Our Epic Battles - War

shathaway · 07-11-2006, 10:36 AM

Today is the age where nationalism and religious fanaticism must be resolved. We are in an epic battle amongst those proclaiming a belief in God, ignoring the sanctity of the human condition, and those proclaiming the self-importance of man and national allegiance, ignoring the moralities of righteous conduct. Life will continue to be fraught with misery until these extremes are healed by promoting your Great Cause of righteousness. Promoting a peaceful coexistence of humanity in this world is imperative. A quote from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, before the time of World War I, is as significant today as it was then.

Quote:

O God, my God! Thou seest how black darkness is enshrouding all regions, how all countries are burning with the flame of dissension, and the fire of war and carnage is blazing throughout the East and the West. Blood is flowing, corpses bestrew the ground, and severed heads are fallen on the dust of the battlefield.

O Lord! Have pity on these ignorant ones, and look upon them with the eye of forgiveness and pardon. Extinguish this fire, so that these dense clouds which obscure the horizon may be scattered, the Sun of Reality shine forth with the rays of conciliation, this intense gloom be dispelled and the resplendent light of peace shed its radiance upon all countries.

We must learn to speak out against these injustices and promote the reasoned morality as promoted in the scriptures. O Lord, grant us the strength to make a difference, in what we say, and in the way we live our lives. Protect our families by your Grace and Mercy.

Sincerely,
Steven J. Hathaway

shathaway · 07-14-2006, 09:42 PM

East Meets West!

These are faults I see in western societies that need healing. The mere presence of these images are promoting turmoil among people with conscience. They flame the fire of religious fanaticism. Are these people and institutions of western culture so blind and dumb that they cannot see or understand what it is they are doing?

Since when has immorality been upheld as a virtue?

Since when must society look up to those who practice homosexual and deviant behavioral practices?

Since when can violence in film be promoted to the heroic?

Since when can the breakup of family life be promoted as healthy entertainment?

Since when can the practice of backbiting, slander, an violence be promoted as the proper way to solve disputes?

Since when can the mention of religious thought be treated as evil?

Since when can the destruction of religious institutions, with their symbols and icons, be the proper thing to do?

Since when can the dealers of drugs and pornography be promoted as persons worthy to guide and lead our society?

Since when can a philosophy of political correctness silence the men and women of good will, under the guise of not offending anyone?

Since when can the clamor of partisan political agendas take all the money and energy from the governed public, giving back only empty promises?

Since when can a government do better charity than the volunteer social institutions of charity?

Since when can a reasonable person feel like a prisoner in his own house?

Since when can a person doing destructive things goes unpunished while the victims are powerless to have their voices heard?

It is no wonder that the flames of religious fervor are trying to squelch and destroy the social fabric of all who would perpetrate such acts! This, my brothers and sisters, is the unpublished side of our current global war. But if we try not to be swayed by these voices, but instead concentrate our efforts on those moral issues that unite instead of divide humanity, we will have an impact on this world and the world to come.

Sincerely,
Steven J. Hathaway

shathaway · 07-15-2006, 03:10 PM

We also hear the phrase 'Ali Akbar' as religious terrorists decapitate those who would rebuild a destroyed society. Here we see that the zeal of religion can also be blind. Here emotion clouds all reason. And the result is death and destruction. In scripture: 'Ali Akbar' has special religious meaning, and is inappropriate to mention in conjunction with destructive actions.

Selections from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh

Quote:

We exhort mankind in these days when the countenance of Justice is soiled with dust, when the flames of unbelief are burning high and the robe of wisdom rent asunder, when tranquillity and faithfulness have ebbed away and trials and tribulations have waxed severe, when convenants are broken and ties are severed, when no man knoweth how to discern light and darkness or to distinguish guidance from error.

O peoples of the world! Forsake all evil, hold fast that which is good. Strive to be shining examples unto all mankind, and true reminders of the virtues of God amidst men. He that riseth to serve My Cause should manifest My wisdom, and bend every effort to banish ignorance from the earth. Be united in counsel, be one in thought. Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday. Man's merit lieth in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches. Take heed that your words be purged from idle fancies and worldly desires and your deeds be cleansed from craftiness and suspicion. Dissipate not the wealth of your precious lives in the pursuit of evil and corrupt affection, nor let your endeavours be spent in promoting your personal interest. Be generous in your days of plenty, and be patient in the hour of loss. Adversity is followed by success and rejoicings follow woe. Guard against idleness and sloth, and cling unto that which profiteth mankind, whether young or old, whether high or low. Beware lest ye sow tares of dissension among men or plant thorns of doubt in pure and radiant hearts.

Feel free to share more comments and guidance as appropriate, help by promoting the solutions to our social ills. Be not part of the problem.

Respectfully Submitted,
Steven J. Hathaway

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07-14-2006, 09:42 PM	#2
shathaway Senior Member Joined: Jul 2006 From: Oregon, USA Posts: 133	East Meets West! These are faults I see in western societies that need healing. The mere presence of these images are promoting turmoil among people with conscience. They flame the fire of religious fanaticism. Are these people and institutions of western culture so blind and dumb that they cannot see or understand what it is they are doing? Since when has immorality been upheld as a virtue? Since when must society look up to those who practice homosexual and deviant behavioral practices? Since when can violence in film be promoted to the heroic? Since when can the breakup of family life be promoted as healthy entertainment? Since when can the practice of backbiting, slander, an violence be promoted as the proper way to solve disputes? Since when can the mention of religious thought be treated as evil? Since when can the destruction of religious institutions, with their symbols and icons, be the proper thing to do? Since when can the dealers of drugs and pornography be promoted as persons worthy to guide and lead our society? Since when can a philosophy of political correctness silence the men and women of good will, under the guise of not offending anyone? Since when can the clamor of partisan political agendas take all the money and energy from the governed public, giving back only empty promises? Since when can a government do better charity than the volunteer social institutions of charity? Since when can a reasonable person feel like a prisoner in his own house? Since when can a person doing destructive things goes unpunished while the victims are powerless to have their voices heard? It is no wonder that the flames of religious fervor are trying to squelch and destroy the social fabric of all who would perpetrate such acts! This, my brothers and sisters, is the unpublished side of our current global war. But if we try not to be swayed by these voices, but instead concentrate our efforts on those moral issues that unite instead of divide humanity, we will have an impact on this world and the world to come. Sincerely, Steven J. Hathaway