"Be true to your school." "My country, right or wrong." "Omerta." "Code of silence." "Blue wall." These and many other expressions reveal a drive to maintain loyalty to groups even if truth is compromised, disregarded, or hidden. These also contribute to opposition between groups or tribes in an "us or them" system. The philosophical word for this is "Tribalism". It can be found in families, communities, schools, churches, political groups, states and nations. If your teenage son harms someone would you seek to hide the truth about this? Many families teach their children from early ages that if they break a neighbor's window that they should admit, apologize and seek a way to repay or restore. This is truth and integrity. What happens if the son harms someone on a more… read more

ROMANS 13 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For… read more

Our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence in July of 1776, and now we celebrate with fireworks, grilling out and parades. Some understand the major event that this was, and plenty of others just know it's an excuse to drink and get a day or two off from work. 247 years ago, a group of leaders from the colonies signed a document that told the British Empire to pound sand. These men signed it as representatives of our newly formed nation (technically formed that day) and knew the costs of the decision they were making. While we celebrate and wave flags, we don't necessarily think about that moment in that room, on a hot July day. Benjamin Rush, one of the signers later wrote to John Adams, remembering that fateful day. He wrote in his letter to Adams,… read more