Matters of religion are even more likely to stir passions than the political subjects that I tackle from time to time. So I’m taking a risk by commenting here on Biblical matters, but I think that it’s worth it.

Some people, who are very religious, are wont to expound that the Bible is the literal Word of God; that it represents absolute truth, which would be understood by us were we not lesser beings. When I explore this assertion with them, I often hear something like this, “If you regard the Bible as other than literal, how far do you go? How do you avoid a self-defeating moral relativism?” These questions often cause me to pause and reflect, because I do not seek to undermine someone else’s convictions nor ensure afterlife punishment for me. But I usually find myself pushing back against any undue emphasis on literalism.

Literalists  do not escape a consequential dilemma themselves. If I am criticized for excessive interpretation of the Bible, I respond, “When you study the Bible, how literal must you be?” For example, let’s take a seldom-quoted passage in Colossians, which puts forth one of the Rules of the Household:

²²Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ²³Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, ²⁴since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Colossians 3:22-24 (NIV)

It’s obvious to me that this passage can be taken much too literally, as an inviolate household rule. In so doing, people can create a Biblical justification for human slavery. And I can oppose a literalist view without undermining my religious beliefs. For me, the Bible must be interpreted, and I seek that from clergy and other people who I respect. Rather than “revealing” the Word of God, I prefer “interpreting.”

Like it or not, the passage above has a historical context. Society today has renounced slavery unequivocally. Therefore, an overly literal reading of this passage makes little sense, and often a literalist has to go to extremes to justify every Biblical passage, so as not to invalidate the Bible altogether. I don’t have to do that. I’m not out to invalidate it, just to inject some ability to interpret it in today’s context, which is what I want clergy and other serious folks to do.

Typically, after reflecting on passages like the one quoted, I find myself positioned somewhere between “too literal” and “too relative,” and life goes on quite well.

Northwestern Michigan College’s Water Studies Institute will be a virtual host of the Water Environment Research Foundation’s fifth annual Research Forum on Dec. 8.  Forum presentations will be fed live from Washington DC to the Hagerty Center on NMC's Great Lakes campus. The event will focus on latest important information about wastewater, stormwater and water quality research and feature a keynote speech by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson.

Participants will choose one of two tracks: Operations and Technology, or Water Quality. Multiple sessions are scheduled for each track. The event will conclude with a discussion of the state of knowledge and desired outcomes for northwest Michigan.

High school and college students can attend the Forum free of charge. Due to the technical level of the research, students should at least be in their junior year of high school. Fee for professionals is $55.

Attendees are asked to register by e-mail at secretary@michigan-onsitewastewater.org in advance and pay at the door. (Source: NMC press release)

More information

Michigan State will install anemometers on public safety communications towers in Gratiot, Delta, Antrim, Mason and Hillsdale counties. The new information will help create a wind power map for Michigan, identifying and promoting areas best suited for wind power development. UpNorthLive  (emphasis added)

Probably pertains to the northwest corner of Antrim County

Not a fish you want in your lake

Sophisticated genetic testing in Chicago area waterways has found evidence of the dreaded Asian carp within seven miles of Lake Michigan, federal and state officials said in a cautious note of concern Friday.

The carp apparently leaped over an electrical barrier once called the "last line of defense" for the Great Lakes.  Chicago Breaking News – link provided by Greg Reisig

”Lions and Tigers and Carp.
Oh My!”

The majority of Americans are comfortable with women leading in all sectors, but the reality is women hold only 18% of leadership positions across the 10 sectors we examined, including politics, business, law, sports, academia, journalism, religion, film/TV, nonprofit, and military. WaPo

Why?

David Brooks (NYT) thinks so.

Asians place emphasis on context while Westerners place more emphasis on individuals. This seems like a gross generalization but it is robustly supported by hundreds and hundreds of studies. Richard Nisbett’s book, “The Geography of Thought” summarizes some of the evidence.

If you show Americans a fish tank, they’ll talk about the biggest fish in the tank. If you show Asians a tank they will make, on average, 60 percent more references to the context and the features of the scene. Western parents tend to emphasize nouns and categories when teaching their kids, Korean parents tend to emphasize verbs and relationships. If you show Americans a picture of a chicken, a cow and grass, they will lump the chicken and the cow, because they are both animals. Asians are more likely to lump the cow and the grass because cows eat grass. They have a relationship.  NYT

Care to ponder this in a linear (Western) way?

According to SpeedTest.net, the United States is not the performance leader in broadband. Here are the charts.

