With all this said, there has to be bias. One has to choose whether one is going to be humane. To deny this is to pretend we are not human, to lose the core of ourselves and avoid listening to the prompting of our own hearts. It is with regret that I hereby pronounce that my sympathies must lie with the oppressed people of Palestine. Demonising their resistance to subjugation in no way legitimises their inhumane treatment (or, for that matter makes that resistance a legitimate responce). There is no end that justifies oppressive means. The idea that they don't want peace, as a people, is as false as it is patently absurd.
I have seen the arguments from both sides. The most sensitive and articulate are generally those that sympathise with the Palestinians, the oppressed, in this situation. Even honest-minded Israelis will admit that the balance of power being what it is, a truly neutral or 'impartial' view that seeks to be balanced at any cost is to miss the obvious truth- that if the Palestinians do wrong, it is because of their conditions.
For sure, the Arab governments sustain this state of affairs as it gives them profit and the chance to escape their own population's censure. But the addiction to victim-hood identity is doing Israel no good. Even if peace with the entire Middle-East is yet to be assured, they need to press on with peace with the Palestinians and they do have a say in this. They are not dealing with wholly irrational entities here. Perhaps the sword will make way for peace. Perhaps peace will beget itself from itself. Either way, the Israelis can have it, as with anything else in the universe. To say they want it, without attaining it, will only make people wonder if some kind of expansionist dream lies behind their avowedly defensive measures.
The great expansion will come, but not in terms of national borders. Rather in that most modern of virtues- influence. A spiritual expansion meaning far more than a material one ever could.
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Monday, January 26, 2009
Israel and Palestine Together
Politically speaking, I can't in good conscience support either side, but I want to do what I can to bring peace to them and open the way to more authentic and humane arrangements that will respect all person's dignity by valuing their identity as human beings.
If Israeli pressure has indeed been behind rejecting humanitarian appeals, if Hamas really is using it's population as tools for propaganda rather than caring about them, rather than sticking to the tired tradition of blame and judgement in what has to be one of the most seemingly irreconcilable conflicts in the world's history, isn't it time to look afresh? To ask what really is it that drives such inhumanity on the actors of each 'side'. Could it be in reality that there are no sides at all, save in the minds of those caught up in it, concerned onlookers included? Not at all to say we should justify any inhuman actions, whomever tries to make their point through the paralysing and mind-numbing strategy of inducing terror. More that we should stop and breath in and wonder what is actually behind it, we who want a fair peace that will last, as opposed to just another 'cease-fire'.
The real story here is that we are looking in on a level of distrust and animosity reminiscent not of a conflict between nations over particular and soluble issues (though these exist), but a civil war-esque struggle for national legitimacy. In this way of thinking, Israel and Palestine cannot both be right, or one would be wrong- an existential and ideological log-jam that can only be solved by the resolution of opposites and a coming together into an entity greater than the sum of it's parts.
The so-called two state solution, with it's casual acceptance of the outdated presumption that ethnic groups must live separately to be in peace is here revealing it's absurdity. Actually, the groups need one another, their proposed statelets being absurdly compromised left alone. 1948 Israel, the Gaza strip and it's it's geographically separate West Bank being not just indefensible, but ludicrously under-resourced when compared to any decent-sized entity. The intention should be for them to come together, however long it takes.
One hopes that leaders with the vision for such arrangements will come along sooner, rather than later. Such 'multi-ethnic states' are the basis of a sustainable peace. They may end up states within a state, but while the problems fester, so will this horrendous exhibition of humanity's flaws. Think a little deeper and you may get the answers you are looking for.
If Israeli pressure has indeed been behind rejecting humanitarian appeals, if Hamas really is using it's population as tools for propaganda rather than caring about them, rather than sticking to the tired tradition of blame and judgement in what has to be one of the most seemingly irreconcilable conflicts in the world's history, isn't it time to look afresh? To ask what really is it that drives such inhumanity on the actors of each 'side'. Could it be in reality that there are no sides at all, save in the minds of those caught up in it, concerned onlookers included? Not at all to say we should justify any inhuman actions, whomever tries to make their point through the paralysing and mind-numbing strategy of inducing terror. More that we should stop and breath in and wonder what is actually behind it, we who want a fair peace that will last, as opposed to just another 'cease-fire'.
The real story here is that we are looking in on a level of distrust and animosity reminiscent not of a conflict between nations over particular and soluble issues (though these exist), but a civil war-esque struggle for national legitimacy. In this way of thinking, Israel and Palestine cannot both be right, or one would be wrong- an existential and ideological log-jam that can only be solved by the resolution of opposites and a coming together into an entity greater than the sum of it's parts.
The so-called two state solution, with it's casual acceptance of the outdated presumption that ethnic groups must live separately to be in peace is here revealing it's absurdity. Actually, the groups need one another, their proposed statelets being absurdly compromised left alone. 1948 Israel, the Gaza strip and it's it's geographically separate West Bank being not just indefensible, but ludicrously under-resourced when compared to any decent-sized entity. The intention should be for them to come together, however long it takes.
One hopes that leaders with the vision for such arrangements will come along sooner, rather than later. Such 'multi-ethnic states' are the basis of a sustainable peace. They may end up states within a state, but while the problems fester, so will this horrendous exhibition of humanity's flaws. Think a little deeper and you may get the answers you are looking for.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Why Loving Words and Prayers are the Answer
Right now, we see the leaders in the Middle East playing politics with the lives of their people. We have to see beyond the loves and avoid getting caught up in the emotions they inspire. We have to see truly, honestly and fairly. This is the path of justice, the path of decency, which leads to quite a different destination to the ruinous path of vengeance.
As humans, words, sincere ones, are part of our scope for action. If the peoples of the Middle-East would only resolve their differences through talking to each other, we would all be in a much better position.
One has to be even-handed and understand the situation. Israeli politicians are seeking to establish themselves as the 'best protector' of their community- a strong attack, even risking the terrible human tragedy in Gaza is being cynically used at this time. There is also a desire to weaken the Iranian-linked Hamas regime just before Obama is sworn in, with his promise to listen more to the Arab side of the equation making action after this implausible. Right now, Israel is able to protect itself on the whole from the weapons being smuggled there, but not without life becoming very hard for their citizens in bombarded towns. From their point of view, why should they just wait and hope for the best, when the world around them appears to be actively helping their enemies? A regime like Hamas, that executes their own opponents is unlikely to show any mercy to Israel if their power does grow.
It is worth remembering that whilst both sides have built underground networks with their extensive aid budgets, Israel has civilian bomb shelters, whereas Hamas invested in a tunnel network for it's fighters and actually seems to hope it's civilians become victims. This is, of course, par for the course with insurgent movement and movements that see themselves as 'anti-colonial' (still an attractive, if somewhat fanatical epithet in the post-colonial, developing world).
All of this means that Israel is once again blundering into a costly experience of warfare. I cannot for the life of me excuse some of their excesses here. Frustration at an inability to hit sneaky, shadowy forces is no excuse for attacking civilian areas. The fact others do worse has no bearing on this- state terrorism deserves just as much approbation as 'underground' movements. There is no room for hypocrisy. The danger of disproportionate use of force is that it ends up being counter-productive. As such, no true friend of Israel would recommend it and the world as a whole won't accept it. A decent leadership in the US is needed to reign in a fanaticism on the part of the State. Love is curbing excess, not just understanding it. Hopefully, God willing, Obama will be just the right person to do this.
What is ultimately needed is a real United Nations. Not just the present one, one that promotes the likes of authoritarian Syria to their human-rights council, but one that is deeply committed to human rights for everyone. One that can see deeply below the surface and beyond media trends. In short, we need something that we don't have, and the nearest we have is the USA, hopefully back with us after the disastrous Bush years. Also imperfect, the US is at least able to be fair-handed, partly due to the mixture of multi-ethnicity and a culture valuing personal freedom for as many as possibly can receive it- hence the Camp David accords, the best chance yet for the conflict, or the Daytown ones in the case of the Balkans. The US is the peacemaker, she just needs an effective UN to go with this.
With all that said, progress is apparently being made. Wars are more limited and the weapons used comparatively accurate- a new concern similar to the ones for appliances being more energy-efficient. Things are actually getting better, despite appearances to the contrary and the tendency of the media to spread bad news. People care more and once the sense of sharing a common humanity spreads further, their bias will be a bias for everyone, not just their own chosen preferences. This undercurrent, to my mind, makes a hugely destructive World War III close to an impossibility. Progress in it's many forms will continue, though it will remain a moral roller-coaster in terms of what is right or wrong at each juncture.
It all comes down to love. Love is deeds, love is words, love is prayer, whatever makes the most sense. To my mind it is prayer that helps the most, the contacting of the highest part of us to send a message to eternity, inviting the purest of responses. The lack of love in that region, creating a void in which hatred manifests itself seems to be the biggest problem. It does concern me that so many think that stigmatising the (imperfectly) democratic and pluralist Israel is going to bring any sort of real peace. Making them more secure would be the best way to help- they certainly have the institutions in place to be a real benefit to the region.
In the longer term, a more enlightened perspective in which everyone feels secure is what that region needs. Violence is a symptom of a deeper problem- the same one Europe once, quite recently in the grand scale of things, suffered from.
