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Voices from the Wilderness

by Donna Strickland
11 Feb 08

I was traveling on a bus from a rally recently and during the long ride home I had time to reflect on what a blessing it is to have such a spiritually diverse range of friends. Christians, Buddhists, Believers and non-Believers. Pagans to Puritans, Anglicans to Agnostics. And what a puzzle it is that each person has a unique rationale for labeling themselves as such.

As my thoughts wondered, I tried to unravel the reasoning of some who seem to hold a deep indignation towards Christians in particular. They see greed, excess and misjudgement. And at its worst, sex scandals, child molesters and thieves. Their anger and disappointment is understandable.

But there is an element in the logic behind their spiritual labeling that is missing. They are confusing what author Matthew Fox likens to the river versus the well (Matthew Fox, One River, Many Wells; New York, NY: Penguin Putman Inc., 2000). Fox suggests that God is like an underground river. There are many wells into that river. "To go down the well is to practice a tradition but it would be a mistake to confuse the well itself with the flowing waters of the underground river."

What my unchurched friends are angry about are manmade problems. The skewing of religion into something that God never intended it to be. God is perfect. Us, uhhh, not so much.

So it seems ironic that some of the very people who have chosen to give up on God are the same people who are doing some of His best work. Often more so than those inside the church. Faith must be lived and, as I see it, they are living faith on the streets instead of inside a church.

At the gates of the School of the Americas, rallying against the teaching of torture and violence in Latin America. Love your neighbor as yourself.

At a nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee advocating for US adherence to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and on Pennsylvania Avenue protesting the war. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.

At a celebration in remembrance of the struggle for women's suffrage. Behold we call those happy who are steadfast.

In a civil rights march down Main Street on Martin Luther King Day. And this commandment we have from Him, that he who loves God should love his brother, also.

At their monthly political meetings to promote politicians who have a clearer understanding of peace and justice. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

They live simply not as vast consumers. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.

They carpool and recycle. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.

They work at coat drives. God loves a cheerful giver. And in Soup Kitchen. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

My head taps against the window with each pothole as the bus continues its journey. As the tapping brings me back from my thoughts, my friend prods me on mischievously, "Hey Donna, how many Christians does it take to screw in a light bulb?"

She mocks Christians yet lives a Christian life of service and compassion herself. But for today, on this bumpy ride home, I decide to keep my secret to myself. I have no doubt that her quest for peace will end at the gates of Heaven. In fact, I hope my "non-Christian" friend will save this Christian a place towards the front of the line. Because He will render to every man according to His works. She need not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth to be given eternal life.

The thought makes me smile as I give the required response, "I don't know. How many, my friend, how many?"




by Donna Strickland
2 Feb 08

I was born into an extended family of strict German-Catholics, which meant going to mass several times a week, believing the pope was infallible, and following rigid rules as closely as humanly possible.

But, fortunately (or maybe not-so-fortunately), my father was the rebel of his family. While everyone else stayed close, never straying far from home or the beliefs they grew up with, not my dad. The Navy required him to travel the world and that "adventure" exposed him to many faiths and cultures.

As a child I never gave a second thought to the fact that we had a statue of both Buddha and Jesus in our house. Yet, I was confused when I had to get my permission slip signed before enrolling in an anthropology class. I wondered, "Why would a parent object to their child studying evolution?" After all, it was just science, right? Not until I was much older did I realize I had experienced an unusual upbringing.

And, in the process of seeking to discover my own true path, like my father I too did plenty of experimenting. I even gave Catholicism a try once. While I found the faith my father had turned away from decades earlier was not right for me either, I did come to understand and respect those who choose to take the challenging and narrow path of Catholicism.

During my religious training, I was exposed to the concept of praying someone into Heaven. If you don't quite cut the mustard during your time on Earth—yet you weren't so bad that you deserve to burn in Hell--you spend time in Purgatory. During your time in limbo, people here on Earth can pray for you to receive a complimentary trip to Heaven.

