as role models, unfortunately, not many live up to that title and expectation.

Furthermore, in the age that we live in, there is so much scrutiny, some justified and others unjustified. Stories about our adored stars make interesting reading and many in the secular world are as equally unforgiving as those in the faith. In a way, the crust of the matter has to be the requisition for us to concentrate on our own lives as we all have a day of reckoning. While some may evade judgement in the present, what awaits us in the future is all-inclusive and inevitable.

For those unfortunate enough to face present judgement, the kinds of comments and remarks left by some readers when stories break are very caustic by all standards. Conversely, Apostle Paul advocates that: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”⁽¹⁾ Irrespective of the fact that these celebrities have a duty to live up to their profession, we must also show a level of care when responding to breaking stories.

Accordingly, another encouragement from Apostle Paul, places us all on the watch. This he enunciates by stating that: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”⁽²⁾By this reasoning, one can accept the view that we are all being stalked day-in and day-out by challenging situations as a result of people and circumstances either knowingly or unknowingly working in tandem to present us with tripping opportunities. Under these circumstances, the onus lies on us to examine our own lives and make the required amendments needed.

In a nutshell, this celebrity culture has come to stay and the body of Christ, whether we like it or not would continue to embrace this idea funded mainly by ourselves. What remains essential when such stories break and these revelations are made public is for us not to be overawed, knowing very well that these people are also challenged just as we all are. Such times should provide us with an opportunity for personal reflection while heeding to Apostle Paul’s admonition that: “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”⁽³⁾

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

Blog: www.franksilverson.blogspot.com

Notes

1. Galatians 6:1, King James Version (KJV)

2. 1 Corinthians 10:12, King James Version (KJV)

3. Philippians 2:12, King James Version (KJV) Emphasis mine

GAMBLING - ADDICTION OR CHOICE (Part 4)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:13:00 +0000

In this final instalment, I present my opinion on the subject matter and suggest practical solutions for those entangled in the gambling web. I am inclined to believe that you have read through the three previous tranches and arrived at your own conclusion.

Gambling is an ancient vice that has refused to go away. Rather than mankind moving away from this act, we seem to be embracing it in diverse ways. As noted in Part 2, the proliferation of various types of gambling has actually acted as a recruitment bonanza for more gamblers.

The question of whether gambling is a choice or an addiction has taken me on a long journey. I can assert my position based on my own findings despite the fact that I do not expect everyone to subscribe to my view. I am elated though, that my critics would understand my reasoning and respect my views although they may remain entrenched in theirs.

I can argue based on various responses elucidated from numerous people I have spoken to, both gamblers and non-gamblers, that gambling actually begins as a choice and then goes on to become an addiction. Irrespective of the view that there born gamblers, my findings do not support that position. I am quick to add that the choice levels vary from person to person. All people are not the same and the likelihood for one person ending up as a gambler differs from person to person.

I classify three groups of people;

1. Gamblers-by-choice (gbc)

2. Gamblers-by-addiction (gba)

3. Those displaying both symptoms

There are certain characteristics that distinguish the three classes. I must mention that there are times when the first two are not clearly distinguishable in patrons. In classifying these two groups of people, I base my argument on the element of control. For this classification, the term “gamblers-by-choice” is used to represent the group of people who seem to be able to exercise a greater level of control over when, where and how they gamble. They also seem to have control over how much they gamble. Such people find it a lot easier to walk away compared to gamblers-by-addiction. Gamblers-by-addiction are people who have lost their way and will. Their self power and self will to walk away has been eroded over time and they are now being controlled by the gambling, as opposed to the former group.

1.1 Gamblers by choice

I must state here that for those who gamble not because they are addicted but rather just as a choice, they are still at the periphery of the addiction stage. Some people who actually convince themselves that they are only gambling as a choice are not aware of the fact that they are just a stone throw away from becoming addicts. The level of choices that gamblers have differs from person to person. Those who justifiably argue that they are not addicts actually have a stronger will than the average or ordinary gambler does. This suggests to me that although how long a person remains a gambler by choice may be influenced by time, there are those who have defied the argument that the longer you gamble, the more likely it is for you to lose your will and translate from being a gambler-by-choice (gbc) to a gambler-by-addiction (gba).

1.2 Gamblers by addiction

There are people who deceive themselves that they are not gamblers-by-addiction whereas they actually are. They would never agree to the definition of being referred to as addicts. One major factor that has resulted in gamblers-by-addiction is that for a long time, they convinced themselves they were gambling by choice. They overestimated their will power before they realised they were actually gambling to fund an addiction. Some continue to live in denial of this situation. In essence or to reiterate, nobody is born as an addict and like everything, it starts somewhere; usually as a choice and then moves on to become an addiction.

1.3 Those displaying both symptoms

This group of people are usually gamblers-by-choice yet when they find themselves in gambling environments, they transform to being gamblers-by-addiction. Most of these people are usually made up of;

a. Addicts moving away from gambling (recovering addicts)

b. Gamblers-by-choice nearing an addiction

A practical situation of this has to do with, for example, an ex-addict on the road to recovery who occasionally may have a go. He has developed some will power to stay away from the betting shop. Nonetheless, it so happens that an opportunity presents itself to him and he finds himself in a betting shop. Consequently, he goes on to gamble like he used to gamble. He only returns where he once used to be.

On the other hand, someone close to being an addict but not yet one may also fall into this category. Such a person displays symptoms of an addict once in the gambling environment; not able to resist. Such people who may have been viewed as gamblers-by-choice are able to exercise the will power to stay away as much as possible. Nevertheless, the trigger occurs to be pulled once they find themselves in a gambling environment.

In suggesting practical solutions for the issue of gambling, I believe a good understanding of gambling is a good place to start. In Part 2 of this series, I mentioned the lack of understanding as contributing to the reasons why people gamble. Gambleaware.co.uk mentions for example that, “If you spend £1 every week on the Lottery, you would expect to wait about 270,000 years before you win a share of the jackpot”. The house always wins. Nobody is luckier; it is only a false sense of confidence to think otherwise.

While the writer does not claim knowledge of all the answers, he attempts to contribute in one way or the other in raising awareness and also giving some practical help to those suffering from the problem of gambling.

Gambling has an effect on time, health, and also strains relationship with family members, amongst others. These challenges include financial hardships like debt or loss of income; personal troubles like stress and anxiety or relationship breakdown, and even legal difficulties where crime becomes the only way to pay off debts. I am thus motivated to offer some suggestions as one statistic suggests that problem gamblers hardly ever seek (for) help. I hope this medium brings some respite/relief to someone in need. The National Health Service (NHS) states that: “There may be as many as 350,000 people identified as problem gamblers in the UK. But among these, it's thought that only about 5% ever seek help, and of those only around 1% receive treatment.”

In a nutshell, this series has explored the subject of gambling from a unique perspective. Fourteen reasons have been given for why people are likely to gamble (Part 2). Fourteen reasons were also suggested as reasons why people refrain (Part 3). These reasons suggest that the subject of gambling is not just a medical condition as some have made it out to be. I suggest the following solutions;

1. Economic

2. Medical

3. Counselling

4. Association

5. Image Consciousness

6. Void filling

7. Spiritual

8. Society’s role

To read the full explanation with practical steps please kindly go to GamSol_FRS - http://franksilverson.blogspot.com/p/gamsolfrs.html. I have decided to publish these steps on my blog to give me the opportunity to update and upgrade the level and quality of information on an ongoing basis as new and relevant information becomes available to me.

I am happy to respond to the queries of readers and to grant audience to those who personally wish to discuss the matter. I shall reply to email requests that I receive regarding this pertinent issue.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

TRIBALISM 2: ENGLISH REMAINS KEY

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:53:00 +0000

Following on from my earlier discussion on the subject; “Tribalism: The Keys Work Better Together,” I find a need to support it with this piece. As always, I shall attempt to tackle this sensitive issue with practical circumspection to the best of my ability. Nevertheless, I recognise that with issues of such nature, no matter how much one attempts to be neutral, there are those that would take exception to every argument made. In spite of this fact, I remain unperturbed in my quest to discuss a valid issue like this.