As humans, words, sincere ones, are part of our scope for action. If the peoples of the Middle-East would only resolve their differences through talking to each other, we would all be in a much better position.
One has to be even-handed and understand the situation. Israeli politicians are seeking to establish themselves as the 'best protector' of their community- a strong attack, even risking the terrible human tragedy in Gaza is being cynically used at this time. There is also a desire to weaken the Iranian-linked Hamas regime just before Obama is sworn in, with his promise to listen more to the Arab side of the equation making action after this implausible. Right now, Israel is able to protect itself on the whole from the weapons being smuggled there, but not without life becoming very hard for their citizens in bombarded towns. From their point of view, why should they just wait and hope for the best, when the world around them appears to be actively helping their enemies? A regime like Hamas, that executes their own opponents is unlikely to show any mercy to Israel if their power does grow.
It is worth remembering that whilst both sides have built underground networks with their extensive aid budgets, Israel has civilian bomb shelters, whereas Hamas invested in a tunnel network for it's fighters and actually seems to hope it's civilians become victims. This is, of course, par for the course with insurgent movement and movements that see themselves as 'anti-colonial' (still an attractive, if somewhat fanatical epithet in the post-colonial, developing world).
All of this means that Israel is once again blundering into a costly experience of warfare. I cannot for the life of me excuse some of their excesses here. Frustration at an inability to hit sneaky, shadowy forces is no excuse for attacking civilian areas. The fact others do worse has no bearing on this- state terrorism deserves just as much approbation as 'underground' movements. There is no room for hypocrisy. The danger of disproportionate use of force is that it ends up being counter-productive. As such, no true friend of Israel would recommend it and the world as a whole won't accept it. A decent leadership in the US is needed to reign in a fanaticism on the part of the State. Love is curbing excess, not just understanding it. Hopefully, God willing, Obama will be just the right person to do this.
What is ultimately needed is a real United Nations. Not just the present one, one that promotes the likes of authoritarian Syria to their human-rights council, but one that is deeply committed to human rights for everyone. One that can see deeply below the surface and beyond media trends. In short, we need something that we don't have, and the nearest we have is the USA, hopefully back with us after the disastrous Bush years. Also imperfect, the US is at least able to be fair-handed, partly due to the mixture of multi-ethnicity and a culture valuing personal freedom for as many as possibly can receive it- hence the Camp David accords, the best chance yet for the conflict, or the Daytown ones in the case of the Balkans. The US is the peacemaker, she just needs an effective UN to go with this.
With all that said, progress is apparently being made. Wars are more limited and the weapons used comparatively accurate- a new concern similar to the ones for appliances being more energy-efficient. Things are actually getting better, despite appearances to the contrary and the tendency of the media to spread bad news. People care more and once the sense of sharing a common humanity spreads further, their bias will be a bias for everyone, not just their own chosen preferences. This undercurrent, to my mind, makes a hugely destructive World War III close to an impossibility. Progress in it's many forms will continue, though it will remain a moral roller-coaster in terms of what is right or wrong at each juncture.
It all comes down to love. Love is deeds, love is words, love is prayer, whatever makes the most sense. To my mind it is prayer that helps the most, the contacting of the highest part of us to send a message to eternity, inviting the purest of responses. The lack of love in that region, creating a void in which hatred manifests itself seems to be the biggest problem. It does concern me that so many think that stigmatising the (imperfectly) democratic and pluralist Israel is going to bring any sort of real peace. Making them more secure would be the best way to help- they certainly have the institutions in place to be a real benefit to the region.
In the longer term, a more enlightened perspective in which everyone feels secure is what that region needs. Violence is a symptom of a deeper problem- the same one Europe once, quite recently in the grand scale of things, suffered from.
Monday, August 20, 2007
The Horror of the Middle East
It seems that there is one region of the world, or at least one region of the world exposed by our media, in which horrors never seem to cease. People will blame politicians, history, geographic boundaries and these are indeed all factors to be considered. Yet in this blog one of the primary aims is get right, deep down at the very core reasons as to why man treats man so inhumanely there. I intend to use all my intelligence (what there is of it) and aptitude for discerning truth to discover this. For we need something more than blame and rumours- we need truth. Peace- lasting peace- requires truth. So it must be the absence of truth that is making this region bleed tears of sorrow.
Now for some, the reason for the problems there can be explained quite simply- the very existence of Israel, a foreign implant in the Arab territorial sphere, that pushed aside native people in order to establish herself. Yet, considering that so little of the killing going on there is actually done by Israel, this claim necessitates wild conspiracy theories of terrorism solely being the work of Zionist agent-provocateurs. This is a real possibility- but at the same time an outrageous one and not much different from the historical penchant for 'blaming the Jews' whenever something goes wrong. The plain fact is that not only does Israel have a large Arab population- far larger than any Jewish population in any Arab country at present, but that they are too busy trying to survive and have a normal country to be responsible for absolutely everything that goes wrong there. Much less the atrocities being committed by 'militants' in the region. Something deeper is going on.
We have to see what is going on in the hearts of the people to see how they can act this way. There are an array of terrible emotions- fear, hatred, feeling of betrayal, false hopes in the success of violence. Yet, all of this is taking place in the 'Holy Lands', if one believes in such a thing. The cradle of the three 'great' monotheistic religions. Who could spoil all this work to make a paradisaical Earth for us all?
The answer, simply, is Satan. He, ultimately, is responsible for putting the evil thoughts in mens minds to do atrocious things. He is quite clearly corrupting the minds of the people there whose fear lets him in, so as to block as well as he can the dreams they have of a better life there. Of course, this all has a childish simplicity to it. But, it is the most basic truth of them all and the reason so much anger and confusion arises around this topic.
You can blame Israel or America. You can blame Britain's colonial legacy. You can blame the extremists and opportunists in Iran or Syria, or the displaced Palestinian refugees that have been treated so coldly by Arab and Jew alike. But it will do no good, it will only add fuel to the fire and another partisan voice to the cacophony.
Satan wants to wreck God's plans. Right there, in the middle of the Earth, the middle that we still instinctively place this way on our maps, was not just the cradle of the great religions, but also the cradle of civilisation. The first humans evolved there and were bred with by the 'gods'- advanced, angelic extra-terrestrials, who infused them with advanced DNA and taught them the basics of civilised life.
A little remains- the aforesaid religions, the Bible, things like the Pyramids and Karnak temple complex in Egypt. But this was once the area of Eden, the Arcadian beginning of it all. Part of a a kingdom that Satan would rather corrupt than serve under. So corrupt it he and his kingdom does- and no people would he more dearly love to turn from their maker than the Jews, the people who the living God chose to show and spread his messages. How could he bear to let them live in peace and prosperity so that God's plans be fulfilled?
Yet, at every turn, there is the constant stream of love, the stream of the spirit, around us. always, everywhere and every time. If we listen to it's voice, we too can be saved. The reason Jesus came, right back to this region, was to show quite clearly the appropriate way to live and know God. This isn't to say that Christians are necessarily closer to these teachings than other people- they could just be hypocrites or culturally respectful of them, but, as the Western nations, they are custodians of the way forward, whether they know it or not. This also isn't to detract from secular efforts- religion, especially wrong-headed religion can do the worst damage of all and to live Jesus' teachings is not to be religious in the conventional sense of that term- hence his constant refutation of the legalistic Pharasies who put the law and their traditions before love.
We have the way forward, we have the holy spirit- yet we also have a region of the world where not only are Christ's teachings as recorded in the gospels actually illegal to distribute in many countries- a sad fact and one no apologetics will do away with- but they are quite simply not being followed. The fact that certain aggressive westerners have given a bad image of these teachings here and elsewhere doesn't help- but the people deserve the chance to see them for themselves. In fact, ironic though it may be, the last place for these teachings to spread and be commonplace is the area from which they arose.
Hence we have the continual terrible events of the middle-East, a sandstorm of chaos hiding God's promises from view. But one day it will clear. One day the promises will come true. Which is why the peace of the middle-east, the mutual survival of her peoples and the preservation of their multicultural heritage is something worth fighting for. Something that will always be worth fighting for, at least until it fully arrives and the peacemakers' blessed mission is complete.
Now for some, the reason for the problems there can be explained quite simply- the very existence of Israel, a foreign implant in the Arab territorial sphere, that pushed aside native people in order to establish herself. Yet, considering that so little of the killing going on there is actually done by Israel, this claim necessitates wild conspiracy theories of terrorism solely being the work of Zionist agent-provocateurs. This is a real possibility- but at the same time an outrageous one and not much different from the historical penchant for 'blaming the Jews' whenever something goes wrong. The plain fact is that not only does Israel have a large Arab population- far larger than any Jewish population in any Arab country at present, but that they are too busy trying to survive and have a normal country to be responsible for absolutely everything that goes wrong there. Much less the atrocities being committed by 'militants' in the region. Something deeper is going on.
We have to see what is going on in the hearts of the people to see how they can act this way. There are an array of terrible emotions- fear, hatred, feeling of betrayal, false hopes in the success of violence. Yet, all of this is taking place in the 'Holy Lands', if one believes in such a thing. The cradle of the three 'great' monotheistic religions. Who could spoil all this work to make a paradisaical Earth for us all?