My Aunt Irene has been praying for my father for years. Still is. Somehow, she knew her wayward brother wouldn't get a direct, non-stop flight.

Why such a long layover? Because my father was not always a good brother, or even a good husband or father for that matter. During his short stay on Earth, he succumbed to many temptations with little or no guilt. Vatican II said: "In purgatory the souls of those who died in the charity of God and truly repentant but who had not made satisfaction with adequate penance for their sins and omissions are cleansed after death with punishments designed to purge away their debt."

In spite of my father's all-too-human faults, he was true and loyal to one thing—America. He served his country first, even if that meant his family came second. And, when he retired from years of unyielding service, he moved just outside the gates of the military base. He never questioned, never doubted, never spoke a bad word about the Navy.

At one point during his extended enlistment, he was called to be a recruiter and recruit he did. It was the Vietnam era with young men dying for their country. Some volunteered; some defected; some were drafted; some were recruited. Many never made it back home.

And now we live in a new, regrettably-similar episode in American history. We listen in silent respect as their names and ages are read on the nightly news. Some argue "it's a volunteer army." But we know most kids never believed they would fight in a war on foreign soil. They were unlucky: they were born into a family that couldn't afford their college education. As for those who make it back, is that "better life" in the cards for them now? What do you think?

These days, I hold on tightly to the eclectic religious beliefs I inherited from my father. Hoping better days are ahead, I pray for peace. I work for peace. I go to D.C. and Fort Benning and anywhere else I can to openly protest. I live with "war in my heart everyday."

I often think that, in my own way, my struggle is merely my way of praying my father into Heaven. I sure hope he gets there soon.




by Donna Strickland
20 Jan 08

I am searching through my box of Christmas bows and paper scraps to find scissors and tape because my Martin Luther King poster requires some repair. The poster says "Stand Against Racism and War." I've carried it proudly many times, but never expected the world to need it this long. My poster is torn and damaged. But it's on-call again, so I'll attempt to mend it.

The life of Martin Luther King, Jr., will be celebrated again. His legacy lives on; the movement that he started remains to be finished and fulfilled.

In our little mountain town—filled with old-school Southern Baptists and other fundamentalists, maybe sprinkled with Ku Klux Klan throwbacks—there has never been full reverence nor wide respect for Dr. King's holiday. In fact, when our school system finally gave in and begrudgingly declared Martin Luther King Day to be a school holiday, they chose to call it "Heroes Day."

But the greatness and distinction of Dr. King's life—so abundant in heroism and nobility—deserves to be celebrated uniquely, without ambiguity.

Some locals are personally bewildered by my involvement in this celebration. I explain to them its meaning is universal: each person finds something of their own in the day—just as each of our lives carries its own unique back-story and history.

Inside Dr. King's words, some hear a religious message. Some hear a message about equality. Some find hope for a peaceful tomorrow. Dr. King's message speaks to the pure hearts of all humankind.

My friend, Father Rob, has read every sermon Dr. King ever wrote and weaves those ideas into his homilies. His predecessor, Father Bob, put his values into action in the streets when he walked in civil rights marches in the 1960's. For both of them, Dr. King's powerful words were divinely inspired by God. They hear a message of eternal salvation, forgiveness, and compassion. It is a message influenced by other great visionaries and philosophers like Thoreau and Gandhi.

My friend, Joe, hears strongly the emphasis in Dr. King's message on civil rights. I've listened to Joe and other African-American citizens in our community share stories about what living in a predominantly white small Southern community is like for them.

As a woman, I can relate to discrimination, too, and the indefensible notion that any human can be inherently "less" than any other. But Dr. King speaks to barriers to equality and social freedom that, being white, I have not totally experienced. I have not personally suffered the pain of blind prejudice and mindless intolerance that minorities face in America and elsewhere.

The part of Dr. King's timeless message that speaks to me most directly are his beautiful ideas on non-violence and peace. His central theme is that—even in the face of danger and fear—nothing is resolved through violence. It is the same message my Quaker Friends live in their motto, "War is not the answer." It is the same message honored by monks in Peace Pagodas around the globe.

