When polemic was borrowed into English from French polemique in the mid-17th century, it referred to a type of hostile attack on someone’s ideas or beliefs.    The word traces back to Greek polemikos, which means “warlike” or “hostile.”    Calvinism and Arminianism are two systems of theology that attempt to explain the relationship between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility in the matter of salvation. Calvinism is named after John Calvin, a French theologian who lived from 1509-1564. Arminianism is named for Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch theologian who lived from 1560-1609.

Since the 16th century,  Calvinism has held to the total depravity of man, while Arminianism holds to partial depravity.  Why I Am Not an Arminian By Robert A. Peterson, Michael D. Williams, and  Why I Am Not a Calvinist By Jerry L. Walls, Joseph R. Dongell

What I believe, living in the land of the purposively free, is my business, granted by the First Amendment, a fundamental principle of our modern democracy. Tom Brokaw marked his 50th anniversary recently on NBC, looking back on his memorable milestones. He said that throughout his career, race relations in America had been the issue that most troubled him. He often wondered if he were black or his skin one shade darker, would he have gotten all those chances.  “We need to find a way to talk to each other,” he said, a statement I’ve heard all my adult life.  Finally, he also said: “The problem is from the ground up.”  His statement made me think of Dr. King’s words about the appalling 11 o’clock hour in America, which is the most segregated hour of the week, Sunday mornings.  Race and religion, metaphorically speaking, are America’s Pandora’s box.

 We openly debate gay rights, women’s rights, the right to life, etc., seemingly to no avail. And as soon as race becomes front and center, there’s a more tremendous pushback.  “Black Lives Matter.” (No!  All lives matter became the kickback.)  Of course, all lives matter.  Furthermore, when it comes to religion, to a certain extent, it becomes taboo across denominational lines.  In retrospect, as I write this tweet, I may be opening up my own Pandora’s box.  But, at some point, some things must be said.

There’s food for thought. Whether we believe or not, according to the myth, Pandora opened a jar releasing all the evils of humanity.  Two of the evils no doubt, were the bully mindset and the mouth that induces fear through a bully pulpit.  The Native Americans were savages; blacks will rape your women, let’s intern the Japanese.  Now it’s the people of Mexico and Muslims.  People that can be visibly identified. This promotes fear, coupled with stereotyping, and acerbates race relations.   In 1998, planning my years for after retirement, I studied to become a Substitute Teacher. During the week of my internship at a school with little to no blacks, I was asked by a first grader, “are you a, and then the “N” word came out.  This is profoundly trickle-down racism from fear or embedded hate.  Children only repeat what they hear and what is deliberately taught. 

Believe what you may in your faith, but my faith teaches me that we all are here with a purpose. In 2013 I was inspirited by the actions of my grandchildren to write a book, not having an inkling of writing experience.  All in all, in my way to be an example in their lives, you can do anything you put your mind to doing. I started to feel and later began to believe after my book was published it was my real purpose in life, a predetermined destiny.  In my epilogue, I wrote my perception. To the Millennial generation, I asked them to look at the issues of the times while encouraging them to vote, not knowing the outcome of the upcoming election. I wanted my book “Guidance Against the Odds” to become a lesson plan for the conversation of race relations.  In that light, I chose to forgo the extra cost of my publisher for promotions,  using the money in a direct mail campaign.  Colleges and Universities, Libraries, and Churches of various denominations all across the nation.  Even sending letters directly to Ministers and magazines.  Out of all the postcards, letters, and e-mails, only one acceptance, with a few thanks but no thanks. Substantiating to me Tom Brokaw’s feelings about race and Dr. King’s words about the 11 o’clock hour.

Baltimore County Public Library of Maryland excepted my book and placed it on its shelves within three weeks.   As a believer, I believe that God gives us miracles to show us his love. **I happen to live in Baltimore County.**  The poem at the beginning of this tweet, in fact, did happen. It could have been a dream; I don’t remember waking up.  “Miracles We Have Seen” by Harley A. Rotbart, MD. It would be a good read, especially for the skeptic and the bully minded.  Dr. Rotbart was featured on an episode of Dr. Oz.

“There is nothing to fear but fear itself,” by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1933 inaugural address.  The meaning of which is:  nameless, unreasoning, unjustified fear-mongering (except for personal gain) which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance, i.e., the polarization of our government.  I say to America the plug needs to be pulled, de-energizing the negative current separating us by race and religion.   Where there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can not hurt you. (African Proverb)