The answer, simply, is Satan. He, ultimately, is responsible for putting the evil thoughts in mens minds to do atrocious things. He is quite clearly corrupting the minds of the people there whose fear lets him in, so as to block as well as he can the dreams they have of a better life there. Of course, this all has a childish simplicity to it. But, it is the most basic truth of them all and the reason so much anger and confusion arises around this topic.
You can blame Israel or America. You can blame Britain's colonial legacy. You can blame the extremists and opportunists in Iran or Syria, or the displaced Palestinian refugees that have been treated so coldly by Arab and Jew alike. But it will do no good, it will only add fuel to the fire and another partisan voice to the cacophony.
Satan wants to wreck God's plans. Right there, in the middle of the Earth, the middle that we still instinctively place this way on our maps, was not just the cradle of the great religions, but also the cradle of civilisation. The first humans evolved there and were bred with by the 'gods'- advanced, angelic extra-terrestrials, who infused them with advanced DNA and taught them the basics of civilised life.
A little remains- the aforesaid religions, the Bible, things like the Pyramids and Karnak temple complex in Egypt. But this was once the area of Eden, the Arcadian beginning of it all. Part of a a kingdom that Satan would rather corrupt than serve under. So corrupt it he and his kingdom does- and no people would he more dearly love to turn from their maker than the Jews, the people who the living God chose to show and spread his messages. How could he bear to let them live in peace and prosperity so that God's plans be fulfilled?
Yet, at every turn, there is the constant stream of love, the stream of the spirit, around us. always, everywhere and every time. If we listen to it's voice, we too can be saved. The reason Jesus came, right back to this region, was to show quite clearly the appropriate way to live and know God. This isn't to say that Christians are necessarily closer to these teachings than other people- they could just be hypocrites or culturally respectful of them, but, as the Western nations, they are custodians of the way forward, whether they know it or not. This also isn't to detract from secular efforts- religion, especially wrong-headed religion can do the worst damage of all and to live Jesus' teachings is not to be religious in the conventional sense of that term- hence his constant refutation of the legalistic Pharasies who put the law and their traditions before love.
We have the way forward, we have the holy spirit- yet we also have a region of the world where not only are Christ's teachings as recorded in the gospels actually illegal to distribute in many countries- a sad fact and one no apologetics will do away with- but they are quite simply not being followed. The fact that certain aggressive westerners have given a bad image of these teachings here and elsewhere doesn't help- but the people deserve the chance to see them for themselves. In fact, ironic though it may be, the last place for these teachings to spread and be commonplace is the area from which they arose.
Hence we have the continual terrible events of the middle-East, a sandstorm of chaos hiding God's promises from view. But one day it will clear. One day the promises will come true. Which is why the peace of the middle-east, the mutual survival of her peoples and the preservation of their multicultural heritage is something worth fighting for. Something that will always be worth fighting for, at least until it fully arrives and the peacemakers' blessed mission is complete.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Comment- Finding Peace in the Middle East
Note- this is a comment I left on A Sofa in the Sky, here-
As usual, I am impressed by the articulation of your writing, something rare to be found in this age of 'sound-bites' and entertainment passing for information. Even though I am not totally in agreement with what you are saying, at least I can see what you are saying without feeling I'm being 'lead somewhere' by it.
What you say regarding red herrings has some truth- in these political battles, even though I personally am morally opposed to the use of violence, the presence of violence shouldn't blind us to underlying facts, by it's shock factor. Of course violence is shocking- but it has been around as long as people. The question is whether the situation justifies it or not, whether it is morally defensible violence, or simply indefensible.
I'll admit, even though I can see that it has grown though factors such as Western neglect/self-centeredness and, conversely, the desire of their clerical class to keep a privileged position in a secularising world, I do feel threatened by Islamic extremism. When I say, 'I', I mean not just myself, but also all those I care for, especially minorities such as the Christians and Baha'is in the middle East, or people who just want a peaceful life.
To an extent this leads me to a sympathetic position with those opposing such people, wherever they are- they are 'me', if you like. I suppose I am in this sense an internationalist, though I can't pretend to sympathise with everyone.
It seems to me that we are all built this way, with our sympathies. What is important is that we are not led to follow someone's personal agenda by this. The fact that some things prick our consciences should not lead us to have the 'wool' pulled over our eyes by those who have more hate of their enemies than a desire to build a stable reconciliation with them.
In this case, the enemies must be those who really don't wish for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but instead wish for the dominating victory of one or the other. I hate to say it, but the so-called 'two-state solution' could even institutionalise the hatred (actually a relatively young one, if you start looking at the events from 1948 onwards instead of from BC 1948 onwards), if there are not enough trade and cultural links.
So let's build a multi-state, secular, Middle-Eastern solution, where people relate without their religion being the dominant factor. They can even embrace one another's religions, it just won't divide them anymore. If people wonder how this could happen, just look at all the Western countries where this has long been the case.
How can we build such a thing? The same way we sustain or influence anything else- by doing our part, however small. We just have to make sure to align ourselves with those who truly care about the future and about precious human rights. To do this we need very clear thinking people, who actually have the courage to care. Then, ultimately we will find that it isn't the violent people who make history. It's the people who know how to wield a pen.
As usual, I am impressed by the articulation of your writing, something rare to be found in this age of 'sound-bites' and entertainment passing for information. Even though I am not totally in agreement with what you are saying, at least I can see what you are saying without feeling I'm being 'lead somewhere' by it.
What you say regarding red herrings has some truth- in these political battles, even though I personally am morally opposed to the use of violence, the presence of violence shouldn't blind us to underlying facts, by it's shock factor. Of course violence is shocking- but it has been around as long as people. The question is whether the situation justifies it or not, whether it is morally defensible violence, or simply indefensible.
I'll admit, even though I can see that it has grown though factors such as Western neglect/self-centeredness and, conversely, the desire of their clerical class to keep a privileged position in a secularising world, I do feel threatened by Islamic extremism. When I say, 'I', I mean not just myself, but also all those I care for, especially minorities such as the Christians and Baha'is in the middle East, or people who just want a peaceful life.
To an extent this leads me to a sympathetic position with those opposing such people, wherever they are- they are 'me', if you like. I suppose I am in this sense an internationalist, though I can't pretend to sympathise with everyone.
It seems to me that we are all built this way, with our sympathies. What is important is that we are not led to follow someone's personal agenda by this. The fact that some things prick our consciences should not lead us to have the 'wool' pulled over our eyes by those who have more hate of their enemies than a desire to build a stable reconciliation with them.
In this case, the enemies must be those who really don't wish for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but instead wish for the dominating victory of one or the other. I hate to say it, but the so-called 'two-state solution' could even institutionalise the hatred (actually a relatively young one, if you start looking at the events from 1948 onwards instead of from BC 1948 onwards), if there are not enough trade and cultural links.
So let's build a multi-state, secular, Middle-Eastern solution, where people relate without their religion being the dominant factor. They can even embrace one another's religions, it just won't divide them anymore. If people wonder how this could happen, just look at all the Western countries where this has long been the case.
How can we build such a thing? The same way we sustain or influence anything else- by doing our part, however small. We just have to make sure to align ourselves with those who truly care about the future and about precious human rights. To do this we need very clear thinking people, who actually have the courage to care. Then, ultimately we will find that it isn't the violent people who make history. It's the people who know how to wield a pen.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
A Step Towards Peace.
Let's get personal- no, not personally insulting, lets get back to seeing things humanely rather than abstractly, from a personal respective. This is perhaps a 'feminine trait', one that we need more of. Many religions, political parties, and sop on thrive on dividing people by making them feel part of abstract groups, within which they supposedly feel safe. Then,when the group feels threatened they react, lashing out at another group, inviting in turn a similar response. The answer is to dilute the group somewhat and also to bring a great harmony around them. Now look at the 'melting pot' of the US- sure, it has it's problems, but it shows that a hugely various group of people can make a great nation together, 99% of the time associating peacefully, at least as regards ethnic identities (financially-inspired crime at all ends of the spectrum is another story). I know some would say Europe is doing a better job of it, but since Europe is young and not exactly integrated (people still talk in terms of immigrants), it is not yet the best example.
Now, in this personal voyage you are joining me on, I want to cast my mind back to my personal 'fact finding tour' of the Middle East many moons ago. I had first gone there to experience life on a Kibbutz, which was a life I enjoyed a lot when in an international setting, i.e. when mixing with both the foreign Kibbutz Volunteers and the local Kibbutzniks (who were generally keeping a distance from the ever-changing group of volunteers, reasonably enough). I had originally come there to support Israel, but I soon found that I am an internationalist and that it was hard to break through to talk to many of the 'sabras' (native born Israelis), who, like their namestake have a brittle outside but a soft, sweet inside- if you take the patience to see it.
Actually, I made many good friends from California, where there seems to be a high concentration of liberally minded, 'constitutional Americans'- that is, Americans who remain true to their constitution's open-mined, peace-loving and friendly spirit. Also, I had great times with the beautiful Scandinavian girls there, mostly from Denmark. Why they choose to go to Israel is a mystery to me, but I like to think it has something to do with their historical kindness to the Jewish people and their wish to help the region attain peace (peace being the very antithesis of revenge, folks). However, it may well all have more to do with their wish to find a hunky Israeli boyfriend!
