Ahmed Khatib’s death was tragically unexceptional: the 12-year-old Palestinian was shot by Israeli soldiers while holding a toy gun. But what happened next was not. The boy’s parents donated his organs to six Israelis. They tell Chris McGreal why their decision was a gesture of both peace and resistance
Try to ‘THINK SOLUTIONS’ for the problems of this world.
South Africa is the one nation in the world, which approximately reflects the racial composition on planet earth (as well as being a country with a mix of Jews, Christians and Moslems living harmoniously). As such, it’s a microcosm of the world in terms of its population demographics..and as a result it’s the “workshop of the world”.
This is a debate about the future of our life together on this small earth – about relations between rich and poor, between races and ideologies. Indeed about the meaning of freedom, peace and justice in a deeply disordered world. I’m talking here about ALL of us and ALL of our lives.
Let’s see the ‘politics of love’ prevail in this ‘workshop of the world.’
THE POLITICS OF LOVE MEANS DEALING WITH ONE’S OWN HEART
The answer for South Africa (and the world) lies in thePOLITICS OF LOVE. However the first step is a difficult one. It involves dealing with ones own heart. This is where the primary battlefield lies…and where we will reap the bitter fruit in full measure.
However, if love and forgiveness conquer in individual hearts, then love and forgiveness will conquer the country. If largeness of heart can vanquish shrunken narrowness of mind and spirit in you and me as individuals, if love can banish fear, if hope can overwhelm despair, if the positive can swamp the negative, then the nation can be born again.
But it has to start in the individual human heart. That is the battleground. If enough people win there, the nation wins. And if enough lose there, not only does the nation lose, but the nation is lost.
With a spirit of love, the highway then opens up to the politics of love.
“You may hate the sin, but never the sinner.”
Profess love for humanity. Love simply means desiring the highest and the best for the other person, respecting his dignity and viewing him with compassion and forgiveness. Conquer anything with God’s infinite Grace.
If I don’t let it start in my own mind, I cannot let it start at all.
Article Title: The Politics of Love (from a book ‘The Passing Summer’ by Michael Cassidy)
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Key words (tags): Books, ‘The Passing Summer’ , Michael Cassidy, South Africa, Negotiation, Love, Hope, Dreams,Peace, Inspiration, Pursuit of Peace, Good Books, Politics, Political Negotiations (enough there now)
These writings (as with all my articles) may be freely published electronically or in print (with acknowledgment to Michael Cassidy, please).
Introduction:
Craig is currently researching and writing his latest novel based on fact, set in the the “beloved country” of South Africa: To try to make some difference in building bridges in an ever more dangerous and volatile world. And as he learns from his research, is sharing this extract from a chapter of Michael Cassidy’s excellent book ‘THE PASSING SUMMER’(originallypublished in the darkest days of 1989). Though “rather religious” from my perspective, I believe Michael Cassidy makes some excellent points and his book written many years ago in the darkest days of repression has a vitally important message for today’s turbulent world.
A South African pilgrimage in the politics of love.
(Published by Hodder and Stoughton, 1989)
by Michael Cassidy*
* Michael Cassidy is the author of ‘Burning the Wineskins’, ‘Chasing the Wind’ and ‘A Witness Forever’. He is the founder of African Enterprise, a continent wide evangelic association.
*
“A man has not started living, until he can embrace the concerns of all humanity.”
– Booker T Washington (or was it Dr Albert Schweizer??)
As the great South African writer, Alan Paton once said,’ This is a country where you hope on Monday and despair on Tuesday.’ Where in the world is there such a positive challenge for young people as here?
May South Africa emerge finally under God as a nation which will not only bless the continent of Africa, but the whole world!
“For with me all things are possible.”
BELIEVE it and work hard for it.
(Matt 19:26
Mark 9:23, 10:27
Luke 18:27 )
Different perceptions lead to different solutions and it’s up to us to ‘dream the impossible dream’.
We are made or unmade by how we think. So programme our individual souls and thence the national soul with positive thoughts (“be transformed by the renewing of your mind” – Romans 12:2).
God is love, and on God’s self-giving rests the only ultimate hope of humanity. Let the spirit of love begin to take hold on the national soul, so that groups of people (different races, ethnicities) begin to think of the other before themselves and fully embrace virtue of love: to ‘do unto others what you would have them do unto you.’ (Matthew 7:12)
Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture (Ps 37:3)
Work hard doing one’s very best
then
LET GO, LET GOD, LET GOOD.
