Quote from
Thomas Jefferson… is so please put it up as I read…. Thanks dkp
"Is
uniformity attainable? Millions of innocent men, women, and children, since the
introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, imprisoned; yet
we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity. What has been the effect of
coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other
half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over
the earth. Let us reflect that it is inhabited by a thousand millions of
people. That these profess probably a thousand different
systems of religion. That ours is but one of that
thousand. That if there be but one right, and ours that one, we should
wish to see the 999 wandering sects gathered into the fold of truth. But
against such a majority we cannot effect this by
force. Reason and persuasion are the only practicable instruments. to make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged; and
how can we wish others to indulge it while we refuse it ourselves"
Notes for the web-page!
Last
week we were talking about the way we divide peoples up in our minds and look
at others as being in the group and ourselves as out or ourselves as in and
others out. This way of thinking comes about from focusing on and emphasizing
the differences between ourselves and others. I think we must conclude that God
is busy with things going on all over the universe that we may or may not have
an understanding of. It is best to look for ways to reconcile our differences
by focusing on what we have in common rather than focusing on the differences.
I
seriously want us to consider our views and opinions and check them
continuously through prayer and study to see if they are or not truly the point
of view we should have. Next we should consider the understanding we have is
from God, we can’t take credit for it and therefore we must be generous toward
others in allowing for differences of opinions as we move through life
interacting with those different than we.
This does not mean we have to affirm, embrace or approve of things we do not
see or believe but we must find a place of peace in our spirits as our society
will consistently have to deal with differences as we move forward. Differences
are not bad; they keep us balanced and help us avoid the pitfall of extremism.
This is especially dangerous as people are moved by extremism to bring harm to
others who are different than they. I am convinced everyone does not need to be
exactly alike for this world to be successful, but we must all have a healthy
dose of respect for those different than we.
For us to truly move successfully and prosperously through life we must allow
for differences between us and others and learn to quickly make peace, forgive
and agree to disagree in many situations.