Forty years after Dr. King's death, his ideas still resound with wisdom, insight, and power. Isn't Dr. King's message—that "love conquerors all"—the same message Jesus brought us?

Sadly, my country has not heeded this truth. In the 21st Century, the United States has spread a foreign policy built on disturbing the Peace. It has shown an aggressive disregard for the philosophy of King, Ghandi, and Jesus.

The pattern is clear: Start with hostile threats. Make one-way demands. Escalate to violence. Eventually, as an afterthought, consider peace by diplomacy. It's a policy of "backward negotiation." Start war; blow things up; kill people—then let's talk peace.

On Martin Luther King Day, conscientious people will gather and speak together of peace. But can one lone individual, devoted to peace in the world, ever really make a difference?

Yes. Of course. Dr. King proved it. One person can make a real difference. How? Follow his inspiration. Speak out. Take action, starting in your own community. Live each day by his principles yourself. Remind others of Dr. King's wisdom. Teach our children wiser values than a hungry national drive for world dominance.

So, I'm repairing my poster of Dr. King, one more time. If only I could repair the damage our government has done to all our neighbors across the globe.

In his 1963 book, Strength to Love, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote that: "Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that."

On this solemn day, imagine a better world. Imagine a new light flooding the Earth, so bright it replaces the old darkness. Imagine peace. Just imagine.




by Jim Anderson
20 Jan 08

Each year, when Martin Luther King Day arrives, I have bad memories and rekindled hopes.

The bad memories are from childhood, from growing up in a fully-segregated town in the bad Old South—the South of singing Dixie, Confederate flags, Jesus, football, fried chicken and grits, and total institutional racism.

Younger folks have heard the stories. But it's more vivid, more painful, more shameful when you lived it, saw it for yourself.

Jesse Jackson and I grew up in the same place—Greenville, South Carolina. Yep, the Jesse Jackson. But we went to different schools. We had no choice. I went to the all-white Greenville High School. Jesse went across town, to Sterling High, where all black kids went.

I was a kid musician, playing solo trumpet in the band. And joyful days came, when Jesse's school and mine marched together in the Thanksgiving Day or Christmas parades. We thought our Greenville High marching band was pretty good—until we saw and heard Sterling. We loved those guys. Oh, we could play marches okay and walk in formations. But, man, they had energy, flash, and magic we could never match. They were superior.

Sounds strange now, but I'm not even sure we thought much about "black and white." We just thought: "Damn, that's the greatest band!"

But maybe "not thinking about race" is not a good thing. Not thinking about race can be noble—if it means racial transcendence. Not thinking about race can be a universal goal, when we've reached a stage where race is not a factor and everyone on Earth is treated "equally."

Looking back—and looking at the world today—I'd say not thinking about race is shameful, if the issue of race is a toxic cancer eating away decency and justice in our whole society.

I was lucky. My parents were not racists, at all. If they'd been more politically active, people would have called them "liberals." To them, though, it wasn't politics, it was just "right and wrong." They truly did, as much as people can, practice the Golden Rule. They lived and acted on the premise: "All are created equal."

They didn't fight "the system." They just did their best, on a daily basis, in everyday encounters, not to feed the beast. At home, I never heard Mom or Dad speak cruel talk using N-words nor utter mean-spirited ideas about "Them" and "Those People." It wasn't how they thought.

Fighting "the system" outright would have been dangerous. If you stood up and spoke out against racism, you'd expect retribution. At the least, you'd be damned (maybe from a pulpit) and socially ostracized. Or worse, you'd find a loud, angry, hooded mob with torches and guns, erecting a burning cross on your lawn at night and calling you hateful names. At the worst, you'd be murdered.

Sometimes, people are puzzled about Nazi Germany. How did it happen? Why didn't the good people speak up and stop the horrors? The truth is: Few people have the bravery, strength, or inner gumption to go against the crowd. Clouded in fear and self-doubt, people keep quiet. They go along. They "buy in" to the prevailing system.

