“Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You”

God is the Only Presence, Power and Knowledge

Across America, people are wondering why we are experiencing “a wave of violence.”  We are asking “Why?”  First, let’s recognize that violence has been a “way of life” for this country since inception.  It began with violence against Native Americans, enslaved people seeking humanity, Asians, civil rights workers, Latinos and acceptance of violence against our capitol.  When people believe positive results come from violence or when no one is held accountable when it occurs, violence continues.  Now that we have refreshed our memories … let’s offer insight for positive change.

Do Unto Others as You Would They Do to You

Ask yourself, “Do I practice the spirit of those words on a daily basis?  Do I read or contemplate those words when people say and do harmful things to me?  Do I seek ways to handle revenge?  Do I think or say “Amen” when leaders of this country spew hatred, ridicule and denigration of my fellow citizens?  Do I speak out against unrighteousness or do I pretend it is not happening?  If we cannot answer spiritually to these questions, we are contributing to violence. 

When the Supreme Court interpreted the Constitution as “Individuals have the right to bear arms,” it contributed to the violence we see today.  When we live by the gun, we give ourselves the freedom to die by the gun. Biblical history reveals human nature must be replaced by divine nature.

This writer will be the first to admit, living in harmony with the golden rule stated above, is difficult for all humans.  Even the greatest man (Jesus) who walked the earth found it challenging in extreme cases.  However, as we grow in replacing human thoughts with divine ones, harmony will replace error with truth and evil with good.  The basis of all evil is negative beliefs.  Thus, human beliefs must be transformed into spiritual ideas so that human actions will follow.  Man is what man believes.

Human Laws Must Pattern Divine Laws

What do I mean by that?  The foundation of man’s laws must demonstrate freedom, equality and justice for all.  Why?  Because divine Laws are constructed that way.  God loves all he created, equally. He sees each creation as complete, whole and reflecting all that he (God) is.  This man is not defined by physical features, but by the divine qualities he demonstrates-qualities like respect, kindness, peace, joy and unconditional love. 

Therefore, if America has laws that serve only half of its people and discriminate against the other half . . . they do not pattern divine Law.  That which is human is human, and that which is divine is divine.  Mankind struggles to “put off” the old man and “put on” the new man. 

This writer believes the civil rights movement caused leaders to strive to achieve higher levels of thought.  However, around 2007, large groups in America reverted to the old way of demonstrating the opposite.  After 2008, numerous hate groups sprang up across the country, leadership shifted, and we have what we have today.  Violence stems from evil beliefs, and until we correct those beliefs in numerous ways, America will revert into a country ruled by a few people.  This is the time . . . and we must find the way.

God is the Only Presence, Power and Knowledge

Somewhere along the way, large groups of people decided the above statement is not true.  Their actions reveal power should be in the hands of either one man or a small group of people.  Biblical history recounts that will never happen, and human history reveals that only happens for short periods of time.  Our forefathers came to America to get away from such government.  Today, many Americans are trying to relive the past.  One wonders if they really understand what they are asking for. 

What does accepting God as the only Presence, Power and Knowledge do for mankind?  It removes government from man’s hands to God’s hands.  Laws are constructed based on our country’s highest sense of spiritual right, not on what one man says is right.  Divine law is the guide, and man’s understanding of that law is the practice. 

The question becomes, “What if man does not understand?  The answer is biblical: Seek and ye shall find; knock and the door will be open; ask and it will be given.  This means that each individual must strive daily to find spiritual answers to human problems.  To do otherwise, is not following that mandate.  Mistakes will be made, but also, will corrections.  Today, America has moved from correction to acceptance.  Thus… we have what we have.

Keeping God’s presence, power and intelligence uppermost in thought, leads to corrective actions.  If a person’s actions reveal he does not do that, is it wise to place him or her in a leadership position?  The foundation of all leadership must always be: honesty, integrity, equality, justice, courage, love and dedication to freedom for all mankind.  When these qualities are not seen in an individual, is it wise to assume they have them?   A man practices what he believes. Americans love this country.  The question is: How deep is that love, and how far will we go to demonstrate it?  The future will provide the answer.