Ideals.

In the 1960s the baby-boomer generation set out to change the world through peace and love.

Little did we know that the rock bands and superstars who hijacked this revolution would sabotage our efforts and sell us out.

Hedonism, promiscuity, drugs, and divorce flowed from the music we listened to.

After the 1980s when the political climate turned against us the idealism of our generation was almost dead.

Now we hear about materialism and pleasure, hard-line politics and sin.

The only glimmer of hope is activist sites on the internet.

Environmental campaigns and political challenges appear every day.

Although the effectiveness of these campaigns is limited at least there is some hope.

Not all of our ideals are dead.


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Poison.

The people of our world are being poisoned.

Our minds are subjected to a saturation of darkness, hate, evil, and hell.

If it is not the news headlines it is the popular culture.

If it is not the T.V. and movies it is rock music and videos.

There is no escape from the negativity unless we turn off, unplug, and shut down.

So turnoff the T.V., unplug your earphones, and shut down your computer.

Seek some positive messages.

Pray and beseech God.

He will deliver you.


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Lasting Peace.

One way to establish peace between the Christian West and Islamic extremists is to follow the example of Tony Blair in Northern Ireland.

Tony Blair manufactured a political solution to the violence.
By engaging the political wing of the I.R.A. (Sinn Fein) he was able to offer them power.  And all parties retired to their churches to pray for peace.

This model could be followed in the struggle between the West and Islamic extremists.

The first step is to engage their leadership, or their political wing, in dialogue.
First we must listen to what they truly believe.

[I believe that the problem is more economic than religious.  Which target did they choose on 9/11?  The World Trade Center (symbol of Western economic wealth) and the Pentagon (symbol of Western military supremacy).  This is the Western military/industrial machine which oppresses the rest of the world.]

But we must listen to what our enemies say.

Then we will be in a position to manufacture a solution - political or otherwise.

And then all parties should retire to their churches, their mosques, their synagogues and pray for peace.

This is one way, perhaps the only way, to establish a lasting peace.


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Love.

Love has always been taught in the world's religions.

But she has never been the most important feature.

There has always been something more important.
Whether it be morality, or reason, or knowledge, or enlightenment, or good works, or sacrifice, or virtue, or goodness there has always been something more important than Love.

Love has been the perpetual bridesmaid.

And Love has often been ignored altogether in the quest for God's favor.

But the time has come for Love to become the Bride that she was born to be.

Love is at the heart of all that is spiritual and all the spiritual principles: morality, reason, knowledge, enlightenment, good works, sacrifice, virtue, and goodness flow from Love.

So seek to Love and all the rest will follow.


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Exoteric Religion.

It is the privilege of few to enter the sanctuary of esoteric religion - the heart of hearts where the Lover is united with the Beloved.

And so the side effects of Love have become hardened into the principles which make up exoteric religion.

These principles are usually reinforced by the concept of Natural Justice - i.e. rewards and punishments.

Fear and duty replace Love as the motivating factor.

This is the bane of religion.

Religion has become frozen in the exoteric understanding and failed to embrace Love as the essential ingredient.

Love - the perennial bridesmaid - transcends all mental principles, all knowledge, all morality, and all works.

To practice Love is to engage all virtues, all goodness, all morality, and all action.

So do not get hung up on principles and laws.

Practice Love and the rest will follow.


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Religion or Spirituality?

Commandments, obedience, rewards and punishments, judgement, heaven and hell.....

These are the things of religion.

Love, compassion, forgiveness, goodness, trust, faithfulness.....

These are the things of spirituality. 

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Selfishness to Sacrifice.

We live in an agony of self-interest.

Until we find love.

Love leads us to the other.

And ultimately to sacrifice for the other.

So love leads us from selfishness to sacrifice.


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