The Religion in the NFL: Flag, Anthem and Posture

The Religion in the NFL:

Flag, Anthem and Posture

The United States of America is one of the greatest countries in the world and this has nothing to do with her super-power status, but essentially because of the idealism that led to the emergence of the country, namely the quest for true freedom, equality for humanity and the protection of lives and properties. And even though, this idealism has continued to be challenged in every generation, we are on the path of progress and should abide by such, rather than regress and fall into the dark era of lynching and perpetual discrimination against the minorities, especially the people of color.

By simple definition, Religion is the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

Without doubt, religion is like opium and therefore defies rationality based on simple and logical arguments.

In the United States of America, with her secularism, notwithstanding her Christian foundation, it is not therefore difficult to appreciate why the National Football League and her sports may adequately fit into a pseudo- religion by definition, with the main difference being the seeking of solace, comfort and pleasure in football rather than in the supernatural! And even at that, once in a while, we here exclamation such as what a “Hail Mary” throws!

Americans may be divided on the posture during the National Anthem following Mr. Colin Kaepernick decision to kneel during the singing of the Anthem and therefore draw attentions to some of the unfulfilled dreams and idealism of the American Flag, namely comprehensive justice, equality and freedom and security of lives and properties for all citizens irrespective of color and status. Nevertheless, what in my opinion every Americans believe is true is the powerful message Kneeling before the Anthem, rather than the traditional standing posture and coupled with the reasons for such steps have sent across the entire nation and even to the ends of the world.

How should we honestly and patriotically honor our flag?

Is the posture more critical in comparison to living the idealism that the flag should have come to represents?

And, if that should be the case, what about the Confederate flag? What does it actually represents that Americans should be worthy to honor?

Without an iota of doubt, I do believe the posture during the national anthem is to a greater extent inconsequential, had the messages and reasons why Mr. Kaepernick did not touch our nerve and pragmatically challenged our hypocrisy in the most powerful country in the world!

I believe, the Bible, as a Holy book will not have value if the faithful admire it as such without actually putting it into practice, which will ordinarily translate its importance to nothing more than a historical literature. 

 This argument also applies to the Koran, and we are witnesses to the many lives that have been lost as a result of the desecration of these holy books by some fanatics that valued the book more than the messages they carry.

If we value the flag so much, the onus is on us to live the flag in our lives! Whether you stand, seat or kneel, the most important thing should be trying to relentlessly represent the ideals of the flag.

Freedom of speech for instance is the face of the American flag, as much as justice, protection of lives and properties and patriotism.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has knelt before on several occasions to drive home his nonviolence campaign!

Mohammed Ali has exercise his freedom based on patriotism, nationalism and pragmatism by refusing to go to war in Vietnam, a decision that later turn out to be in part the cornerstone and eye opener to the atrocities of a war that historically was called unjust!

I believe, what the young quarterback Colin Kaepernick is saying in the 21^st century America is for us to fly the flag at half-mast- this time around, not just the cloth, but everyone that is in reality a microcosm of the flag.

What Mr. Kaepernick has done is colossal indeed and I raise my hat in appreciation for his courage, sacrifice, especially, not minding the misrepresentations of his actions and backlashes from some of us that are passionate in respecting the flag and the anthem and yet, unwilling to yield to the reality of perpetual discrimination against the people of color.

God bless you all.

Amen

George Michael - Careless Whisper 

(Official Video)

One of the all time great!

Rest on Sir George Michael

@FocusInLove

PRAYING WITH MEXICO CITY

PRAYING WITH MEXICO CITY

Over 230 dead in Mexico 

quake as rescuers 

desperately search for survivors

A strong earthquake that hit Mexico City and other central areas has killed at least 245 people, officials say according to npr.org

Rescue teams look for people trapped in the rubble after an earthquake in Mexico City on September 19, 2017.

Please pray and support the effort to rescue and provide for the living and give final respect to those who have lost their lives in this latest earthquake.

May God help comfort those affected and grant eternal rest to the souls of the faithful departed!

Dear heavenly Father,

Please help your people in Mexico!
In Jesus Christ mighty name, we have prayed.
Amen!

@FocusInLove

The Necessity of Re-structuring Nigerians

The Necessity of Re-structuring Nigerians

Let us fix our homes and Nigeria will be easy to fix, because the reality is that every Nigerian home is a microcosm of our country and when we learn to live together in peace and harmony, in love and mutual respect for one another and ultimately with the fear of God in our heart and consciousness, we will transform our nation into the abode of haven that so far has become a mirage to our generation.

There is still hope!

I have been reading about the artificiality of the country called Nigeria by many Nigerians on Facebook and other social media and I must conclude that, while there are legitimate concerns that portend to this detrimental manifestation, without an iota of doubt, there is no country in this world that does not have her fair share of challenges, ups and downs, glory and disgrace, and patriotism, nationalism and pragmatism and on the other hand, traitor, deserters and idealists.

Many have enumerated the problems facing Nigeria; however, I am yet to read any articulation that call to mind the necessity of re-structuring of Nigerians! 

Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that is corrupt, but Nigerians!

Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that is a thief, but Nigerians!

Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that is killing us, but Nigerians!

Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that is wanting war, but Nigerians!

Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that desire peace, but Nigerians!

Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that play Soccer, but Nigerians!

Let us never forget that, it is not Nigeria that represents that country, but Nigerians! 

Whereas the country Nigeria is merely a geo-political entity, Nigerians are the mitochondria or the “Engine-room” that ultimately will determine the fate of this so called artificial country by some of us.

