The God Particle

The fact that we cannot see, feel, hear, taste, or smell our Creator does not mean he does not exist. For most of human evolution, no one knew electrons existed (but their effects could be felt).

We do not have the technology to present a "God Particle" for testing, but I (and most of our species, past and present) have felt its effects. We can deny it or cling to with whatever is currently the vogue in psychology to explain it away. I choose to do otherwise.

Martyrs

Ignatius of Antioch was reported to have said, "For though I am alive as I write to you, still my real desire is to die." Traditional history says he got his wish.

We honor martyrs. So do certain Palestinians and Iraquis. We consider it the untimate sacrifice -- but is it really? Which is more of a sacrifice, to sacrificially die for one's faith -- or to sacrificially live for one's faith?

Could it be that some would rather die than live the lifetime of self-sacrifice for others that is required by Christ? If one's belief in a paradise after death is strong enough, why not? Why stick around and feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc.? Man, that's work!!

I know I'm just a mortal and have no right trying to represent my Creator. With that said, I'll offer this -- I can't help but believe that our Creator would prefer having one Mother Teresa living a life of sacrificial love over having a thousand martyrs dying a sacrificial death.

Ghandi, Jesus, and Pacifism

Ghandi taught a country the value of non-violent protest against injustice.

Was he teaching a father to abstain from all violence in defense of his children? I'm not too sure about that. It's possible his teaching of pacifism did not include having a father do nothing violent to prevent an evil person from cutting the throat of his daughter. If this is not so, I do not think he was a good example of Christ's teaching.

Christ allowed HIMSELF (when He was ready) to be slaughtered. Would He have passively allowed a child to be slaughtered without picking up a stick? Somehow, considering his "millstone" statement and his temple temper, I doubt it. He seemed to have a big problem with the strong oppressing the weak.

The Creator gave us the instincts we have for self-preservation and for the preservation of our species. Then He said they were good. If we had not used them, we would not be here to discuss pacifism.

If the Jews had been absolute non-violent pacifists, Christ would never have been born, because his ancestors would have went extinct long before. Christ would not have come if David had refused to send that stone flying between Goliath's eyes -- because the "linage of David" would have ended beneath Goliath's big feet.

The requirements of love always have and always will preclude absolute pacifism.

Favorite Quotations

In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.

God is not averse to deceit in a holy cause.

Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.

I would far rather be ignorant than wise in the foreboding of evil.

It is easy when we are in prosperity to give advice to the afflicted.

It is not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man the oath.

It is the nature of mortals to kick a fallen man.

Words are the physicians of a mind diseased.

- Æschylus (525 BC - 456 BC) Greek Playwright

Sacrificial Love vs. Idealized Pacificism

Idealized pacifism is choosing to suffer for suffering's sake. It is a misguided attempt to ensure one's own righteousness. It does not require doing anything for anybody, nor is it concerned with the harm done to third parties. It is not love.

Sacrificial love is being willing to suffer for the sake of others. It will die for a friend as well as an enemy. It is love, and love will strive to remove that which causes harm to others -- be it hunger, poison ivy, someone who harms a child, or a rabid terrorist.

The Boy

The boy whispered, "God speak to me".
A bird sang, but the boy did not hear.

So the boy said, "God, I want to see you".
A star shone but the boy did not see.

So the boy yelled, "God perform a miracle!"
A baby was born, but the boy did not know.

So the boy became angry and screamed,
"Let me know you are here!!!"

God bent down and touched the boy's shoulder,
But the boy brushed the butterfly away.

Unknown

Won't it be Great?

Won't it be great when Homosaps finally evolve to where they no longer feel the need for borders?

Won't it be great when Homosaps no longer instinctively hoard for "us and ours"?

Won't it be great when Homosaps no longer instinctively fear "them and their's"?

Have we all been endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights -- or was that just Americans?

Won't it be great when Homosaps equally share the earth's wealth, resources, opportunities and responsibilities?

Won't it be great when the Family of Man finally is able to beat swords into plowshares?

Thou Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me

I imagine God is more concerned with the message than the messenger. If, when Moses was on Mt. Sinai, the golden calf had offered the message to the Isralites God wanted them to have, things may have been different. However, the golden calf probably represented an Egyptian (man-made) message God did not approve of.

"Thou shall have no other gods before me" is probably more about the Creator protecting his message than his ego.