Truth, Justice, and the American Way

A good friend with whom I share many hours of philosophical discussion responded to my last entry. She diligently studies Biblical history, and gave me several insights. I believe that our values are the most important things that need defining, demonstration, and articulating to others, I so appreciate help in my continued quest to answer these moral issues that sometimes seem so contradictory.

She pointed out that the Israelites had no central earthly authority. I had never thought about that before. What faith that must take, to follow the commandments without a central body to enforce them on earth. Perhaps they were the first followers of democracy, which seems to be dependent on people accepting rules that promote the common good. (It is important to look at this in the context that the Chosen People were the least powerful in earthly terms, so their common laws are what bound them.)

My friend also pointed out that Jesus defended the weak against those who unjustly enforced the law, and that he was willing to be persecuted and even lose his life for his beliefs.

I seems important that Jesus upheld and defended the values of the Ultimate Authority with the strength of his personality and reputation as a person who himself followed the law, not with an army or any other form of brute force. This seems to be the way to lasting change. We may get the attention of the bullies with brute force, but we can only change hearts through honest and loving example. This is why it is so important that our troops show Americans to be compassionate and fair-minded people. It is also why the continued fight for social justice and individual accountability to the Higher Power and each other is so crucial.

We mistake unfettered capitalism for democracy at our own peril. We also accept the notion that all power comes from God at our peril because so many have accepted that "might makes right" based on this concept. To die defending one's principles and protecting the weak seems honorable to me. But, I believe that we are manipulated with the words of our deeply held beliefs by those who seek to protect their own property and power . Until we follow righteous people (in the words of King Arthur in Camelot, "Right makes might.") rather than politicians who are controlled by unregulated capitalists, justice will not prevail.

Power and Prayer

I have a hard time reconciling killing of humans with Christianity. We are told that Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple, so I assume he used some force to banish them. I also assume that he was angry that they were perverting the ways of worship. We are also told that, rather than defend himself, or let others exact retribution in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus forgave and healed his attackers.

What does this say to us about how to protect ourselves and those we love from attacks on our bodies and attacks on our values? Are we to turn the other cheek even to those who are leading our children astray? How much force are we allowed to use in preventing people from selling out our most sacred ideals?

Before Jesus came to the Jews and Gentiles with a message of, not only earthly justice, but eternal forgiveness and inclusion, there were many biblical tales of God supporting the killing of non-believers. Did the new covenant destroy the old or did it simply add a new dimension to ways in which to spread the seeds of salvation?

How do we balance our duty to protect the ways that we believe will lead to eternal unity with the forgiveness and inclusion of those who seek to sow discord and destruction? I attempt to simply stay on my path and invite others to walk with me
teaching me what they are experiencing on their paths to paradise. This is much simpler now that my children are grown, but when they were still in my care I would have fought to the death to protect them from predators.

Another generation of my family is now vulnerable by virtue of having little ones. Who is to protect them from perversions as they seek to define their own families' paths to peace? Are we meant to be powerless to do anything when under attack, other than to pray?

Holiness and Hypocrisy

While I am thrilled that I was exposed at an early age to the life of Jesus, I am disturbed by those who believe that the only way to obtain salvation is to verbally declare Jesus Christ as one's personal lord and savior. What of those who follow lives of the love that comes from and leads back to The Creator? Aren't these people, to the best of their abilities, following the same path that Jesus himself trod?

Isn't it possible that when Jesus was talking to his disciples, he was telling them that he had shown them the way to walk the walk of salvation; therefore, they had no good excuse for straying and possibly setting a bad example for others? Maybe we're expected to help others to salvation with our walk, not with our talk. And when we do talk, perhaps we should be careful not to show ourselves to be hypocrites. Maybe it's time we all check our behaviors against our espoused beliefs.

Isn't it also possible that we each experience Divinity in the manifestations meant for our own salvation? In my religious upbringing, I was taught that The Almighty has appeared in many guises over the centuries. If we can believe that The Spirit appeared as a burning bush, why can't we accept the spiritual visions of other religions as valid manifestations of Divinity on the path to Perfect Love?

Groups often reject those who won't reject or ridicule the "others." I'm concerned that our self-proclaimed Christian country has more and more defined itself by who we reject and ridicule. I don't think that this is the way to salvation.

Blessed indeed are those who find fellowship in their walk with their own experience of The Spirit.

Responsibility and Rescue

"Give me your car keys, but don't tell me what to do."
This has been the demand of teenagers, more than a few.
We treat Our Creator and communities the same way,
Expecting rescue, after not giving them a say.
How often are we able to enter another's hell
Without ending up destroyed, as well?

We must have many others to hold onto us
Before we attempt rescue of those we can't trust
To adhere to the values the team has defined;
Only then can we carry the fallen as we climb
Out of the pit of stubborn individuality,
Back to the partnerships in which we were meant to be.

What to Do With Our Wisdom?

A great sadness to me is the lack of bonding between my children, their children, my nieces and nephews, and my husband. This seems to be the product of my husband's belief that children are the province of the women, and that man's job is simply to support the moms. He usually interjects his opinions only when directly asked. If only they sought more contact with him, he would have so much to offer them.

His quiet good humor is, in the words of a friend, like that of "a happy baby." His dogged determination to complete projects with great care and precision, no matter the obstacles facing him, is to be admired. For this, he gets much ridicule in our "hurry up and get it done" world.

I have heard it said that we form our beliefs about God in watching how our father's behave. If this is true, I think we could do with more people in positions of authority who exhibit patience, determination, and good humor, especially toward those who are most vulnerable in society.

Why is it that so few enjoy life's processes? Isn't serenity built on the belief that life is a journey, not a destination? How many actually live in the small moments that make up life, rather than incessantly focusing on "what's next?"

In evaluating life, I have come to the belief that our old age is a gift to us and the generations coming after us; a time when we are tasked with imparting to our youth the lessons we have learned. What are we to do with all the wisdom if the children we have so loved turn away from us?

Control of a Soul

When we give ourselves over to The Spirit
We become as open as babies again.
We must then be careful who we,
Into our hearts, let in.
There are those who say they love us,
But they do not want to, in The Spirit, stay.
And while we are trusting them,
They, on our innocence, prey.

Those who really love us
Will not help us hurt ourselves.
They will raise us up
To The Goodness that indwells.
How hurtful it is on earth
There are many who want power,
And use our vulnerability
To, on us, evil shower.

Thus they seek control
Of our newly awakened souls.

Eternal Eyes

Did Judas despair because he hadn't been true to himself?
What becomes of us if we keep turning our backs on who we are
And continue pretending we're someone else?
Sometimes we have to look to others who love us when we are lost;
Our true friends will help us find our real and best selves,
No matter what their personal costs.

We can seek answers by running from one expert to another,
And take drugs with which we blind our sights;
But personal truth resides in to our own faith-filled sisters and brothers.
They will see our strengths through Eternal eyes,
Help us separate our wheat from our chaff.
In the midst of these Light Of Love people,
We can find a true self that lasts.