I write fiction about senseless war and mass destruction.
I write to quell my fear of a nuclear war. I write to make a difference—to help others see the senselessness of all war. Perhaps my fear is misguided.
Are we experiencing a foot-war by an invisible enemy, an enemy that comes in all shapes, sizes, ideologies, and creeds? Is this a war forged by humans with human victims?
Yesterday, we experienced another in a long string of violence at the hand of Americans, using weapons legally purchased in stores and weapons made at home. I am uncertain that it matters whether this latest mass murder was committed in the name or religion or by a man who hated his co-workers. They are dead, he is dead, his wife and accomplice is dead.
With no meaningful dialogue on how to solve these mass shooter attacks, will any of us ever be safe? Must it touch every single one of our lives through it victims before we say ENOUGH?
When I encounter the word humanity, I always experience a sensation a calm in both body and mind. Humanity is a goal, a concept, and a promise. I write about humanity, and I am indeed a Humanist. For those not acquainted with the terminology, a Humanist believes that our ethical guide is internal, not something you are endowed with by a deity. This scares some people, enrages others, and is rebuked as a faithless bunch destined to an eternity in hell. But, you see, I don’t need the threat of hell to scare me into not killing. For those who would judge me for my beliefs: I do not judge you on yours if you desire and work for a peaceful existence. But I ask you, have you ever heard of a Humanist committing the type of violence we are experiencing on a daily basis?
Excerpt from Moving Mountains: A Sermon By Reverend John Summerlyn
“I can’t say that I know who did this. Throughout the centuries, religious groups have fought each other in horrible wars under the pretext of their differences. ‘We don’t believe the same things about our deity, and therefore we must eliminate anyone who believes differently than we do,’ they reasoned. If they had only tried to find the similarities, perhaps we would not be living in a world with so much loss and suffering today. In this world, we are no longer able to rise in the morning without feeling the heaviness from our sadness and loss.”
I looked back at the stricken face of Carl Delgado. “Come on,” I whispered to Bailey and Jackson. They followed me as I made my way towards the back row and sat in the empty seat next to Delgado. Bailey sat on my lap, and Jackson took my left hand. I took Delgado’s hand in my right one and continued listening to Reverend John.
“If we could remember that each of the world’s recognized religions have the same fundamental values, perhaps we could hear God’s true message.
“Christianity: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:1.
“Islam: No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Sunnah.
“Judaism: What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Talmud, Shabbat, three id.
“Confucianism: Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state. Analects 12:2.
“Buddhism: Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udana-Varga five, one.
“Hinduism: This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you. Mahabharata five, 1517.
“Taoism: Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss. Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ien.”
Reverend John paused, looked out over the small congregation, and smiled. “Maybe if we all closely follow this rule, the Golden Rule, you might recognize as ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,’ we can avoid the misunderstandings of the past.”
He looked up again, and his eyes settled on the last row of chairs. “And next week, I think that I would like to speak about forgiveness as it has been taught in these different faiths. And before we leave, please turn to your neighbor and offer peace, in whatever way you like.”
Resource Guide:
https://www.facebook.com/americanhumanist/info/?tab=overview
https://www.facebook.com/HumansRefusingToBeEnemies/?fref=ts
http://americanhumanist.org/
I write to quell my fear of a nuclear war. I write to make a difference—to help others see the senselessness of all war. Perhaps my fear is misguided.
Are we experiencing a foot-war by an invisible enemy, an enemy that comes in all shapes, sizes, ideologies, and creeds? Is this a war forged by humans with human victims?
Yesterday, we experienced another in a long string of violence at the hand of Americans, using weapons legally purchased in stores and weapons made at home. I am uncertain that it matters whether this latest mass murder was committed in the name or religion or by a man who hated his co-workers. They are dead, he is dead, his wife and accomplice is dead.
With no meaningful dialogue on how to solve these mass shooter attacks, will any of us ever be safe? Must it touch every single one of our lives through it victims before we say ENOUGH?
When I encounter the word humanity, I always experience a sensation a calm in both body and mind. Humanity is a goal, a concept, and a promise. I write about humanity, and I am indeed a Humanist. For those not acquainted with the terminology, a Humanist believes that our ethical guide is internal, not something you are endowed with by a deity. This scares some people, enrages others, and is rebuked as a faithless bunch destined to an eternity in hell. But, you see, I don’t need the threat of hell to scare me into not killing. For those who would judge me for my beliefs: I do not judge you on yours if you desire and work for a peaceful existence. But I ask you, have you ever heard of a Humanist committing the type of violence we are experiencing on a daily basis?
Excerpt from Moving Mountains: A Sermon By Reverend John Summerlyn
“I can’t say that I know who did this. Throughout the centuries, religious groups have fought each other in horrible wars under the pretext of their differences. ‘We don’t believe the same things about our deity, and therefore we must eliminate anyone who believes differently than we do,’ they reasoned. If they had only tried to find the similarities, perhaps we would not be living in a world with so much loss and suffering today. In this world, we are no longer able to rise in the morning without feeling the heaviness from our sadness and loss.”
I looked back at the stricken face of Carl Delgado. “Come on,” I whispered to Bailey and Jackson. They followed me as I made my way towards the back row and sat in the empty seat next to Delgado. Bailey sat on my lap, and Jackson took my left hand. I took Delgado’s hand in my right one and continued listening to Reverend John.
“If we could remember that each of the world’s recognized religions have the same fundamental values, perhaps we could hear God’s true message.
“Christianity: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:1.
“Islam: No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Sunnah.
“Judaism: What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Talmud, Shabbat, three id.
“Confucianism: Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state. Analects 12:2.
“Buddhism: Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udana-Varga five, one.
“Hinduism: This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you. Mahabharata five, 1517.
“Taoism: Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss. Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ien.”
Reverend John paused, looked out over the small congregation, and smiled. “Maybe if we all closely follow this rule, the Golden Rule, you might recognize as ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,’ we can avoid the misunderstandings of the past.”
He looked up again, and his eyes settled on the last row of chairs. “And next week, I think that I would like to speak about forgiveness as it has been taught in these different faiths. And before we leave, please turn to your neighbor and offer peace, in whatever way you like.”
Resource Guide:
https://www.facebook.com/americanhumanist/info/?tab=overview
https://www.facebook.com/HumansRefusingToBeEnemies/?fref=ts
http://americanhumanist.org/
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