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When I started my company one of the things that I promised my family was that I would be home for our kids as they were growing up. When I was working for a corporate organization, I was home every night. I had some long days, and traveled at times but was home with my family. Eating at my table and sleeping in my bed, with my bride at night. My travel was rare, at most 3-4 times a year and for a night or two. My sons saw me every day. They became and are still accustomed to asking for me if I don’t walk in the door by 6:30pm.
Initially, when I started Lease A Sales Rep, I was the 1st rep. So I was the “Lease A Sales Rep”. I was contracting myself out to businesses and I picked up clients where I did sales work getting contracts for them in hospitals. At the time, that required I be on site at a client’s location, say in Texas for 3-5 days. That model took me out of my home more than I wanted. I made it very rare, even as I was building the company. I turned down many opportunities because it required me to stay out of my home. I did that about 4 times in a 1 year span. I stopped after the 1st year and traveled only when necessary. I went to an occasional 1-2 night max business trip, out of my home, at any given time. My kids were very young and the formative years are so important and I did not want to miss them. I wanted be present as a dad. I’m grateful that I never missed a game, an awards ceremony, a recital, a play. I was present for all of it. My wife was able to be a stay at home mom as well.
I tell people who do sales and have kids to not take jobs that take you on the road 40 weeks a year, or 1 week home, 1 week out. Take a job closer to home, with standard hours and less pay if needed. I have heard stories of sales reps that went out 1 day and came back 5 years later and their kids grew up. Now, they weren’t gone for five years, but they were on the road so much, their kids grew up. They missed so many activities and events. They were tiny when they left and they sprouted. You can’t get that time back. The kids then get used to not having a dad present, and they will mimic that behavior in adulthood. Whether, male or female. Kids will see work as more important than family. Be home for your kids. They need you. You being there will carry over to the next generation.
I use the word “hesitant” vs. afraid which was my first choice in titling this article. I changed it after having quite a few conversations with pastors to get their views on social issues facing us today, politics, the election and the church.
I was drawn to this issue for multiple reasons. For one, as a man of faith who is very active in church life, this issue is of importance to me. Secondly, as a man who is “graduate seminary” trained and one who’s active in political circles, one can see how this type of issue intersects with many of my activities. I personally have some strong views and convictions on many social and political issues facing our nation today. I had to remove my logical and rational self from these discussions. This was done to prevent my analysis from a biblical, social and political perspective in clouding my judgement, in what I deem to be right and wrong behavior by those I interviewed.
I share what I uncovered in my discussions with liberal, moderate and conservative white, brown and black pastors, men and women without judgment. As all have their own realties and circles they are accountable too.
The pastors I spoke with, for the most part , are in full-time ministry or various ministry work provided most of their compensation. Although, some have secular jobs that provide some additional income.
Here are some questions I asked and summary of responses.
Question: What issues happening in society today concern you the most? Some of these items were a major concern. There are in no particular order.
Answer:
Freedom of religion
Religious liberty being restricted
LGBTQIA
Jobs
National debt
Abortion
Cancel Culture targeting those that disagree
Economy
Immigration
Civil Unrest
Legacy=What do I leave my children (country in a bad state)
Hyper partisanship
Low trust in institutions (government, media)
Question: Are you a single issue voter?
Answer:
Most said they were a single issue voter. As an example, a candidate that supports abortion may not get their vote. But if a candidate supports many policies that affect the masses and abortion is the only major drawback for that candidate, some said they would vote for them.
Question: Are you afraid, fearful and hesitant to share your views on social issues and politics from the pulpit.
Answer:
Most responded they had some concerns of sharing their views on political parties, candidates, BLM, ANTIFA etc. One of the main concerns was offending members or visitors who may not agree. Their views may have the collateral affect of people leaving these churches and would affect giving and potentially their livelihoods. Another concern was they would be targeted by the “cancel culture” crowd. The church would be the target, themselves or their families could be targeted. Jobs could be lost or people can be harmed.
Although, the pastors shared with me in confidence that they have views on many issues facing the US today, they are hesitant to share them, directly. Some do take a different route and use scripture and a teaching approach on hot button issues. As an example, they will go around the periphery of an issue. Like this: How would Jesus deal with people that disagree with him and get angry and act out? Pastors would tie that into BLM protestors that damage property and take away the livelihoods of people. Not a direct condemnation, but connecting the dots type of approach. Hoping members make the connection.
Question: Do you think the church is still respected and has any authority in these difficult times?
Answer:
God has been removed from the public square. But God is still in control. Although, the Trump administration has made great strides via policy initiatives to protect the interest of churches and our Christian values, many people are not connected to God and the church as one would expect. Therefore, the respect for the church is diminishing. We are becoming more of a secular nation and it’s a daily battle. There is no “one source” of accountability in the church or the nation, many members and pastors are doing their own thing. This behavior may not align with biblical values. The moral foundation of the country is under attack, from traditional marriage to acknowledging multiple genders and allowing infanticide, are on trial in the public square. One pastor shared that instead of highlighting darkness from the pulpit on these social issues, he tries to shine the light of Christ in the midst of the darkness.
The general sentiment I was given by those that I interviewed is they are concerned the path we are going down as a country. The tribalization of people is spreading and opposing views on any issue is seen as an opportunity for an attack The lack of a moral a compass that aligns with biblical values is concerning, as is a lack of accountability on multiple fronts. This is true for liberals, moderates and conservatives, as they will disagree what constitutes the compass for the measurement of right and wrong. Many would like to speak up more on hot button topics, but feel restricted due to inside and outside pressures. This applies to both liberals, moderates and conservatives. They have relegated themselves to touch on these issues lightly, when able to do so and on the periphery. Praying that God and the Holy Spirit provides understanding and enlightenment to those listening so they may act according to scripture, as they may see it.
Here’s another good resource I found that was helpful and had similar findings.
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/april/barna-pastors-social-issues-speaking-religious-freedom.html
Thanks to all who participated. Your trust and confidence in sharing your heart during this process was rewarding, refreshing and insightful. I’m grateful.
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A common misconception often shared in various new outlets, social media circles and by common folk that Hispanics who are U.S born and Hispanic immigrants as a “group” are “monolithic” and lean heavily towards progressive values.
I was able to interview immigrants from Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala & Cuba (HEMGC). Most were first generation immigrants, but some were naturalized U.S. citizens.
Based on these interviews and discussions, typical Hispanic immigrants from these countries are more aligned with conservative values and practices. Hispanic immigrant values are conservative values. Liberal and progressive policies when compared to the questions posed run contrary to all responses provided by the immigrants who participated.
Those interviewed were asked a consistent base of questions that focused on how government in their countries of origin and how social service networks function. In addition, we asked about their social norms around marriage, abortion and overall values and approaches to work, taxation and property rights. We limited some responses in other areas of social services for the sake of brevity.
Participants ranged in ages from 25-55, male and female, married and single, with and without children. The responses were enlightening to say the least, but consistent with common perceptions that align with their religious values and beliefs. As a general rule, governmental social service systems in HEMGC countries are virtually non-existent.
When discussing the social service safety net and comparing that to what we have in the U.S. like SNAP, EBT, welfare, Medicaid and section 8 housing subsidies, for the most part these options do not exist in the countries we looked at. Only in extreme cases can families obtain some food assistance. The funds available to provide families this basic support is limited due to lack of funds and corruption. The corruption found in these countries is usually the diversion of funds from social service programs for personal use by government officials. In the U.S. our taxation system funds many of these programs. In HEMGC countries, some have payroll tax systems, but its self-reported by employers and not mandated to be withheld from employee paychecks as is found in the U.S. Enforcement for not submitting taxes to the government is weak. Assuming HEMGC systems for payroll taxes and other tax collection programs (sales tax) were tightened and paid by businesses, the likelihood of corruption is so high that funds will not get to the right programs anyway.
In regards to property rights, the HEMGC countries have democratically elected governments and property rights are respected. Their approach to property ownership is similar to the U.S., homes are purchased outright, or with traditional bank financing. Deeds are transferred to the owners once the loans have been satisfied. The seizure of land and homes is non-existent, unless mortgages have not been paid.
In HEMGC countries, if families can’t work, they don’t eat. If they don’t work, they can’t pay for housing and may become homeless. These immigrants have a strong work ethic, due to their need to survive on what they earn, and not government handouts. As evidenced by the survey, they also look down on those who try to get government support, hard as it may be, when they are physically able to work. Laziness and not working is frowned upon.
