OC Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast: Food for Thought

by Lynn Selich

“WWJD?” A popular expression most of us are familiar with: “What Would Jesus Do?” But is this catchy phrase a fad or compass for life’s choices?

On a daily basis, I believe this question is easily answered. Let’s say someone is driving slowly in front of us and we are in a hurry. Should we speed by and flip ‘em the bird, or slow down and be patient? No doubt Jesus would take a chill pill and slow down. Help an older person across a busy street? Duh, a no brainer! Jesus would drop everything to help anyone, anytime, anywhere, anyhow.  

(Note: for purposes of this discussion, I refer to Jesus because of the popularity of the coined phrase and the implication that we should base our decisions on what is “right” or “just”. This question could be posed equally across plenty of other religions, i.e. “What Would God Do?” “What Would Allah Do?” “What Would Buddha Do?” “What Would Yahweh Do?” etc. So, for those of you in the audience that do not necessarily believe in Jesus, know that I am not trying to be offensive or insensitive.)

The point is, where do we derive our instructions for life? Tenets of all religions basically are the same.  Simply put, the roads may be different, but the answers tend to be found in a set of teachings and/or rituals that deal with issues of right and wrong, ultimate reality, the meaning of life and how to find fulfillment, spiritual health or salvation. Generally speaking, most religions believe there is a higher authority than man.  

So what about those times in life when questions and decisions are more complicated? Where our choices may have a long-term effect on not just our own sense of well-being or that warm fuzzy we get from being a Good Samaritan?

The answers aren’t always as easy, and I often wonder to this end how leaders, whether on the local or world level, make the tough decisions they face each and every day. What is the barometer? Does WWJD apply? 

Each year, my husband and I attend the Annual Orange Coast Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast hosted by the Orange Coast Christian Outreach. And every year, as we sit in a jam-packed hotel ballroom, I ponder our Constitution’s First Amendment and the fine line between secularity of government and freedom of religious exercise.      

After all, despite the Constitution’s Establishment Clause, didn’t we grow up saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school every day, swearing love of country as “one nation under God?” Isn’t “In God We Trust” the official U.S. motto? The United States Treasury prints the phrase on U.S. currency which is circulated throughout the world.

Like last year, I will sit and listen to another incredibly inspiring speaker, who will likely remind me of why keeping an eye on God’s moral compass is crucial to not only preserving the principles on which our great nation was founded, it is critical in preserving what it means to live in a country that protects our religious beliefs – and that includes not believing.    

It’s a humbling experience. As usual, I will ponder what Jesus would indeed do if he were sitting in the room with us. Would he praise our efforts? Console our inadequacies? Encourage our debate? What if Allah, Buddha and Yahweh were all there too? What would the consensus be?  

On March 16^th, we will once again join hundreds of people at this year’s 46^th Annual Orange Coast Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast, and like years past, I am sure I will leave inspired to live a better life, thankful that we live in a country that protects any and all religious beliefs, and a little more aware of why we question “WWJD?”

####

Tickets are still available for the 46^th Annual Orange Coast Mayors Breakfast on March 16, 2010. For more information: www.outreachweek.org.

Lynn Selich resides in Newport Beach. Her weekly column runs every Monday. She can be reached at lynnselich@roadrunner.com.