Huffington Post interviewed two monastics at Plum Village. The message? Acting out of a place of anger does not help. People who are passionate about taking action should learn from the nonviolent approach of Rev. Martin Luther King. When we are at a place of peace and love, we can offer recognition to others, to […]
“Action must be inspired by a deep-rooted sense of love” Read More »
I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken away from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity. €” Nelson Mandela
We need to judge actions, not people. We need to see that every child of God has moments of behavior that does not define who they are. We can continue to be Loving of the person while saying that what they do is wrong. This is, however, not the same as “love the sinner, hate
Judge actions, not people Read More »
How do we come together, especially after we have disagreed in a non-loving way? We start with Love. Rev. William Barber preaches this message. He speaks out against those who would oppress and invites them to join in a loving fusion coalition. How do we address fear? We start with Love.
Love drives out fears Read More »
This is in Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:39. Islam promotes this message in several ways. When we start with love, our problems and differences can be resolved.
Love your neighbor Read More »
Muhammad Ali, a man who was famous for boxing, was a pacifist and a loving man. He objected to our fighting in Vietnam. He spoke out against hate. “We as Muslims have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda” — Muhammad Ali
“Good” and “Evil” are not some mysterious forces “out there” that come and afflict us. God and the devil are not in some big battle for our souls or the universe. We have free will, and with free will comes the possibility that people will act in egregious ways. James Luther Adams wrote “we deny
We must be the Good in the world Read More »
Oppression is a violation of human rights. No person has the right to act in a way that is intended to make others fearful of them. No one has the right to deny others the freedoms expressed in our Constitution. The white supremacists who gathered at Stone Mountain on April 23, 2016, have oppressive racist
Peace, Fear, Oppression, Actions… Read More »
How can we love our enemies without becoming enemies ourselves? How so we stand up to hate without becoming haters ourselves? In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus says: “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
Love your enemies? Read More »
It is sad to hear news reports of protesters and Trump supporters clashing in Chicago. News for everyone, “great” people do not participate in fist fights. “Professional” people do not start attacks. “These people” are not destroying the country, and “those people” are not making the country great. We are arbitrarily diving people into
Hating the haters? Read More »