*
Now onto the controversial concept (in Jesus’s time and today) of
ENEMY LOVE:
Abraham Lincoln: “The only way to destroy your enemy is to make him your friend.”
When Christ said: “Forgive your enemies”, it is not only for the sake of the enemy, but for one’s own sake, ‘ because love is more beautiful than hate’. Hatred, like rust, eats into the soul of the individual and then an entire nation.
Jomo Kenyatta at Kenya’s independence said: “Unless we build our nation on forgiveness, we will lose the day.”
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven’ (Matthew 5:43-45).
“Do not be overcome with evil; but overcome evil with good.”
(Rom 12: 14-21)
Enemy love needs to become part of a new vision, a new style of thinking and part of a moral ‘about face’, which so many of the world’s societies desperately need.
It worked for Gandhi in India, Martin Luther King in America, between black and white in South Africa!
Enemy love and the ‘politics of forgiveness’ will attempt its utmost to see the plight and real humanity of the enemy. Not “our cause is noble and theirs is evil.”
Enemy love and the politics of forgiveness require us to hate conditions, situations and policies; not individuals, who are never as evil as the social and political situations in which they are involved, and which they symbolise.
Forgiveness implies a willingness to seek to reshape the future in the light of the wrong, in the most creative way possible.
As Martin Luther King said at the height of the Civil Rights struggle:
“We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies…
Forgiveness is not just an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.”
Each ONE of us can be a facilitator and mediator in this process.
William Wilberforce believed that submission to Christ was a man’s most important political, as well as religious decision. Define one’s political ideals in terms of freedom and equality…the highest good.
Mutual care, concern, unselfishness, conscience, worth, political vigilence and insight all form part of the ‘politics of love’.
My prayer is that all leaders of the world may find ‘the mind of Christ’. If all converged on that ‘mind’, allthe problems of the world would be solved.
The politics of love means working for structural reconciliation.
On this path lies the answer for South Africa. Inspire the planet with a new vision of hope. The golden rule is what life is all about. Jesus meant love to be the way in every area of life, including the political, because it is the BEST way….and the only way which works ALL of the time.
For these principles to work, it requires every person of good will, from the lowest to the highest to say: “I want to be part of the solution. What the ‘ordinary’ person does is critical here. For change will assuredly come from the grassroots of society… when enough people really want it and are prepared to be part of the process and press their leaders to bring in a new day. As Martin Luther King said:
“When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love. Where evil men seek to perpetrate an unjust ‘status quo’, good men must seek to bring into being a real order of justice.”
Coretta Scott King: The Words of Martin Luther King (London Collins Found, 1985 – Pg 51)
South Africa can and WILL encourage, inspire and bless the world.
We are to make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.”
– Isiah 40:3
My prayer is that all leaders of the world may find ‘the mind of Christ’. If all converged on that ‘mind’, all the problems of the world would be solved.
Nothing is impossible and absolutely anything is possible with God.
Dream the impossible dream.
Michael Cassidy (from ‘The Passing Summer’, written in the darkest days of 1989)
About the author:
* Michael Cassidy is the author of ‘Burning the Wineskins’, ‘Chasing the Wind’ and ‘A Witness Forever’. He is the founder of African Enterprise, a continent wide evangelic association.
#
Submitted by Craig Lock (Eagle Productions)
and this is for you my good friends, Donovan and Lynda
“Let’s see things not as they are…
but what they can one day be.”
“When people’s hearts are filled with love, the world is full of hope”
– craig
These writings may be freely published electronically or in print (with acknowledgment to Michael Cassidy, please).
PPS
To end off, lets reflect on the words of a leader who stood steadfastly for the values and for the causes of justice and freedom for all…
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
– Dr Martin Luther King, Jr
“Together, one mind, one heart at a time, let’s march into a bright new tomorrow.”
Author’s Bio:
About the Submitter
In his various writings Craig attempts in some small way to advance the cause of peace. He is currently “working” on his latest manuscript – a “novel”, yet a true story of transformation … from hatred to love in the cauldron of the Middle East titled ‘From Seeds of Hate to the Bonds of Love’.
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at
“Together, one mind, one heart at a time, let’s march into a bright new tomorrow.”
“Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility… and together let’s look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher.”
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; when there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand, to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying [to ourselves] that we are born to eternal life.”
– Peace Prayer of St Francis
thanks dearest mom, for sharing those wise words with me, when I was too young (or perhaps “immature”) to understand, yet they must have made some impression on me many many years later!
Help me to do the most good for the greatest amount of people.
Thank you”
“not so Mr goody goody two shoes”
“Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
– St. Francis of Assisi (13th century)
(Thanks for sharing those beautiful words with me, dearest mom…even though I didn’t understand them then. Your spirit of acceptance and love lives on… forever)
“Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and peace. Let our leaders look at the future with a vision – to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become.”
– craig
“When the world is filled with love, people’s hearts are overflowing with hope.”
“Those who make a peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable.”
– rather wise and prophetic words from a great leader, John F Kennedy
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that really matter.”
– Dr Martin Luther King, Jnr
“Those who stand up for justice, will always be on the right side of history.”
– Dr Martin Luther King, Jnr
“Those whom you seek to change, you must first love.”
– Dr Martin Luther King, Jnr
“Wars are poor chisels for carving out a peaceful tomorrow.”
– MLK (again)
“True peace is not merely the absence of tension but is the presence of justice and brotherhood.”
– Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”
– Albert Einstein
“Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won — you earn it and win it in every
generation.”
– Coretta Scott King (1927-2006)
“Change can only happen when you change the hearts and minds of those who oppose you.”
– exiled Chinese Muslim leader, Rebiya Kadeer
“If I must choose between righteousness and peace, I choose righteousness.”
– Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919, Twenty-Sixth President of the United States of America from 1901-1909, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize)
Article Title: Sharing Some More Thoughts (Inspirational and Empowering) On “The War For Peace”
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Category (key words/tags):
Publishing Guidelines:
These writings (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.
*
SHARING SOME THOUGHTS (INSPIRATIONAL and EMPOWERING) ON “THE WAR FOR PEACE”
Submitter’s Note:
The submitter collects inspirational quotations, instead of bottle-tops or stamps. Craig loves sharing them to hopefully impact, uplift, encourage and perhaps even inspire others along life’s journey. Enjoy.
To your health, prosperity, a sense of self-fulfilment and satisfaction in your work, peace and especially joy.
All the best for 2012 and beyond
*
“Those who make a peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable.”
– rather wise and prophetic words from a great leader, John F Kennedy
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that really matter.”
– Dr Martin Luther King, Jnr
“Those who stand up for justice, will always be on the right side of history.”
– Dr Martin Luther King, Jnr
“Those whom you seek to change, you must first love.”
– Dr Martin Luther King, Jnr
“Wars are poor chisels for carving out a peaceful tomorrow.”
– MLK (again)
“True peace is not merely the absence of tension but is the presence of justice and brotherhood.”
– Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”
– Albert Einstein
“Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won — you earn it and win it in every
generation.”
– Coretta Scott King (1927-2006)
“Change can only happen when you change the hearts and minds of those who oppose you.”
– exiled Chinese Muslim leader, Rebiya Kadeer
“If I must choose between righteousness and peace, I choose righteousness.”
– Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919, Twenty-Sixth President of the United States of America from 1901-1909, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize)
Conquering others requires force. Conquering oneself requires strength.”
– Lao Tzu; Tao Te Ching
Nelson Mandela once said: “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
Truth ultimately overcomes power…eventually, always.
The strength of spirit to do that comes from the human heart, God, a Higher Power. With God’s spirit we then have strength for the present and have hope in the future
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
– Mahatma Gandhi (and Lance Armstrong)
*
No matter your circumstances, YOU too can have the conquering, the unconquerable spirit of a champion in YOUR own life.
As Gandhi said, ‘in the midst of darkness, light exists’.
However, it’s a darkness that we can and will illuminate with our hearts.
We don’t have to forget the past in order to move forward.
Many small (yet significant) steps by many ‘little people with big hearts” will eventually reach their destination, their destiny.
However, it’s a darkness that we can and will illuminate with our hearts.
Shine your own bright light on humanity.
– craig
“You can cut down the flower, but nothing can stop the coming of the spring.”
“God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.”
– Mother Teresa
“All works of love are works of peace.”
– Mother Theresa
“Most of us cannot do great things, so let’s just do the little things in a great way.”
