We are living in a polarized world. Polarized in the sense that no middle ground can be found, or occupied in our current global social state. It has become high fashion to shout and bellow our viewpoints to one another. Some of us so love the process of argument, that we need only hear a whisper of one discussion or another to be set off, and begin the process of hurling "talking points" from whichever side of the fence we favor, be this a discussion of religion, politics, or sport. We as a people, both of a national and a global society, have become obsessed with conflict. Conflict is bold. Conflict is certain. Conflict is fire, and noise, and sexy...especially when we are in the driver's seat. I am not the first to bring this up for discussion/evaluation. Was it President Jimmy Carter during the Mid East Peace Talks, or Ghandi, or maybe Bob Dylan or Bob Marley who was the first to remind the world of the concept of "commonality"? Why can't we use that which we share, that which we have in common,as a foundation upon which to improve our current situation and build a stronger future society. Argument is the easiest goal to attain, so why bother? If we can find the slightest point on which to agree, with those in our lives with whom we have a history of disagreement, we can begin a process of building, as opposed to our current process of destruction. As a global society, many innocents suffer daily because of the destruction of schools, churches, financial institutions, families, lives; all because it is easier to fund wars and prohibitions instead of working together to accommodate those in our respective communities who are slightly different than us. If you strive to know your neighbor, then you may begin to better know your self. The best way to learn about why someone would hate is to learn about what they love, in this, we can begin the process of the elimination of unnecessary, or unintended transgressions;to strive towards better understanding of a neighbors needs is to present them with a road map to their eventual understanding of your own. In time, the two can learn to live together, by compassionately sharing space. Rationalism dispels fear. Communion bolsters feelings of security.
Leadership, or should I say, irresponsible leaders have divided us. We are divided as a nation, and as a world society. When we trade the responsibility and the gift of freedom for security in times of unrest, we empower those leaders by surrendering our voice. We refuse to make choices for ourselves, because to choose anything automatically obligates us to the acceptance of consequences, when we give our vote to a political leader, or our support to a religious movement, we allow them the freedom to choose for us, confident that this will lead to the safe and secure life we are led to believe is there, but only if we choose in this way or that. We usually get into these situations shortly after finding our backs against a wall, when the pitfalls of life are seeming to prevail. We turn to the church, or to government, when we have tried all we can on our own and nothing has seemed to work. The resulting security gained from affiliation with these entities, becomes the lock on most of our hearts. For to turn against, or to question the collective position held by one entity or another, would put you at odds with the dogma attached to being part of said entity. People are afraid of being left alone, kicked out, or black balled.
We must ALL begin a pattern of accepting responsibility for our individual actions. For many, that may first require self observation, a practice unfamiliar with many (strangely enough) who follow the tradition of "Western" religion. I say unfamiliar because considering the concept of compassion, and it's importance to most persons with whom I am familiar who consider themselves Christians, I witness very little in the way of compassion, or understanding of those who come from different places, who practice religion differently. It does not matter what you believe, as long as it brings you comfort and inner peace. But I believe that to fully participate in any society, whether in a nation or a neighborhood, one must first seek the truths which one claims are essential to the creation and development of mankind, and live an individual life, dedicated to upholding those principals. Freedom of speech does not only mean that you can stand at the foot of the Capital building and shout whatever you want, it also protects those who would stand next to you and shout just the opposite.. Freedom of religion is not just for those in the majority. And the inalienable rights for all human beings, as detailed in our Declaration of Independence, should stand for everyone in the world. If we can't fight for the rights of humans to live in peace worldwide, at least maybe we can stop fighting our neighbors long enough to try and remember what the fight was about in the first place, maybe we won't have so much time to fight once we spend time trying to understand one another. Question authority, it is your right. Don't be afraid of change, ask someone how it may actually enrich your life, and lastly, you don't even really have to be nice to anybody, just be nice to, and forgive yourself. All the rest will seem a fractional shade less gloomy.
Leadership, or should I say, irresponsible leaders have divided us. We are divided as a nation, and as a world society. When we trade the responsibility and the gift of freedom for security in times of unrest, we empower those leaders by surrendering our voice. We refuse to make choices for ourselves, because to choose anything automatically obligates us to the acceptance of consequences, when we give our vote to a political leader, or our support to a religious movement, we allow them the freedom to choose for us, confident that this will lead to the safe and secure life we are led to believe is there, but only if we choose in this way or that. We usually get into these situations shortly after finding our backs against a wall, when the pitfalls of life are seeming to prevail. We turn to the church, or to government, when we have tried all we can on our own and nothing has seemed to work. The resulting security gained from affiliation with these entities, becomes the lock on most of our hearts. For to turn against, or to question the collective position held by one entity or another, would put you at odds with the dogma attached to being part of said entity. People are afraid of being left alone, kicked out, or black balled.
We must ALL begin a pattern of accepting responsibility for our individual actions. For many, that may first require self observation, a practice unfamiliar with many (strangely enough) who follow the tradition of "Western" religion. I say unfamiliar because considering the concept of compassion, and it's importance to most persons with whom I am familiar who consider themselves Christians, I witness very little in the way of compassion, or understanding of those who come from different places, who practice religion differently. It does not matter what you believe, as long as it brings you comfort and inner peace. But I believe that to fully participate in any society, whether in a nation or a neighborhood, one must first seek the truths which one claims are essential to the creation and development of mankind, and live an individual life, dedicated to upholding those principals. Freedom of speech does not only mean that you can stand at the foot of the Capital building and shout whatever you want, it also protects those who would stand next to you and shout just the opposite.. Freedom of religion is not just for those in the majority. And the inalienable rights for all human beings, as detailed in our Declaration of Independence, should stand for everyone in the world. If we can't fight for the rights of humans to live in peace worldwide, at least maybe we can stop fighting our neighbors long enough to try and remember what the fight was about in the first place, maybe we won't have so much time to fight once we spend time trying to understand one another. Question authority, it is your right. Don't be afraid of change, ask someone how it may actually enrich your life, and lastly, you don't even really have to be nice to anybody, just be nice to, and forgive yourself. All the rest will seem a fractional shade less gloomy.
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