  Spiritual
This week: Reaching Out Beyond Our Faith Edited by: Kit  
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When hatred causes misery and destruction, let's put aside our differences and form a human chain of love around the world.
This week's Spiritual Newsletter is all about hope and unity.
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I saw a heartwarming story in the papers the other day. That's quite unusual in itself, because so many newspaper articles are about death and destruction. This story, though, really touched me. In the aftermath of a terrible event in Pakistan, Muslims and Christians joined together to form a human chain around a church. Standing hand in hand, their message was one of unity and solidarity in the face of extremism.
Now, it may be wrong of me to call the story heartwarming, considering the actions that triggered this reaction. Of course, what happened is a tragedy. The human chain, though, proved to me that there is good in this world, and I feel that it is important to focus on that good, whilst not forgetting all the bad. What these people did was brave. There are extremists out there, and yet people came together, publicly, to make a stand. It is not the first time it's happened, but we don't tend to hear about it.
In a discussion on an Internet forum, most reactions stated that it was nice to hear a positive story relating to faith, for once, but others posted along the lines of, "Yes, but, what about this other thing?" Religion, right now, doesn't have a great reputation. I say that when people are standing up, calling for peace, let's acknowledge it. If we want things to change, if we want a peaceful world, isn't it best to reach out to other people who want peace, too? Regardless of their faith?
When we think about it, people of faith are not so different to the other. We all acknowledge a higher power, whatever name or names we call it by. At its core, our faiths tend to be about love and respect, peace, the importance of helping those in need, and to not judge others despite our differences.
There is a whole lot of judging going on, though, generally speaking. I am pretty certain that it's something we are all guilty of. If it's not about someone's faith, it's about something else, from their looks to the way they live their lives.
And the love, the respect and the peace are not that effective, if we observe the state of the world. Also, there are still plenty of people in need, both in our own nations and abroad.
Just think about what we could achieve if we all banded together. If we formed a human chain around the world. People of all faiths, as well as those without, teaming up against those who seek to create misery, can make a genuine difference as we far outnumber them.
The route to destroying hatred is not by hating in return. It's by reaching out to the like-minded. When those who act on hatred do bad, let's do more good. Where they seek to intimidate, let's straighten our shoulders and lift our chins.
It is important to note here that I am not advocating retaliation, or, rather, the only retaliation I call for is that of loving unity. Violence is not the answer. Humanity can do better than that.
As things are, we are too divided, but symbolic gestures like the one in Pakistan are a good start. And one good thing about the Internet is that it's an interfaith space. We can reach out across borders and across what differences in religion there may be.
We can share our words, and our stories, and our hopes and dreams. We do so every day on this site. Let's make them matter.
kittiara
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The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in!
Zeke  - I was blessed by my parents' primary rule. Be the best you can at whatever you undertake.
Those are wise words, and good ones to live by .
~~~
Voodoo Shampoo  - well i believe life is like a game, obviously nobody is actually really good at it as nobody plays it for long enough to master it, regardless of social position
the different is that a game can be replayed over and over again and you can master it within your life time
what would it take to master "living" a proper life with guaranteed lack of regrets?
i am sure our past greatly influences our future, but doesn't control it entirely
That is an interesting way of looking at it, and you are quite right. I also agree that our past influences us, but doesn't need to control us.
~~~
Quick-Quill  - how odd you had this when have been thinking the same things, dealing with parent issues. My parents love me and my siblings. We were raised with no instructions so from the past came the rod of correction and int frustration of the 60's ? they couldn't answer. What I appreciate was a deep love of God and HIS fairness. I explain things to my children and other as I have learned it and pressed it against the standard by which God has given me. Sometime too straight, but it gets me to where I need to go. My parents never saw it my way, but things have become more mellow with old age. I accept I can learn from anyone. It has opened new levels of thinking and for that I love my parents for their strength of belief and walk even if I don't agree with the methods they chose to correct us but it worked.
I certainly agree that we can learn from anyone. And that we can love people, even though we may not agree with their actions. I am glad that you are able to deal with those issues from the past.
~~~
Jacqueline - Thank you for your newsletter. I have three children and yes they are all different. My oldest is twenty three and she had I have a special bond, and it took me a long time to get go, but I am proud of all she has achieve. My two other children have disabilities. With learning and are both ADHD.I love them dearly and are proud of them, but they have been every challenging to raise.
I can imagine! Raising children with disabilities is a challenge, and it takes a lot of love and dedication. You have my respect. I am certain that they love you just as much in turn .
~~~
bonzo1964 - Your story makes me feel at peace over my own Mother's death. The last words you spoke to me was "Please don't leave me," and I replied I won't Mom. Then they came in and said I had to leave then because she was going to go have some procedures. She passed away without another word to anyone, at 8:30 the next morning. She is at peace. So now is my heart. Thank you so much. Bonnie (Daddy's Girl)
I am sorry for your loss, Bonnie  . You were there for her. Perhaps you couldn't be, physically, at that moment - which wasn't your fault - but certainly mentally and spiritually.
~~~
franca - I love the topic but how you directed to parenting as the only factor that dictate our future is what i do not understand.when you talk about the influence of the past to dictate the future a lot of factors are involved. The society, friends, educational background to mention a few also contribute; however, the individual in question is the one that makes the choose at the end of the day and the ability to make the right decision also depends on the individual knowledge and experience.So the answer to the question is not absolute yes or no. We are always told not to allow the past to determine the future, but sometimes it does.
I focused on parenting for two reasons. First of all, it was something that was on my mind at the time. I tend to write my newsletters based on what's grabbed my attention around the time they're due. The second reason is that, whilst I fully agree that all those factors you mention play a part, if I had written about all those you'd probably still be reading now  . There is a lot to say about what shapes a person, and there are many different theories surrounding it, so I had to pick and choose.
I agree with your conclusion, though.
~~~
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Spiritual Newsletter Team |
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Spiritual: October 09, 2013 Issue [#5936]
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