So I met Israelis, saw they were good people, and decided it was time to meet some Arabs too. I went to Jerusalem and also stayed in Egypt for a time. Along the way, I stayed in Jewish homes for Shabbat dinner on Friday nights and stayed with some Arabs who I met in Egypt and later in Jordan. Everywhere, I met good people. True, I didn't spend too much time around fanatics, but I met enough good 'ordinary people' to see that no group there is a 'family of demons', as they are often supernaturally seen. Which means that human rights should take precedence and apocalyptic fantasies remain just that- fantasies.
So, what should be done? First of all, Israel should extend aid to the Palestinians. Any Arabs who try to prevent this should be stopped from doing so, even by international legal measures. The lack of Israeli aid is what makes the aid from groups like Hamas, along with their perverse ideologies, so attractive and it needs, as soon as possible, to replace the current contact which is limited to 'reprisals'. This aid should be given with no strings attached- as good works, asking nothing in return. The idea so popular of Israel' vacating territories' is obviously a cold-hearted one as the very principal of the Israeli-Palestinian states is that they live together in harmony- separation is a ridiculous idea. In fact, the best thing would be a co-habited state, a marriage.
Secondly, religious freedom should unfurl in both places. In Israel, any form of religion should be allowed and the Orthodox Judaism lose it's position as so central to the state. Of course, they should have the same freedom as other groups, but no special perks. Missionary activity should be permitted, so long as it does not encroach upon personal privacy- it should be sensitive. It should be allowed throughout the Middle East- as the teachings of Jesus are vital to that region and should no longer be suppressed. The fact that they were given long ago does not in any way diminish their value or relevance. Likewise, the Baha'i teachings should be spread, as they also teach peaceful co-existence, as does Buddhism. If Islam and Judaism lose adherents, it'll be their own fault for placing loyalty to mystical doctrines before cosmic essentials- they need competition to be at their best, just as companies do. Ideally, though, it will not be about conversions to other religions, but about conversions of the heart, to the living, loving God.
Although I see terrorism as essentially a satanic force, not even a rational one, that seeks to target the innocent in it's lust for revenge, it does gain a lot of sympathisers from the present situation. Leaving Palestinians to rot in terrible, walled cities and camps is likely to breed criminal levels of insanity. People need a fair chance and Israel has to be seen as improving their lot so as to heal the wounds and bitterness. If it comes from another source, the anger will still be there, there to be manipulated by unscrupulous pseudo-religionists. We have to heal it- that will end the problem, not cynical politics or military violence. For it is all about hearts and minds, and creating a will to love one another, as such a will will find a way to be. The current way of life is just not befitting human dignity- it has to change. We should all look to ourselves to solve our problems, not just blame others. Narrow-minded religious dogmatism is what's holding Israel back, as it stops Israel from doing the right thing, the natural thing. The thing that would do a lot to ease tensions.
Political changes may go too and fro. Since it has such a vengeful, pessimistic base of support, a Palestinian State probably won't really bring peace- interlocked communities are more likely to. This is idealistic, I know, but grass-roots activists need to work to make it a reality, to bring the communities together in a greater understanding. The internet is a great tool for this. It seems to me that everyone wants peace, but very few people are seriously committed to it. The Arabs may need to give up on their dream of destroying Israel- an understandable desire as she is such a new entity there- but still a wicked one. Likewise, the rulers of Israel may have to give up on having an overwhelmingly Jewish State, certainly on allowing the 'Orthodox' groups to have so much power. In this sense, Israel as we know it now will end, politically at least. But as it begins again, it will be a safer one for all, especially for religious freedom.
Now, in this personal voyage you are joining me on, I want to cast my mind back to my personal 'fact finding tour' of the Middle East many moons ago. I had first gone there to experience life on a Kibbutz, which was a life I enjoyed a lot when in an international setting, i.e. when mixing with both the foreign Kibbutz Volunteers and the local Kibbutzniks (who were generally keeping a distance from the ever-changing group of volunteers, reasonably enough). I had originally come there to support Israel, but I soon found that I am an internationalist and that it was hard to break through to talk to many of the 'sabras' (native born Israelis), who, like their namestake have a brittle outside but a soft, sweet inside- if you take the patience to see it.
Actually, I made many good friends from California, where there seems to be a high concentration of liberally minded, 'constitutional Americans'- that is, Americans who remain true to their constitution's open-mined, peace-loving and friendly spirit. Also, I had great times with the beautiful Scandinavian girls there, mostly from Denmark. Why they choose to go to Israel is a mystery to me, but I like to think it has something to do with their historical kindness to the Jewish people and their wish to help the region attain peace (peace being the very antithesis of revenge, folks). However, it may well all have more to do with their wish to find a hunky Israeli boyfriend!
So I met Israelis, saw they were good people, and decided it was time to meet some Arabs too. I went to Jerusalem and also stayed in Egypt for a time. Along the way, I stayed in Jewish homes for Shabbat dinner on Friday nights and stayed with some Arabs who I met in Egypt and later in Jordan. Everywhere, I met good people. True, I didn't spend too much time around fanatics, but I met enough good 'ordinary people' to see that no group there is a 'family of demons', as they are often supernaturally seen. Which means that human rights should take precedence and apocalyptic fantasies remain just that- fantasies.
So, what should be done? First of all, Israel should extend aid to the Palestinians. Any Arabs who try to prevent this should be stopped from doing so, even by international legal measures. The lack of Israeli aid is what makes the aid from groups like Hamas, along with their perverse ideologies, so attractive and it needs, as soon as possible, to replace the current contact which is limited to 'reprisals'. This aid should be given with no strings attached- as good works, asking nothing in return. The idea so popular of Israel' vacating territories' is obviously a cold-hearted one as the very principal of the Israeli-Palestinian states is that they live together in harmony- separation is a ridiculous idea. In fact, the best thing would be a co-habited state, a marriage.
Secondly, religious freedom should unfurl in both places. In Israel, any form of religion should be allowed and the Orthodox Judaism lose it's position as so central to the state. Of course, they should have the same freedom as other groups, but no special perks. Missionary activity should be permitted, so long as it does not encroach upon personal privacy- it should be sensitive. It should be allowed throughout the Middle East- as the teachings of Jesus are vital to that region and should no longer be suppressed. The fact that they were given long ago does not in any way diminish their value or relevance. Likewise, the Baha'i teachings should be spread, as they also teach peaceful co-existence, as does Buddhism. If Islam and Judaism lose adherents, it'll be their own fault for placing loyalty to mystical doctrines before cosmic essentials- they need competition to be at their best, just as companies do. Ideally, though, it will not be about conversions to other religions, but about conversions of the heart, to the living, loving God.
Although I see terrorism as essentially a satanic force, not even a rational one, that seeks to target the innocent in it's lust for revenge, it does gain a lot of sympathisers from the present situation. Leaving Palestinians to rot in terrible, walled cities and camps is likely to breed criminal levels of insanity. People need a fair chance and Israel has to be seen as improving their lot so as to heal the wounds and bitterness. If it comes from another source, the anger will still be there, there to be manipulated by unscrupulous pseudo-religionists. We have to heal it- that will end the problem, not cynical politics or military violence. For it is all about hearts and minds, and creating a will to love one another, as such a will will find a way to be. The current way of life is just not befitting human dignity- it has to change. We should all look to ourselves to solve our problems, not just blame others. Narrow-minded religious dogmatism is what's holding Israel back, as it stops Israel from doing the right thing, the natural thing. The thing that would do a lot to ease tensions.
Political changes may go too and fro. Since it has such a vengeful, pessimistic base of support, a Palestinian State probably won't really bring peace- interlocked communities are more likely to. This is idealistic, I know, but grass-roots activists need to work to make it a reality, to bring the communities together in a greater understanding. The internet is a great tool for this. It seems to me that everyone wants peace, but very few people are seriously committed to it. The Arabs may need to give up on their dream of destroying Israel- an understandable desire as she is such a new entity there- but still a wicked one. Likewise, the rulers of Israel may have to give up on having an overwhelmingly Jewish State, certainly on allowing the 'Orthodox' groups to have so much power. In this sense, Israel as we know it now will end, politically at least. But as it begins again, it will be a safer one for all, especially for religious freedom.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
To The End of Terrorism
I just came across something remarkable on YouTube- Walid Shoebat, a former terrorist, speaks his mind about the real roots of terror . Just as you may have suspected, terrorism isn't just a response to policies or injustices. all that hatred and violence isn't just a 'response' the way the US civil rights movement was, the way Ghandi's movement was. It's something different, it has different goals. Now I can't agree with all of Israel's actions, as they can stigmatise peaceful Palestinians who just want a better life. But the terrorism is far worse, as it's behaviour is so irrational and self-destructive, so 'sick'.
It is truly shocking to see the sheer hatred that is being preached in radicalised mosques, the racism that has poisoned their religion. I am pretty sure that authentic Islam, or should I say the Islam that God would intend if he indeed established that faith, is not a racist creed (although the presence of dubious phrases in the Koran does at times make me wonder). All this anti-Jewish propaganda, all this talk of extreme judgments leading souls to heaven and hell, and the lies of going to heaven by making others suffer- all of this is a darkness sweeping the Islamic world, much like the effect of Sauron you can see in Lord of the Rings. Hatred is never a force for good- the spiritually clear-headed can see this. People who fought Nazism didn't hate Germans as such, they hated the corrupt ideology, the spiritual darkness of it. Which is why we now have peace with Germany, but could never make peace with the mercifully brief period of Nazi rule.
