Some of my very long time readers and subscribers may remember a series of editorials in the early days of my editing of The Roanoke Tribune during the late 70’s and early 80’s on Henry Street, devoted to addressing pertinent issues through a particular series, one alphabet at a time. I am reminded of it as this week I explore three crucial C’s in stabilizing a run-away society that would have been unimaginable even then.
The words are: Contemplation–simply thinking it thoroughly through before attempting to follow it through–Oh, if warring, inconsiderate men and nations could master this one; Consultation–the critical process of formal discussion (with professionals and/or others mutually concerned and affected) and, upon reaching an amiable conclusion among the informed majority, Consecration–formal or informal religious devotion to a particular decision, purpose, project or thing. The simplicity of theory however can be most effectively demonstrated through “The dynamic force of example” which in turn emanates through the dynamic influence of selfless love.
In the Holy Bible we are told to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Although still heading the wrong way with that one we are being told, over 2000 years later in this new Dispensation, we must now “love our neighbor more than ourselves and put his welfare before our own.”
Consider the connotation of the word neighbor in that Day–possibly anyone within walking distance or ride a borough to.
In this New Era–since 1844, less than 200 years ago–due to constantly advancing science and technology-–a neighbor is anyone on the face of this planet and quite possibly on others within the not too distant future. There must be new prescriptions for peaceful, coexistence among such massive diversity among races, cultures nationalities and religions.
We hear in the news of the recent outbreak of measles after many decades of dormancy. The prescriptions of yesteryear will hardly be used to annihilate it. Escalating social, economic and multi-racial problems of today also demand new prescriptions for living by more respectfully dealing with differences that emerge between members within individual families as well as within the technological shrinking of the worldwide family of mankind.
Prescriptions for New World remedies include, “Love ye all religions and all races with a love that is true and sincere and show that love through deeds and not through the tongue; for the latter hath no importance as the majority of men are in speech well-wishers while action is the best,” the Baha’i Holy Writings assert. “It is actions that speak to the world and are the cause of the progress of humanity…All effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship: To serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people,” continue the prescriptions for today’s much needed remedies. (Investigate! – 1-800-22unite)
