Professing Religious Memes Without TOV

I was doing some grocery shopping the other day at one of the local small stores. While I was in line, the cashier was very pleasant, but it seemed she was "in the spirit." There were some regular shoppers ahead of me and she was ranting on about “The Lord Jesus did this for me and that for me” and made sure to wish everyone a “Blessed Day.” I just kept my mouth shut and observed. The woman in front of me gave off the vibe of a person who one does not trifle with. She appeared to be agitated and impatient. When it was her turn she blasted the cashier for "pushing her religious beliefs where they don't belong." The cashier was taken aback and became silent. After the order was bagged she wished the agitated customer a “Blessed Day,” to which the customer responded, "I don't feel like having a F***ing blessed day" and stormed out.

I'm very wary of people who always feel the need to show everyone else how pious and devout they are on the outside. I know in the New Testament, Yeshua calls out someone who prays with full Jewish regalia, with tephilin and tallit (prayer straps and prayer shawl) in public. When my father was in college, he was the only Jew on the football team. It was a very anti-Semitic time in the 30's. He would go off in a corner and do his afternoon and evening prayers. His coach, who was a Catholic came over to him and put his arm around him and told him how much respect he had for my dad for doing that, especially in such a private personal manner.

I want to quote from a letter someone wrote to the Dallas Morning News about these types of people and his experience:

"I worked 32 years for a major oil company and part of my job was to interview people wanting to operate a branded gas station/convenience store or wholesale distributorship. It was my experience over those 32 years that those who came professing their religion and throwing a `God bless you" or "I'm praying for you", or other such phrases to make you somehow believe they were honest, straightforward and could be depended upon not to cheat the customer almost were, without exception, the exact opposite!"

The TOV Standard, ( Words, Thoughts and Actions which Protect Life, Preserve Life, Make Life MORE Functional and Increase the Quality of Life) is NOT  Religion, it is ancient wisdom that centers around Common Values, Common Ground for the Common Good. Doing TOV and Living according to TOV Values is not a spectator sport, it is an Action done individually and collectively without the need to trumpet empty piety and devotion to show others. The Jewish Sages teach, "Say Little and DO MUCH!"

This is the inaugural year for the TOV Center. If you feel that the work Jim and I do has merit and can provide options for growth and self-discovery and a more peaceful safer society, please join us by becoming a member of TOV Center, a one year membership is $18.00 and Lifetime is $180. Also if you would make a tax deductible donation it would be greatly appreciated. CLICK HERE for more information about membership and about donating.  

Just like the old TV commercial said, "You don't have to be Jewish...." -- Join the TOV Center and become an active participant in co-creating a New Reality.

Shalom,

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor