Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Portraying Someone in a False Light


Most people like to see their name in print.

But not Eddie Bueno.

When Bueno saw his family’s name mentioned in the local newspaper, he was not happy. In fact, he was downright “devastated.”

He had spent nearly his whole life trying to escape his family and so far had succeeded; the last thing he wanted was to read an article about his family with the headline “Denver’s Biggest Crime Family.” The article described how 15 of the 18 children of Pete and Della Bueno had a string of arrests, dubbing them “Denver’s biggest crime family.”

Just one big problem. The article did not mention that Eddie was not one of those 15 of 18 children, or that he had lived an upright successful life since age 13 when he left the family to pursue a better way.

What is one to do when one’s character is publicly portrayed inaccurately? He was hurt enough to do something about it, so he sued the newspaper for portraying him in a “false light.” Such suits, which are similar to charges of defamation of character, are allowed by 30 states. The United States Supreme Court has also approved false light legal actions.

A jury agreed that Bueno had been portrayed unjustly in a false light and awarded him over $100,000. But on appeal, another justice overturned the case.

Many Christians now prefer the title “Christ-follower.” I find either title quite challenging.

Christians offer a confession of sin on a regular basis in church. One of the things we admit when we do so is that we all too often present Christ in a false light. I find it so much easier to think of other individuals or groups, especially those with whom I disagree, who present Christ in a false light.

Maybe for a while today, I can think of how I have done so. Maybe you, reader, can do the same.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

NSA Data Mining

"Constitute government how you please, infinitely the greater part of it must depend upon the exercise of the powers which are left at large to the prudence and uprightness of ministers of state." - So said Edmund Burke This explains why it matters who is in office and whether you trust them to fulfill their duties responsibly. If you reflect on the recent scandals, especially IRS, many people that might normally "trust" the government with data mining are hesitant to do so. Of course, both far Left and far Right (libertarian) can meet at the point of "unreasonable search and seizure" in the Constitution and in the protection of personal property. Difficult issue. It makes for strange bedfellows. Dick Cheney and George W. Bush seem to support the program, while several conservative commentators are against it. Several who opposed the program under Bush now, after expanded by Obama, support it. Strange alliances have formed on this one.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Bono, Karma, and Grace

Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas is a fascinating book, especially for U2 fans. - See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/bono-on-jesus/#sthash.FZzpGmvS.dpuf
Bono: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.
Michka: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.
Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.
Michka: I’d be interested to hear that.
Bono: That’s between me and God. But I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep s—. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.
Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas is a fascinating book, especially for U2 fans. - See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/bono-on-jesus/#sthash.FZzpGmvS.dpuf
 This is from an excerpt from Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas
Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas is a fascinating book, especially for U2 fans. - See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/bono-on-jesus/#sthash.FZzpGmvS.dpuf