Hatred and Fear

People are afraid.  And, given the news lately, perhaps there is a basis for that fear.  Hatred of others who are different in any way seems to be rampant.  So here are two instances to think about. 

Are you afraid?  Maybe you have reason to be.

First of all, there is the Reverend Terry Jones and his on-again, off-again play to burn the Quran.  Why anyone would want to burn a book - any book - is beyond me, but to burn a book considered Holy by many of the residents of this world seems above the par of stupidity.  Whether or not you, personally, follow the Quran as your holy text, the book is not the problem.  The interpretation of that book by radicals, however, is the issue.  It is as much an issue as the interpretation of the Bible by radicals, or the Old Testament by radicals, or any other "holy" text by radicals.  It is radical believers who are the problem - they close their eyes and ears to any input save their own and believe that their personal interpretation is the only way.  Unfortunately, Jones heads a "church" - the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida.  Therefore, his narrow views can hurt more people than just himself. 

Ripples by Gregory Dolnikowski

And then there are the reports about torture of domestic workers behind closed doors in Saudi Arabia.  Saudi Arabia is one of our "allies", yet we, who supposedly are advocates of Human Rights, are turning our backs on verified cases of torture behind the closed doors of upper class Saudi society.  Check out the story of L.P. Ariyawathie who was hired as a maid, wanting to raise money to help her sick child.  She began working in May, and by the time she was deported back home for being unable to work effectively a few months later, her employer had hammered 24 nails and needles into her hands, legs and forehead.  I'm going to throw some more links (link #1, link #2, link #3, and a link to the article that first alerted me to the problem) up here so that you can examine this story in the world press and judge for yourself.   I am horrified at the inhumanity of mankind once again coming to the surface.  Every time I start to have hope that people are becoming kinder and gentler, something like this, or human slavery, or killing squads comes to my attention.  Evil exists in the world.  I don't usually use my blog to condem it, prefering to concentrate on positive images and feelings.  But sometimes it is necessary to face evil to understand the necessity of spreading love and kindness instead.  So today, pass goodness forward - spread ripples of peace - send love - prove that heinous acts like this are exceptions, not the rule, in human society.