“We are our own worst enemy”

I’ve received way too many e-mails reflecting a common and disturbing thought pattern: if you are different from me, then you are a threat to my way of life – presupposing “that way” of life is worth a dime. I’m aware that we live in a very difficult time, plagued by war. And damned by both, religions that believe Jihad is a path to peace, and intoxicating “words of separation” based on whatever is one’s pet peeve – faith, politics, power and wealth, or the color of one’s skin. God help us – we are our own worst enemy.

I want to ask you the same questions I’ve asked myself, perhaps your answers will be filled with resolution, with wisdom. My answers just pilot me to ask more questions. So here goes. First, perhaps foremost, why if God must be found in ones heart and reflected in actions, does one go to church and accept “it’s the only church – the sole true faith” and damn others? As an American, whose forefathers/mothers came from several worldwide locations in search of freedom, liberty and justice for all, do we believe “America is only for Americans”?

I’m not the radical left-wing faith-belittler some would like to paint me. I love life, democracy, freedom and justice for all, and I believe in the Majestic Sanctity of God, who loves all equally. I believe there’s no more greatness in being a male than there’s in being a female. I will protect, even with my life, the sanctity of children, the gift of education and the freedom to pursue happiness. One cannot say they love God if they do not first treasure freedom and liberty, if they do not hold as sacred the value of children - all children: Jew, Christian, Hindu, Muslim – white, black, brown or yellow (God’s true rainbow).

The questions I’ve asked – those raised during my active ministry, and the many surfacing now after its foreclosure – all seem to beg the same resolution. If we are to change collectively, we must first change individually. Those with wealth must seek to “share” with the poor and not seek “separation.” The “poor” must seek education, enhanced family relationships and earn their “share. Religions must begin to reach out to each other and value the sanctity God treasures in their house, just as it is found in the others. Politics – sorry, there is no resolution here – just vote them all out, that’ll work (maybe). Sorry, Dad, I find no hope, faith or love in current politics.

So here it is – yet another column – another call for freedom, justice, hope, faith and love. Even as I call, I understand the difficulty, for there are times I’m angry, I belittle those with less, hold at arms length those different from me. Therein lies my primary problem – perhaps not just mine, but with all of us. How do I live my life to its fullness and still enable others to do the same? If I may – one last question: Can we be a nation (a people) which promotes and sanctifies the pursuit of happiness, with liberty and justice for all? God, I hope so.