I begin with a disclaimer. I am an old white guy. I am a retired pastor. I am searching my life on Holy Thursday. I am not a native born 'Hoosier'. Any or all of these descriptions of who I am flavor how I look at life. Having said that I would like to share some thoughts in response to a political comment in the morning paper. An elected Indiana statehouse legislator was speaking about a controversial bill moving through the statehouse. In defending his position he commented that his view 'reflected Hoosier values.' He also noted we are a conservative state. I agree that we are a conservative state. However I want to reflect on 'Hoosier values'.
As a state we are wrestling with a number of very controversial issues. Reading Face Book posts last night I noted heated comments on both sides of a number of issues. Is there a 'Hoosier value' for each issue and, if so, should it be the primary guide in our position? The past two days has seen supporters of equal rights for gay couples and for the right to marry use an 'equal sign on a red background'. It left some folks feeling threatened and seeing RED.
A legislative bill being considered can have serious effects on what many see as a woman's right about her body. The issue of abortion and legislation to sharply limit abortion in Indiana has some folks feeling threatened and seeing RED.
The challenge to states of how to implement the Affordable Health Care Act has many people seeing RED. Our governor appears to believe the existing state assistance program can effectively care for many people now on Medicaid. This has left some folks feeling threatened and seeing RED.
First, I am not certain what all constitutes a 'Hoosier value'. Is participation in faith communities a
Hoosier value?' Surveys continue to suggest that somewhere between 1 in 4 and 1 in 3 Hoosiers do not actively participate in a faith community. Yet 'faith' is a clarion call in most of these issues. Is care for the most vulnerable a Hoosier value? Having a daughter who is on disability leaves me wondering. The administration, paperwork, ineffective communication, and layers of contact has to be overwhelming individuals who need assistance. While she has the benefit of Medicare what is going to happen to those needing assistance who will not meet existing guidelines under our current Indiana health plan?
Second, I have a son who is bright, caring, community involved, and gay. Right now, his partner has virtually no rights enjoyed by my wife and I in terms of caring for each other. Hospitalization, shared bank accounts, death deny them the opportunity to be fully involved when one of them is most vulnerable. I want for them the same rights I enjoy in a committed relationship. In terms of the right to marry I believe they ask for a civil right to marry. As a pastor I do not see this as forcing me or any congregation to marry a gay couple. There is a difference between religious and civil weddings.
Third, I appreciate and respect views on all sides of the abortion debate. There is nothing easy when you talk about matters of life and death. I wonder, as an old white guy, how much I fully understand the call for women to have control over their own bodies. I am not in favor of abortion to have abortion. I am in favor of understanding that, at times, abortion may be the right answer for someone. I am concerned by what I see as repressive, politically driven legislation that could deny an abortion when it is the best of hard choices.
Finally, however you stand on any of the above issues is it possible that 'Hoosier values' may not always be the ultimate guide on our response? At times, those who seek to follow the God of all people must risk for the sake of all people. History has shown that what appears to be common, community values is not always the faith response. As I struggle with these issues I take some very good and some confusing 'Hoosier values' and put them against "Who's Your Values". What does God ask of us? "You have already been told what is right and what Yahweh wants of you. Only this, to do what is right, to love loyalty, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:80. "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27).