The psychiatrist, Arnold M. Ludwig, studied the attitudes and actions of people in Nazi Germany. In his book, How Do We Know Who We Are?: A Biography of the Self, he proposed that: "Once certain conditions exist, people can justify even the most egregious crimes." How could Nazi physicians go into the prisons, do horrible torture upon helpless humans, then return home and have regular lives with their families and children?

Ludwig says it's a matter of mental gymnastics. And the most powerful force is daily routine. People adapt quickly. So, if you're immersed in an inhuman system of horrors—like Nazi Germany or the segregated South—it soon becomes "normal." It's "just the way it is." Ludwig says: "After a while, nothing seems strange. People come to find meaning in their daily tasks rather than in the nature of those tasks."

I feel ashamed that, back then, I did not see the evil more clearly. That I did not speak up nor act to change things. I don't accept exoneration that, hey, I was just a dumb kid, more interested in music, girls, and cars than in social change.

None of us is free of responsibility for our fellow humans. So, "not thinking about racism" may be a core piece in the puzzle of why it still exists throughout America today. And why Martin Luther King Day is still a powerful, meaningful day.

Some say: Things are better. That's true, relatively speaking. When I grew up in Greenville, we really did have drinking fountains labeled "white" and "colored." People really did seat themselves on buses, white from the front, black from the back. In movie theaters, white people sat downstairs; black people sat up in the balcony. Lunch counters were "white only."

How could anyone not see that was wrong?

Our family did grow to take modest, liberal steps. I spoke out among my Southern peers and marched a few times on behalf of Civil Rights, wrote letters to Dr. King himself (as a "concerned white Southerner"), and sent contributions to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (Dr. King's organization). But, looking back, my actions were feeble and inadequate.

Dad was a newspaper man. Once, in the late 1960's, he was managing editor of a small-town paper in the heart of Mississippi. The local society was racist and the KKK was prominent there. As I later put in words on his tombstone, Dad was "a kind and gentle man," probably a conflict avoider. But, deep inside, he also always ended up doing the right thing, popular or not.

In 1968, after Dr. King was assassinated, talk around Dad's Mississippi town was hateful. People cheered King's death. And someone wrote a letter to the editor, attacking Dr. King as a charlatan who had used the Civil Rights Movement as a way to get rich. They said Dr. King's will showed he died a millionaire.

Being a good newspaper man and believer in truth, Dad used his best weapon: He found out the facts and printed King's will. Dr. King did not get rich off the Civil Rights Movement and did not die a millionaire. Dr. King was a noble man who devoted his life to making social change and sacrificed his life for others.

But ignorance hates truth. Soon afterwards, the Klan bombed Dad's newspaper and blew up it building. Luckily, they chose nighttime. No one was injured. Just property. And respect for truth. Dad survived in that town. I like to think his example helped others to make a difference.

So now, on this year's Martin Luther King Day, I plan to look the ugly beast of racism straight in the eye and embrace it as a reality in my country. It is a day of celebration, where we'll hear grand speeches and glorious music. We'll praise Dr. King's life and works, rightfully. That's worthy and appropriate.

But, just personally, I plan to rededicate my own energies towards the future. Towards taking action. Towards making up, in small part, for past things not done, and doing my best to help make positive change.

Dr. King's message was a message of hope—but also a challenge for change.

On the day before he was assassinated, April 3, 1968, in Memphis of my own state, Dr. King ended his speech with these remarkably prophetic words: "Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Dr. King showed us the way. Our mission now is to continue the journey . . . all the way to the mountaintop, and beyond.




by Darrell Whitchurch
15 Jan 08

I'm going out on a limb here, on the morning of Michigan's Primary: I am calling the Republican race for the Rev. Mike Huckabee. I was shocked this morning when I saw a tape on Morning Joe. At a rally last night, Mike Huckabee actually called to amend the U.S. Constitution to bring it fully into line with the Christian Fundamentalist version of "God's Law."