The reasoning for this piece stems from the demand of the La chief last week regarding either the removal of the word ‘Akwaaba’ or the addition of the Ga equivalent at the Kotoka International Airport. I am in two minds about this issue; whether to hastily dismiss this demand as being unnecessary in the context of our development as one people, or whether to see it as an indication of simmering tensions percolating to the surface in a measured manner. This is a dicey issue and I remain ambivalent as to what remains a right choice. Nonetheless, I find that as an advocate of national peace and unity, one cannot always dismiss another’s grievance just because one is not in acquiescence. What helps is that such issues generate a platform to widen the subject to other issues that may be deemed much more relevant. On this occasion and context, I indubitably find that the discussion “ENGLISH REMAINS KEY” becomes ad rem to the subject of tribalism.

Without attempting to give a linguistic lesson which would only detract from the real thrust of this debate, it is worth building a premise for my argument. Language, as defined by the dictionary, may include; a body of words and the systems for their use common to a people who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition. It may also refer to communication by voice in the distinctively human manner, using arbitrary sounds in conventional ways with conventional meanings; speech. Additionally, it may define any set or system of such symbols as used in a more or less uniform fashion by a number of people, who are thus enabled to communicate intelligibly with one another. In effect, language serves as a medium of communicating ideas, feelings, as well as concepts, amongst others.

According to Ethnologue, there are a total of 79 languages in Ghana. I find this debatable as there are many variations of languages spoken and an attempt to give an exact number may prove elusive. Of these, the Bureau of Ghana Languages presently operates in eleven Government-sponsored languages namely: Akuapem Twi, Asante Twi, Ewe, Mfantse, Ga, Dangme, Nzema, Dagbani, Dagaare, Gonja and Kasem.

Language remains an important element of every culture and serves not only as a vehicle for communication but also facilitates the propagation and extension of tradition, culture and philosophy of a people. Through language, the oral traditions of a people are bequeathed to future generations ensuring the continuity of a unique people’s culture. Consequently, people display affinity to their language as they derive intrinsic worth and identity from it. In brief, one may observe an inextricable connection between a people and their language further corroborating the essence of language. It is not surprising therefore that Nelson Mandela once remarked that: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

From the above, it remains understandable why some people have called for the scrapping of the English language and for it to be replaced with a new national language. Others have sought to be more temperate in their approach, advocating for the addition of a second national language. To many, this new language could be a totally new one, an existing one or a combination of the former. In contrast, there are those who vociferously adopt the stance that no change is needed and that we should not attempt to fix something that is not necessarily broken.

As explained above, language is very essential and those who advocate a national language justify it on the grounds that it would enable development through enhancing national communication. They even go further to boldly claim that the lack of a common language for official use is responsible for our current state. Others also believe that a national language would make us more united. Furthermore, national pride and identity derivative is what some give as being the concession to the adoption of a new national language. Moreover, proponents of adoption of a national language label contrary arguments as being absurd or dishonest. They also dismiss in a bellicose manner, the notion of its cost or even the nature of our local languages being an impediment to the pace of development in this global village.

So if their reasons are cogent enough, then the ubiquitous question remains why we have not made the changes sought by them till date. I dare ask whether it is because our leaders lack the intrepidity to not only contemplate such but also to move forward to its application. One may further surmise if our leaders’ failure to grant these advocates their much sought desire is simply oblivion to what they (the advocates) perceive as being a palpable benefit to be derived by the nation.

While showing deference to the arguments of the advocates of a national language, I nonetheless find much more plausible reasons for our leaders’ current stance on the matter. It is not by scales of paramnesia that English remains the default national language of Ghana. It is reasonable to suggest that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, a man ahead of his time and arguably the best leader this nation has had, left us with the English language for vital reasons. I do wonder at times what local language he would have adopted if he had his druthers. Should that have happened, would it not have been a form of vain contest for a successor to subsequently outdo his predecessor by adopting another language that conforms to his tribal affiliation?

There ought to be valid reasons why we continue to use English as our official language. What really makes English a valuable tool is the fact that only a small fraction of the words in the English language are actually words that can be said to be English. The greater majority are borrowed from virtually every language on earth. Dr. G. Manivannan observes the following regarding the English language: “It is spoken by more than 300 million native speakers, and between 400 and 800 million foreign users. It is the official language of air transport and shipping; the leading language of science, technology, computers, and commerce; and a major medium of education, publishing, and international negotiation. For this reason, scholars frequently refer to its latest phase as World English.”

English may be deemed as being more than just a language but also a multipurpose tool. With the breathtaking pace at which the world continues to develop, we continue to edge closer to what may be said to be a borderless world. Such a world would require a universal language which English may lay claim to in a bold manner. In corroborating this position, one may find that some of the most advanced discoveries and inventions in science and technology are made by universities which use English as the medium of instruction. Also, one can observe the use of English in commercial transactions throughout the world further supporting the view that it remains the language for international business management and commerce. Additionally, while facilitating inter-state communication, the English language also boasts a wealth of literature and knowledge enshrined in it.

Based on the foregoing, I shall pause and pose the question of how feasible it is to carry out research to the highest order and level either qualitatively or quantitatively in a local language. I am yet to find conclusive research that supports the view of the ease of such and would be very glad to peruse through such a study. Given the choice of Oxford University or University of Ghana to undertake a Doctorate in a local language, it is not farfetched the choice that many would contemplate.

While others are advancing and embracing much needed change, how justifiable would it be to divert scarce financial resources to fund a project of adopting a new national language? A cost-benefit analysis may render this notion as a non-starter. The time and money needed to carry out a project of such colossal nature should convince many to think twice on the subject. One may see such an exercise as akin to swimming against the tide rather than swimming along. After all, we have more pressing and weightier matters to contend with as a nation.

Even if this notion of a new national language was given attention, which language would be adopted? The fact that one language may lay claim to having hegemony over other languages would not necessarily justify why that language needs to be chosen. This may be construed as that language and identity exercising a preponderant effect over other languages and culture with a support from the state. Given a carte blanche to select a national language, which tribe would not assert its own?

Consequently, my motive for writing a piece like this remains national peace and unity and I find that there is a tendency to alienate one another rather than unite us which would be a reason that may be given for a new national language. It is not unreasonable to argue that adopting one particular language would not quench the flames of tribalism but rather fan it. Fortunately, we have adopted the English language for reasons that can be perceived as fitting. This view is lent further support by Jorge Luis Borges who states that: “In general, every country has the language it deserves.”

In a rather risible admission, Billy Sunday quips: “When the English language gets in my way, I walk over it.” This may be seen in practice at the most unexpected of places. Rather than arguing for the rules to be bent our way so we have our own language as the national language, the onus lies on us to pursue active development of ourselves if we are to remain relevant in a brutally competitive environment.

At this juncture, I shall use this platform to urge the government to address the obstacles that have made the English language a barrier to many. We need to create the right infrastructure to facilitate the learning of the English language in a manner that makes us relevant and competitive on the global stage.

To further mollify the embers of tribalism, the government would do well to avoid elevating any particular local language to national status and prominence. English offers us an opportunity to work and communicate with one together in a peaceful existence while allowing everyone to speak his/her local language without the need to discard it. Moreover, with our increasing quest to become the world’s gateway to West Africa, English offers us the best hope at this.

Though the continuous use of English may not be favoured by those passionately advocating a new national language, the argument espoused here may suggest they have a rethink as our current situation in a changing world supports the view that “ENGLISH REMAINS KEY”.

In conclusion, I shall insert the first four lines from the second stanza of our national anthem that motivates me to write pieces like these. It reads as follows:

“Hail to thy name, O Ghana

To thee we make our solemn vow;

Steadfast to build together

A nation strong in Unity...”

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

Relationships: PIG-MENTALITY

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 03:20:00 +0000

geralt / pixabay

Benjamin Franklin gets us to a rather placid start for what promises to be an interesting discourse. He states: “I conceive that the great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by false estimates they have made of the value of things.” If this statement can be sustained then it is worth considering the subject for this article.

