The Crusaders attacked people because of a dispute over
religious philosophy. They didn't succeed for very long, because
philosophy is a slippery slope - it is always changing.
religious philosophy. They didn't succeed for very long, because
philosophy is a slippery slope - it is always changing.
I understand fighting against evil, although the definitions of evil also differ by culture. Evil can disguise itself as "merely" a different philosophy or a different religious belief. These philosophies or religions, however, can condem freedom of expression and exploration, force people to do things against their will or push women into roles where they have no options open to themselves but suicide, either mental or physical. Although a philosophy is not a sword or a gun; not a physical threat, it can be a mental threat. It can open the doors of thought to an individual and allowing them to grow in a direction that you may not approve of. But you, or anyone, cannot isolate thought and keep it from emerging. Small tendrils of thought can grow into large ideas and inspire movements of people. So this small, non-edged weapon, can indeed be thought of as a threat. And yes, people can be killed and are killed daily for their thoughts.
The Field of the Slain by Evelyn De Morgan
So the question comes to you. Look around you at your society, at your freedoms, at your family and friends, at your abilities, or inabilities, to create your art, to love your children, to meet with your friends. These are the things that make life worth living. Now, imagine them threatened. Would you be willing to walk into the unknown of death to protect those that you love from harrasment, from torture, from death? If you answer "yes", then you are human. And you need not fear the next step, because if all of us do this, then there must be more lessons for our souls to learn and this world is but one step on a longer journey. And I find that rather comforting. May Spirit walk with you today