Cell Phone Company Ethics

Cell phones are fast becoming a necessary part of our global lives. In fact, when I need to contact a student at WOLBI to whom I cannot send a text, I find myself frustrated by the strangeness of situation. With this developing dependency on technology comes the equally enslaving dependency on the companies that offer these services. Have you even been disgruntled through your interaction with a cell phone provider? I am sure I am not alone in my irritation with cell phone company ethics.

It should not surprise me that in our post-modern, no-morality-declaring culture that we have problems with ethics (our moral philosophy -the way we live out what we believe). The problem with moral relativity (a view that suggests there is no universal standard for right and wrong - this is oversimplified but will do for now. For further definition) is that everyone may have a different set of 'rules for life' or ethics.

This was obviously the case a couple weeks ago when a family cell was overcharged on a bill. "Not a big deal," I thought, "It happens to everyone." Until I phoned to get the charges reversed...
The company, which will remain nameless to protect their extreme guilty-ness, was apologetic but not overly willing to simply reverse the charges. Apparently this is a very difficult thing to do. Their response was, "We will credit the funds to your account." What!?

Does anyone else feel this logic is 'wrong-headed'? You take money from me that you are not authorized to take and then you want to 'hang on to it' until I may be indebted to you?!

Since when is taking someone's money without asking not stealing and thus, criminal? And if you steal and get caught, should you not repay what you took?! Call me crazy but is this kind of logic relative now too?

What amazed me the most was the complete lack of understanding that this is a morally wrong thing to do and very poor business ethics. Is it also normal for such a company to have no option for people to inform the company? I was told that their was no avenue for me to voice the concern other than the note flagged on the account. Thus I am resigned to simply inform and implore your readership to my cell phone fiasco plight.

Do you have any cell phone horror stories? I'd love to be an ear for your unanswered cry for justice. Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.

All that said, I guess their is always another solution...you could always read How to Recycle Your Cell Phone.

A Spiritual Lesson from American Idol - Believe it or Not!

Image via Wikipedia

What in the world does American Idol have to do with one's spiritual journey?

As I mentioned in a previous post, you can learn a lot  about life (not just about our culture) 
reflecting on this cultural phenomenon. I rarely get through a whole season, to be honest, but I have a love-hate relationship with the audition shows.

I love to see people stepping out of the shadow of obscurity to the fame their incredible voices and talent deserve. However, I hate to see the severely deceived embarrass themselves on television.
Walking in with complete confidence, they have the look, the charismatic personality, a swagger that is incorrigible, boasting of talent and even victory...and then they open their mouths...Wow! Unbelievable! "Are these people even serious?" I think to myself. Sadly, they are serious. I am always floored by their persistence. As they sing, if you could call it that, the judges are trying to be gracious, trying to be kind but sometimes it is dreadful. At times a giggle slips out, even a laugh. The contestant finishes what seems to have been a comedy routine by the ensuing laughter and what do they do - despite the laughter? They start singing again!! Amazing! They beg for another chance to humiliate themselves - they honestly, wholeheartedly believe they can sing and not only sing but deserve their voice to be heard by the world! The shame is that the rest of the world painfully understands the truth.

The first lesson I take from this is that I can choose to believe whatever I want to believe. If I tell myself something often and long enough, I can alter what I perceive as reality. Proven every season as we agonizingly endure the American Idol auditions we clearly understand - what I believe does NOT alter reality!

Will I learn to believe what is really true?

I blame parents and friends. What do you tell a 4 year old that runs to you with a page of scribbles? "Wow, that is great! Keep it up buddy!"  If a 20 year old is still running to you with a page of scribbles it's not cute any more. if you are someone that keeps telling people it's great when it's not, you should be slapped. Seriously, there comes a time when reality has to be revealed. If they can't sing, tell them to stick to family and friend karaoke time, please! It's not rude, demeaning, or destructive to someone's self-esteem to gently encourage them to find a career in something other than what they are awful at! It saves people the crushing defeat and emotional scarring of making a fool of themselves before an internationally, televised audience!!