Pig-mentality as can be deduced from the word is a combination of two words. I have crafted the term to embody a kind of mentality that people have where they neither value what they themselves nor others have. King Solomon, writing in Proverbs 11:22 and Jesus Christ speaking in Matthew 7:6, provide the reasoning for the term ‘pig-mentality’. A closer observation of society should hopefully lend more support to the existence of people with this kind of mentality as well as their ‘victims’.

There appears to be a tendency for people to measure the true value of others not using immediate or discernible value but deprival value. Deprival value in other words may be termed as a form of opportunity cost. An adage corroborates this position by suggesting that one gets to know the value of a thing when it is ‘gone’. The million dollar question that springs to mind is: “Why do we wait to lose something before realising its true value?”

Returning to the statement by King Solomon mentioned above, it reads as follows: “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman, who shows no discretion, [Proverbs 11:22 NIV]. Jesus Christ further builds on this statement by cautioning that: “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. [Matthew 7:6 NIV].

The above scriptures lend support to human behaviour as can be seen in existence. The sad observation is that pigs do not value pearls as they lack the true understanding of its use and worth. It may be argued that one would respect something they find valuable and in that frame of events, pigs do not obviously respect pearls. To understand why pigs do not value pearls, one needs to understand their lives. All they are really used to is mud and dirt. It is fair to say that the environment you live in will determine the product you produce. Pigs enjoy dirt as to them it’s their favourite location and that is what they are used to.

geralt / pixabay

There are people who subscribe to a dystopian view of life. They see life as so bleak that there is nothing good that it can offer. When you come close to such people, you would be clasping a fist of illusion if you ever expect them to see any good thing in you. Their worldview has tainted their perception about life. From the spectacles through which they view you, you can only expect them to see you in one way. Rather than celebrating you, they tend to tolerate you. How can you possibly expect such people to tell your true value and treat you as such? That is an elusive aspiration to foster.

Proverbs 11:22 likens the behaviour of a fair woman without discretion to a pig’s perception of jewels. The key similitude is that of perception stemming from understanding. To the writer of Proverbs, a woman who is without discretion acts in a particular way because of her lack of perception, the same problem that pigs also have. The pig treats the jewels as worthless, the same way a spouse may treat her other half as worthless. How many spouses are acting without discretion towards their other halves because they lack the right perception of their true value?

A likely outcome of such wrong perception is that it leads to the trampling of jewels under foot. How many people find themselves in relationships where they are trampled under foot by those who purport to love them? The sad thing about life is that at times you wonder why anybody could treat any person like some do. Some beautiful women live in homes where their value has been considered as trash. Other submissive wives have found their adherence to scripture and good nurturing being used against them. They have been turned into something in a disguised form of slaves. In many homes, the stories of many are untold. Some spouses have lost their self-esteem from repeatedly being told and made to feel like they are nothing but worthless and possibly competing with a door mat. Is it not surprising that the jewels that others are desperately seeking are being trampled under foot by some who do not value what they have?

As if the story was not already that bad, it so happens that those suffering from pig-mentality would not only trample you under foot but also “turn and tear you in pieces”. One is likely to leave such a relationship worse off if care is not taken. How many spouses have either been pushed to take their lives or even ended up in mental homes as an effect of pig-mentality? The truth is that people exhibiting the symptoms of pig-mentality would leave you shattered. Even if you manage to escape from that relationship, you would have a long way back trying to regain your self-esteem.

The problem with people who have pig-mentality is not just that they do not value what they have neither valuing what others have but also they are likely to succeed in causing the victims themselves to ultimately believe the lie and possibly accept their ‘depreciating’ value. Dare I then posit the view that pig-mentality is transferrable? Many abusive relationships usually show the effects of pig-mentality. It so happens that the perpetrators of that mentality mostly use the other party and drop them like a stone once they are through with them. Oscar Wilde sees these people as cynics “who know the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

geralt / pixabay

There are many people in relationships who suffer from the effects of pig-mentality. This is a deep-rooted problem that deserves much effort and time in addressing it. While I am quick to admit that this article does not claim to be a nostrum to such a problem of diverse causes, I do believe that the suggestions proposed here should hopefully point one in the right direction.

In suggesting solutions it is important to look at the issue from two sides; 1) The person with pig-mentality and 2) The one suffering the effects of pig-mentality

It is reasonable to believe that those with this kind of mindset either acquired it knowingly or unknowingly. It is also likely to stem from a very low self-esteem or on the contrary from a self complex which believes that one is superior and the other party in a relationship is inferior. Such a warped view of one’s own self is likely to result in the treatment of the other person in a way that is reprehensible. What further complicates this situation is that some people with pig-mentality do not appear to see anything wrong with the way they behave. To them, it’s just a normal way of life. It so happens that a way for them to revise their view only dawns upon them when they lose what they have. Georges Duhamel supports this view when he argues that: “We do not know the true value of our moments until they have undergone the test of memory.” Counselling should be considered by people with pig-mentality.

Victims of pig-mentality may also need to seek help before it is too late. They may be confronted with the dicey choice of whether to remain in or leave the relationship. That choice can then be astutely made by the victims themselves based on the context of their situation. There is no one size fits all solution here. William James offers some advice when he says that: “Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.”

For such people who choose to remain and hope for a change, it is worth noting what Mark Twain said: “A round man cannot be expected to fit in a square hole right away. He must have time to modify his shape.” Any relationship no matter how bad it is can be worked at, the question that remains is how much time and effort one is willing to invest in it. In closing, it is worth adding that both perpetrators and victims of pig-mentality have a choice to make with attendant consequences.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

TRIBALISM: THE KEYS WORK BETTER TOGETHER

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 02:20:00 +0000

I start this article by recounting a quote from an earlier piece of mine titled; Kufuor and Rawlings: Swords and Saints. It reads as follows: “Aside from political parties, some tribes in the country continue to cross swords. The animosity and hatred displayed by some tribes towards others is reprehensible and utterly execrable at worst. The question to ask is whether we are all not Ghanaians. Indeed, tribalism has adversely affected the progress of many a nation leaving the ashes of regret as its invisible remnant and backwardness as its palpable bequest.”

The seriousness of tribalism leads me to focus on this subject matter in an intricate manner. There are those that either deliberately or inadvertently decry the existence of such. This is an issue that exists in society whether we are willing to talk about it or not. I am very saddened to have to open a discourse on a matter of this nature at this point in our history as a nation. Some of the comments that are left by readers on popular websites lay claim to the existence of such a canker that needs to be addressed or ameliorated to any extent possible.

Aside from the politicking that goes on when discussions come up, some people cannot refrain from taking a swipe at other tribes. Such detract from giving any relevant contribution to subjects at the fore and rather blithely proceed on a tribal smear campaign with all importunity and impunity.

Without getting into arguments of whether or not there are tribes in Ghana, my focus here moves the discussion to consider pragmatic reasons for unity rather than dabbling in a verbose academic discourse with no corresponding advancement to our shared cause. My cardinal motive is to draw attention to a subtle canker and suggest ways of amelioration.

Sociologists view ethnocentrism as the belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture or group to which one belongs, often accompanied by feelings of dislike for other groups. It may also refer to the tendency to view alien groups or cultures from the perspective of one's own. Tribalism may be deemed as the state of existing as a separate tribe or tribes; the customs and beliefs of a tribal society or loyalty to a tribe or tribal values. Additionally, ethnic groups consist of individuals who are bound together, often closely, by a shared cultural structure and sense of ethnic identity. Consequently, the individual persistently uses membership in the ethnic group as a primary criterion in the formation of relationships with others, and in evaluating or making judgments concerning other individuals.