Indian Country needs renewable energy considering reservation homes are 10 times more likely to be w/out electricity. See http://www.nrel.gov  (Source: tweet from Chairman Bailey, Grand Traverse Band)

Minors will no longer be forced to take a breathalyzer in Michigan, unless they are driving a vehicle. News-Review

Old rule is now viewed as “illegal search and seizure”

Traverse City is planning to sue Charter regarding its decision to change the location of the PEG (public) channels.

"The city commission is hoping they can accomplish a result that will bring Charter to the table so we can discuss what will happen to the PEG channels," city attorney Karrie Zeits said. She wasn't sure if a suit will be filed in state or federal court. Record-Eagle

Related posting

Celebrate this holiday season with the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP)! Your wine purchases will go the extra mile during the first annual Day of Giving on Saturday, December 12. All seven WOMP member wineries will donate 15 percent of their gross sales that day to a select nonprofit.

Each WOMP member winery has chosen to donate to a nonprofit organization that supports a cause important to its owners, employees and/or customers. The list of corresponding wineries and nonprofits follows:

• 2 Lads Winery – Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan
• Black Star Farms – Traverse Health Clinic
• Bowers Harbor Vineyard – Cherryland Humane Society
• Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery – Father Fred Foundation
• Chateau Chantal – Goodwill Inn
• Chateau Grand Traverse – Women’s Resource Center
• Peninsula Cellars – American Red Cross Northwest Michigan Chapter  (Source: WOMP press release) 

Today at Grand Traverse Resort, I met with Derek Bailey, Tribal Chairman of The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, to ask him a few questions about his organization and his vision.

“Is the Tribe planning any ongoing cultural events or activities in the Williamsburg and Elk Rapids areas?”

Chairman Bailey emphasizes communication and outreach as two priorities for his administration. Therefore, it was not surprising that he had a ready answer. First he directed me to the Tribe’s professional Web site at www.gtbindians.org, which is full of helpful information, including a comprehensive Calendar of Events and the “Chairman’s weekly update.” Next he suggested that I contact Dave Spinniken, Editor of the Tribal Government News Journal, for more information, which I will do.

“Are there still plans to build a retail shopping complex near Turtle Creek Casino?”

According to Chairman Bailey, no formal action has been taken on any potential retail shopping complex by either the Tribal Council and/or Economic Development Corporation Board.  Further action has been delayed because of the unfavorable economic conditions that exist ­now.”

“At the recent [Native American] Midwest Region Caucus, how and why were you selected as the Midwest Tribes representative to the Tribal Nations Conference?”

At the caucus, Bailey spoke eloquently about his own Tribe’s concerns, so he was asked to present the health, education and labor concerns on behalf of all 35 tribes in the Midwest region. He listened to the other tribes and collected the necessary information. Then, he explained, he spent a great deal of time organizing and condensing this material into a focused, three-and-a-half minute speech (the time allotted) for presentation at the Tribal Nations Conference in Washington D.C.

“During the Tribal Nations Conference, how did you feel when Secretary Salazar interrupted your presentation and asked you to summarize?”

Chairman Bailey characterized this incident as “unfortunate,” but, when it happened, he went right on to express the tribal concerns. Later, in a follow-up letter to Salazar, Bailey did mention the incident.

“Was the conference productive? Worth attending?

“Both,” said Bailey. He was able to represent the interests and concerns of his own tribe as well as the 35-tribe Midwest region, networking with other tribal leaders and meeting with many key members of the Obama administration, including Obama himself.

”Are you hopeful that the conference will result in more than just listening?”

Bailey is hopeful, in part because President Obama created a 90-day deadline for his administration to respond to the tribes’ concerns. And the clock is ticking.

As an aside, Chairman Bailey and I discussed today’s news about tribe participation in a new study involving a temperature-sensing buoy that is now located in Grand Traverse Bay – only one example of the tribe’s positive involvement in the region.

I found Derek Bailey to be a self-assured, eloquent, persuasive, politically astute person, who seems very qualified and suitable to be Chairman of his tribe. Here is an excerpt from his online biography:

He holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, graduating from Grand Valley State University in 1998. He has extensive work experience in both clinical and administrative work in the areas of behavioral health. Also, he has worked for GVSU in the past years teaching as an adjunct professor in their MSW program.

Derek Bailey wants to build two-way awareness of tribe/non-tribe common interests that will benefit our larger community. For example, he inquired about Elk Rapids interest in getting broadband capabilities in the region. On this issue and others, there is common ground for collaboration.

Here’s Moore’s list of eight projects that would benefit Traverse City. By and large, if you substitute “Elk Rapids” for “Traverse City,” the list works for us, too. The referenced Record-Eagle article has details. Here’s the first item on the list, as a sample

1. WIRE TC FOR THE 21st CENTURY.   Record-Eagle

Here’s a good example of an attempt by a likely well-meaning local government in Barrington Hills, Illinois, to preserve a dark-sky environment via ordinance and the resulting pushback.