Now I am willing to admit that the most extreme of the 'Zionists' themselves have a destructive ideology, one that is antithetical to the spirit of the Jewish Faith. Also, that colonialism left a chain of ludicrous borders and damaged egos in this region, egos that are unlikely to heal soon. But, from what I can gather, this has never become the norm amongst Jewish people or Israelis, who have stayed relatively rational. Meanwhile, in much, unfortunately perhaps even most of the Arab world, you see Jews being demonised much the way they were in Europe, especially (but not only) the way this happened in the Nazi regime. You also have a commonly held, genocidal notion that Israel shouldn't even be talked to, but rather should be totally destroyed, despite the United nations specifically granting them a state, however short-sighted the borders given were.
So you have the situation where Israel, despite patterns of vengeful abuse from some of her citizens, really wants to live in peace with her neighbours and, as I have always promoted, establish peaceful cultural and economic ties. Meanwhile, many surrounding her pray and work for her destruction, even in shockingly blood-thirsty ways, thinking that this will get them into heaven. Now I don't want to stereotype here- I am sure that there are many rationally-minded, reasonable Arabs who want a peaceful future and are happy to co-exist. It would imply forgiveness, as many Arabs have suffered from Israel being established. But only through such reconciliation can things move on.
The same goes for Israel- they would have to forgive all the barbarous terrorist acts and all the lies and slander leveled at them. From what I can gather, Israel has a lot more to forgive, as it's horrible to be lied about and they made clear from the very beginning that they were happy to have a mixed state, with both Jews and Arabs (in fact they do, which is different from the Arab countries, who forbade any Jews from living there, a 'fait acomplit' that the media does it's best to hide. But the the Israelis do seem to be prepared to do this.
So what's the big hold-up? Why do the negotiations always fail, why is Israel never allowed to be considered a 'normal state'? Is it because of the injustice, the policies? Partly, yes, but without terrorism ending it is pretty hard to see them changing altogether, as they are part of a defensive strategy, removal of which may make some left-wing people happy in Europe and the BBC, but in the current situation exposes Israel to being targeted as weak and actually increasing terrorism. (Or militancy, as the PC has it.) Golda Meir is often held up as an example of an admirable Israeli ruler by European left-wingers and she does seem to be a great woman. But the fact that Israel was forcefully attacked to the point at which she was almost taken over makes me think that, for now, it just isn't safe to follow that path for Israel. Better to annoy some European left-wingers and live, than follow their advice and die, as unlike in video-games, you don't get a second chance.
So what's the hold-up? Why is it not safe to do a Golder Meir, why all the hatred? It isn't just policies and politics. It isn't that the religions can't co-exist if followed normally. It is addiction. An addiction to hatred and violence. Part of this
is in the sadly mislead Muslim youth, who are made all kinds of false promises of where such hatred will lead them. To paradise, where they'll have their 77 virgins. This has become a whole subculture, which moderate Muslims find it almost impossible to control, as they are not considered, 'cool' enough to be an influence. Now, there is nothing cool about violence, but it is almost natural for young males to have aggressive tendencies, which can be directed towards wars, careers, drug-use, or this. The so-called 'radical' imams are to blame here and they are literally profiting on terrorism, as this is how they make their name and their living. It's not real religion, at least in my book, but whilst people are going to listen to them, they feel, why should they stop. It is all an addiction... a drug addiction. The saddest thing is it gets in the way of humanely solving very real problems, problems that are often solved in other parts of the world.
However, there is also another audience to all of this... the media. Violence makes front pages, reasoned arguments don't. A successful war, such as the Falklands War, or the Bosnian campaign, can raise a politicians; stature, receiving far more media attention than a gentle peace process. Then of course, who can be blamed for the media's shortcomings, hungry for viewers and attention as they are, but... we ourselves. Yes, by buying newspapers or tv viewing time 'laced' with terroristic violence, we help keep it a prominent force in the world. We give the immature the attention they seek, simultaneously robbing those moderates who truly deserve it of airtime. I'd rather listen to Nelson Madella (a reformed terrorist, it must be noted), than Bin Ladin. But, without scouring the airwaves or the net, I just can't. I'd rather know what Ghandi has to say than Hitler. But documentaries on him are far harder to come by.
We need to end this addiction to violence, to solving problems through force alone, before it is too late for all of us. We have to stop or arrest anyone preaching violence in a religious place- we can't let anyone use the cover of religion to spread hatred. We need a more responsible media that, whilst it covers the psychotic violence of the terrorists and the military attempts to root them out, also gives airtime to moderate people who authentically care about others. Who really want to make the world better for everyone. Not just world political leaders and experts, also intellectual leaders and artists, people who understand deeply the feelings involved here. Most of all, we need an education system that doesn't just preach peace, it actually encourages it. Whilst some people need this more than others, it's something we all need, something humanity needs. Before it is too late.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
The Messiah
Part I- Who Was the Messiah?
The Messiah, the anointed one, is someone whom the ancient Jews, amongst others, had been awaiting for a very long time.
There was an expectation that his coming would herald victory over their worldly and national troubles, yet despite this materialistic dream, such a victory could only come through a great and spiritual event- then, as now, as it ever shall be in the endless worlds of The Creation.
When Jesus did come, he offered not the usual murky spell of religion, but a crystal clear and unending steam of religious truth, which is synonymous with pure love.
His aim was not simply to establish a new religion on the foundation of the old, but to reassert the truths that Judaism had long ago been based upon. He was making the ancient mysteries public for the first time. To do so required an utterly original teaching that could unify the deeply personal experience of God with social realities.
Jesus traveled widely, far more widely than The New Testament, as it has come down to us, might seem to suggest. He dwelt long in the lands of the East, in places such as Egypt and Tibet, where he learnt from the children of creation the mysteries of that creation, just as do we. The famous three wise men were not the only Masters to have a role in the upbringing of this uniquely gifted child…
Even now we can see that those truest to Christ's ideal can be Easterner as much as Western, from Gandhi to Mother Theresa, from Martin Luther King to the Dalai Lama. This, the greatest religious event of human history, belongs to no one religion, much less any particular group of people.
Part II- What Did the Messiah Teach?
Jesus, as a divine incarnation of The Eternal ALL, was utterly in tune with what this Eternal All Is, and was uniquely qualified to reveal this knowledge. Mortal words are insufficient to portray this, yet just as mortals love the spoken word, so also did Jesus teach. Despite this, he knew, more than any, the supreme power of action.
Jesus’ activities were not limited to the miracles, though these have ever proved impressive to mortal minds, that hunger for evidence of eternal things. His indelible fingerprint was that of love, forgiveness, compassion, which he showed even in the smallest of ways. Those who had sinned were forgiven and sent forth to sin no more. People who met him were touched by this.
For the sin of selfishness brings death, a denial of life, whilst Love is life itself and the one road to that great Self within us all. Such is his teaching.
By unveiling the mysteries of rebirth, in which we must lose our lives to gain them; in even giving of his own self in such a way of ultimate sacrifice; Jesus showed us the supreme path- of living for others without a thought for our own self.
In so doing the original being must perish, to be born anew in unimaginable glory, just as the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. We caterpillars are all butterflies, if we but enter this chrysalis of love and contemplation. As delicate, sensitive and sentient beings, our food for this is not just green leaves, but also that of the spirit, which can be seen with the opened eyes of the spirit.
So also shall it be with the Messiah in our time, the World-Teaching Lord Maitreya of the Buddhists. From the great silence, in the anticipation of our darkest and most challenging epoch, will come the Teacher of Love to guide us through it, to survive the transition to the other side. Change can be painful or euphoric, but growth ever requires change.
He shall show us the way from turmoil to peace, from a merely worldly to a spiritual understanding, descending for us from heaven in the greatest, most inner, glory. He shall bring with Him the peace of the Heavens.
He will come when we are ready to understand what he has for us, when our highly evolved powers reach such proportions as to be a danger to ourselves without proper guidance and supervision. Science needs to be balanced with religious love and an awe for what we encounter.
In his coming reign shall be the reign of the spirit, which is an extension of the reign of love, the reign of reason and of all those human abilities which have lain dormant over the millennia, yet are slowly emerging and transforming ourselves and even our planet with. As ever, our greatest danger is our own selfishness- and our finest hope, a world in which we live for one another, as do good children who love their parents, in harmony with a very cosmic civilisation!
Thus will humankind and the planet we know as The Earth, be re-admitted to the celestial order, the family of planets under God.
THE END
of
THE BEGINNING.
The Messiah, the anointed one, is someone whom the ancient Jews, amongst others, had been awaiting for a very long time.
There was an expectation that his coming would herald victory over their worldly and national troubles, yet despite this materialistic dream, such a victory could only come through a great and spiritual event- then, as now, as it ever shall be in the endless worlds of The Creation.
When Jesus did come, he offered not the usual murky spell of religion, but a crystal clear and unending steam of religious truth, which is synonymous with pure love.
His aim was not simply to establish a new religion on the foundation of the old, but to reassert the truths that Judaism had long ago been based upon. He was making the ancient mysteries public for the first time. To do so required an utterly original teaching that could unify the deeply personal experience of God with social realities.