Writing in the “Gallery of Gold Coast Celebrities", Dr. I. S. Ephson notes Dr. James Emmanuel Kwegyir Aggrey (1875 - 1927) as an apostle of inter-racial co-operation who advocated and helped to cut the path of progress for the African race in many fields, particularly in the direction of Religion, Education, and Agriculture. He further records that co-operation was Aggrey's ideal which he expressed by his example of Piano Keys: "You can play a tune of sorts on the black keys, and you can play a tune of sorts on the white keys, but for harmony you must use both the black and the white." Dr. Ephson further writes that Dr Kwegyir Aggrey saw true co-operation as involving “a certain measure of equality - equality of opportunity, if not of actual political status. It means that each side has something to contribute - something more than brain on one side, brain on the other - to the well-being of both". This is what provides the thrust for this piece: The keys work better together.

A nation builder made such a profound observation many years ago. Today, we continue to fight amongst ourselves with some tribes having a sense of superiority to other tribes and forgetting that every tribe has something to offer. It is so sad that when we travel outside the country we complain of racism and yet return home only to pursue ethnocentrism. How we vacillate from crying victim to turning the victimizer depending on where we find ourselves!

Throughout history when nations could have advanced working together as a team, some tribes sought to treat others as a lower ‘caste’, oppressing and dominating them to the ruin of that very nation. This led Saint Augustine to conclude that: “By faithfulness [to our cause as a nation] we are collected and wound up into unity within ourselves, whereas we had been scattered abroad in multiplicity.”

The story of the Hutus and Tutsis is not a farfetched example. This resulted in what has been termed as Africa's largest genocide in modern times. The visible effects of tribal conflicts can also be seen in South Sudan as well as Yemen to name a few.

In fact, we need to grow up! Ethnocentrism and cultural parochialism is a pathetic state to find ourselves in. Can one region form a country? Are we not economically interdependent? Despite the tacit restraint to avoid marital alliances with other tribes, are Gas not married to Fantes, Ashantis to Ewes, Northerners to Southerners and Easterners to Westerners? As Mattie Stepanek discovered: “Unity is strength... [and that] when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” With seeming quiet, are we not making some progress as a nation?

I disagree with Bertrand Russell’s notion that “Order, unity, and continuity are human inventions, just as truly as catalogues and encyclopaedias’”, rather, I find more support for national advancement in Hans Kung’s view that: “We are convinced of the fundamental unity of the human family.”

Does it mean we should lose our ethnic values to the extent that we lose our identity? Probably not! However, yes, if it conflicts with our quest for advancement as a nation. Richard Baxter supports this view when he says: “Unity in things Necessary, Liberty in things Unnecessary, and Charity in all.” From his statement, love for one another is cardinal as we forge ahead as one people (Ghanaians).

We should heed to Bill McCartney when he says that we should: “...build a highway for healing and unity.” After all, we all stand to lose should tribalism rear up its ugly head and gnaw away the fragile covering of peace we enjoy. To all those who continue to fan tensions either in an overt or covert manner, you would serve us all well to desist from such practices. Remember also that “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.” That is Mark Twain’s advice to all harbouring negative thoughts for other tribes that would only put a break on our progress as a nation.

As I bring this piece to an end, I cannot help but to repeat a line from Camille Pissarro’s reflection: “At fifty, that is in, 1880 I formulated the idea of unity, without being able to render it. At sixty, I am beginning to see the possibility of rendering it.” I remain optimistic that with continuing advancement and education, we would gradually see ourselves more as Ghanaians (one people) with our cardinal allegiance to Ghana rather than the tribe we come from.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

UNMASKING THE REAL CULPRIT: JUSTICE FOR THE SEXUALLY HARASSED

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 01:52:00 +0000

There are issues that some would rather sweep under the carpet than confront head on. I realise the sensitivity of this subject and hence, would be cautious in my analysis of issues. My language and usual style of writing would be varied to target a much wider audience. It is only time that would justify this effort as worthwhile or otherwise.

Our collective view on sexual harassment has been changing over the years. It is reasonable to believe that in any case, more needs to be done. To suggest that nothing has been achieved in the last few years would be a sign of being economical with the truth. If this article gets us talking about issues through the creation of awareness, then I believe the effort invested has proved meaningful.

I commend all who have taken various steps to address this issue. While lauding other writers who have written on the subject matter, I shall also use this platform to add my voice in further championing the need for rapid change. Although I do not believe that this article would bring an end to an age-old problem, I am encouraged that it may help a victim to seek help while possibly deterring some would-be culprits.

From my readings, I found different definitions given for the term “sexual harassment”, some narrow, and others equally broad. To make sure my audience understand the premise for my argument, I shall adopt the definition given by the UN Women’s Watch which reads that sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

The point that needs to be made here is that sexual harassment, although predominantly carried out by men, has recently seen an increasing number of women being guilty of the same. In today’s society, one can observe the old and young, rich or poor, literate and illiterate and even the believing and unbelieving perpetrating this act. Whereas usually the harasser may appear to have a form of power or authority over his/her victim, the absence of such does not preclude the occurrence of the act.

The effects on victims are multitudinous in nature and may include, amongst others, physical, professional, academic, financial and social as well as psychological and health consequences.

When faced with the effects of sexual harassment, most victims are confronted with the serious choice of remaining silent or seeking redress in the public eye. This can be likened to finding one’s self between the devil and the deep blue sea or being between a rock and a hard place. It is a tricky choice to either come out and speak about the issue or suffer in silence. Helen Watson, a sociologist, sums the costs to the victim when she argues that: “Facing up to the crime and having to deal with it in public is probably worse than suffering in silence. I found it to be a lot worse than the harassment itself.” It so happens that some choose to move on quietly rather than talk about it. Who can blame the harassed for choosing the former option?

Considering that retaliation and backlash against victims are very commonplace, those who complain risk hostility and isolation from colleagues, friends and even family members, amongst others. It is not strange to assume that such people may even team up to protect not only the harasser, but the name of the family or institution as a means of damage control. I wonder how many families would want to have their names dragged into the mud by giving harassers up. The adage that says “never wash your dirty linen in public” remains a very potent force providing shelter to such harassers. Such a situation although thriving on conventional wisdom makes it very difficult to address the issue.

Having said this, it is worthwhile to pause and address an issue that further compounds the problem of sexual harassment. This has to do with those who accuse others falsely or lie about a supposed abuse either to extort money or embark on a smear campaign. Unfortunately, this leaves untold distress on the falsely accused who may spend much time and effort in clearing their names to little or no avail. Another factor that has further complicated the problem of sexual harassment is the hasty presumption of guilt before a fair trial. Furthermore, there has been a shift of the burden of proof from the accuser to the accused.

However, the fact remains that there are people who have been sexually harassed in one way or the other. It is a shameful observation that rather than bringing such to justice, our society sometimes shelters people who commit such crimes. The question then is: “How are we going to move on...?”

Erich Fromm perceives that: “As we ascend the social ladder, viciousness wears a thicker mask.” We find that some in society use the mask of power, money, status, reputation and titles, amongst others, to get away with crimes that the ordinary man would not get away with. There are some who have hidden behind such masks to repeatedly offend with impunity. These people usually have a well-crafted image of respect and restraint that rivals a saint’s but changes into one of viciousness when alone with their target. This makes Thomas Dekker right when he says that: “A mask of gold hides all deformities.”

The advice from this piece to such ‘powerful’ people who habitually offend with impunity lent by their ‘mask’ would be for them to reconsider their actions. One day their cups would be full. Probably they can consider what Kevyn Aucoin says: “Life is too short to spend hoping that the perfectly arched eyebrow or hottest new lip shade will mask an ugly heart.”

For the victims who have had to go through such a difficult time, you may consider counselling as an option. If you are still facing the effects of a past harassment, you may want to seek medical or psychological or even spiritual help. This might do you more good than hiding in the dark shade of disgrace and reproach.

While I am totally against any form of sexual harassment, I would advise that people exercise caution in their dealings with others so as not to be deemed as being suggestive or to be mistakenly construed as a consenting or willing party. Additionally, provocative dressing should be avoided as it could wrongly be seen as being an invitation to harass.