A proposed lighting ordinance could help bring a rare "dark sky" designation to the upscale community. The measure, which would restrict the types of outdoor lights and the duration those lights could be left on, is before the village zoning board. But more than 150 residents have joined a movement opposing the plan. Members of the group, Homeowners Against Lighting Ordinances, or HALO, say the law could cost them as much as $10,000 per home. Trib

Elk Rapids has taken a different approach. The local government has led by example, creating a credible process of discussion and communication that resulted in dark-sky compliant streetlights all along River Street. As a follow-up, the Village has held ‘Green ER Day” to again promote discussion and communication on how to create a greener Elk Rapids (including a darker sky). Now planning is underway to host a second ‘Green ER Day’ with an expanded agenda.

Change works best for non-emergency issues when ordinance changing comes at the end of a focused process, not at the beginning. People, especially Americans, don’t like being told what to do, so it’s best to suggest, cajole, lead by example and establish momentum first, then pass an ordinance when there is a small hardcore group that refuses to change.

Thanks to Greg Reisig for calling my attention to this article.

An all-time high of 671,616 foreign students studied in US colleges and universities in the 2008-09 academic year, according to the annual Open Doors report by the Institute of International Education (IIE). All told, those students spent nearly $18 billion across the US, according to a separate report also issued today by NAFSA, a nonprofit association promoting international education.  CSM

And U.S. students are studying abroad, too.

7:00 p.m.
Minutes and Consent Agenda approved.

Citizen comments:

Jan Bassett, on behalf of the Lions, invites the entire community to a community turkey dinner on December 5.

Dan Reszka invites all to Business After Hours at Blue Heron Gallery on Thursday.

Kathy Wittbrodt expressed concern about safety hazard near construction on 212 River Street.

Old Business
Bob Orschel explained that must reschedule combined Harbor Commission/Council work session to December 14. Approved.

New Business
First reading of proposed ordinance 408 – exceptions to peddlers/solicitors permits. Have had prior discussions. Language changes to exempt non-profits and children under 14. Approved a public hearing for first meeting in December. Approved.

Committees
Sidewalks: Working on ordinance changes

Economic Development: Will be a presentation at next meeting

Green E.R. Day: Group is meeting to discuss. Probably will be on third Monday in May. Might be other scheduled days, too. More activities; possible movie; Discussions about adding trees on public property. Involve several village committees. Many ideas under consideration.

7:10 p.m.
Planning: Working on wind energy and parking spaces. Looking at septage systems in village and in area.

Parks & Rec: Sharpen your ice skates, because we have ordered a new liner for the skating rink. Have ordered new signs for nature trail. A Sunrise Academy student is designing a backless bench for village use. Continuing discussion about skateboard park. Possible summer programs for kids: swimming, tennis and others.

DDA: Met last week. Adjustments to east/west plan underway. Terry Miller asked that Township Hall be included in new DDA zone. President Dan Reszka said that it is included in a draft plan, which must still be approved.

7:15 p.m.
Zoning Administrator: First Presbyterian Church has started phase two of construction.

Bob Bassett stated that he has visited Sunrise Academy three times. The Academy needs a skill saw and table saw. Call Bob Bassett or contact Kathy Breece at Sunrise Academy.

Adjourned: 7:24 p.m.

Mark your calendars and save the date: Saturday,   December 5, 2009.

The Elk Rapids Lions Club invites the entire community to  its “Annual Community Dinner” at Lakeland Middle School from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. on Saturday, December 5th. This year the free turkey dinner with all the trimmings is being offered to the whole community, young and old, singles and families alike. In the past it was presented as a “senior dinner”, but ages were never checked.

This wonderful meal will be served up by Chef/Lion Charley Dodge, with the help of all the Elk Rapids Lions and friends.  Hope to see you there. (Source: Lions press release)

Come to the celebration of the re-opening of the Lighthouse youth ministry building at First Presbyterian Church (across First Street from the church and a bit to the west).

December 5

• 10:30-11:00 a.m. ~ Building Dedication, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Tours
• 11:00-1 p.m. ~ Chili Fundraiser Cook-off
• 3:00-5:00 p.m. ~Outdoor activities (weather permitting)
• 7:00-9:00 p.m. ~ Movie Time for Teens  (Source: Elk Rapids Community Calendar)

A thermistor buoy providing important temperature data for Grand Traverse Bay has been deployed through a partnership between Northwestern Michigan College, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the University of Michigan. Located directly north of Old Mission Peninsula, it is the first thermistor buoy in the bay and will provide much-needed temperature data for research and monitoring, including fisheries interests.  (Source: NMC press release)

Online data from buoy