Not So Convenient “gods”
By every materialistic standard set by modern western civilization (once Christendom) that reveals human flourishing, you would think that our time is the best time to bring children into this world. It is not so as indicated by the abortion rates and the demand for more sacrifices to the great god of convenience- the self.
Ask anyone what’s wrong with the world and they’ll never say we have spiritual issues, but rather that we don’t have enough equity, peace, comfort, security, healthcare, or earth-care. Always material never spiritual. It’s always answered with not enough human control over nature and the self.
But, the self is un-selfed when we pursue material wealth while neglecting our spiritual health. When we long after the self we get only ourselves in the end-- for however long that will last. We are un-selfing ourselves by not having children and by neglecting our spiritual health.
I’m reminded of one of the greatest questions ever uttered in history: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36
What’s wrong with the world? We are losing our souls and taking other souls with us.
The Question We Should Be Asking About Isreal and Palestine
I'm certainly no expert here, but the two phrases I've seen flying around the Twitter-verse lately are "Hitler was right" and "The Holocaust didn't happen." Simply astounding and spectacular if believed.
These claims have been made before but come voraciously after the recent attacks on Israel made by Hamas (nothing new here.) I don't have any desire to address those two obviously stupid statements; they, on their own standing, reveal the depravity of those who would utter such utterances. The thing I think is worth addressing is why so many are siding with Palestine over Isreal (Muslims over Jews).
[Note: I know in an ideal world you wouldn't have to take sides. I'm aware that not all Muslims condone the acts of terrorism, just like I'm aware that not all Jews are religious nuts- in fact, Israel is filled with more cultural Jews than religious Jews per Pew Research Center)
An important question we have to ask ourselves when it comes to these two groups is this: What does each group want, and what would they do if they had the unlimited power to achieve what they wanted? or put another way, what would they accomplish if they could accomplish anything?
Well, I think we know that answer. The Israelis would live in peace with their neighbors if they had neighbors who would live in peace with them. [Note: Again, Jewish extremism isn't as prevalent as you think if you think they would take more Palestinian land.]
Groups like Hamas, ISIS, and al-Qaeda want to impose their religious views on the rest of humanity and are willing to sacrifice their own women and children to achieve that end. They want to stifle every freedom that decent, educated, secular people care about.
This is not a trivial difference, yet the recent commentary would have you believe that it is the Israelis that are the true aggressors. No, they are merely responding to such aggression, and in that response, atrocities have occurred; So I'll make no excuses on their behalf. In short, this kind of confusion between the two puts us all in danger.
The incompatible religious attachments to a particular land have rendered it impossible for Muslims and Jews to come to terms like normal human beings and live in peace. I think if you look into this deeper, you'll find the onus is still on the side of Muslims here. Here is the finer point; even on their worst day, Israelis act with greater care and compassion and self-criticism than Muslim combatants have anywhere, ever. I was hoping you wouldn't believe me and want to read their charter for yourself here.
David French notes, "Hamas's grievance against Israel isn't Israel's actions, but instead Israel's very existence. And no, Israel's response to Hamas's attacks don't violate the laws of war." Read his article here.