Calling

Warning! This might offend you more than usual.


I was listening to a radio today and I heard a call from a woman that got me to thinking about how people rationalize their behavior. I wasn't completely versed in rationalization, having never done it myself, but a quick Google search brought me up to speed.

For the purposes of this rant, I define rationalization as interpreting reality in a way that allows me to get what I want, when I want it, or makes my boorish behavior seem acceptable. That is, if I had actually ever rationalized something myself and I am not saying I have.

I have to stipulate that I have no use for financial irresponsibility and especially when people drag their religious beliefs into their irresponsibility. Also, as always, I have no religious belief myself, but I also have no quarrel if you do, unless it affects me.

The most offensive case of religiously excused behavior I ever had personal knowledge of, was when one of my coworkers joined a Christian sect that thought the rapture was happening soon, really soon. This fellow went on a debt spree, buying everything he could, not paying his taxes and living the high life because, as he put it, "I won't be here when the bills come due." He managed to cast God in the role of getaway driver. But he didn't see it that way and neither did the IRS when they came for him.

But back to today.

The woman on the radio told the host that she felt a calling from God to take a missionary trip to South Africa, rather than paying off her student loan debt, and asked his opinion. I guess if I ever felt a calling from God, I would take it as the final word and not ask some guy on the radio to second the motion, but that's just me.

The host suggested that having a calling was fine and dandy, but the timing might be off a bit. He suggested she wait until the debt was cleared up. But since she already knew what she wanted to do, she launched into a long-winded explanation about her plans to have children and that this was just the only time available to them. This lady had the hots to go to Africa and she was going. God was merely an unimpeachable authority to sanction it.

I also have an issue with the idea of religious tithing when you are behind in your financial obligations. I frankly don't care what you do otherwise, but when you stiff your creditors, we all pay. I hear calls all the time on the Dave Ramsey show from people who want to know if they should tithe while they are in arrears on their obligations or worse yet, in bankruptcy. Dave has this regular answer about how tithing is God's way of teaching people to be givers and he adds that God doesn't need your money. Great, then pay your bills and learn giving when you have your own money. I cannot imagine that a god who was, is now and for ever shall be, would be bothered by a short delay in your growth as a believer.

People are going to do what they do and find excuses that support them, even if they require the suspension of reason to do so. I find it odd though, that people can delude themselves into believing that a god they believe to be the essence of goodness, could be okay with their dishonesty, or if that is too harsh a word, their irresponsibility. But hey that's just me.

Merle.











Things in this blog represented to be fact, may or may not actually be true. The writer is frequently wrong, sometimes just full of it, but always judgemental and cranky


Tag: Daily Life
Personal Finance
Humor