In all seriousness I believe everyone CAN sing. The Bible exhorts us to, "make a joyful noise unto the Lord," and sing our praise to God no matter how it sounds. I just don't believe everyone deserves a professional recording contract. I believe everyone can sing but I don't believe everyone should sing on National Television!

The second lesson I learn is that I need to hear the truth. Even when it may not make me 'feel' good. Truth is true whether I like it or not. Truth is still true whether I believe it or not. 

Gravity is true, electricity is true, morality is true whether I choose to believe them or not. However, when I choose to ignore the truth there are always consequences.

It really doesn't matter how much faith you have...

...When the faith is in the wrong thing.

I can choose to believe that inertia is not true or that I can fly but if I tie my pillow case around my neck and jump from the arm of the couch onto the couch, the couch will slide and destroy my Mom's favourite pole-lamp.

The truth is: she's still never forgiven me for that one.

Will I listen to the Voice of Truth?

Read Part 1 - American Idol and Absolute Truth!

These illustrations were used as a part of the message "The Game of Life" at Recharge 2011 on the campus of the Word of Life Bible Institute, Owen Sound campus. Check out the rough notes blog post.

A Spiritual Lesson from American Idol - Truth

Image via Wikipedia

What in the world does American Idol have to do with one's spiritual journey?

Well, you can learn a lot  about life (not just about our culture) reflecting on this cultural phenomenon. I rarely get through a whole season, to be honest, but I have a love-hate relationship with the audition shows.

I am absolutely amazed at the masses that try-out for this show. I find myself in awe as a lowly, backward, and sometimes slightly awkward, contestant steps up and delivers the vocals of a pop megastar. I am also absolutely intrigued by the other extreme of the equation. I find myself watching people who seem to have all the confidence, looks, charisma, and everything it will take to be the next American Idol and then it happens...they open their mouth...and what comes out isn't pretty. In fact, it is downright painful! It becomes instantly and abundantly clear to the judges and the entire watching world that this person CANNOT sing! They sing, and sing, and sing. Will it ever stop? In front of the TV, I'm curled up in the fetal position, rocking back and forth, my ears are bleeding, I'm crying out, "Make it stop, make it stop, Mommy, please!" and there is simply no relief until they decide to be done. 

But I keep watching, why? 

Because I am spellbound watching these people who believe they can sing.

Then the most fascinating of realizations dawns on me - American Idol has shown me, that despite the post-modern anti-absolutes campaign, there is absolute truth in our world. There is a real right and a real wrong.

Even those watching the show who have no sense of rhythm, pitch, or as is said "Can't carry a tune in a bucket" understand something "just ain't right" with what is coming out of the mouths of the most terrible of contestants. 

Why? Simply put, it's because A=440.

What in the world does that mean? Well, the more specific equation is A4 = 440 Hz (Hertz - basically, for our discussion, is the unit of measurement given to sound vibration. It's also the musical note of North American telephone dial tones.) and the truth is, whether your voice can reproduce this proper note or not, your ear and mind can understand that anything that is supposed to be the musical note A and is anything but 440Hz just sounds bad! (See Wikipedia for a more detailed discussion of Music and Mathematics.)

All that to illustrate this - There is absolute truth in music and just like 2+2 is always 4 mathematically, there is absolute truth in our world today.

Cover of C.S. LewisA great Christian philosopher of the past relates the same truth this way, "Whenever you find a man who says he does not believe in a real Right and Wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later. He may break his promise to you, but if you try breaking one to him he will be complaining "It's not fair" ... It seems, then, we are forced to believe in a real Right and Wrong... they are not a matter of mere taste and opinion any more than the multiplication table." 

~C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Also author of "Voyage of the Dawn Treader"

 So I would suggest, whether we choose to believe it or not, there is absolute moral truth in the world today. 

Read Part 2 - American Idol and Absolute Truth - Believe it or Not! 

These illustrations were used as a part of the message "The Game of Life" at Recharge 2011 on the campus of the Word of Life Bible Institute, Owen Sound campus. Check out the rough notes blog post.