10 May 2008

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights ..."

Have you read the Declaration of Independence? Have you argued for or agin the use of the word God in our oaths, our pledge, our money? I shudder to think that the Declaration of Independence would come under fire for editing out reference to "Nature's God" and our "Creator" ...

These references to God are not religious. They are not about Christianity, Judaism, Islam, nor are they about church, temple, or mosque. God is a universal term that speaks to the unity within and among us all. Even the athiest has "God," though it is not defined as is that of religion.

What our founders have laid before us as a foundation is the fundamental truth of the "Laws of Nature." We have certain unalienable rights - including the right to interpret our individual relationship with "God" or life or nature or creator or ... in the way that resonates with us. And, that the ultimate source of all that we are lies in a "firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence."

The Declaration of Independence. It does not discriminate. It does not prosthletize. It only promises to uphold God-given rights to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

Let us stop killing God. It is a word that has been enveloped by almost every religion, yet it is not owned by them. God, Creator, Source - however you define it, however you embrace it - needn't be a threat. It is only in the mis-perception of this mere word that one creates fear or disonance.

Let us learn from our founders to find God in our self - the voice that says "this way." And when we gather in agreement, let us make room for alternate points of view while embracing the universal God-given rights of every single being.

Let Peace reign. Peace be with our leaders and decision makers. Peace be upon us. Peace be among us. May we act in respect to God within each of us and in each other.

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02 July 2007

Take every opportunity to INSPIRE TOLERANCE. In order to achieve this, it is essential to learn the core belief systems that thrive around the world. It should be made possible for all children to UNDERSTAND and COMPARE & CONTRAST the histories and the resulting philosophies of Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Plus, it is wise to explore the branches (i.e. Budhism-Jainism, Kabbalah-Orthodox-Masorti, Gnostics-Catholicism-Mormon, Sunni-Shi'a, etc.) that stem from or within these disciplines.

Additional exploration of more obscure belief systems, i.e. Zoroastrianism, would shed further LIGHT on the pursuit of resonance with G-D. With UNDERSTANDING, the world can grow to find UNITY by embracing similarities and to find PEACE by allowing conflicting ideas to CO-EXIST. Many paths, one destination... and many times the paths do cross.

The desire has been the same throughout time and space; the tone and the manner keep changing... consider one person's tale as revealed in The Gospel of Inclusion ...

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