The family unit in these countries is made up of a man and a woman. Mom and dad, heterosexuality is the norm in the family unit. Some may be married, but some may not be. It’s not uncommon in some countries like Honduras, for couples not to get married. I heard as high as 80% of families may not be “legally” married. It’s also not uncommon for the family unit to have multiple children, due to not practicing typical birth control methods.
In HEMGC countries, the family unit still practices old fashioned family values where the dad goes to work and the mom takes care of multiple kids and the home. Same sex relationships are taboo, are frowned upon and not common. Identifying oneself as openly gay is also taboo. Transsexualism is not accepted. Traditional marriages (man & woman) and typical heterosexual values are the norm and practiced. This is supported by those who were surveyed that they support biblical Christianity, Catholic values and church attendance, along with conservative teachings of the church.
When those who were surveyed were pressed on the acceptance of non-traditional marriages, gay relationships and gender fluidity, these terms and lifestyles are not accepted in these HEMGC countries. Although, some shared they will look the other way and will ignore it. Those that do practice these alternative lifestyles are outside of social and cultural norms. It is not expected that the rest of society approve of, or accept these lifestyles.
With regards to how these Hispanic cultures in HEMGC countries see the issue of abortion, they are strictly against it. They believe God has the final say in life and death. When discussing issues of faith, the respondents shared their countries are predominately Catholic, with a fast growing evangelical population. Although, many not be as devout in their daily practices, when it comes to issues of traditional family units (unmarried couples), they align their overall social belief systems with biblical values.
Overall, first generation Hispanics surveyed from HEGMC countries, and those who became naturalized citizens are more closely aligned with conservative values, than progressive values. Traditional family units are strongly supported, as is hard work, rejecting public assistance, supporting heterosexual marriages and they are anti-abortion.
Special thanks to Lucia, Maria, Miquel, Rodolfo, Julio, Juanita and many others who shared deeply personal stories that will serve as a foundation for other articles. Names were changed to respect their privacy.
Los Valores Hispanos son Valores Conservadores (Spanish)
Un concepto erróneo común a menudo compartido en varios medios nuevos, círculos de redes sociales y gente común de que los hispanos nacidos en los Estados Unidos y los inmigrantes hispanos como un “grupo” son “monolíticos” y se inclinan fuertemente hacia valores progresivos.
Pude entrevistar a inmigrantes de Honduras, El Salvador, México, Guatemala y Cuba (HEMGC). La mayoría eran inmigrantes de primera generación, pero algunos eran ciudadanos estadounidenses naturalizados.
Según estas entrevistas y debates, los inmigrantes hispanos típicos de estos países están más alineados con los valores y prácticas conservadores. Los valores de los inmigrantes hispanos son valores conservadores. Las políticas liberales y progresistas en comparación con las preguntas planteadas son contrarias a todas las respuestas proporcionadas por los inmigrantes que participaron.
A los entrevistados se les hizo una base consistente de preguntas que se centraron en cómo el gobierno en sus países de origen y cómo funcionan las redes de servicios sociales. Además, preguntamos acerca de sus normas sociales sobre el matrimonio, el aborto y los valores y enfoques generales del trabajo, los impuestos y los derechos de propiedad. Limitamos algunas respuestas en otras áreas de los servicios sociales en aras de la brevedad.
Los participantes tenían entre 25 y 55 años, hombres y mujeres, casados y solteros, con y sin hijos. Las respuestas fueron esclarecedoras por decir lo menos, pero consistentes con las percepciones comunes que se alinean con sus valores y creencias religiosas. Como regla general, los sistemas gubernamentales de servicios sociales en los países HEMGC son prácticamente inexistentes.
Cuando se discute la red de seguridad del servicio social y se compara con lo que tenemos en los EE. UU. Como SNAP, EBT, asistencia social, Medicaid y subsidios de vivienda de la sección 8, en su mayor parte, estas opciones no existen en los países que analizamos. Solo en casos extremos las familias pueden obtener asistencia alimentaria. Los fondos disponibles para proporcionar a las familias este apoyo básico son limitados debido a la falta de fondos y la corrupción. La corrupción que se encuentra en estos países suele ser el desvío de fondos de los programas de servicios sociales para uso personal de los funcionarios del gobierno.
