Columbus’ Edge

An apology is due to the faithful readers who expected an earlier post. Due to the overnight ice storm, a combination of events prevented prompt posting. Jan worked a double shift; Cec provided two-way transport on the icy roads (140 miles total;) the electricity went off; the satellite internet service went down; and the bed looked really good at 6:00 am. Thank God, all is well now.

On twenty February we will be treated to an unusual, but not rare treat. There will be a total eclipse of the moon. Given decent weather and moderate temperatures, it should be a pleasure for children of all ages. (It also brings to mind a verity in the life of Christopher Columbus which you may or may not recall.) To make any sense of the following, click the link and enjoy the story.

Now that you have completed your assignment, we shall give some thought to the ethics involved in Columbus’ actions. I am more than willing to cede that, as their leader, he was bound to provide for the survival of his men by any means possible. In that regard, I fully understand his motives. History is replete with instances of otherwise good men going to any lengths (murder, cannibalism, theft and duplicity) to insure not just success but the continuance of life itself.

In this case, the feature which bubbles to the top is the false representation of being an agent for God. Even though thousands of miles from home and surrounded by an advancing hostility on the part of his primitive hosts does this allow his suspect invocation of the Almighty? It stuck me as “situational ethics” in its defining hour. He used the, no doubt, divinely inspired genius of another man to bilk the innocent. It wasn’t bad enough that he introduced many of the ills of “civilization” to the native peoples; he taught them blasphemy as well. As the story relates, the locals bought this hook, line, and sinker and increased the measure of their largesse.

This whole matter must come as considerable relief to those few who mistakenly hold the view that hypocrisy is a modern invention. As a student of the scriptures, regardless of the version, you are more than familiar with trickery and deceit employed for personal advancement.

In today’s world of religion, politics, business, information and general intercourse with others we must remain constantly on the alert for these duplicitous deceits. Some, by mangling the scriptures, urge us to actions which actually contradict the clearly stated will of the Almighty. Regular readers already know my opinion concerning “bible totin’ pols.” The charitable industries – yes, they are an industry – thrive on assigning guilt for failure to share our God-given gains. Our televisions bring us a daily fare of advertisements with product appeals cloaked in false promises of enhanced use or impending self-elevation. The tube also provides a constant offering of “manipulated news” which promises truth but actually promotes a specific agenda.

The hypocrisy did not start with Columbus but it certainly gave him the “edge.” Even though his status as the discoverer of the new world has been discredited by those in the academy who assemble history from broken pottery and we who understand the travels of Lehi’s family, he was a hero in his own right. My concerns are with the means and not the end.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon