Matthew's Musings

From the latest Tennessee Blue Book:

Tennessee State Constitution

 

ARTICLE IX 

Disqualifications. 

Section 1. Whereas ministers of the Gospel are by their profession, dedicated 

to God and the care of souls, and ought not to be diverted from the great 

duties of their functions; therefore, no minister of the Gospel, or priest of any 

denomination whatever, shall be eligible to a seat in either House of the Legislature. 

Section 2. No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards 

and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this 

state. 

Section 3. Any person who shall, after the adoption of this Constitution, 

fight a duel, or knowingly be the bearer of a challenge to fight a duel, or send or 

accept a challenge for that purpose, or be an aider or abettor in fighting a duel, 

shall be deprived of the right to hold any office of honor or profit in this state, 

and shall be punished otherwise, in such manner as the Legislature may prescribe. 

I’ll leave the commentary up to you. Quite a difference in the perception of the value of ministry and the importance of a belief in the Lord and His plan on ethics and decision-making, isn’t it?

I hate to air it, but sometimes you still just have to say something about it. I was at a congregation a few months ago. After the morning services, we had a fellowship meal. During that meal, we celebrated the birthday of one of the members. I happened to have my digital camera on me, so we took a picture of this dear lady and her husband. After I shot the image, she inspected the picture and suggested that I must have a particularly good camera to take “such a good picture of her.” I replied, “It’s not the camera, ma’am, I had good material to work with!”

Her response: “Why thank you! That was a very political answer. You’ll make a fine preacher someday!”

I didn’t exactly know how to respond to her comment. I believe she meant it as a sincere compliment. I wasn’t aware that passing the credit for a good photograph from the instrument to the candidate was a political process, and I really wasn’t aware that politics make or break preachers.

Now, this is not intended to bash preaching, religion, etc. etc. These same problems exist in all arenas of life. Shucks, I’m not even going to complain about this attitude. (The lady’s husband is a preacher, by the way). My question, and the only reason I’m posting this, is what will I do to fix this problem?