– Mother Teresa (again)
“Let us reach for the world that ought to be, that spark of the divine that still stirs within each of our souls.”
– Barack Obama (in accepting his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway)
“Lord,
Let me love rather than be loved,
in forgiving we give…
and in dying we are given eternal life.”
– Mother Teresa
(the abbreviated words of Mother Teresa in accepting her Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo
When the world is filled with love, people’s hearts are overflowing with hope.”
– craig
“Peacemakers who sow in peace, will heap a harvest of righteousness.”
– James 2:18
Together, one mind, one heart, one soul, one life at a time, let’s encourage, impact, uplift and perhaps even inspire the world. Change YOUR world… and you help change THE world… for the better”
As they carry me to my deathbed, I’ll be saying:
“Lord,
Can you just give me one more hour to finish off one last article. PLEASE!”
– craig (as inspired by the quote of singer, Barry Manilow)
PPS
“In the midst of darkness, light exists.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
“Lord, make me a channel of thy peace;
that where there is hatred, I may bring love;
that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;
that where there is error, I may bring truth;
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;
that where there is despair, I may bring hope;
that where there are shadows, I may bring light;
that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted;
to understand, than to be understood;
to love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.
Amen.”
– St Francis of Assisi
(as well as the full extract of Mother Teresa’s words in accepting her Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo)
thanks mom, your generous and free spirit lives on… forever
THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED
“Peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”
– author unknown
“Where do we find peace? Peace is in the rosy softness of a new dawn breaking. It’s the sound of the wind across the mountain peak, the quiet and mystical beauty of a snow-flake drifting silence downward to a land blanketed in white. Peace is the elusive Kingdom of the Soul.”
Thank you, dearest mom for the enrichment you have given to our lives. Your generous “zany hazey” spirit of love that is the colourful garden of your soul lives on … your beautiful bright ray of sunshine continues to shine on and caress the world… forever
About the submitter:
Craig believes that in spite of world peace being an unachievable, impossible dream, through his writings and ‘little actions in life’ he’ll just tirelessly keep “‘beavering away’ to try to make some small difference towards a better and more peaceful world. Crazy??
Peace lives within!
“In our own little ways in our individual lives we can touch so many others and share our common humanity. And in so doing we can illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity. We must offer a compelling alternate vision for the world: a bright future of justice, tolerance, respect for other traditions and values and especially a vision of goodness and hope fuelled by the flame of love – one that banishes the fanatical ideology of intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged.”
– craig (as inspired by and adapted from the words of Abdurahman Wahid, former President of Indonesia)
“What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light.”
“What we believe is not nearly as important as how we relate, interact with each other… and how we live. Only when we can say, ‘I am first and foremost a human being, and second a Jew, Muslim, Shi’ite, a Sunni, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu ,or a Sikh…’ will we progress and break down barriers between peoples, nations and cultures, both east and west. Let not our beliefs , but our shared humanity (ALL of us) define who we really are. ”
“Let us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Rather than borders, let us look at distant horizons together…in the common spirit of the value and dignity of a shared personhood – our common humanity as citizens of planet earth.”
– craig
“God’s greatest gift to us is allowing us to find, then choose to follow our own truths.”
Publishing Guidelines:
All my writings may be freely published, electronically or in print.
# #
WHAT ARE SOME KEY SIMILARITIES BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM?
Submitter’s Note:
Craig is studying the teachings of different religions (to find ‘common ground’/principles/ and as he learns from his research, is sharing these notes in an attempt to ‘enlighten’ (himself and perhaps others) regarding ‘eternal and universal truths.’ These notes form part of Craig’s new novel set in the Middle East, titled ‘A New Dawn: Let the Journey Begin’. Hope this piece may be of interest to you too.
*
INTRODUCTION
The issue of RELIGION throughout history of mankind and today evermore plays a vital part in many conflicts around the world. Religion is (and was) often blamed as the cause of the conflicts; whereas it is/was people misusing religion for their own ends (often taking particular and significant interpretations out of context) that have shaped societies and cultures. I truly believe it’s critically important to emphasize the common values shared by different religions to drastically reduce tensions around the globe. So that religion (and it’s beliefs) can be turned around from being part of the conflict to be part of the SOLUTION. Instead of focusing on the differences between people, in this ‘battle of ideas/ideologies” we should focus far more on what we have in common.