So much for any pretense of Separation of Church and State. So much for niceties like being President of all the people, regardless of their faith (or lack thereof). The Huckster has finally moved beyond quietly pandering to the extremist elements on the "Christian Right" to openly declaring its goals are his as well.

Think this is an exaggeration? View this video for yourself to learn more about Huckabee's core beliefs: Huckabee: Amend Constitution to Reflect God's Standards".

And what worries me is, I think it's going to work. These folks have spent years building their network of tax-exempted churches that preach hate and exclusion instead of feeding the poor or nurturing the least among us (as they claim their original leader preached).

They've built the home-schooler network that teaches their children they are better than all those un-saved "others" who don't pray right and believe exactly as they do (those evil ones who allegedly hate God or, even worse, who believe in a different version of who or what god wants).

Mitt Romney, a Mormon, also thinks he could be President and have God smile on our country. It may work in Michigan, South Carolina and, Florida. It may work in most of the South. But I'm expecting "God's will" to toss the votes to Huckabee.

I'll be watching the returns tonight and in South Carolina in ten days to see if I'm wrong. But from where I sit, out here in the wilderness, Huckabee's call to God's Law will be heard throughout Michigan and the Southern States. I can only hope that enough progressives, moderates, and even conservatives will stand up to stop this call to Christian Sharia law.

The Christian Taliban is on the march today in Michigan and headed our way.



by Jim Anderson
10 Jan 08

Today's political campaign is a search by voters for a candidate of genuine (not simulated nor calculated) authenticity.

Everybody's Rorshach Test this week was Hillary Clinton's moment of emotion in a New Hampshire coffee shop. Some cynics called it contrived and phony. Others felt it was a moment of real warmth and insight that humanized her and propelled her into victory.

Clinton herself apparently felt the incident was a turning point. According to CBS News, she said it was an "incredible moment of connection with the voters of New Hampshire . . . they saw it and they heard it. And they gave me this incredible victory last night."

Right now, we all hunger for people who are "real." After seven years of this Bush Administration—where the American people have been consistently fooled, lied to, manipulated, propagandized, spied on, exploited, and ignored—people are sadly desperate for truth and authenticity.

Hillary Clinton's "moment of truth" probably did not change enough minds to shift an entire primary election's outcome. But it did reveal an aspect in her as a person that we respond to in our leaders and our friends . . . genuine humility. This quality is the opposite of Dubyah's self-righteous arrogance. It's a willingness to live the day in openness, vulnerability, and self-honesty.

Jess Lair captured this truth about friendship and love in his book, I Ain't Much Baby, But I'm All I Got, where he said: "I found that the way I showed people my need and love for them was to tell how it was with me in my deepest heart. I came to feel that that was the most loving thing I could do for anyone—tell them how it was with me and share my imperfections with them."

Lair's point spotlights the power we gain by daring to be real—to show our own true selves, in naked authenticity, with the self-acceptance and trust that, if we stay honest, we will stay acceptable to those we love.

But, "life is difficult." Those are the opening words in M. Scott Peck's classic, The Road Less Travelled. Yes, life is hard. We are trained from birth by every institution of society NOT to be true to ourselves, NOT to be overly creative, NOT to appear too outside-the-mainstream.

Our fear says: What if you take the risk and show your own true self, but the world ridicules or rejects you? Or, worse, what if those you love and cherish see your authentic self as too flawed or unacceptable? What could be more painful?

For Hillary Clinton, showing her authenticity was a strength, not a weakness.

The best leaders, and our best friends, bring out the best in us. When those whom we love and respect accept us, just as we truly are—warts, freckles, and all—they inspire us.

If a true friend believes we're even better than we suspect we are, it's a glorious connection. We may actually live up to their hopeful expectations. By their loving acceptance, they change our lives—profoundly, forever.





by Vesna Plakanis
21 Dec 07

Recently, in the New York Times, Rev. Mike Huckabee--the Baptist preacher, candidate for President, and fast-surging Republican for blessed votes--talked religion. He raised questions about Mitt Romney's faith, saying: "Don't Mormons believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?" Cynics chuckled that Huckabee (with a degree in theology) already had an answer. Mike Huckabee is a devout evangelical who praised the Moral Majority and admired Jerry Falwell.