Jesus traveled widely, far more widely than The New Testament, as it has come down to us, might seem to suggest. He dwelt long in the lands of the East, in places such as Egypt and Tibet, where he learnt from the children of creation the mysteries of that creation, just as do we. The famous three wise men were not the only Masters to have a role in the upbringing of this uniquely gifted child…
Even now we can see that those truest to Christ's ideal can be Easterner as much as Western, from Gandhi to Mother Theresa, from Martin Luther King to the Dalai Lama. This, the greatest religious event of human history, belongs to no one religion, much less any particular group of people.
Part II- What Did the Messiah Teach?
Jesus, as a divine incarnation of The Eternal ALL, was utterly in tune with what this Eternal All Is, and was uniquely qualified to reveal this knowledge. Mortal words are insufficient to portray this, yet just as mortals love the spoken word, so also did Jesus teach. Despite this, he knew, more than any, the supreme power of action.
Jesus’ activities were not limited to the miracles, though these have ever proved impressive to mortal minds, that hunger for evidence of eternal things. His indelible fingerprint was that of love, forgiveness, compassion, which he showed even in the smallest of ways. Those who had sinned were forgiven and sent forth to sin no more. People who met him were touched by this.
For the sin of selfishness brings death, a denial of life, whilst Love is life itself and the one road to that great Self within us all. Such is his teaching.
By unveiling the mysteries of rebirth, in which we must lose our lives to gain them; in even giving of his own self in such a way of ultimate sacrifice; Jesus showed us the supreme path- of living for others without a thought for our own self.
In so doing the original being must perish, to be born anew in unimaginable glory, just as the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. We caterpillars are all butterflies, if we but enter this chrysalis of love and contemplation. As delicate, sensitive and sentient beings, our food for this is not just green leaves, but also that of the spirit, which can be seen with the opened eyes of the spirit.
So also shall it be with the Messiah in our time, the World-Teaching Lord Maitreya of the Buddhists. From the great silence, in the anticipation of our darkest and most challenging epoch, will come the Teacher of Love to guide us through it, to survive the transition to the other side. Change can be painful or euphoric, but growth ever requires change.
He shall show us the way from turmoil to peace, from a merely worldly to a spiritual understanding, descending for us from heaven in the greatest, most inner, glory. He shall bring with Him the peace of the Heavens.
He will come when we are ready to understand what he has for us, when our highly evolved powers reach such proportions as to be a danger to ourselves without proper guidance and supervision. Science needs to be balanced with religious love and an awe for what we encounter.
In his coming reign shall be the reign of the spirit, which is an extension of the reign of love, the reign of reason and of all those human abilities which have lain dormant over the millennia, yet are slowly emerging and transforming ourselves and even our planet with. As ever, our greatest danger is our own selfishness- and our finest hope, a world in which we live for one another, as do good children who love their parents, in harmony with a very cosmic civilisation!
Thus will humankind and the planet we know as The Earth, be re-admitted to the celestial order, the family of planets under God.
THE END
of
THE BEGINNING.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
The Templar Revelation
As I may have mentioned I am currently turning my attention to alchemy and The Cabala, the inner truth of the revealed religions. Not being allowed any hand-luggage other than travel documents and a wallet from Heathrow a few days ago lead to me buying a new book to read on the plane- The Templar Revelation, by Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince. Not only had I been reading along these lines before leaving for my trip to England and Portugal, but time and time again, the themes would come up- the symbolic rose, monasteries haunted by histories of returning crusaders, mysterious standing stones in Avebury.
Reading this book, the associations are all becoming a lot clearer and rather than being new discoveries, such inner teachings seem to be sourced in far older religions than I had realised, most especially the cult of the Egyptian Goddess Isis, known in the Bible as 'Wisdom'. The more I read, the more I learn... It is strange, the way events have a way of guiding us to our destiny, almost as if the one thing we can't escape in this increasingly structured world is that which goes on within ourselves.
In Lebanon, a Ceasefire Declared
A guerrilla army can be fought but not militarily dismantled and war is a game men play just like any other, with it's own rules and rhythms. Therefor it is wisest not to escalate and rather to appear strong, relying on the consent of the enemy to moderate itself. Absolute force, total war... such things are mere tragedies. Israel appears a lot stronger when she shows her strength with restraint- for then the measure of her strength is unguessable and her comparative nobility clear.
Of course, many other countries do far worse and cruder things than Israel and I fully believe her sovereignty and dignity should be respected, yet Israel is at heart a finer country than the others, who would react far worse to similar provocations. It is love for Israel that make us all instinctively hold her to a higher standard, not a spirit of injustice. Special standards for special people... a law followed by the universe and only interpreted by humankind.
Of course, many other countries do far worse and cruder things than Israel and I fully believe her sovereignty and dignity should be respected, yet Israel is at heart a finer country than the others, who would react far worse to similar provocations. It is love for Israel that make us all instinctively hold her to a higher standard, not a spirit of injustice. Special standards for special people... a law followed by the universe and only interpreted by humankind.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Towards a Federation
We need some kind of unanimous voice which will stand up to the threats from radicals in the Middle East, which will make clear the benefits of having peaceful democratic states cooperate in the region, seeking peace with Israel; the only democracy in the region, however flawed it may be. We need America to spread an optimism about just how much this will improve the lives of the people there, scarred by war and internal, ethnic conflicts. We need Israel to feel secure and thus find the strength to curb their right-wing, which is causing so much corruption. Radicalism is an expression of emotion, of fear of 'the other'. It can't just be supressed, moralised away- the conflict-based landscape in which radicals thrive needs to be altered.
It is easy for outsiders (such as this writer) in more peaceful regions to moralise, but what would they do, in a similar situation? I'd argue that, left with the feeling that their very survival was at stake, at least some of them would fall into the maze of terror and repression that poisons this regional life. Fear and an urge to intimidate lies behind this just as much as rage. Peace can come when the fear subsides- when there is no longer anything to be afraid of. Then, common interests will take over.
I remain convinced that a peaceful, democratic federation, something like the EU, is the only answer to the regional problems. Fundamentalist Islam, like fundamentalist Judaism, Christianity or any other one, is destined to be a private affair, with no business controlling governments at the expense of the rights of ordinary Muslims, Jews, Christians, or Bahais. It may be an essentially Christian thought, but we need to separate religion from politics and also bring politics back to rationality, or we risk losing what we seek to gain by such activities in the first place. Love conquers all. The selfish human will conquers nothing!
It is easy for outsiders (such as this writer) in more peaceful regions to moralise, but what would they do, in a similar situation? I'd argue that, left with the feeling that their very survival was at stake, at least some of them would fall into the maze of terror and repression that poisons this regional life. Fear and an urge to intimidate lies behind this just as much as rage. Peace can come when the fear subsides- when there is no longer anything to be afraid of. Then, common interests will take over.
I remain convinced that a peaceful, democratic federation, something like the EU, is the only answer to the regional problems. Fundamentalist Islam, like fundamentalist Judaism, Christianity or any other one, is destined to be a private affair, with no business controlling governments at the expense of the rights of ordinary Muslims, Jews, Christians, or Bahais. It may be an essentially Christian thought, but we need to separate religion from politics and also bring politics back to rationality, or we risk losing what we seek to gain by such activities in the first place. Love conquers all. The selfish human will conquers nothing!
Where is Democracy?
It would be easy to see the current crisis in the middle East as a break-out of war between democracy and fundamentalist Islamic forces. But, it would also be wrong to see it this way. It needs to be remembered that the current leaders of America and Israel were never authentically elected. In the case of Bush, his first election was a fraudulent one, in which democratic votes from black people were systematically destroyed. Also, there is a certain amount of evidence from his verbal mistakes and lengthly public absences that we are dealing with an alcoholic (the excuse that he is merely stupid is pretty unrealistic- no-one merely stupid could survive as long in politics as he has). His second election was secured only by the events of 9/11, which fellow right-wingers could well have been responsible for allowing to happen, if not even helping to happen- which is another manipulation of the democratic process.
Meanwhile, in Israel, we had the situation in which Ariel Sharon had the unpopular idea of unilateral disengagement from The Gaza Strip and Southern Lebanon. Unpopular in Israel with his own elected party and their allies who were not prepared to leave such areas at that point, and unpopular with the world, which was urging the negotiations. So he formed a new political party to support these ideas and overcome his coalition's objections and simply forced the policy.
Now whilst it was good to withdraw from unnecessary entanglements for Israel, anything that gives the impression of retreat rather than of moral choice could well strengthen the fanatical enemies that lurk in the area, and we can see this in the assention of Hamas and Hezbollah to actually winning certain elections, if only as a protest vote. They didn't win just because of their militancy, but because of their impression of being freer from corruption than the alternatives to them, such as the Palestinian authority and their involvement in social programs in deprived neighbourhoods. Whilst this may have been more to do with encouraging support than a sincere regard for human well-being, it has built up their popularity in neglected areas, with people who were left with the feeling that no-one else really cared about them. This desperation makes such populations ripe for exploitation of the very worst kind, they need people who sincerely want to help them, not to use them as 'human shields'. Still, as terrorist groups, their election is widely regarded as illegitimate- election or no election, they in no way represent democracy itself, with it's implicit assertion of the rights of minorities and the duty to coexist with those who differ from ourselves.
From stress or simply age, Sharon quite recently succumbed to a coma, leaving in charge the inexperienced and unelected Olmert- an acting Prime Minister, though an unelected one. Like George Bush junior, he looks up to an older, more experienced and more respected leader. This leaves him to want to shore up his position and authority not only with those inside the country, but also in the eyes of external adversaries who are always on the lookout for weakness. He also seeks to use military power as a means to resolve a situation that requires long-term diplomatic commitments that can appear fruitless at first glance. Many have commented that it was unnecessary to use full-blown military power in Iraq at specifically the time of the invasion there- and have been more or less vindicated by the endless guerrilla entanglements that have followed it. Similarly, whilst it was certainly a great temptation to try to use the high-tech army to respond to the provocation when Hezboullah attacked and kidnapped soldiers from an Israeli patrol, we need to remember the need to be carful on this point and remember the nature of 'asymetrical warfare' that uses low-tech weapons and treats local populations as if they were the notorious 'human shields' by hiding amongst them.
The historical resistance of guerrilla fighters to even far more technologically proficient armies means that they should only be encountered when victory is virtually assured and there is wide support for such a risky and costly venture. Guerillas can marshall support even in the face of very wide-spread attacks and have ways to make themselves look like the victim- only by making it clearly morally reprehensible to support them can their lines of support- those of the local population, whoever their real backers may be- be effectively broken. If they are to be defeated, they can never seem to have the moral high-ground. Of course, they can also be politically eroded from within, as should have happened in Lebanon long before, as the central government took over and rebuilt the country.
Basically we have a situation in which two leaders whose democratic credentials are very much in doubt turning to military force as a way of imposing security and democratic norms on an admittedly lawless region. They claim to have liberal aspirations, but are using techniques that would make even the right-wing blush and especially in Bush's case have caused terrible damage to the lives of civilians and the stability of society in the affected region. It seems to be to be a very unfortunate, even tragic misuse of force (especially in the case of Iraq), which leaves me wondering why it should happen, although there may be some reasons known to intelligence sources that make it all neccessary, as part of a grand strategy, but it seems like an inflamation of the disease more than a cure. This doesn' seem to be a case of Western democracy fighting radical Islam, however reprehensible extremist Islam is. It is something else.... I'm not sure what, exactly, but something else...
Which leaves me apprehensive that more rough beasts await to be born..
Meanwhile, in Israel, we had the situation in which Ariel Sharon had the unpopular idea of unilateral disengagement from The Gaza Strip and Southern Lebanon. Unpopular in Israel with his own elected party and their allies who were not prepared to leave such areas at that point, and unpopular with the world, which was urging the negotiations. So he formed a new political party to support these ideas and overcome his coalition's objections and simply forced the policy.
Now whilst it was good to withdraw from unnecessary entanglements for Israel, anything that gives the impression of retreat rather than of moral choice could well strengthen the fanatical enemies that lurk in the area, and we can see this in the assention of Hamas and Hezbollah to actually winning certain elections, if only as a protest vote. They didn't win just because of their militancy, but because of their impression of being freer from corruption than the alternatives to them, such as the Palestinian authority and their involvement in social programs in deprived neighbourhoods. Whilst this may have been more to do with encouraging support than a sincere regard for human well-being, it has built up their popularity in neglected areas, with people who were left with the feeling that no-one else really cared about them. This desperation makes such populations ripe for exploitation of the very worst kind, they need people who sincerely want to help them, not to use them as 'human shields'. Still, as terrorist groups, their election is widely regarded as illegitimate- election or no election, they in no way represent democracy itself, with it's implicit assertion of the rights of minorities and the duty to coexist with those who differ from ourselves.
From stress or simply age, Sharon quite recently succumbed to a coma, leaving in charge the inexperienced and unelected Olmert- an acting Prime Minister, though an unelected one. Like George Bush junior, he looks up to an older, more experienced and more respected leader. This leaves him to want to shore up his position and authority not only with those inside the country, but also in the eyes of external adversaries who are always on the lookout for weakness. He also seeks to use military power as a means to resolve a situation that requires long-term diplomatic commitments that can appear fruitless at first glance. Many have commented that it was unnecessary to use full-blown military power in Iraq at specifically the time of the invasion there- and have been more or less vindicated by the endless guerrilla entanglements that have followed it. Similarly, whilst it was certainly a great temptation to try to use the high-tech army to respond to the provocation when Hezboullah attacked and kidnapped soldiers from an Israeli patrol, we need to remember the need to be carful on this point and remember the nature of 'asymetrical warfare' that uses low-tech weapons and treats local populations as if they were the notorious 'human shields' by hiding amongst them.
The historical resistance of guerrilla fighters to even far more technologically proficient armies means that they should only be encountered when victory is virtually assured and there is wide support for such a risky and costly venture. Guerillas can marshall support even in the face of very wide-spread attacks and have ways to make themselves look like the victim- only by making it clearly morally reprehensible to support them can their lines of support- those of the local population, whoever their real backers may be- be effectively broken. If they are to be defeated, they can never seem to have the moral high-ground. Of course, they can also be politically eroded from within, as should have happened in Lebanon long before, as the central government took over and rebuilt the country.
Basically we have a situation in which two leaders whose democratic credentials are very much in doubt turning to military force as a way of imposing security and democratic norms on an admittedly lawless region. They claim to have liberal aspirations, but are using techniques that would make even the right-wing blush and especially in Bush's case have caused terrible damage to the lives of civilians and the stability of society in the affected region. It seems to be to be a very unfortunate, even tragic misuse of force (especially in the case of Iraq), which leaves me wondering why it should happen, although there may be some reasons known to intelligence sources that make it all neccessary, as part of a grand strategy, but it seems like an inflamation of the disease more than a cure. This doesn' seem to be a case of Western democracy fighting radical Islam, however reprehensible extremist Islam is. It is something else.... I'm not sure what, exactly, but something else...
Which leaves me apprehensive that more rough beasts await to be born..
Monday, July 24, 2006
Beyond Reasonable Limits
Seeing the bombardment of Lebanon continue, taking in whole swaths of the city and the infrastructure, it has to be asked- what limits are reasonable, what is proportional. It seems that, in her unrealistic haste to dismantle Hezbullah, these limits have been very much crossed, leading not only to pointless deaths of civilians, but also to an unnecessary escalation. War has to avoid hurting civilians, even if there is an intention to punish them, to scare them from lending support to an enemy.
However, those that say that when faced with Islamicist terrorism, everyone should just roll over and sucumb, are perhaps forgetting the adgenda of these people. they may well be skilled at fooling liberals into supporting them, but their game-plan is as different as Stalin's was from Roosevelt. supposting terrorist,or militant organisations, even in giving them 'moral support' must be frowned on by all reasonable people who care for innocent life. Such people seek to sacrifice innocent life to their goals, not protect it.
We need the wisdom of moderates. We don't need the destructive naivety of fools.
However, those that say that when faced with Islamicist terrorism, everyone should just roll over and sucumb, are perhaps forgetting the adgenda of these people. they may well be skilled at fooling liberals into supporting them, but their game-plan is as different as Stalin's was from Roosevelt. supposting terrorist,or militant organisations, even in giving them 'moral support' must be frowned on by all reasonable people who care for innocent life. Such people seek to sacrifice innocent life to their goals, not protect it.
We need the wisdom of moderates. We don't need the destructive naivety of fools.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Anti-War Demonstrations
What we need is a great movement against war, against violence, in and of itself. This is something that Krishnamurti himself called for- not just a protest about this war or that war, or for or against particular sides (which is not to say they are always morally equivalent), but against war itself. Such a mass-movement could make even thinking of solving problems this way quite rare if not virtually impossible. Did you ever think of planting red carmellias all over the world, or of genetically designing a pig that could fly? No- because it has not become seen as a culturally appropriate response to the world's problems. Let's do the same with war, terrorism, kidnapping, violence. Let's make them impossible to imagine, impossible to do.
So, whilst I sympathise with the anti-war demonstrators, it is as someone who is against war itself, not someone who is against Israel or America, not as someone filled with hate and anger, but as someone filled with the desire for peace.
This is indeed idealism rather than realism. Yet the path towards the ideal is the path to a better future, the path to encourage our youngsters towards. We make the worlds through our imagination, in our image, just as we were made in the image of far greater beings, beings that could imagine perfection itself...
So, whilst I sympathise with the anti-war demonstrators, it is as someone who is against war itself, not someone who is against Israel or America, not as someone filled with hate and anger, but as someone filled with the desire for peace.
This is indeed idealism rather than realism. Yet the path towards the ideal is the path to a better future, the path to encourage our youngsters towards. We make the worlds through our imagination, in our image, just as we were made in the image of far greater beings, beings that could imagine perfection itself...
The Long Path to Peace
I have identified the root cause in the Middle-Eastern conflict as not being political, religious, or social- in fact it is the strong negative energy of hatred which flares up between the parties. Europe used to be this way, with the national rivalries spilling over into an unhealthy hatred that lead to wars. Hatred, like love, can wear many clothes. It can wear the cloths of a religion, it can wear the clothes of a political or ethnic identity. but in truth it is none of these fleeting forms. It is an energy, a twisted and unclean version of an energy we call Love.
Only be transmuting this energy into love and forgiveness can peace be attained. And I believe very strongly, perhaps religiously, perhaps mystically, perhaps even scientifically, that a just and lasting peace in the Middle-East will be the prelude or even the outporing of world peace.
So our prayers for peace should be especially directed here. Our prayers for the miracle of forgiveness- as even if a rational mind can perceive the benefits of forgiveness, only through the grace of God is it a possibility to actualization this overcoming of resentment. Peace is very much a possibility.
It is with this in mind that I turn my attention to the art of alchemy, precursor to both chemistry and psychology, possessing a wealth of wisdom as to the human condition and the way in which our attitudes can affect the way energy flows through our personal subsystems.
The very highest goal is purest peace and love, inside ourselves as much as in the world around us. Through an appreciation of the divine path that says that the basic unit of humanities is the family, we can spread this family love, love within the context of illumined and inspiring roles, to the universe around us. Just as the family is the basic social unit, so within us is there a system of mind-body organisation that determines our state of health. Alchemy, which evolved into the likes of Jungian psychology, holds many a key to understanding of these things, presently dark to us, but soon to come into the light.
Only be transmuting this energy into love and forgiveness can peace be attained. And I believe very strongly, perhaps religiously, perhaps mystically, perhaps even scientifically, that a just and lasting peace in the Middle-East will be the prelude or even the outporing of world peace.
So our prayers for peace should be especially directed here. Our prayers for the miracle of forgiveness- as even if a rational mind can perceive the benefits of forgiveness, only through the grace of God is it a possibility to actualization this overcoming of resentment. Peace is very much a possibility.
It is with this in mind that I turn my attention to the art of alchemy, precursor to both chemistry and psychology, possessing a wealth of wisdom as to the human condition and the way in which our attitudes can affect the way energy flows through our personal subsystems.
The very highest goal is purest peace and love, inside ourselves as much as in the world around us. Through an appreciation of the divine path that says that the basic unit of humanities is the family, we can spread this family love, love within the context of illumined and inspiring roles, to the universe around us. Just as the family is the basic social unit, so within us is there a system of mind-body organisation that determines our state of health. Alchemy, which evolved into the likes of Jungian psychology, holds many a key to understanding of these things, presently dark to us, but soon to come into the light.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
The Tears of Lebanon
Looking at the situation now in Lebanon, I am, filled with nothing but sadness. A series of events all too common in the Middle-East and in areas where the Islamic world touches the rest of humanity generally. A terrorist/militant group launches a 'brazen' (in reality cowardly) attack on a nearby country, presuming a general support for their actions from other Muslims that generally just isn't there- like anyone else, most Muslims wish to live in peace. They thereby draw the fire of whomever they attacked- be it Russia, Israel, India or whomever and do whatever they can to draw such fire onto civilian areas. The response is even more brutal and effects even more people than the original attack, attacking a whole society, into which the terrorists/militants have done their best to melt away into. They then have just what they wanted, 'proof' that the democracies are the tyrants, 'evidence' that they are a popular movement of resistance, and thus escape the focus of blame they so richly deserve.
Are the democracy's responses proportionate? In no way. The kind of actions we see in Gaza, Lebanon, Kashmir, Cetzneya, Iraq can in no way be defended or justified- they maim the innocent, they destroy the chances of peace. Yet we should also be able to pry ourselves away from the media's obsession with what is happening only in the moment of reporting, and remember what provoked the savage and disproportionate response.
Whilst terrorists/militants launch attacks from the midst of civilians, these kinds of tragedies will continue, whatever the mass media or the UN says about such responses. Standing armies simply have no other response, they lack the means to control or restrict themselves to the 'ideal' of surgical warfare, a surgical warfare that has really only ever existed on television screens. Those that breed the hatred, the obsessive hatred, must be stopped with diplomatic means before they breach the peace and processes to establish peace through gradual means. For attacked nations have little patience for their critics, and will continue to employ savagely reactive forms of 'self-defense' which other nations will fall shy of officially criticising (note the lack of official criticisms of Israel, even by nations inconvenienced by events or containing populations appalled at them). They hold back on criticising not so much from their agreement, as from fear for what the future may bring if they seem friendly to terrorist causes, lest they be thrown into the same situation by another reckless terrorist/militant group.
The children of Lebanon suffer and their suffering is mocked by the Islamic extremists who hope for more suffering, for more propaganda. The ordinary Muslims masses continue to be held hostage by their extremists and their purposefully provocative actions, with no way of freeing themselves other than by getting angered and saddened by those attacking them. But I would ask these masses, this billions of people, to ask and realise this one thing- that it is hate that is the original breeder of violence. And that there is little if any actual hatred of Muslims in the average non-Muslim or their governments- but plenty of hatred blackening the hearts of those in the terrorist/militant movements who seem hell-bent on ending the stability and scerenity of others as much as they can.
What am I suggesting?
That Satan himself is behind this and all similar crises, turning human brothers against one another, in a series of efforts to obscure the peaceful divinity from men's minds and hearts. Who can easily envision an infinite and peaceful divinity when seeing such sickening scenes? Perhaps a deity of vengeance who presides over nothing but misery, but not the True God of loving peace and endless kindness. The Lebanese didn't ask to be Hezbollah's cannon-fodder in this maddened attack against a Western outpost, which ironically holds the keys to their future happiness. Yet the occultists who rule Syria and Iran gave them little choice.
Similarly, peaceful solutions which might very well have presented themselves may be overlooked by the occultists who meddle with Israel's destiny, and are held to be at least partly responsible for the growth or organisations such as Hamas, that were seen as useful tools to split the Palestinian political identity into a confused and split one, that could be more easily controlled. The dearth of effective, reasonable-minded leadership on the Palestinian part can partly be explained by this. Yet a people cannot forever merely be controlled- authentic relationships need to be established and nourished- relationships which I have faith that the ordinary good-hearted peoples of Israel, Palestinian and all the other nations are more than capable of achieving. They will do this by building nation-states in the wider framework of the Middle-East, as a federation of states working together or even competing, but towards a common good, a common prosperity, a better future.
The peaceful future will be built by those who focus on peace, rather than vengeance, on forgiveness rather than rage, on understanding rather than ignorance. Whatever the temptations out there, the true followers of God will keep their hearts and minds pure and filled with nothing but Love.
Are the democracy's responses proportionate? In no way. The kind of actions we see in Gaza, Lebanon, Kashmir, Cetzneya, Iraq can in no way be defended or justified- they maim the innocent, they destroy the chances of peace. Yet we should also be able to pry ourselves away from the media's obsession with what is happening only in the moment of reporting, and remember what provoked the savage and disproportionate response.
Whilst terrorists/militants launch attacks from the midst of civilians, these kinds of tragedies will continue, whatever the mass media or the UN says about such responses. Standing armies simply have no other response, they lack the means to control or restrict themselves to the 'ideal' of surgical warfare, a surgical warfare that has really only ever existed on television screens. Those that breed the hatred, the obsessive hatred, must be stopped with diplomatic means before they breach the peace and processes to establish peace through gradual means. For attacked nations have little patience for their critics, and will continue to employ savagely reactive forms of 'self-defense' which other nations will fall shy of officially criticising (note the lack of official criticisms of Israel, even by nations inconvenienced by events or containing populations appalled at them). They hold back on criticising not so much from their agreement, as from fear for what the future may bring if they seem friendly to terrorist causes, lest they be thrown into the same situation by another reckless terrorist/militant group.
The children of Lebanon suffer and their suffering is mocked by the Islamic extremists who hope for more suffering, for more propaganda. The ordinary Muslims masses continue to be held hostage by their extremists and their purposefully provocative actions, with no way of freeing themselves other than by getting angered and saddened by those attacking them. But I would ask these masses, this billions of people, to ask and realise this one thing- that it is hate that is the original breeder of violence. And that there is little if any actual hatred of Muslims in the average non-Muslim or their governments- but plenty of hatred blackening the hearts of those in the terrorist/militant movements who seem hell-bent on ending the stability and scerenity of others as much as they can.
What am I suggesting?
That Satan himself is behind this and all similar crises, turning human brothers against one another, in a series of efforts to obscure the peaceful divinity from men's minds and hearts. Who can easily envision an infinite and peaceful divinity when seeing such sickening scenes? Perhaps a deity of vengeance who presides over nothing but misery, but not the True God of loving peace and endless kindness. The Lebanese didn't ask to be Hezbollah's cannon-fodder in this maddened attack against a Western outpost, which ironically holds the keys to their future happiness. Yet the occultists who rule Syria and Iran gave them little choice.
Similarly, peaceful solutions which might very well have presented themselves may be overlooked by the occultists who meddle with Israel's destiny, and are held to be at least partly responsible for the growth or organisations such as Hamas, that were seen as useful tools to split the Palestinian political identity into a confused and split one, that could be more easily controlled. The dearth of effective, reasonable-minded leadership on the Palestinian part can partly be explained by this. Yet a people cannot forever merely be controlled- authentic relationships need to be established and nourished- relationships which I have faith that the ordinary good-hearted peoples of Israel, Palestinian and all the other nations are more than capable of achieving. They will do this by building nation-states in the wider framework of the Middle-East, as a federation of states working together or even competing, but towards a common good, a common prosperity, a better future.
The peaceful future will be built by those who focus on peace, rather than vengeance, on forgiveness rather than rage, on understanding rather than ignorance. Whatever the temptations out there, the true followers of God will keep their hearts and minds pure and filled with nothing but Love.
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