So what are the foundations, what is the frame-work of the respective beliefs?
Most religions of the world espouse (nice word, eh!) good moral values as a code of conduct: the virtues of passion for liberalism, tolerance, compassion, decency and generous ideals. However, there is a fundamental doctrinal incompatibility between the major faiths of Islam and Christianity (though together with the Jews, they worship the God of Abraham). These three major religions share the common truth of the Old Testament, having many prophets in common and consequently have many “shared values” that have shaped societies over the past two millennia.
Whilst there are some major differences between Islam and Christianity, from my research (fascinating and mainly online) some of the fundamental similarities in beliefs between these two main religions (as well as Judaism) are as follows:
ISLAM
The main beliefs:
* There is only One True God: the Sovereign Ruler of the universe…
and has full control over our lives (and will meet all of our needs)
* God (Allah) is the Creator of everything and central to Muslims lives. Allah is simply beyond human thought and understanding.
* True believers are not to worship any other gods
* Allah’s goodness and benevolence is seen everywhere, because He is compassionate and merciful.
* Many Old Testament prophets were from God (ie. were sent by God as messengers to the world)
* Jesus’s strong sense of mission, unity and sense of purpose.
He was sent by God to serve humanity and being divinely inspired was a great moral teacher and prophet.
* God gave the Torah, the prophets, the Koran and the Gospel to guide our lives. ( I don’t know enough about Mohamed and his “divine destiny” to pass comment on his “mission”).
* We are to obey God’s words (as in the first five books of the Old Testament, the ‘Pentitukes’- spelling?)
* We should surrender/sacrifice ourselves fully to God
(in fact, the word ‘Islam” means ‘full submission to God’s will’)
* Jesus will return to earth one day (though in which form is uncertain). Though Jews do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah…
and I’m not sure on that point with Islam.
* Humans have free will and exercise a choice between doing good or evil in their daily lives.
* Humans only live once on this earth, then face judgment:
One day there will be a day of Judgment for how we’ve lived our lives.
* Believers who die will go to ‘heaven’ and live forever (though the concept of heaven is not precisely defined).
* Disbelievers will go to ‘hell’ (or suffer torment, which is ‘separation from God’ forever). Heaven or hell are written about in the Qur’an in poetic terms, ie. symbolic rather than actual places.
* It is important to pray to God frequently (Muslims do it five times a day) and attend a congregation at least once a week (usually mid-day on Fridays)
* We should have a spirit of charity and help the poor and those in a less fortunate position to ourselves (with money and/or works)
* A person’s allotted time on earth is predestined.
* All people are equal before the law.
and finally
* We should respect our differences and Christians, Jews, and Muslims should never be killed purely on account of their faith.
#
CHRISTIANITY
Christianity and Islam are both missionary religions. Both faiths believe they have a monopoly over the truth. Both want to share their version of truth with others and both compete in seeking converts. I am motivated to share these “truths” with others, so people may benefit and enhance their lives in a meaningful way…if they so CHOOSE.
There IS a significant difference from Islam: Christianity exists solely on the basis that Jesus Christ is the ‘son of God’ (ie. the fact is taken literally); whereas the faith of Islam exists purely on the basis that God dictated his laws to Mohammed and that the Koran contains God’s actual words. Most “informed” Christians, however, do not believe the Koran is the un-intermediated word of God. Most followers of Christ know very little about Mohammed being perceived as a ‘messenger of God.’ They can, therefore, only think that Mohammed was deluded, if not a liar. (Of course, most Christians are far too polite to say such a thing!).
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the son of God/God incarnate (“the human face of God”) and that he dies on a cross to reconcile mankind and God. Then he was resurrected after three days and now lives in heaven. The gospel message teaches that reconciliation with God is to be found through the redemptive work of Jesus only.
Good works as “entry” to heaven count for nothing, in the absence of acceptance of Jesus.
And as regards Christianity, it’s the notion of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit as one), which rationalists find to be the most implausible aspect of Christianity. If Jesus was not the Son of God, then he too was deluded, crazy … or perhaps even a “liar”. And if he – as opposed to He – was either of those things, then the Resurrection is also a lie and Christianity, as a faith rather than as a philosophy is utterly null and void.
