The Conviction Of Conscience

Those of us who attended Sunday school as children were taught the lesson of David and Goliath. This account in the First Book of Samuel details how for forty days, in both the morning and evening, Goliath issued a challenge to the Israelites. Of course we know the ending. David, having the conviction of his conscience, did not back down but stood up to the Philistine giant and was victorious. David's victory taught us that in life, if we stand up for what we believe in, we have the capacity to slay any of our giants.

You might think that somewhere along the line, Rep. David Orentlicher, D-Indianapolis, might have learned something from the story of the giant slayer. Orentlicher, an ethicist, a professor and a religious schoolteacher, evidently ran from his Goliath on Monday. According to the Indianapolis Star, Orentlicher's leader, B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend announced, "It's time to bring our prayer from the back of the room to the front of the room," Bauer was referring to U.S. District Judge David Hamilton's November ruling halting the 189-year-old practice of official prayers before legislative business begins.

The Indiana House sent a message Monday to the federal court judge by voting 83-0 to oppose the decision. Even though the resolution lacks the force of law, when the time came to "swing the sling" as it were, Orentlicher did not answer the bell. Perhaps he was with a certain basketball coach throwing up - refusing to deal with the job they were chosen to do. The Star reported that Orentlicher "stayed away on Monday to protest the resolution."

We believe that someone who professes ethics and teaches this Bible lesson might want to face his giant. One could say that an 83-1 message is a greater protest than not showing up. What about those constituents of Orentlicher's that were disenfranchised by his lack of courage? And imagine this Book of Samuel being re-written telling of a David chosen to face the Philistine behemoth but then stays away in protest!

Obviously comparing the Indianapolis Democrat to the Hebrew shepherd or dumping him in with a coach is a stretch. Running from issues is not. If Orentlicher is willing to hide from this matter, what else is he ready to cheat his constituency out of? The question to consider now: Is this the person we want representing us?