Okay, but in his book, Character Makes a Difference, he also said liberalism is "a cancer on Christianity." Jesus Christ! When I heard those words, I felt angry. And insulted for so many caring real people in my life. Some call themselves Christians; some do not. But they all are truly Christ-like . . . and (yes, Lord) "liberals," too.

Huckabee ignores (or fears) that plenty of good Christians are "liberals." They are sincere people working hard, every day, to make the world a better place. They treat others with kindness, just as they wish to be treated. You know: The Golden Rule? That's why, for example, they hate torture in any form. Wasn't Christ tortured by the Roman state for being too "out of step" with the politics of his time?

My friend Donna, for example, is a peace-worker who works tirelessly for good and never seems to put herself first. My friend Chris has spent hours freezing his socks off in old-growth trees, working to protect the beautiful planet God (not Republicans) created. My friend Vicky, now in her mid-70s, refuses to retire as a social worker because too many folks still need help. My two Buddhist friends have walked and testified, for over a decade, from Atlanta to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to shine a spotlight on the horrors of nuclear bombs.

Are these the kind of people Huckabee calls "a cancer"? It's amazing. In my neighborhood, one righteous Christian lady even proclaims all liberals are automatically damned and going to hell. Why?--because being a liberal is just "immoral." Any questions? Liberals are dangerous. Better not look under your bed tonight. A sneaky liberal might be lurking there, just waiting for a chance to show love and compassion.

Preacher Huckabee follows the tenet that, once you sign up for Jesus, you're off the hook for life. Say the word and nothing counts, no matter what you do. You can be a serial killer, child rapist, dog abuser, or war profiteer--no sweat. Just don't be a flaming "lib'ral." Because, obviously, it's not the acts you perform that matter--it's what you profess to believe. And shout it out loud in public, too, so everybody knows. Hey, what good is being a Christian if it can't pull a few extra votes in the Iowa caucus?

Huckabee is right: A cancer is loose in society. But the blame isn't on liberals. A cancer started when the early Catholic Church declared Mary Magdalene to be a whore. Cancer spread in the Crusades, when "infidel" non-Christians were tortured to death for heresy. Cancer metastasized when thousands of women were burned at the stake for practicing midwifery and herbalogy. Cancer grew terminal when Native American children were fed to dogs in the name of God and whole tribes of non-believer "savages" were hidden away on reservations.

The world's cancer is in its final stage today, as bombs fall on innocents, destroying helpless people. Some of the faithful even cheer and thank God we are moving closer to a fiery Armageddon in the Final Days.

I wonder, though: If Jesus lived today, where would he be? . . . Would he ride the wing of an Air Force bomber, dropping death on a wedding party in a faraway desert? Would he help torture a man with brown skin (like himself) by forcible near-drowning? Would he pollute the bounteous planet his own father made? Would he even recognize a bloodthirsty Christianity that praises war in his name?

Christ said: "Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do unto me" [Matthew 25:40]. Mike Huckabee said (about the Bible): "All Scripture is totally true and trustworthy." Oops! So that means all words in the Bible are true and trustworthy--except, maybe, those spoken by Christ himself?

Jesus on earth was used to being misunderstood. The acts of Jesus look (heaven forbid) like the works of a "liberal." Jesus nurtured the poor, cured the sick, and spoke for the powerless. What do you think about Mike Huckabee? In his eyes, was Christ a "Christian"? Or a cancer?

I think Jesus would sit in that old-growth tree with my friend Chris. He'd walking 300-plus miles on hot asphalt with my two Buddhist friends, pleading for peace on earth. He'd mingle joyfully with Donna, Vicky, and other outcasts who live a quiet life patterned on the true teachings of Christ.