Christianity is based on the concept of FAITH and God’s Infinite Grace. We are “saved for eternity” (so our soul lives on) through our faith in Jesus and are not solely judged for the ‘hereafter’ by our good works during our lifetime. (And these good works are inspired by our faith and the ‘divine spirit’ at work through God’s Infinite Grace). This is a battle of ideas. Cardinal Ratzenberger: “Islam simply does not have the separation of the political and religious spheres which Christianity had from the very beginning. The Koran… insists that the whole order of life be Islamic (ie. no separation of religion/church and state). One must understand that Islam is not simply a denomination that can be included in the free realm of a pluralistic society.”
True Muslims cannot accept either the separation of powers or the freedom under the law (ie. “democracy”), which are the hallmarks of Western civilization.
* extracted from an article (excellent) in ‘The Independent’ by Dominic Lawson.
As we are what we believe yourself to be (You are what YOU believe), I believe that Jesus genuinely believed himself to be a ‘Son of God’, divinely ordained with a specific mission, a unique purpose which he CHOSE to fulfil in his short life. Christians say that the tradition of Jesus of Nazareth points us to a new life and new thoughts, as well as new possibilities… as a community and as a nation. Still you may or may not CHOOSE to believe in Jesus Christ and follow his teachings as YOUR pathway to connect to God, a Higher Power, ‘the Ground of all Being, the Essence of Existence’, your spiritual self.
#
Whilst we can celebrate our differences, we should love God (whatever we understand the concept to be) with all our hearts, minds and souls and our neighbour as we love ourselves (common teachings from both faiths of Islam and Christianity). Simple, eh!
It’s not such a matter of conflicting ideologies, the great ‘battle of civilizations’ is it?
So
Isn’t WHAT UNITES US IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT DIVIDES US!
and
God’s greatest gift to us is allowing us to find, then choose to follow our own truths.
Craig Lock
Former Archbishop in South Africa Desmond Tutu: “We have come to a time in the history of the world, where we need to rediscover the path to peace, and the path to peace can never be war. This pathway is lined with the concept of co-existence and co-inhabitance of the world.”
“A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long supressed, finds utterance.”
– J.Nehru, first Prime Minister of India
“It is time for people of good will from every faith, culture and nation to recognise that a terrible danger threatens humanity. We must set aside the partisan bickering between nations and join together to confront the danger that lies before us. Let us seek common ground between peoples around the globe…
because what unites us is far more important than what divides us.
“In our own little ways in our individual lives we can touch so many others and share our common humanity. And in so doing we can illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity. We must offer a compelling alternate vision for the world: a bright future of justice, tolerance, respect for other traditions and values and especially a vision of goodness and hope fuelled by the flame of love – one that banishes the fanatical ideology of intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged.”
– craig (as inspired by and adapted from the words of Abdurahman Wahid, former President of Indonesia)
“What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light.”
“What we believe is not nearly as important as how we relate, interact with each other… and how we live. Only when we can say, ‘I am first and foremost a human being, and second a Jew, Muslim, Shi’ite, a Sunni, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu ,or a Sikh…’ will we progress and break down barriers between peoples, nations and cultures, both east and west. Let not our beliefs , but our shared humanity (ALL of us) define who we really are. “
“Let us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Rather than borders, let us look at distant horizons together…in the common spirit of the value and dignity of a shared personhood – our common humanity as citizens of planet earth.”
– craig
“God’s greatest gift to us is allowing us to find, then choose to follow our own truths.”
About the submitter:
Craig is “a passionate ‘extremist’ about respect for religious tolerance and moderation”. In his various writings Craig strives in some small way to break down social, cultural, religious and economic barriers. He truly believes that whilst we should celebrate our differences, what we share is way more important than what divides us. http://www.craiglockbooks.comhttp://www.selfgrowth.com/experts/craig_lock.html
Craig’s new manuscript ‘A New Dawn’ is set in the Middle East: In it he attempts to find ‘common ground’/principles between different religions and cultures and to try to make some difference in building bridges in an ever more dangerous, turbulent and uncertain world. A passionate story of inspiration: hope, faith, peace and especially love.
“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstore”
“A good book should take you from your everyday life to another place entirely.”
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com
Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, let’s plant the seeds, the hope of a better and brighter future.
THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED, electronically or in print
“Peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” – author unknown
As regards the volatile tinder-box that is the Middle East today, just sharing a few brief thoughts that may, or may not be of interest. All my articles may be freely published, electronically or in print.
