The Corruption Game
Corruption is something that plagues many Eastern European countries, Poland included. I know, I know...it's everywhere, even in the US. But it's not so ubiquitous as it is in this part of the world. Don't quote me on this, but I seem to remember that in a recent corruption study done on the countries in the EU Poland was at the top of the list...and hint, this is not a list you want to top.
I bring this up because we feel that there is a good possibility that there is some level of corruption behind the issue that has been hindering the completion of our adoption. To be quite open, it has been suggested to us by both people who claim to be "in the know" when it comes to this system as well as others that we need to consider playing the corruption game. Specifically, we need to grease the wheel, spread the wealth, give a gift, pay a bribe.
I'm writing this because it's worth saying here, publicly, that we are not going to do it. Again...we are not going to make a single move that would take us outside of the law, be that Polish, American, or God's.
Some might say that since this is the way it works so often, we need to just suck it up and play the game according to "their" rules. We haven't felt right about that from the beginning (when it was suggested to us so that we could be more certain that our documents would be looked at in a more "favorable light") and we continue to stand firm against the idea.
We've been asked whether or not we feel it will be worth the stand if in the end the kids are taken away from us. Yes. Is it easy to say that? No. But we have absolutely got to be true to our character in Christ. We have to. And we have to trust that His Word will also be true as it promises that God will care for us...that He will be there with us as we walk through every step of life...that His blessing will be on us as we serve Him with our whole selves.
It would be easy to "play the game". But even then nothing would be guaranteed...and to boot, we'd be turning from God's standards to embrace the compromises of the world. In no way do those equal out.
Still nothing new to mention today but I wanted to post this just to address the issue and let you know where we stand on the subject. I would just like to add that in absolutely no way do we hold any ill feelings toward anyone that has broached the subject with us. Most often we're just thankful to see how people are willing to do whatever they can for us to help out and to get some resolution!
I bring this up because we feel that there is a good possibility that there is some level of corruption behind the issue that has been hindering the completion of our adoption. To be quite open, it has been suggested to us by both people who claim to be "in the know" when it comes to this system as well as others that we need to consider playing the corruption game. Specifically, we need to grease the wheel, spread the wealth, give a gift, pay a bribe.
I'm writing this because it's worth saying here, publicly, that we are not going to do it. Again...we are not going to make a single move that would take us outside of the law, be that Polish, American, or God's.
Some might say that since this is the way it works so often, we need to just suck it up and play the game according to "their" rules. We haven't felt right about that from the beginning (when it was suggested to us so that we could be more certain that our documents would be looked at in a more "favorable light") and we continue to stand firm against the idea.
We've been asked whether or not we feel it will be worth the stand if in the end the kids are taken away from us. Yes. Is it easy to say that? No. But we have absolutely got to be true to our character in Christ. We have to. And we have to trust that His Word will also be true as it promises that God will care for us...that He will be there with us as we walk through every step of life...that His blessing will be on us as we serve Him with our whole selves.
It would be easy to "play the game". But even then nothing would be guaranteed...and to boot, we'd be turning from God's standards to embrace the compromises of the world. In no way do those equal out.
Still nothing new to mention today but I wanted to post this just to address the issue and let you know where we stand on the subject. I would just like to add that in absolutely no way do we hold any ill feelings toward anyone that has broached the subject with us. Most often we're just thankful to see how people are willing to do whatever they can for us to help out and to get some resolution!
posted by Michael Shattuck at
12:16 PM
2 Comments:
Hi Michael,
I feel your frustration, it would be so easy to just play the game and have it all over with. I feel you are being looked at and watched by so many that would have gone that route. God is working through you both in this adoption in so many ways, your character, the character of Christians and even Americans. I am proud to have you fighting for us in that way.
Always in my prayers!
Annette
Just saw this story:
(U.S.) Congressman Indicted on Bribery Charges
I also saw that about Poland's poor rating with corruption amongst EU members.
I think it is very ironic, because there are times when Poland is the only moral voice willing to speak up in the EU. (Particularly with issues like abortion and homosexuality.)
Yet, there is this huge issue with corruption and honesty...
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