Parents need to keep a watchful eye as young children cannot usually be accused of inviting would-be harassers. By creating an atmosphere of trust in the home, such acts against children would hopefully be nipped in the bud. Furthermore, education on matters of such nature should be intensified both at home and school to help curb this menace. All in all, everyone needs to exercise a good dose of common sense to avoid the likelihood of victimization.

Finally, we all have a role to play, whether as individuals, government, churches, schools, employers etc. Everybody can contribute in ensuring that we all live, work and worship in an environment devoid of sexual harassment. Unless we come together as a collective force and send the strongest message to these culprits that there is no place for such behaviour, this canker would worsen. As Victor Hugo notes, “Virtue has a veil, vice a mask”, so let us get the masks off the culprits and give much needed justice to the sexually harassed.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

KUFUOR AND RAWLINGS: SWORDS AND SAINTS

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:38:00 +0000

Some events that transpired this week may potentially shape the political landscape of our motherland Ghana, and I would like to use this platform to contribute my thoughts on them. Before moving on to the main issue of interest, I would like to acknowledge all those following my writings and getting in touch. You all deserve a special mention, particularly Madam Esther Quaye of BoG on your imminent retirement on 2^nd October, 2011.

What we witnessed on Wednesday, 21^st September, 2011 at the University of Ghana during ex-president Kufuor’s foundation launch is indeed a laudable achievement. This piece assumes prior knowledge of that event and affords me the opportunity to give my personal opinion while drawing on possible repercussions for a wider spectrum of events.

Thomas Merton sets us off with a rather grave thought. He observes that: “Peace demands the most heroic labour and the most difficult sacrifice. It demands greater heroism than war. It demands greater fidelity to the truth and a much more perfect purity of conscience.” If anything is worth noting, it is that Merton reminds us that peace is never served on a silver platter considering the values enounced and attributes expected.

With some stories seeking to dampen the euphoria earlier generated by this ceremony of such poignant interest, I shall seek to concentrate my efforts on what was witnessed by all and sundry and astutely steer clear of any conjecture. My cardinal motivation remains that a seed has been sown and we have the choice to either dig it out or nurture it for growth and our own future benefit.

Well, so what is all the beef about, some may ask? Consider this statement from ex-President Kufuor: “…I am happy to see you, my predecessor in office, former president Jerry John Rawlings.” Was that uttered by Mr. Kufuor? Sure it was...This leads to my real thoughts for this piece: Swords and Saints.

A popular use of the word sword is to describe a weapon of various forms but consisting typically of a long, straight or slightly curved blade, sharp-edged on one or both sides, with one end pointed and the other fixed in a hilt or handle. Swords have also been used to represent military power, punitive justice, and authority. Furthermore, the sword embraces a cause of death or destruction. My focus here, though, remains the latter and also a less familiar representation of the word sword which defines it as symbolising war, combat, slaughter or violence. For the purpose of clarity, this article embodies the idea of sword as depicting death or a destruction agent.

In this modern age where modernity appears to be overshadowing barbarism to a point, no weapon does more damage than the mouth. Frankly, some mouths have gained the reputation of causing untold distress. Have you realised that truly some have mouths like swords?

In contrast, the word saint refers to any of certain persons of exceptional holiness of life, formally recognized as such by the Christian Church, especially by canonization. It may also be used to depict a person of great holiness, virtue, or benevolence. Furthermore, it can be used to represent a founder, sponsor, or patron, as of a movement or organization. This article embraces the notion of a saint depicting a person of virtue (a good or admirable quality or property).

Rawlings and Kufuor have been at swords' points for a while. This is firmly documented in the minds of many. It is not far-fetched to find evidence of them being fierce critics of each other. Without resorting to leaked evidence for corroboration of these two political giants crossing swords all this while, it remains no news to the ordinary man on the street that these two are not bosom buddies.

What is of striking significance though is that, Mr. Kufuor exercised wisdom by inviting Mr. Rawlings to his ‘private’ ceremony. Surprisingly, Mr. Rawlings honoured the invitation. This draws on King Solomon’s sagacity when he says: “A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense”, [Proverbs 19:11 NIV].

Judging from the reaction of many to this story, it is understandable to believe that many did not expect to see those two sharing the same stage, and even more significantly, for the launch of Kufuor’s foundation. The story would have been different if this was a national ceremony. What a sight to see two fierce opponents joining hands together for a worthwhile project. They have demonstrated that they really have hearts of saints. However, do we expect to see them playing golf at Achimota soon? Probably not! Do we expect them to continue to exhibit mutual respect for each other, absolutely yes!

There are critics who may construe Wednesday’s action as a form of deception to mask deep-rooted issues. Dare I say that these critics were not taken in by such a laudable event? Such naysayers would argue that this was only to garner more or much needed political capital to remain relevant having found one’s feet on shifting sands. However, I am inclined to believe that the vast majority of Ghanaians would perceive events in a different light. They are more likely to see this event as a budding sign of political maturity and hence maintain a cautious optimism that this is not a nine days’ wonder.

Nevertheless, there remains a valid debate about whether we should dwell on the past or simply move on. One school of thought prefers to dwell on the past and argues about the rights and wrongs of yesterday’s actions. Martin Luther King, Jr. provides a powerful thought on which their argument may be deemed plausible. He argues that: “The past is prophetic in that it asserts loudly that wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows.” Such may also make reference to the ancient Roman religion and mythological god Janus who has two heads facing opposite directions. To this school, there is the need to look back before moving forward.

In sharp contrast though, others may argue very differently, believing that, “the distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion”, as suggested by Albert Einstein. They believe that one cannot effectively run a race whilst always looking backwards and would therefore subscribe to the view that this event is the dawn of a new day in history.

Whichever view we adopt, as Oscar Wilde observed: “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” We can decide to dig out the issues of yesterday or accept the events of today as a signpost to future occurrences. Everybody has a choice to make and we need to exercise caution if we are to learn from Maya Angelou who notes that: “Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.”

Today, political parties continue to cross swords, albeit verbally. Unfortunately, we observe that there are some that unabashedly ply the trade of insults, casting aspersions on rivals and lacing their speech with billingsgate. They may have a lot to learn from the new found Kufuor-Rawlings ‘fraternity’. Such people detract attention from discussing the real issues of value that would advance our cause as a nation.

Aside from political parties, some tribes in the country continue to cross swords. The animosity and hatred displayed by some tribes towards others is reprehensible and utterly execrable at worst. The question to ask is whether we are all not Ghanaians. Indeed, tribalism has adversely affected the progress of many a nation leaving the ashes of regret as its invisible remnant and backwardness as its palpable bequest.

On a personal level, how many times have we used our mouths to our own destruction and caused the death of bonds of friendship? Yesterday, we may have crossed swords, and although Oscar Wilde may be right in arguing that: “No man is rich enough to buy back his past”, I take the view that today, we have an opportunity to exhibit the signs of sainthood. We may come from different backgrounds with different professions, young or old, rich or poor, literate or illiterate, strong or frail, believing or unbelieving, partisan or non-partisan, southerner or northerner, yet we are one people; Ghanaians!!!

What a great example the two ex-presidents have shown for all to emulate. Let us set an example for Africa at large and show the world that we are enlightened by shedding off that old image of political barbarism and ethnocentrism and embracing the virtues of sainthood.

Probably by the actions of our two former leaders, we should consider extending the Founders’ Day to Founders’ and Presidents’ Day, where we celebrate not just our founders but all past leaders and presidents, dead or living, who have contributed to the development of the nation in one way or the other. Although I revere the dead very much, I also subscribe to the view that my lot today, is mostly influenced by the living.

I shall conclude this piece by referring to some lines in the last paragraph of Abraham Lincoln’s 1st Inaugural Address (March 4, 1861) which was partly quoted by President Obama (during his election victory speech in 2008). This should hopefully offer some words of wisdom. It reads: “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.”

I shall return with: IN GHANA I TRUST.

