open letter to who might listen...

Why are we so full of anger?What is it that drives a man, who claims to be a Christian, to want to do such an unspeakable act? An act so hateful that if someone were to exact the same act of terrorism, on his own religion- all HELL would break loose...

Why attack Muslims? Why attack Islam? We have forgotten the roots of our humble beginnings-many religions and peoples coming together, melding as one cohesive group. We were brother and sister, helper and neighbor-friend to each other. Political Wars, Religious Wars- wars fought by our forefathers and Countrymen- wars that are not our wars, are part of what fuels the animosity we feel toward one another.

Where is the love in all of this?Where have our hearts gone? If we were to put even a quarter of the passion we exhibit when we fight strongly, into setting things right-our world might be a healthier and happier place. It is through love that things happen. When we take someone else's feelings into consideration and take time to listen, only then will we truly understand the motivation behind beliefs.

Radicals have always existed, as well as the ideals they subscribe to. It takes but one person to ignite the wildfire of fear based radical thinking. With hope, the same pandemic effect can undulate the power of positive thinking among the people and keep us in a forward momentum instead of hurling us back to the Stone Age.

We are lucky to have the opportunity to live in a country where freedom of speech is revered. However, having freedom of expression is not a license  to be irresponsible.  In my opinion, Pastor terry Jones is doing just that. He is taking this liberty too far. In following through, he will hurt innumerable people, not just those he feels he is attacking.

Media definitely drives panic. Publicity can often make manageable monsters into ogres. Media is also an ally. Hopefully good will come of this.  Mr. Jones is doing exactly the opposite of what the fundamentals of his own religion teach. What will it take for him to see that "HONORING" the dead by torturing the living has no honor. The greatest gift he can offer his 50 member congregation is to embrace the characteristics of his loving and forgiving God and not meet an historic act of hate, by a select few radicals, with a like act of hate against an entire peoples faith. Instead, he can maintain his own personal belief, privately, and put forward a face of compassion the the world can celebrate.

It greatly saddens me to think we have forgotten how to treat each other with respect. Our differences and our ability to live side by side despite them, is one of the reasons America is a great country. It is an America that is fast becoming unrecognizable as my home.