En los EE. UU., Nuestro sistema tributario financia muchos de estos programas. En los países HEMGC, algunos tienen sistemas de impuestos sobre la nómina, pero los empleadores lo informan por sí mismos y no tienen la obligación de retenerlos de los cheques de pago de los empleados, como se encuentra en la Aplicación de los EE. UU. Por no presentar impuestos al gobierno es débil. Suponiendo que los sistemas HEMGC para los impuestos sobre la nómina y otros programas de recaudación de impuestos (impuesto sobre las ventas) fueron ajustados y pagados por las empresas, la probabilidad de corrupción es tan alta que los fondos no llegarán a los programas correctos de todos modos.
Con respecto a los derechos de propiedad, los países HEMGC tienen gobiernos elegidos democráticamente y se respetan los derechos de propiedad. Su enfoque de la propiedad es similar al de EE. UU., Las viviendas se compran directamente o con financiamiento bancario tradicional. Las escrituras se transfieren a los propietarios una vez que se han satisfecho los préstamos. La incautación de tierras y viviendas es inexistente, a menos que no se hayan pagado las hipotecas.
En los países HEMGC, si las familias no pueden trabajar, no comen. Si no trabajan, no pueden pagar la vivienda y pueden quedar sin hogar. Estos inmigrantes tienen una fuerte ética de trabajo, debido a su necesidad de sobrevivir con lo que ganan, y no de las dádivas gubernamentales. Como lo demuestra la encuesta, también desprecian a aquellos que intentan obtener el apoyo del gobierno, por muy difícil que sea, cuando son físicamente capaces de trabajar. La pereza y no trabajar está mal visto.
La unidad familiar en estos países está compuesta por un hombre y una mujer. Mamá y papá, la heterosexualidad es la norma en la unidad familiar. Algunos pueden estar casados, pero otros no. No es raro en algunos países como Honduras, que las parejas no se casen. Escuché que hasta el 80% de las familias pueden no estar casadas “legalmente”. Tampoco es raro que la unidad familiar tenga varios hijos, debido a que no practican métodos anticonceptivos típicos.
En los países HEMGC, la unidad familiar todavía practica los valores familiares anticuados donde el padre va a trabajar y la madre cuida a varios niños y al hogar. Las relaciones entre personas del mismo sexo son tabú, están mal vistas y no son comunes. Identificarse como abiertamente gay también es un tabú. La transexualidad no es aceptada. Los matrimonios tradicionales (hombre y mujer) y los valores heterosexuales típicos son la norma y se practican. Esto es apoyado por aquellos encuestados que apoyan el cristianismo bíblico, los valores católicos y la asistencia a la iglesia, junto con las enseñanzas conservadoras de la iglesia.
Cuando los encuestados fueron presionados sobre la aceptación de los matrimonios no tradicionales, las relaciones homosexuales y la fluidez de género, estos términos y estilos de vida no son aceptados en estos países HEMGC. Aunque, algunos compartieron que mirarán para otro lado y lo ignorarán. Aquellos que practican estos estilos de vida alternativos están fuera de las normas sociales y culturales. No se espera que el resto de la sociedad apruebe o acepte estos estilos de vida.
Con respecto a cómo la gente de cultura Hispana en los países HEMGC ven el tema del aborto, están estrictamente en contra. Creen que Dios tiene la última palabra en la vida y la muerte. Al discutir temas de fe, los encuestados compartieron que sus países son predominantemente católicos, con una población evangélica en rápido crecimiento. Aunque, muchos no son tan devotos en sus prácticas diarias, cuando se trata de cuestiones de unidades familiares tradicionales (parejas no casadas), alinean sus sistemas generales de creencias sociales con los valores bíblicos.
En general, los Hispanos de primera generación encuestados de países HEGMC, y aquellos que se convirtieron en ciudadanos naturalizados están más estrechamente alineados con los valores conservadores que con los valores progresivos. Las unidades familiares tradicionales reciben un fuerte apoyo, al igual que el trabajo duro, rechazan la asistencia pública, apoyan los matrimonios heterosexuales y son antiaborto.
Un agradecimiento especial a Lucía, María, Miquel, Rodolfo, Julio, Juanita y muchos otros que compartieron historias profundamente personales que servirán de base para otros artículos. Los nombres fueron cambiados para respetar su privacidad.
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