Forgiveness is the 'new' WMD

I want to fast forward to November 4th! I know that I shouldn't be wishing my life away so glibly, but it's just that the challenges we face in the next 2 months seem too hard to bear. The circus that is the American General Election process is getting into high gear and unfortunately the losers are going to be folks like you and me! Nowhere on earth is so much empty rhetoric bandied about in such a short space of time. Much of it is plain bunk, designed to poison ones opinion of the perceived opposition rather than enlightening a point of view.

We all see the world differently. If you don't believe me ask your family, neighbors, church friends and co-workers. No two people think alike, and if they do then one of them probably isn't thinking! The challenge today is to discern who is best suited to inspire a troubled nation to take charge of it's future and live up to it's former reputation in the global community, one of respect and admiration. We cannot remain a nation that is self absorbed and fundamentally selfish. We must reclaim our heritage that offers liberty and justice for all and is based on the much espoused, but rarely practiced, Christian principles of love, compassion, justice and inclusiveness. For all the talk about family values who among us really values the global family?

It is unreasonable to continue in the delusion that the USA can sustain it's world leadership position if it's international posture remains confrontational and arrogant. It is irresponsible to endlessly pour tens of billions of dollars of taxpayers money each month into the prosecution of a war that was not ours to fight, while millions of people are starving around the globe - including at home in America. Reasonable men and women are outraged that Americans have been led on a wild goose chase for oil while government policies have inched closer to fascism than at any time in our nations history. Hitler assumed his dictatorial role by hoodwinking the people into believing that certain groups were intent on destroying the fabric of German life. It does not take much intelligence to see that Americans have been cajoled into thinking that the whole of Islam is bent on the destruction of the West and the fear 'mongered up' by such talk allows for the rise of politicians for whom the concept of global family is anathema.

There is no doubt that the future will bring much trouble for America. We have created a multitude of enemies by our self interested meddling into the affairs of the world. We do need a change. We need to let go, once and for all, of our incessant need to be always right. It has been said that everything we need to know we learned in kindergarten! Perhaps the lessons of the sandbox that say "share everything, don't hit anyone and forgive anyone who hits you first", should be practiced by leaders of governments too! Forgiveness in the face of assault is the only way to lasting peace. Violence is never an option.

What would have happened, for example, if Bush had extended the arms of forgiveness toward those who attacked New York in 2001? Where might we be today if we admitted that we have wronged the world, that we are too greedy and self centered, that we do not really care about other nations internal struggles unless they affect our economic interests? Why is it that so many Christians have bought into the lie that the 'Right' is right when the deepest of Christian values - love, forgiveness, grace, mercy, peace, justice have been ignored for divisive issues of pharisaic legalism? Passionate opinions about abortion and gay marriage have blinded otherwise reasonable Americans from the real purpose of government which is to orchestrate the kind of support on a global level that we all expect to give and receive from our own families and group of friends. We must lead by example. An example that is loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and moderated by self-control.

So bring it on Barack Obama - mobilize your people and inspire this nation once again to live the fulfillment of our forefathers dreams and to sacrifice for one another so that all people will eventually live in peace, lacking nothing. Unleash a new Weapon of Mass Destruction upon a waiting world by conquering fear with the power of unconditional love for all humankind! Even though it will cost us now - it will guarantee a secure future for our children!

With Hope for Love and Peace! Geoff