Saturday, September 29, 2007

Racism begets terrorism

In every instance of terrorism that exists, at its core lies a fundamental difference in beliefs. Okay, perhaps it is stretching the term a bit to say it's always racism... but it is a difference in religious beliefs and cultural attitudes that perpetuates hatred for those who differ. This hatred always leads to violence and in extreme cases genocide or the attempt to eradicate all of those who do not agree.

Keeping this in mind, is there any real hope for peace? Not unless EVERYONE can somehow agree that peace is in the best interest of all, and that we do not have to exterminate one another to coexist.

As long as ideologies based upon hatred continue to be perpetuated, so will terrorism. From the nooses in Alabama to the World Trade Center and beyond... it is up to all of us to choose tolerance for each other's differences and peaceful coexistence over bloodshed. Each of us as individuals must make this choice.

Nature is violent. In nature only the strongest survive. But civilization is not nature. Are we civilized creatures or just a world full of beasts?

1 comment:

Sister Sunshine said...

In response to this post on Gather, I was compelled to write the following, which I felt pertinent to post here as well.

"The fundamental truth is that there are basically two types of people in the world: good and evil. And of the two, they have two different means by which they operate.

The good people work hard and get where they do by their own blood, sweat and tears. By their own merit. This is by far the hardest thing to do, but always (of course!) the most worthwhile and fulfilling.

The evil ones get where they do by tearing down others and standing upon their shoulders to reach where they are not capable of getting on their own due to their character deficiencies. The only way they can keep from hating themselves for this ill behavior is by adopting an attitude of superiority and entitlement.

There you have it. Plain and simple. The reason we have racism, poverty, bloodshed... all in a tidy little nutshell."