Sunday, February 18, 2007

A personal challenge

But when a long train of abuses and usurpation, pursuing invariably the same
Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their
right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards
for their future security.

...Declaration of Independence

Imagine there's no countries.. It isn't hard to do.. Nothing to kill or die
for. And no religion too.. Imagine all the people.. Living life in
peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer.. But I'm not the only one.. I hope someday you'll
join us.. And the world will be as one

....John Lennon

I had cause this weekend to hear both these texts, completely unrelated, but in close enough proximity to get me to thinking. Both texts were overlaying thoughts that I had about this book

The premise of this philosophy is that we create, through our own beliefs, actions, thoughts and personal energy the life we live. WE can change the direction of our lives by owning and accepting the responsibility for those same energies. It's what every religion has ever taught. Faith. Belief. Prayer. Possitive action. Non resistant protest.

The first quote says to me that "when any authority over us imposes abuses upon people, it is not only the right, but the RESPONSIBILITY of those who are able, to take action".

The second quote tells me that reaching for PEACE is an assertive and goal oriented action. Imagine...IMAGINE. What is it to imagine, if not actively creating a reality?

Our country is currently telling us we are in a war against terrorism. I assert to you that if we accept that we must war against them, then they have already won. They have already dictated what our action will be? Really?

Does this mean that I am anti war? yes. Am I anti Military service, anti service in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia... absolutely not. I support our troops more than ever but I choose to pray that they will protect, liberate and open doors of opportunity for the civilians in those areas that they don't even realize are possibilities in their cultures of oppression.

Where will we as a people direct the energy of our actions, beliefs and PRAYERS? Toward fighting, or toward working for PEACE. I will not FEAR - I will practice bravery. I will not HATE - I will practice unconditional love. I will not COMPETE - I will lift up others that I will also rise to their new level. I will not just FORGIVE - I will thank others FOR GIVING me that experience.

What will you do?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What will I do? #1 -- Pray #2 -- fiber (spin, knit, etc.)

Anonymous said...

Well, first you had me go look for my copy of the Declaration of Independence. Yes, I have a copy of it in my desk at work, but I couldn't remember what I had filed it under... So I was busily
going through my files when a co-worker walked by and asked if I was looking for something, to which I answered "Yes, my Declaration of Independence!". I think they were sorry they asked... but I disgress.
As a Christian, when issues concerning government/authorities come up, I usually refer to Romans 13:1 "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." But your
post made me think; there must be more to it. So I turned to my synod for more answers and found
this (http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuItem_itemID=4969&cuTopic_topicID=24), from which Iwould like to quote:
"However, the fact that a Christian must suffer injustice patiently does not always mean that he must be quiet about it. Injustice must be endured, but a Christian may still war against it by prayer, by warning and admonition, and, within limits, by passive disobedience ( disobeying the law and taking the consequences), by political action, and by legal action. A Christian in a position of governmental authority may also have the duty to use force to oppose evil."
This also reminded me that "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).
Thank you Elaine!

Elaine said...

Thank you Christine. Those are also good thoughts to consider. The Bible does indeed charge us to pray for our leaders.