Have you ever come to a critical conclusion concerning something or someone before you found out the facts? I believe we all have at some time or another, truth be known more times than we would care to admit.

Remember the movie OH God directed by Carl Reiner? It was both funny and serious.

John Denver plays an ordinary fellow, the assistant manager of a supermarket, who gets an invitation to talk with God. At first the Holy One speaks to him on an intercom, then through all the channels on the car radio, and finally in person. God, played by George Burns, turns out to be a feisty old man. He wants Denver to tell the world that he cares, that he believes in human beings, and that everything is going to be fine if people do right by each other and the good Earth.

But, of course, no one believes that this unknown fellow has actually talked to God, much less seen him. Denver's wife is perplexed, his kids embarrassed, and his superior put off by the whole thing. The newspapers think he is a kook. But this suburban Moses keeps trying to get God's message across. He finally appears on Dinah Shore's TV show and is later questioned by a panel of theologians and religious celebrities."

Now one might wonder where this weeks Meditorial comes in. Let me explain.

If you remember the panel of religious zealots was led by a ridiculous rendition of a southern Baptist Reverend who was no less than self righteous, conceited and certainly did not have the best interest of Christians at heart.

Though funny it certainly didn’t do the image of the church any favors.

In late 1977 a poll was taken by an independent researching firm of 3000 people who had watched the film. Two questions were asked “What is your opinion of the church in America after seeing the film Oh God and what influenced you the most in coming to that conclusion?. It was reported that 73% of the 3000 responded with an extremely negative response. What part of the film fueled that response? Why the flashy Reverend with his golden rings and priest attitude.

I wonder. How many of those fine folks polled had ever even darkened the doors of a church or sat down with a pastor, priest or rabbi and listened with an open mind.

Contempt prior to investigation is nothing new; we have been doing it since the beginning of time when Cain slew Able. How quick we are to judge one another particularly those we have spent little or no time getting to know.

Application & Implementation

In the little black book titled “As Bill sees it” Bill refers to a two way tolerance of each other with apposing spiritual beliefs with in the fellowship of AA.

He suggests that if we wish to be tolerated and understood that we must attempt to tolerate and understand our fellows.

Regardless if you are a member of a 12 Step Family or simply part of this wonderful thing we call the human race you and I would do well to check out the facts before coming to any kind of conclusion, particularly a viscous one.

As a commentator it is my job to make judgment calls, but the key to being fair in any situation is an honest and thorough investigation of the facts.

This week I will do my very best to hold my critical spirit at bay. I will thoroughly investigate what or who I am tempted to be critical of.

I will not fall into the throws of contempt prior to investigation.

This has been the Monty’man with this weeks Meditorial wishing….

Serenity for You.