In the headlines on Yahoo "Images from Paris attacks!" "This is an act of war" and so on.
Comments pop up on social media platforms condemning all Muslims just like after 9-11 and every terrorist attack since. I have friends who are Muslim, Jewish, Christians, Buddhists etc. They come from every religion, every walk of life. It is not the religion to be condemned, it is not even the terrorists who are to be condemned. (You may now take two minutes to yell at the computer regarding this sentence before moving on) Mother Theresa believed and Buddhists (from what I understand about the religion) believe that what you put out into the universe comes back on you 10 fold. If you put out into the universe the condemnation of terrorists then terrorism will come back 10 fold. Instead put out into the universe prayers/good thoughts/wishes for the people of France. As Josh Lyman said in my favorite TV show The West Wing "You want to get these people? I mean, you really want to reach in and kill them where they live? Keep accepting more than one idea. It makes them absolutely crazy." I am also struck by a quote from the same episode when the following conversation takes place between a visiting high school class and Sam Seaborne "GIRL 1 You know a lot about terrorism? SAM I dabble. GIRL 1 What are you struck by most? SAM It's 100% failure rate. GIRL 1 Really? SAM Not only do terrorists always fail at what they're after, they pretty much always succeed in strengthening whatever it is they're against."
Our global neighbor's house is burning. Right now let's offer comfort and prayers to our global neighbors the French. Let the French governments decide what to do about the terrorists. Terrorists been around for thousands of years since the world began, they'll be around for thousands of more until the world's end. There exists both good and evil in the world. The only way to combat the evil in the world is by doing good. Whatever that means to you.
For me doing good means praying for the people of Paris. Praying for Peace with Justice throughout the world and tomorrow going to my church and joining others there in prayer. Let the flames of freedom and Justice burn even more brightly tonight.
Comments pop up on social media platforms condemning all Muslims just like after 9-11 and every terrorist attack since. I have friends who are Muslim, Jewish, Christians, Buddhists etc. They come from every religion, every walk of life. It is not the religion to be condemned, it is not even the terrorists who are to be condemned. (You may now take two minutes to yell at the computer regarding this sentence before moving on) Mother Theresa believed and Buddhists (from what I understand about the religion) believe that what you put out into the universe comes back on you 10 fold. If you put out into the universe the condemnation of terrorists then terrorism will come back 10 fold. Instead put out into the universe prayers/good thoughts/wishes for the people of France. As Josh Lyman said in my favorite TV show The West Wing "You want to get these people? I mean, you really want to reach in and kill them where they live? Keep accepting more than one idea. It makes them absolutely crazy." I am also struck by a quote from the same episode when the following conversation takes place between a visiting high school class and Sam Seaborne "GIRL 1 You know a lot about terrorism? SAM I dabble. GIRL 1 What are you struck by most? SAM It's 100% failure rate. GIRL 1 Really? SAM Not only do terrorists always fail at what they're after, they pretty much always succeed in strengthening whatever it is they're against."
Our global neighbor's house is burning. Right now let's offer comfort and prayers to our global neighbors the French. Let the French governments decide what to do about the terrorists. Terrorists been around for thousands of years since the world began, they'll be around for thousands of more until the world's end. There exists both good and evil in the world. The only way to combat the evil in the world is by doing good. Whatever that means to you.
For me doing good means praying for the people of Paris. Praying for Peace with Justice throughout the world and tomorrow going to my church and joining others there in prayer. Let the flames of freedom and Justice burn even more brightly tonight.
