The Islamophobic video Sam
Bacile made and the words he used (as well as all of those, here in the United
States and Israel who support Bacile’s political position that Islam is totally
evil) fail to understand that these actions and words have consequences. Fanning
the flames of intolerance leaves nail holes. The words hurt. The nail holes
become pits where hate and resentment fester, eventually morphing into an
overall infection. Hate, anger, intolerance, fear – these are not Christian
values. They are not family values. Yet, they are exactly what we are teaching
and promoting here at home and, by purposely angering other cultures, what we
are encouraging in nations abroad.
We present ourselves to the
international community as if we’re saying “It’s our way or the highway – and
we have more money and a bigger army.” Consequently, I don’t understand why we wonder
why other countries hate us so much.
Using vile and incendiary
language hurts us. It has consequences
for us. For over four years this has been
going on – on both side of the political spectrum – Republican and Democrat. Political
adversaries are no longer those with another point of view. They are evil,
unpatriotic, disingenuous, un-American cancers. I believe the conservative talk
show hosts, media outlets, and spokespersons have been the more blatant of the
two. But it’s there and is has frozen Washington. I don’t understand why we
wonder why civil discourse in this country has all but disappeared,
And it’s not just in Washington.
It used to be that you and I could disagree on policy or program. Now, it seems
if I disagree with you, I am a bad, vile, evil, non-spiritual person. That
doesn’t leave much room for civility.
We cannot find peace through war
and conflict. War and conflict breed germs of the diseases like hatred,
resentment, victimhood, intolerance, and powerlessness.
Justice, empowerment, and
acceptance breed peace, and peace is not weakness.
When I was an active alcoholic,
I was simply emotionally absent for my teenage children. This abandonment hurt
them terribly. I made very impaired decisions that hurt them and left deep
scars. I fully understand about hurts and consequences. I fully understand the
power of words, the hurts they can cause, and the lingering nail holes that are
left.
When will our nation learn that?
Thanks for listening, and – as
always – feel free to forward this message to your friends, family, and those
accompanying you on your spiritual journey.
Don
#3 September, 2012
Copyright, 2012
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