Solving the problems in the volatile Middle East requires a “conceptual revolution”, a re-evaluation of thinking. I think it was Einstein who once said that “the problems of this world cannot be solved at the same level of thinking that created them”.
There needs to be a multi-pronged approach to peace initiaves:
A STRATEGY involving:
D iplomacy
E conomic
P olitical
S cientific
C ultural initiaves
and finally (and as a last resort),
the M ilitary
Those leaders who fail to heed the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. In this current crisis (due to the stalling of peace initiaves), with the moral WILL, world leaders need desperately to find the spark to ignite talks between Israel and Hamas, then maintain that energy to find creative solutions to the huge problems in the Middle East.
Both Palestinians and Israelis need to fight poverty as if it were a military threat… because poverty is a fertile breeding ground for extremism (fanaticism).
“Peace will only come about as a result of compromise. Politics can achieve more by goodwill than by power. Moving from a strategy of military superiority to one of economic co-operation will help us choose the correct path, and future generations will thank us.” – the words of Shimon Peres, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs (in the “hope filled” days of 1993 and current President of Israel)
*
I see only one hope for our very troubled world, and that is when all peoples, black, brown and white desiring neither power, money nor especially a sense of self importance, come together to work hard for it with the creative spirit, that is in every one of us. With economic growth and the creation of jobs, people feel secure with a sense of well-being…and are happy.
When people act in a spirit of goodness, concern for humanity and especially utmost integrity, desiring only the good of their countries and so the world, the world be a far more prosperous and peaceful place – a world perhaps one day even at peace with itself.
“Peace in our time is a celebration of a man’s unique vision – a vision, a dream that reaches out and shines, touching with magic the drama of life across all its limitless horizons.”
Shared by craig (“writing for a more peaceful …and better world”)
“We can begin today by taking the first steps across the bridge of mutual co-operation and understanding among Middle East peoples. The journey ahead will be long, but the way is open. We need brave travellers.”
– more inspiring words from Shimon Peres in his book ‘The New Middle East” (published in 1993)…
yet sadly the hopeful vision is far, far away from fulfilment, as. the hopes of a wider peace in the Middle East have turned to ashes…
Yet I live in hope that:
“If you will it sufficiently, it does not have to be a fairytale.” (inspired by the words of Israeli writer, Theodore Herzl)
“The peace of the brave is within our reach. We must keep reaching.”
– the words of former US President Bill Clinton in 1993 at the signing of the peace treaty between Israeli Premier Yatkik Rabin and the PLO’s Yassar Arafat on the lawn of the White House in 1993
“When the world is filled with love, people’s hearts are overflowing with hope.”
– craig
About the submitter:
In his writings, Craig strives to break down social, cultural, religious and economic barriers through trying to plant (then “water”) ‘tiny seeds of hope’ through sharing ideas and principles. He believes that whilst we should celebrate our differences, what we share is way more important than what divides us.
A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.” – Chinese proverb
“A book is small enough to hold in your hand; but when you read it, the walls fall away and you’re in a room as big as the world.”
“A book, like a dog, is man’s best friend, but inside it’s too dark to read.”
– Woody Allen (I “tink”)
“Change can only happen when you (negotiators) are first able to get into the heads, then begin to change the hearts and minds of those who oppose you.”
“Leaders of countries (and the world) must first understand that reconciliation, real genuine reconciliation cannot merely be a ‘feel good’ concept; but will only be achieved by an orderly, perhaps even at times a gradual process of social and economic transformation… steadily and with the right motives, the highest moral will and in a spirit of utmost integrity – one of moving towards the ultimate goal. And only by following this path will eradicate disparities between diverse segments of societies and so ensure a lasting and smooth reconciliation of conflicts around the globe.”
– craig (as inspired by the words of South African,`JD Allende (former Provincial Chairman of the ANC Youth League and NEC member
“Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and peace. Let our leaders look at the future with a vision – to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become.”
THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED
PPS
“Instead of the limits of borders (of countries and of our minds) let us and our leaders expand our sense of possibility… and together let’s look at building bridges to distant horizons, far and great. Lord, help us all lift our eyes a little higher.”
As regards the volatile tinder-box that is the Middle East today, just sharing a few brief thoughts that may, or may not be of interest. All my articles may be freely published, electronically or in print.
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