This is Viewpoints for Friday, June 2, 2017

‘Bless his heart’

I intently read The Telegraph in order to be well informed and possibly find an uplifting or encouraging story. I am “working on” not being offended by what I sometimes read hoping that the author did not have this as his intent, “bless his heart,” as my mother would admonish me.

Cummings’ checkered beliefs

Glenda Wallace wrote a letter (5/24) expressing her curiosity of Cummings’ real beliefs. I offer the following as an aid to her. My intent is not to speak for this gentleman, but rather to present his own words in clear fashion which I hope can assist readers such as Glenda.

Cummings’ autobiography, “The Checkered Church: A World of Conflicts, Confusion, and Controversies,” is an interesting read. He recounts his life from an early Catholic faith to the eventual loss of that faith, and the major steps in between. Primarily, experiencing tragic loss of life was the final nail in the coffin of his faith. Though Cummings’ testimony is a common one, it would be difficult to not hurt for this man when reading his story. He is a strong man in many ways who has endured much.

On page 171, Cummings states, “I have ended my old image of God and Jesus and created a new one.” This follows his explanation of how his thinking completely changed after witnessing Tim McVeigh’s horrible crime in Oklahoma City. “I no longer pictured God up in heaven, or out there some other place, doing things in my world” (168). Speaking of human suffering and tragedy, his new faith allows him “...never to blame God for it, nor to thank God for sparing others...” (168). Referencing his former “Catholic God,” Cummings rejects belief in “...the God who is present in my everyday life; the God who loves me more than anyone has ever loved me...” (172). “I don’t believe in a God who answers my prayers” (173). Perhaps this will help Glenda with some of her curiosity.

In reference to the historical Jesus, the above position inevitably precludes what both Old and New Testaments display — that God is tri-personal and the eternal Son of God was purposed to enter our world to redeem not only man, but all of creation, as far as the curse is found. Oddly, while Cummings acknowledges human pain and suffering, he rejects that man is cursed. “My God created the world 14 billion years ago in one big bang, and my imagination says he did it so well he doesn’t have to come back and correct it” (179-180). The inconsistencies in Cummings’ atheistic-like philosophy are certainly no less serious than those he perceives within historical Christianity. “That’s my faith. Simple. Unencumbered by dogmas, laws, and restrictions... when it comes to faith, nobody is right and nobody is wrong” (181). What about any faith Tim McVeigh had, unencumbered by laws and restrictions? Or the faith of Salman Abedi in Manchester? Are these men allowed to do what is right in their own eyes as well?

By rejecting the historicity of man’s fall into sin and despair — Cummings can adopt whatever ancient philosophy and theory he chooses. He then views the Bible through this lens, perceiving many contradictions. On the other hand, presupposing the Genesis narrative as historical yields the Christian view of overarching consistency in scriptural themes. Cummings’ biblical scholarship and claim to Christianity can be likened to a Russian Marxist’s in-depth study and knowledge of capitalism and claim to American citizenship. The Russian may base this claim on anything he wishes. Perhaps it is how both he and the American capitalist believe it is good to love your neighbor. “The only answer that makes any sense to me is the biblical phrase: God is Love” (178).

I think Glenda is on the right track in her discernment.

Priorities

Recently we were subjected to Honorary Consul to Uganda (or wherever) Jack Ellis and Commissioner Elaine Lucas making public spectacles of their righteous indignation over a craft beer festival in Rosa Parks Square. Apparently, it is OK for alcohol to be served at a museum named for a famous African American who didn’t drink, but not in a park named for a famous African American who didn’t drink.

The other day, some black teens got into an argument over $5. A 15 year old pulled a pistol and began shooting. He missed his target but managed to shoot someone else who wasn’t involved in the dispute.

Of course there was no press conference. Neither Ellis nor Lucas seemed to have the time nor desire to find a TV camera and make any public show of anger over the almost daily black-on-black shootings the way they did over the craft beer festival. Really shows where their priorities are.

Elder abuse

An estimated 5 million, or 1 in 10, older Americans are abused or neglected each year, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging. June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month.

Elders who are abused are twice as likely to be hospitalized, four times as likely to go into nursing homes and three times as likely to die, according to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. “While most abusers are family members, trusted professionals and complete strangers many also target older adults,” a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day press statement says.

At Georgia Legal Services our attorneys help seniors protect themselves against such abuse, whether it be physical, emotional, financial, or otherwise. We’ve assisted with temporary protective orders to create safe environments for elderly clients in abusive situations. We’ve helped with evictions from apartments and nursing homes. And we’ve saved clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debts by enrolling them in the healthcare insurance programs.

In honor of Elder Abuse Awareness Month, we at Georgia Legal Services want to make it known that we’re here to help. For more information, call 1-800-498-9469 or apply online at www.glsp.org. To report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an older adult, please call 1-866-55AGING (1-866-552-4464) - Press “3”. For help with benefits, including Medicaid or food stamps, call our Benefits Hotline at 1-888-632-6332.