Pragmatically speaking, how many of us are fully engaged within our family? Without doubt, many, if we are honest enough are not even on speaking term with their spouse, let alone co-workers (and that is if you are employed in the first place). We are suspicious of one another and as a matter of fact, unfortunately engaged in the killing and destruction of one another. These have nothing to do with Nigeria, but Nigerians!

We want Nigeria to be like or better than the United States of America, Great Britain and other developed countries of the world, and yet, it is us that will be first among equals to compromise the integrity of the country we claim to adore or bear allegiance to say the least.

There are many remarkable phenomenons that always recycle itself in the Nigeria body politics:

Whenever Nigeria has a presidency that is a combination of North- West candidates, the South-East will become a militant arm, seeking secession!

Whenever Nigeria has a presidency that is a combination of South-East and North candidates, the South-West will become a militant arm, seeking secession!

Whenever Nigeria has a presidency that is a combination of West- North candidates, the South-East will manifest its militancy and seek secession!

In a nutshell, literally speaking, a Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba candidacy in Nigeria will lead to the quest of the Igbo’s to seek secession, with the call for Biafra, because of the argument on marginalization, and whenever, we have a Hausa/Fulani and Igbo combinations, the Yoruba will feel isolated and seek secession by calling for Odudua State, and last but not the least, whenever we have a combination of Igbo and non Hausa/Fulani candidates, the Hausa/Fulani’s will seek secession on religious ground.  

Some practical examples are as follows:

Obasanjo/Yar’Adua

The East cried marginalization and it is on record, President Obasanjo send military personnel to quell the situation in that geo-political zone

Yar’ Adua/Jonathan

The Mid-west cried marginalization and the presidency has to through a combination of military tactics and appeasement quell the crisis in the Niger-Delta region

Jonathan/Sambo

The North cried marginalization resulting in unholy alliance with Boko Haram, especially in the North-East, and the presidency has to use military prowess to quell the ugliness in that part of the country- and it is ongoing right now.

Burahi/Osinbajo

The East is back at the call for marginalization and reportedly the military has to respond again!

This ugliness and perpetual political exploitation by segments of Nigerians is indeed shameful, unpatriotic and lack moral compass. It is a betrayal of trust and the complete subjugation of the quest for a concrete country where everyone feel welcomed, needed and recognized as a builder, rather than a destroyer.

The rise of militants in various parts of the country are a direct results of our failure as a nation to protect the sacredness of our nationalism and regrettably too, the exploitation by some few but powerful undesirable elements in Nigeria, who are egocentric, diabolic and warmongers, who benefits tremendously from anarchy, war and the ensuing poverty inflicted on the masses, making them vulnerable to evil and detrimental machination.

In order for Nigerians to re-structure Nigeria and turn it from an artificial country to a concrete one, we as a people must be willing to re-structure our mentality and inclinations toward our country.

We must first and foremost understand the necessity of our “forced” conglomeration and having accepted such, must be willing to appreciate the power of diversity! A typical example of a nation in the developed country that is as divergent as Nigeria is the United States of America! Without doubt, it too can be considered to be an “Artificial country”, in context of the argument that some are making regarding colonization and conglomeration. The USA is also a country that has and continued to deal with so many challenges especially racism and the deplorable conditions of minorities such as the African-Americans and most regrettably too, the original owners of the land or the Native- Americans. Even at her current superpower status, some States within the 50 States country are agitating for secession!

We must be honestly and practically be willing to give every Nigerians a shot at becoming what he or she dream to become. In other words, if you work hard and abide by the rules and seek to build Nigeria, nobody should use your ethnicity, tribe or geo-political origin as a factor or factors that are detrimental to you achieving your dreams.

We must begin the fundamental re-structuring of our family values, especially those that potentially bring out the goodness in every mankind. Respect for the rule of law, whether it be family or national, respect and adoration of God’s love for all of us and our shared true equality before all men created by God.

We must learn to value ourselves too and consider the next person as our brother’s keeper.

It is a fact that there is no single family in the whole wide world that does not have disagreements and the same is applicable to countries of the world. And within the country, even various States may not agree and the trickle-down effects apply to the Local Government Councils. My point is that divergent views, and at times non-conventional approaches should not be simply discarded as not good enough, on the contrary, it should be given the opportunity to be heard and if possible put into practice.

This time I believe is another great opportunity being presented to us to fix our country and make it better for everyone. We now have the chance to pursue aggressively and in a pragmatic way our quest for true reconciliation, by acknowledging the mistakes of the past, with the hope of repairing them and moving forward.

Our problems are man-made and I do believe we can use our skills to resolve them amicably too!

I am not writing my mind in order to convince anyone who may have contrary views, since we are all entitled to our opinions; nevertheless, I am of the opinion that a united Nigeria has a better prospect that a disunited Nigeria.

Therefore, while many of us are on Facebook and other social media denigrating or praising, building or destroying Nigeria, with our words and actions or inaction, let me remind us all that in order to re-structure Nigeria, we must begin by re-structuring ourselves, because, as the saying goes, “Charity begins at home.”

Let us fix our homes and Nigeria will be easy to fix, because the reality is that every Nigerian home is a microcosm of our country and when we learn to live together in peace and harmony, in love and mutual respect for one another and ultimately with the fear of God in our heart and consciousness, we will transform our nation into the abode of haven that so far has become a mirage to our generation.

There is still hope!

God bless you all.

Amen!

Peter Odeh

@FocusInlove