Sunday is the tenth anniversary of the cowardly attack on the Trade Towers and the Pentagon. It seems as if extremist are moving front and center in our lives. Why not? We have extreme skiing; climbing; racing, dress; politics; and of course religion to name just a few.
Personally, I have a problem with many extreme positions. In the last few years, I have known and/or buried persons killed while participating in an extreme sport. I have watched a war between extremist take the lives of over a thousand young men, and wound over ten thousand. I have endured criticism from extremist from both the far right and far left.
Let me reflect on some of these extreme positions.
First, those that include physical danger just for the fun of it.
A bumper sticker that reads, “MUD GUTS GLORY” is on a camouflaged civilian vehicle, which for me, is like having a four wheel drive vehicle in New York City. It reminded me of the vehicle that belonged to one of the a young men I buried. I thought, “Hey, that should read “MONEY STUPIDITY DEATH.” In my world GUTS and GLORY are reserved for the battlefields of life. I wonder if the young man, with that bumper sticker, ever served his country or honored a loving God? I seriously doubt it.
Another series of events has been the proliferation of news reports in all the media about the religious extremist, both left and right. They dominate the events and overshadow the vast middle spiritual majorities found in every religion. These stories frighten me for how they reveal where these extremist are taking us. Are we facing a cataclysmic religious war between the extremes?
Let me explain by showing you how I understand their views on three common subjects: 1) Freedom of the individual - 2) The position of women - and 3) Standards of life.
1) Freedom of the individual -
a) Far Left says let everyone do whatever they want, because it is their God given right to be free (They will let a murderer or molester free to protect their rights).
b) Far Right says everyone must be alike, and make the same acceptable choices (Those with the most might tell us what is acceptable).
c) The Spiritual Middle says respect your fellow human beings with equality, since all were created in the image of God (Those who don’t show this respect lose privileges of society according to their degree of disrespect, which is determined by the people’s chosen leaders).
2) The position of women -
a) Far Left says women are suppressed and it is a war, between the genders, as to who will dictate the rules of society (Therefore, they can dress and act however they want and not feel responsible about anything that brings).
b) Far Right says women should be subjected to men in all things (They should not be seen or heard from, and any violation brings punishment from the men).
c) The Spiritual Middle says God created men and women together as images of God, therefore they should be treated with equal respect (Gender is not a stereotype for expectations in the world, so people should be equally evaluated in their endeavors in life).
and
3) Standards of life -
a) Far Left says each person sets their standards and as long as they don’t interfere to much with others, they should be tolerated (pedophiles deserve respect, just as much as preachers).
b) Far Right says everyone must adhere to one set of rules (anyone who doesn’t is condemned).
c) The Spiritual Middle says the standards for life is respect of each person, of ourselves, and of our Creator, by whatever name you apply).
What will happen if either of these extremes controls society? Death! That is correct death. Why? If I am ridged in my approach of things, demanding all to get in line with me, and condemn anyone who doesn’t, I will eventually have to do physical battle with them to remove them. Why? Because, I see them as an obstacle to what I truly believe in.
What will happen if the Spiritual Middle controls society? Respect! That’s correct, respect will govern relationships and attitudes. If, I respect you, I will listen to your perspective and give it equal credence. Wait a minute, wasn’t there a song about it sometime ago? Oh, yes, it went something like this, “Let’s get together and love one another, right now!” Maybe we could even beat our swords into plowshares, instead of beating people into submission. What say ye fundamentalist of the world’s religions? Time to quit killing and start respecting? Or should we hunker down for another Pearl harbor or 2/11?
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