God bless our homeland Ghana...Let the black star shine out to the whole world.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

CHURCH GIVING – COMPULSION OR CHOICE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 22:26:00 +0000

Church giving remains a dividing issue amongst the believing and unbelieving. A number of people have their own entrenched views on the subject matter. I shall use this platform to attempt a scrutiny of the matter from an objective position.

Critics may advocate that I refrain from discussing subjects like these so as not to equip detractors of the faith with supportive arguments. However, I disagree with this view on the grounds that such subjects deserve attention, particularly if both sides are given a fair hearing. Hopefully, the arguments will act as a prelude to changing public opinion.

Considering the extreme views on the subject matter, I am quick to admit that this article would be in no position to address all of such views. The premise here remains whether church giving is an act of compulsion or one of choice. Most people’s views on the subject have vacillated in the past on whether it is a form of ‘compulsion’ or one of ‘choice’.

Proponents of the view that church giving is by choice, have grounds to argue as such. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 KJV that: “6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver”. From the preceding text, one can see a clear choice for people to sow sparing or bountifully with both choices having attendant results. Paul goes further to argue that giving has to be according to one’s freewill. It is up to you to purpose what you wish to give. Being rightly a choice, there should be no grudges in one’s willingness to give. Right from creation, God has given human beings a choice and church giving would be expected to form part of these choices.

Another notable portion of scripture can be found in 2 Samuel 24:24 KJV: “And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver” [Repeated in 1 Chronicles 21:24]. In these scriptures, David had a choice to give to God and he chose the option of giving something valuable and precious. There was no compulsion of any kind, just freewill giving.

Further argument of why church giving may be perceived as being a choice is provided by Proverbs 11:24 NIV which declares that: “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty”. Additionally, Exodus 35:29 NIV makes an interesting observation. It records that: “All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do”. It is worth pointing out that although they had been commanded by God to give, this was a freewill offering. Notice also that those who were willing were those that gave, further corroborating the view that they had a choice. [See also 2 Corinthians 8:3-4 and Exodus 25:1-2].

If the argument can be sustained that church giving is a choice, then one wonders why many are made to feel that they are under a form of compulsion to give at all cost? The use of compulsion in this article is one that embodies the act of compelling, constraint or coercion to do something which may be deemed as contrary to one's will.

For some, Paul writing in Galatians 6:6 AMP that: “Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support]”, suggests that one is required to give for the upkeep of his teacher as well as the church. This should hopefully cater for the needs of the church to ensure that those that are labouring in the Lord’s vineyard are adequately rewarded for their efforts here on earth. Having said this, others argue that the strategies adopted to collect money in church at times leads one to doubt whether they really have any choice as far as giving is concerned. For some, churches focus too much on giving, leading to some members claiming to suffer from what can be termed ‘giving-fatigue’. Scriptures which have been used to assuage such ‘malady’ include Galatians 6:9 NIV: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” [Shorter version, 2 Thessalonians 3:13 KJV: But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing].

A valid question that may be asked is whether it is because of the blessings that members would receive from giving or the personal enrichment of those that compel them, which explains why giving is very much drummed up in some churches. Moreover, this has led to a difficulty in differentiating genuine passion for the flock’s prosperity from the desperation of those that want to line their own pockets. The motivation for such ‘drum-up’ can be best described as being abstruse.

To avoid Paul and his associates sending some members into ‘giving-fatigue’ , they worked with their own hands leading him to write in 1 Thessalonians 2:9 NIV that: “Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you”. However, in today’s world, it would be a demonstration of ignorance to make a requisition of all ministers to work. The ministry as Paul puts it is truly a noble calling (see 1Timothy 3:1).

The main threat that some ministers of the gospel perceive as being an obstacle to giving appears to be fear. People are sometimes made to feel that fear is what has made them ‘stingy’ and that if they can overcome this fear, they can give any amount. A typical session to stimulate giving would therefore be targeted at dealing with fear issues.

One may also find him/herself in services where they are being compelled to give either for a prophetic word or just to fit in. It has almost become a form of competition or a show off. If one refuses to swim with the tide, they risk being stereotyped. There is pressure to keep up appearances, even in church. It so happens that pledges are always an option for the congregation. Unsurprisingly, a number of these pledges go without being redeemed.

Stories abound of how some ministers promise the amount of money they would raise whiles negotiating how much they would charge for a ministry appointment. This places pressure on them to say the right things to ensure they hit their target. How reprehensible for members to be wheedled into parting away with money so as to enable ministers to get a good percentage for their ‘effort’.

Even today, people are required to sow a seed before they see a man of God. It has almost become a form of ‘exchange’, where you give money for the ministration of the anointing. This has been justified with scripture from what Saul said to his servant in 1 Samuel 9:6-8 KJV: “6And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go. 7Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man?...8And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.” The issue though remains that should this be made a pre-requisite for such consultations, there could be a potential exclusion of the have-nots.

With the collapse of some well-known banks and the financial meltdown, many church members do not trust banks, the news media or any government. Believe it or not, people would always want to find somebody or something to put their trust in. This makes some people an easy prey for wolves in sheep clothing to promise heaven on earth. The only requisition is for the use of their ‘faith’ embodied by how large a seed they can sow. It is sad that believers who should be wary of such predators have rather abashedly provided the environment for them to peddle their flagrant obsession. In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul warns undeniably about false apostles, observing that they are only imitating Satan himself. How depressing to know that such are still having a field day in today’s world, laughing all the way to the bank.

Further, some people have a convoluted notion that they can please God by their actions. Throughout history, people have tried to ‘buy’ God’s approval. Considering a popular translation of Karl Marx’s best-known quotation to the effect that religion is the opium of the masses, one can argue that if that is true, then nothing in religion works better than church giving. Clearly, some believers have forgotten about Hebrews 10:6 and Psalm 51:16, and ‘give’ to appease God for their actions. Unsurprisingly, today, people in the secular world also give to charity as a ‘guilt-silencer’. It remains unclear who is influencing the other.

It may well be that ministers of the gospel need to evaluate the strategies that they use when asking people to give. They may do well by avoiding compulsion manifested by placing undue pressure on the flock, while allowing them to exercise their God-given right of choice.

I shall return with Politicians – Machiavellians or Messiahs.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

THE REWARD FOR RISK – IS KWEKU ADOBOLI A PATSY?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:01:00 +0000

Following the issues of the past week, one story catches my eye. As always, I shall attempt to relate it to the wider issues of life. Hopefully, I can draw some lessons that could help avoid the repetition of such. I am very mindful of the fact that the case of Kweku Adoboli is in its infancy and as such, I shall exercise much care in what I write. There are consequences for throwing caution to the wind and I shall do well to avoid such. After all, although Kweku has been charged, he has not been proven guilty and we would do well to avoid hastily pre-empting the outcome until he has been given a fair trial, which we pray he will.

In reflecting on this case, I cannot help but to ask questions that most people would be reasonably expected to ask when an issue like this comes to the fore. One may believe that there are some who would adopt a firm stance on a subject like this even when they do not have the full facts. In various locations, this subject would be discussed at length, and prudence suggests that people avoid jumping to conclusions until judgment is passed. To presume that being charged with an offence implies guilt is a classic miscarriage of justice. When stories like these break, it is very easy for most people to jump unto the bandwagon and act as moralist, screaming and hurling insults at the accused without a critical analysis of the subject in question. That is almost akin to kicking a man when he is down and writhing in pain.

Before we attempt to crucify the accused, we need to consider if he truly acted alone and how the bank’s internal controls and risk management procedures allowed a loss of such staggering proportions. Did he authorise every trade that he made by reason of self-regulation? Were there no audit trails or even trade records to be reviewed on a daily basis? Did the auditors not effectively carry out any compliance and substantive testing? Did the lure of the enormous bonuses awarded to the risk-takers in the market contribute in any way? Did the recent credit crisis not leave any positive footprints on the investment banking sector? Have we not learnt to institute the right controls after the case of Nick Leeson of the defunct Barrings Bank and that of Jerome Kerviel, the Societe General trader? The questions are uncountable and we wait with bated breath for answers to these and more. For now, it will serve us well to avoid speculation, the lynchpin on which the markets either thrive or fall on.

