How do I respond? How do we respond in the wake of events such as this?
More importantly, what is the answer? What can we do to prevent such tragic events?
Many social media posts from my friends express pain and anger, especially because this particular attack was directed toward LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) people. As a gay man, I understand the outrage and despair that many have expressed. I also appreciate the love and support from family, friends and community who stand in solidarity with us.
More than a few of those posts blame the hate speech that comes from the leaders of traditional religions and sects within those religions. My friends who are angry and in pain are calling for these leaders to end their words of condemnation against LGBT people, words that can incite violent action such as this. Many of us have been the targets of this condemnation and have felt the pain of being denied a place within traditional religion.
I applaud my brothers and sisters who stand for the inclusion of LGBT people within traditional religious institutions. When more of our faith communities begin to acknowledge and accept all people as equal children of God there will be less fear of those who are different; therefore, less violence, whether in thought, word or action. And, still I wonder, is that the answer?
Others are blaming the lack of gun control regulations that allowed the shooter to obtain an assault weapon with which he executed dozens and injured dozens more. They support stricter laws that would limit access to certain guns. I have also seen and heard others say, “Guns don’t kill people; people kill people.” While there is some truth to that, people without guns are much less likely to kill fifty or more people at a time.
I agree that the majority of guns owners are responsible, law-abiding, conscious, caring people. I have friends and family members who prove that to me. I stand for freedom, and I stand with my brothers and sisters who support a ban on assault weapons and additional regulations that limit one’s access to guns. And, still I wonder, is that the answer?
My Unity friends and colleagues, as well as others, have posted on social media photos and memes that say “Pray for Orlando” and other words encouraging prayer as our response to this horrific event. I have witnessed this as a common response to such events in the past.
I stand with my Unity brothers and sisters who say that prayer is our first response to all fear and violence. Prayer is always the first step because prayer opens our hearts and minds to be filled with the truth of God. Once we are filled we are more consciously connected and open to the inspiration of what is ours to do as a loving response, our call to action. I will continue to support and promote prayer as a powerful spiritual practice. And, still I wonder, is that the answer?
I stand with them and I will do what I can to support my LGBT brothers and sisters who are struggling to find acceptance and inclusion within traditional religion, and to end the hate speech.
I stand with my brothers and sisters who support more sane and responsible gun control regulations.
I stand with my brothers and sisters who are praying, and I will continue to pray for Orlando and for all people.
Still, I believe that the answer is much more personal and yet more universal.
In the wake of the event in Orlando and through my own prayers and contemplation, I am renewing and strengthening my commitment to encourage and support people in having a personal experience of God.
Yes, God is the answer.
The leaders of religions and movements within religions who speak words of hate do not truly know God. They have not had a personal experience of God. Those who perpetrate acts of violence do not know God. Those who fear and believe they must protect themselves with powerful assault weapons do not know God.
“Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” – I John 4:8
If there is hate in one’s heart, which is born of fear, he does not truly know God. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (I John 4:18).
When we know God, truly know God in our hearts, we are free; free from fear, thus free from hate. Jesus said, “You shall know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free” (John 8:32). That we are all held eternally within the perfect love of God is the Truth that sets us free.
The answer is always Love. The answer is a global awakening to the Love of God and to our oneness with all humanity and all creation.
I am recommitting myself to doing everything within my power to live the personal mission statement that was recently revealed to me. My mission is to support humanity’s awakening to and expressing of the transforming power of love. I will do that through as many avenues as possible, including offering and facilitating more services, workshops, classes and meditations that foster deeper connection and realization of the God within us all.
I hope you will join me as we claim the only answer to all manifestations of fear, hate and violence – the Love of God revealed and experienced within our hearts and minds. Together, we can and will live peace, compassion and love for ourselves and for all.
I appreciate your thoughtful and loving exploration of this and all complex issues of our time. I agree that anchoring ourselves in unconditional love sourced in the Divine is the way, the truth and the light. It starts with loving myself in alignment with that energy by nurturing, encouraging and delighting myself in healthy ways and demonstrating mindfulness, respect, curiosity, compassion and gratitude for myself and every aspect of my journey. And then naturally extends to loving every sentient being in the same fashion. I cannot truly give to another what I don't genuinely demonstrate toward myself.
ReplyDeleteIs there a difference in the killing of one person violently and the killing if 100,000 people? I say no. Mathematically this may not be logical. However, in reality, I believe it is.
ReplyDeleteGod, us, the entirety of our being, whatever you choose to call the entire collective of conscious beings in the universe, is no more or less saddenned by the useless, tragic loss of one living being than it is by 100,000 living beings.
We think it unimagineable for any individual to have a nuclear weapon in their garage or stowed in their shed. How ridiculous! No one should have nuclear weapons and the power they give to snuff out hundreds of thousands of lives with a single action. As a society, Americans are in favor of banning nuclear weapons even for governments who still may not have them. We don't need a mad man, person actually, to have access to that kind of weapon.
If God, us, consciousness, whatever you want to call the entirety of LOVE, which is what we are, is no more or less saddenned by the killing of one individual than it is by the killing of 100,000 people, then no one should have access to nuclear weapons.
I say this is not enough! If we truly want bring the slaughter of tens of thousands Americans each year to an end, we need to abolish the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. I don't need a gun. I won't use a gun. I don't want a gun. I won't use a gun to end the life of any sentient being; and perhaps that doesn't go far enough.
God - us - should be as saddened by the loss of one person as we are by the loss of 100,000 people. We should not have the capability to bring about the loss of 100,000 lives with any explosive device. I call for the end of the belief and the total abandonment of the idea the Second Amendment is a benefit for anyone. Lay dow your guns! No more! Until then, we shall continue to have losses such as Orlando, Bradenton, Newtown, Kileen, San Ysidro, San Bernadino, Edmond, Fort Hood, Birmingham, Aurora and MORE.
Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!
As always, eloquent words of wisdom David. I stand with you, around you, and within you, to echo the words you speak and the continual return to love. God. Universe.
ReplyDeleteI tend to be quiet about my observations when in life we travel to the same stalemates regarding, religion, guns, and GLBT equality. Not because I don't want to scream from the rooftops when someone I love experiences discrimination or violence directed toward them for their beliefs or actions. But because the only place I feel I make a difference is on a one on one level. I have lost my desire for the power of persuasion. I want to understand those I disagree with. What I have learned is there is a place in the middle that I can meet and have a discussion. I am not pro-gun or anti gun or pro gay or anti gay or Democrat or Republican. I am somewhere in the middle of all that is never talked about. Our country is polarized by not allowing a forum in the middle where we can gather and share our experiences about ourselves and the people we love, and how we are deeply effected by words and actions and resolutions on how to heal.
If everyone affected by gun violence this year alone spoke on video, everyone experiencing discrimination just because of who they are, the color of their skin, or who they love, the video would be hours if not days long. Where do we hear those stories? We live them. We die by them. Hopefully they are powerful enough to make a change in someones head and/or heart.