SPIRITUAL & POLITICAL CHRISTMAS

I can find no justification whatsoever for killing another human being. Life itself is sacred and every life is worthy of the utmost respect. In a war situation, which is a state of government-approved mass murder, some decision-makers set themselves above natural and moral laws. As individuals supporting governments and allowing such decisions to be made on our behalf, we are all guilty of war crimes. I cannot alienate myself from the teaching of the world’s great spiritual leaders – Buddha, Mohammed, and Jesus – whose messages clearly advocate reconciliation and peace. (Jo Vallentine)

If we make a survey of political systems we cannot but arrive at the generalization that human society is governed in turn by the priest-class (theocracy), the warrior-class (monarchy and aristocracy), the trader-class (plutocracy), and the labor-class (socialism). In each of these classes we find both good and bad sides. The bright side of the priest-rule was that it laid the foundation of all spiritual and secular knowledge, but it had the evil of upholding the exclusive rights and privileges of the priests for the achieving and imparting of knowledge. The rule by the warrior class was oppressive and tyrannical but not exclusive, for during their period the culture was shared by them with other classes. Under the rule by traders and capitalists the masses have been exploited and dominated, but the good aspect of this rule is that the accumulated culture of the preceding periods has been widely disseminated throughout the world during the course of their commercial enterprises and activities. We are now in the transition from trade-period to labor-period.

An ideal society would be one in the scheme of which the knowledge of the priest, the sharing of culture of the warrior, the broadcast spirit of the trader and the equalizing impulse of the worker could all be kept intact, bereft of their evil elements. (Swami Satyananda)

The changes required in our churches and government necessary to support the revolution needed in our international relations will not be easy to accomplish. But church and government leaders arise from the people and to a considerable extent do represent the people and reflect their cultural norms. The rules of government, therefore, can be substantially changed only when the rules by which the people relate to each other are substantially changed. Peacemaking ultimately must begin at grassroots level. It begins with you. (M. Scott Peck)

Merry CHRISTmas, everyone!