Some of the practices that go on in the City are not for the faint-hearted. The sophistication of strategies can only be termed as being abstruse to the wider public. In my previous article (Gambling – Addiction or Choice), I dealt extensively with the subject of gambling. What goes on in the City may be perceived as being a more acceptable form of gambling. How do you argue that activities like spread betting do not constitute gambling? Stripping the complex financial contracts of their cover, one may discover that at their very root is the notion of gambling, albeit in a much more sophisticated form or manner.

A further question that may be asked is how much profit Kweku may have made for the bank in the past under similar circumstances. For him to occupy the position he did suggests that he knew his onions. He must have been a bright chap by all standards. Had he began to assume an air of invincibility?

A contentious argument would be whether or not Kweku has been made a patsy i.e. the very idea that he is a person on whom the blame for something falls, in plain words, a scapegoat. The practice of taking risk for return is enshrined in the subject of finance and the correlation between the level of risk and the level of return has been taught in many a finance class. If this idea did not exist, it would be hard to see how investment bankers could be paid such salaries and bonuses that the average worker could only hallucinate about. Such practices now termed ‘casino’ banking have been going on for ages, and the very idea has become a cultural or institutional ‘thing’.

The highly debatable performance-based reward systems, including the bonuses in place, also deserve a mention. One school believes that workers should be rewarded based on performance. Amongst other reasons, they argue that this is a form of motivation for an employee to exceed set targets. They further state that this should reduce shirking on the job. On the contrary, another school vigorously posits that a performance-related reward system should be done away with. To this group, remuneration packages are based on what employees are expected to do and therefore the need for further remuneration need not arise. In their view, such performance-related reward systems amount to a double reward structure. There are no right or wrong answers and both schools of thought have firm arguments to corroborate their position.

For the case in question, one group of people would adopt a sympathetic view to the unfolding events. On the contrary, another group will reject such a position. For the former group, the view may be that Adoboli is only a patsy who works in an environment where risk-taking is an accepted culture, albeit ‘regulated’. They also view the performance-related system as contributing to this situation. The astronomical bonuses that one could make may almost be seen as being a form of temptation necessitating the incessant pushing of the boundaries. After all, the rich have not yet found a way to being satisfied with their wealth. More is certainly preferred to less. That said, some would argue against such a position, taking the view that if you take risk and succeed, the rewards accrue to you, therefore when things go wrong, you should bear the full brunt of the law. They note that people are inherently greedy, selfish and self-centred and would take risk to benefit them and when it goes awry attempt to court public sympathy.

Others debate this issue by reasoning that Kweku did not lose money because he was doing something wrong, rather that he was doing something wrong because he lost money. This suggests the idea of the end justifying the means. For some, the ‘alleged’ loss would have turned into a profit for others whose bank and shareholders will not care where that money came from.

To Kweku Adoboli’s credit though, he came out and admitted what he had done, if the stories in the media are to be relied upon. We have been told that the bank's monitoring systems had not picked up the losses and also that he is helping police with the investigations, which should help with his case. However, there are repercussions for the case in question. It is hard to justify whether anyone going through the legal systems leaves better off and I am yet to find a court that has fully restored a person’s reputation, no matter how hard they tried. Being tried both by the media and the court, it remains a miracle for one to emerge with his reputation intact.

One cannot help but to broaden the focus on an issue like this. What we fail to realise though, is that such issues may only be a wake-up call for us. It may be an opportunity for us to re-examine our own lives and see where we also need to make amends. From a broader perspective, such stories only serve to highlight the real state of our society. Today, we have become so materialistic and in search of so much pleasure, achievement and wealth that we end up grasping none. Many do anything they can to get what they want, a reflection of the pressure on people to keep up appearances. We have a need to be counted and appear to fit in. It is just a reflection of the society that we have created and live in.

Many times when one takes such risks and succeed, they are treated as a hero, yet when they fail, they become the villain. This is similar to these bankers, who, when they make huge profits are seen as clever and competent. Should they fail, they are perceived as irresponsible rogue traders. One would ask what the bank would have done with him if all those losses were profitable trades. Would they have called the police? Your guess is as good as mine. I doubt if you have heard that somebody was arrested for making profit. What is acceptable risk is debateable. The question that we are all faced with is where one needs to draw the line. This requires much thought from us as a society.

The sad thing about history though, is that it repeats itself. As to whether this would be the last or whether any changes would occur after this episode and whether Kweku Adoboli would be perceived as a real patsy or not...it remains anybody’s guess.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

CHURCHES: COMMERCE OR COMPASSION?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:04:00 +0000

zooverano / pixabay

Lenny Bruce provides a thought-provoking statement that acts as a precursor to the discourse in this article. He observes that: “Everyday, people are straying away from the church and going back to God.”

This is a somewhat debatable statement depending on your school of thought. In poring over this quote though, one may reasonably argue that people may not necessarily be leaving the church physically, but emotionally detaching themselves from traditions amongst others, and seeking a deeper personal relationship with God. Further thought on this issue snowballs to me asking myself the question of whether the churches of today are for commerce, compassion or a hodgepodge derivative of both.

This issue seems to polarise opinion from both the saved and the unsaved and I may be accused of stirring up “a hornet’s nest” by generating such a debate. Notwithstanding what my critics advocate, I firmly remain unperturbed in my belief of the validity of the subject matter. My aim is not to equip critics of churches with ammunition to thwack every church but to seek a reassessment of our priorities which may have been misplaced. The realisation that I am in no popularity contest gives me grounds for neutrality.

It is reasonable to believe that my audience may have had their own opinions before discovering this article. However, my suggestion is for readers to peruse my position through the objectivity lens, if possible, to ensure a relation to the arguments made.

James 1:27 KJV sets the ball rolling by averring that: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” From this passage, one can argue that in God’s original frame of events, churches (as an assembly propagating the religion of Christianity) are supposed to be towing the line of demonstrating compassion to a dying world. An insightful definition of compassion I have adopted is that; it is love in action. The epitome of such an attribute remains our Lord Jesus Christ.

A classic case of such demonstration can be found in Luke 9:12-13. Jesus showed that He was not just interested in the spiritual well-being of His followers. Contrary to what the disciples were seeking, Jesus commanded them to feed the multitude. Today, there are ministries that are doing just what Jesus asked of His disciples. Such ministries truly deserve commendation and I am inclined to the belief of you knowing one or two of such.

Further, it is laudable and refreshing to note that in this dying world, there are churches that are embodying the love of God in action. At present, a number of them are positively contributing to the development of their communities and helping in the transformation of lives. Unfortunately, such good works may not get the publicity that it deserves as corroborated by the popular saying that good works are written on water. I bow my hat to all churches that are really showing the ‘compassion’ that is expected of them.

In sharp contrast to the above, this claim cannot be made by all churches. To make matters worse, Ecclesiastes rightly points out that: “...dead flies give perfume a bad smell...” [Ecclesiastes 10:1NIV]. This appears to be the situation with some churches focusing more on commerce than compassion if at all.

The use of commerce in this article elucidates the notion of trade i.e. the peddling of the gospel for personal gain. There appears to be a subtle avarice in some ministers of the gospel which percolates to the surface in a palpable display of unquenchable penchant for opulence, whiles the flock remain destitute.

Today, we see churches that are more concerned about style rather than substance. Such adopt all sorts of means, either overt or covert, to achieve their questionable objectives and would stop at nothing to obtain their filthy lucre.

In the days of Paul, the commercialisation of the gospel was ongoing leading him to retort that: “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love...The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely...”[Philippians 1:15-17 NIV].

It is amazing the lengths that some churches go to commercialise the gospel. Increasing global development has also bequeathed some churches with more sophistication in their approach. The result has been the techniques that aid their ability to turn their churches into ‘super-profitable’ business empires that even those in the secular world would be envious of. Perusing through some of the accounts of these churches is a real eye opener.