Today, as before, Christ himself would be truly Christ-like.




by Donna Strickland
10 Dec 07

On my bookshelf, I've carefully and precisely lined up my Bible, Torah, and Koran. Side by side. I keep them there intentionally, as if their tolerance for each other will spill over into the world outside.

I'm hoping people figure out these books are more alike than not. For centuries, each book has served billions of people as sage maps for finding a personal path to a private God.

In all three books, "success" is a spiritual quest towards finding values, not hungrily collecting possessions.

Today, though, our world acts like it's lost the directions and is navigating on blind feel. The dominant quest is for power driven by greed--by individuals, groups, and countries. Humanity has fallen off on a drastic detour, encouraged by new buzz-words like "super-power" and "evil-doer." We are feebly lost, helplessly and hopelessly lost.

Whether you're Muslim, Christian, or Jew, what does your holy book call "success"? Does the Koran, Bible, or Torah say you grow more worthy by driving an ostentatious Hummer? Or, by strolling the boulevard flashing snazzy clothes? Or, by growing a fat cash balance in your 401K account?

Your everyday choices matter. Suppose you own stocks like Exxon. You can rationalize and swallow the Annual Report's carefully-crafted words promising eco-righteousness. If they print it, it's gotta be true.

Or, suppose your pension plan lets you select between WalMart or Monsanto. You tell your employer you don't want to invest in such companies, and they'll act bewildered, baffled. Hey, fool, don't you want big dividends from the top money-making corporations on the planet? Don't you want your own juicy piece of the money pie?

The Forbes "Top 400" richest Americas list has been released. Old news: The rich are getting richer. Only billionaires need apply. But it was treated as big headline news. Less well-covered were 75 faceless Iraqi innocents killed in the war–that was a tiny article at the bottom of page 6, section C. Or, how about the humanitarian crisis in Africa?—try page 14, back next to the ad "applied directly to the forehead."

Do you wonder why we have so few heroes? Why our generation worships celebrities, pro athletes, and movie stars, yet fails to be finer examples as family members or citizens of the world?

Who taught us our empty "modern values"? Was it the parish priest who drives a Mercedes, or the minister at our mega-church who preaches on TV about the prosperity doctrine, while pointing to his new "giving kiosk"—which, by-the-way, now accepts Visa, Master Card, and Discover? Low down payment, easy terms.

The rest of the world does not "hate us for our freedoms." They see our values as unworthy as our society declines, becoming more materialistic, misguided, and superficial, maybe even evil. They have chosen not to embrace our capitalism, our freedom, our democracy.

Our most fanatical enemies are willing to kill to stop us—whether in the name of Allah, bin Laden, or whomever. They, too, are misguided. They, too, are lost, acting out the wrong "modern values."

But a few ornery souls are refusing to ride the bus. New hopes are growing. Today, you can invest in socially-conscious companies. You can see positive world visions from groups like Common Dreams. You can find books like Paul Hawken's Blessed Unrest, promising new energy for humanitarian grassroots movements all over the world.

Some few do define "success" as NOT about power and money. They know the money pie is an illusion. They know the greedy masters' goal is to gobble up most of the pie for themselves. Just give the rest of humanity a few left-over crust crumbs.

When we give respect, we'll get back respect. So, real evangelism is action, not noise, not preaching and scolding. It's making a better future by being good stewards of the Earth. It's leaving a legacy of love, understanding, and peace. Those are the secret instructions hidden within the sacred words. They proclaim: "Reroute your journey: God awaits you, not with a donation plate, but with outstretched arms."

Things are changing. Despite detours, roundabouts, and alternate routes, the three holy books on my bookshelf reveal directions to this destination.

What if Christians could recapture being "christ like" as Christ really meant? What if the Torah's spirit of love and responsibility was our guiding compass for daily life? What if Muslims served Allah as the ancient Koran intended, with loving generosity and friendly compassion?

Any map works, so long as you find your way home.

Copyright © 2008
by EdgyBear