That said, it would be foolhardy though to suggest that churches should not accept any donations from their members. This would be against scripture as stated in Galatians 6:6 AMP: “Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support]”. Yet, such scriptures do not justify how far some ministers of the gospel go in turning their churches into commercial entities either in a brazen manner or in all subtlety.

It comes therefore as no surprise for Martin Luther to comment that: “For where God built a church, there the devil would also build a chapel.” This notion evokes the idea that some ministers of the gospel started out with God but have lost their way, just like Paul said of Demas in 2 Timothy 4:10 KJV: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica...”

L. Ron Hubbard was right about one thing: “If you want to get rich, you start a religion”. One may further add that perhaps you could consider the option of adapting or modifying an existing one. This is what makes the ‘Jesus Industry’ such a lucrative one for many to consider. The convulsion of scripture is the best weapon adopted by such charlatans to peddle their charade. Their gammon is many at times pushed through by their right to claim divine exemption from criticism. For most members, you do not have the right to question the activities of such as they are the closest thing to God. It is not surprising that St. Thomas Aquinas observed: “Clearly the person who accepts the Church as an infallible guide will believe whatever the Church teaches”.

It is quite commonplace to discover the abuse of 1 Chronicles 16:22 and Psalm 105:15 KJV which reads “...Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” This scripture is often used by some of these so-called anointed servants of God to dispel reasonable arguments from any thinking souls. How sad that scripture is used to silence any dissenting views.

Considering the modus operandi adopted by some ministers in running their churches, Samuel Butler may be vindicated when he says that: “Christ and The Church - If he were to apply for a divorce on the grounds of cruelty, adultery and desertion, he would probably get one.”

There is a need for all minister of the gospel to re-assess their priorities and take the needed action as required. It is not too late to make the necessary amendments. The question they should ask is whether they are in it to show compassion or for profit motives. We as church members should also realise that we have a role to play. For those of us who refuse to act, we may be deemed as guilty as those who fan the ‘profiteering’ of such ministries. As to whether this clarion call is heeded and we begin to see some changes or not, one can only hope in anticipation with bated breath.

Paul admonishes in Romans 13:7 KJV that: “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

To all those truly running your churches on grounds of ‘compassion’, keep your good work up, always remembering 1 Corinthians 15:58 GNT “So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.” On the contrary, for those only interested in commerce, your fate has already been predicted from Matthew 7:21-23 KJV: “...And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

I shall return with my take on Church Giving: Compulsion or Choice. As always, comments are welcome for a healthy discourse.

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

THE AKUFO-ADDO SAGA: THE ACCUSER AND THE ACCUSED

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:54:00 +0000

The tranches of revelation being spurted out by Wikileaks make interesting reading. Today, I present my take on one issue that refuses to go away. In writing this piece I shall attempt to aspire for the elusive standard of pragmatic neutrality in view of the diverse readership.

Perusing the comments left by readers on numerous subjects, one may quite easily discern their political persuasion or ethnic connection without the need for any precognition attributes. What I advocate though is that readers adopt the view of patriotism devoid of political leanings to consider the issues I intend to raise.

Edward Kennedy once said: “Frankly, I don't mind not being President. I just mind that someone else is.” I am writing this article in view of who could become president in 2012. The magnitude of the issue thus justifies the time and effort invested.

The saga of the ‘alleged’ drug use of Akufo-Addo and whether or not it can be substantiated is worth discussing. In poring over this issue, one is likely to discover that there are more deep rooted issues than have percolated to the surface at present. The actions of the accused and his accusers are similar to a dramatisation in a theatre. The question one may ask is whether the accused’s actions are the quintessence of sagacity or the apotheosis of inanity.

Considering that these allegations have been levelled, the accused has the option of coming out and boldly accepting or refuting the claims, or shutting up shop on the matter.

What makes this issue of dramatic appeal is that under different circumstances, the accusers would have submitted concrete evidence to corroborate their assertions. From newspaper publications, we now have Wikileaks fanning the flames further. In view of the publicised intentions of the accused’s legal team to take local newspapers to court, it is quite amusing where that legal team would take Wikileaks.

In examining the options open to Akufo-Addo, I still wonder why this issue appears not to go away, if ever it would. I want to believe that the accused has chosen to remain silent for reasons best known to him. Such an option may have plausible grounds in the scheme of affairs to justify a choice like this.

As yet, no substantial evidence has been given by the accusers to convince the wider public of the veracity of their claims. They may serve as well if they could provide us with such conclusive evidence. Finding one’s self in politics or public office, there are bound to be all sorts of issues that would be raised inter alia lies, truths and half truths. It is not difficult in this age of free press for an editor to concoct a story that would damage the credibility of another. Libel cases have only followed as a prognosis of such. It could well be that a public official would have better use of his/her time than going to court to defend him/herself at the slightest rumour peddled. Many would doubt whether this issue of drug use though falls into that category. Is the NPP flag-bearer sending a message to the electorate that he values his time and would rather use it judiciously to capture the top job in the land than slug it out in court?

It could well be that Akufo-Addo is demonstrating what can be termed as a ‘tough- skinned’ approach and has not yet had his feathers ruffled enough and that is why he has remained reticent. However, this does not appear to be entirely the case in view of his legal team’s threats in July.

Considering that we have not heard the last of these Wikileaks exposé, I am sure more stories would emerge and it remains highly debatable whether loosely guarded information passed on in ‘confidence’ now made public, should form the grounds for conclusive argument.

In view of the fact that the accused himself has neither indubitably acquiesced nor denied the claims, one may ask whether this is the best option to take. The brouhaha created by this story suggests that this issue has to be put to bed once and for all.

Nana may consider coming out to clear the air if he is to take a leaf from President Obama’s trial by media. The controversy about Obama’s birth certificate was ignored or side-stepped when it first surfaced. However, as the conspiracy gained traction, the White House finally released the original birth certificate stating that the issue had become a sideshow.

What is obvious is that in today’s world, the electorate appear to be interested in every minute detail about those who lead them or foster ambitions of doing so, as in the case of Akufo-Addo.

When it comes to cross-examining those we hold to account, we usually adopt a sententious stance, as if we ourselves were the sacrosanct of men. It is amazing how we expect our politicians to aspire to levels of impeccable character standards that most of us would never attain in a million years. As if to portray the ersatz notion that politics is a ‘holy’ man’s job. However, we can unashamedly claim our right to such accountability measures and scrutiny by reason of our vote...our right to allow ourselves to be ruled by another. It so appears therefore that by such conferred suffrage, we are able to occupy such a position.

What Akufo-Addo should know therefore is that there is nothing like a private life for someone who wants to occupy the highest office in the land. Voters, in other words, ‘subjects’, would demand to know what they wish to know. Arguments about the rightness or wrongness of such are for another day.

There are credibility issues for failing to come out to clear the air. In the light of the high standards expected from leaders and the desire of the populace to hear from the horse’s own mouth on such an allegation, it is hard to argue how silence helps. It may so appear that people are concerned about how their lives would be improved by the person who leads them and would rather focus on such. In spite of that, it remains hard to argue how an air of suspicion about the proposed leader’s credibility would help him garner the votes needed to realise his ambition. One school of thought sticks obdurately to the belief that if you are accused ‘falsely’, you must come out and clear your name. According to this school, failure to do so only creates grounds for more suspicion to fructify.

The debate would rage on all day, and expect the position of some to vacillate from ‘coming out’ or shutting up shop. William O. Douglas sums this position better by saying that: “...The audience that hissed yesterday may applaud today, even for the same performance.” Whatever action Akufo-Addo takes, there are consequences...good or bad. Time will construe his judgement and onward action as either the quintessence of sagacity or the apotheosis of inanity.

God bless our homeland Ghana!!!

Dr. Frank Robert Silverson

Email: frsilverson@yahoo.com

I WILL BE BACK SOON

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 18:05:00 +0000

APOLOGIES FOR THE BREAK. I WOULD BE BACK SOON!!!

DR. FRANK ROBERT SILVERSON.