Good Grief! (TV punishment in Nigeria)

[Satrana]

BAUCHI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Eighteen Nigerian men accused of dressing up as women during a party at a hotel went on trial Tuesday before an Islamic sharia court in the northern state of Bauchi.

Dozens of residents shouted abuse and hurled stones at the men as they were escorted into an armored prison vehicle after the hearing, prompting police to fire tear-gas at the crowd.

The men, mostly in their 20s, were arrested in a Bauchi hotel on August 4. Police say they were dressed as women, which is illegal under the state's sharia penal code.

The offence is punishable by up to a year in prison and 20 lashes by cane.

The accused, who tried to hide their faces as they were jeered on their way in and out of court, deny the charge. One of them told Reuters they went to the hotel for a graduation party.

Muhammad Bununu of the Hisbah Commission, a body charged with enforcing sharia law in the state, told reporters the accused were "addressing each other as women and dressing themselves as women."

"They said they went to the hotel to witness a wedding between a male and a male," he said.

The police brought handbags and suitcases containing women's high-heel shoes and clothing to the court as evidence.

[carie]

The offence is punishable by up to a year in prison and 20 lashes by cane.


:eek:

[Katie T]

Storieslike this make me glad I live in America!!!:happy:

[Snigdha]

:Angry3:this is not fair. I hate this.

[Rhonda480]

Somethings here in America are not totally accepted, but most of us here would not do anything that in this country would get us more than a second look or worst case a snicker. But you take our little show out of this country and you could be taking your life in you hands. Good reason to stand up for our freedoms and the American way of life and keep the fanatics somewhere else.

Thank you to all you girls here that helped to preserve those freedoms and those that are out there overseas fighting to give us the freedom to wear whatever we want.

Life, Liberty and the persuit of more lingerie...:happy:

[celeste26]

What I heard was nothing at all like the original Reuters it was not anything to do with crossdressing. That it was mostly just a misunderstanding and nothing at all to do with crossdressing.

I also don't look forward to sharia happening in the US.

[AmandaM]

Looks like maybe Dubya ain't all bad after all.

[battybattybats]

What a dreadful travesty!
Is there anything we can do to support or help these poor people?

[occdresser]

That is 1 place I will never visit!:thumbsdn:

[Darlene-VA]

And some of us get nervous dressing up and going shopping

[SandyR]

Bless America! With all its issues and trials, I still feel its the best place to be....

Thanks for sharing.

SandyR

[vivianann]

I thank God that I was born in America, If the islamist get their way in this country, we all will be in trouble. So lets support our troops and pray that our federal government will protect us from the terrorists,

[Mya Summers]

Quote
thank God that I was born in America, If the islamist get their way in this country, we all will be in trouble. So lets support our troops and pray that our federal government will protect us from the terrorists,

Amen I agree to that 100%

[carie]

I thank God that I was born in America, If the islamist get their way in this country, we all will be in trouble. So lets support our troops and pray that our federal government will protect us from the terrorists,

do u mean islam is terrorists ? sounds like it .

[Sheri 4242]

For those of us who are citizens of the United States, "we" (a generic "we" -- not all of us) take many things for granted -- and you don't have to travel far to confirm this!!! That said, many times our "American attitudes" spill out when dealing with foreign neighbors -- friends and foes -- thus the so-called "ugly American" comes out of the closet. (Once saw this in Paris -- and it was truly so'ooo embarrassing!!!) There are different laws and atititudes on so many things that Americans take for granted. I recall one of my first trips to the Bahamas there were cautions being given to "gay Americans" that homosexuality was strictly against Bahamian law. Don't know if this is still true, but, at that time, my wife and I wondered if it was such a problem that it required such an overt cautionary warning. Take it a step further: a mtf heterosexual CDer -- who, even in the States, is often automatically looked upon with the "tude" that she "MUST be gay" -- goes to a country where GGs are greatly repressed, and decides to dress -- well, that isn't using the old 'noggin, as the saying goes. It never fails to amaze me how some Americans think thier rights and liberties (and there is a difference between the two) cover them wherever they may go. Of course, it seems to me that some/many of the U.S sisters on here tend to forget at times that this forum is a "world wide web" forum, with sisters from the UK, several western European countries, Canada, and Australia, of which I wonder how many are either fascinated by, or incredulous of, the general attitude of most Americans??!!!

[dakota_ann69]

"World Wide Web" agreed.

[Marla S]

Secularization and enlightenment are some of the better things that have been invented in the Western world. The Islamic world never had something like enlightenment.
Whenever politics and religion mix, it means that people have to suffer.

[Zee]

Generally speaking, living in Canada, I can tell you that American "attitude" is a spot of some soreness for many people up here. This is because that there have been many cases when a tourist would come up here and demand special treatment. This is generally the exception and not the rule for many Americans, but it only takes a few to ruin it for the rest.

I love Americans, so much so that I married one. Having said this, I have no doubt that there have been just as many A-holes from Canada, UK, Austrailia, etc that have been rude to American's while on American soil.

I for one love everybody who espouses democracy, who wants freedom for anyone no matter where they are in the world (after all, the people who are being supressed are our brothers and sisters on this planet), and all those who fight for our rights and freedoms (Thank-you to the soldiers of Canada, U.S. U.K. Austrailia for trying to make our world a better place).

When I hear stories like this, where personal freedom has been squashed, it sickens me. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.

[janet1234]

This is why we must not encourage Muslim immigration; a few generations and our progeny may have to endure Sharia; after all, as a democracy, a vote could result in a Muslim theocracy. Remember communism; one vote one time then a dictatorship.

[Joy Carter]

I read where one North Central municipal judge refused to hear a case of domestic violence. Because the couple was Muslim. And it's not against their law to assault a wife.
We have much to fear from this judicial activism.

[nikkicdintraining]

i dont know,, the ten lashes with the cane sound kinda tempting... lol:2c: wink wink

[battybattybats]

Not all muslims are fundamentalists!
There are also plenty of folk from other religions who suport theocracy that are just as bigoted as muslim fundamentalists! Keeping Muslims out of western countries will not prevent christian fundamentalists from interfering in politics or trying to set up a theocracy. The same is true of hindus and bhuddists too!
There are fundamentalists and moderates in all religions. There have been plenty of christian terrorists too, let's not forget that.

That is why the enlightenment considered individual rights to be so important. Rights that America for one was founded upon. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion etc.

Let us not be discriminatory.
Western countries have had there share of human rights abuses. Australia doesn't even have a bill of rights!

Whenever anyone refuses to accept anothers freedoms, their right to choose to belong to a religion or not, to accept a particular interpretation of that religion or not that is wrong.

Certainly we should support the fight for individual civil rights all over the world. That means speaking out against those who would force their choices for their own rights onto others, no matter the religion or ideology.

[celeste26]

Janet1234:Communism was as a result of the overthrow of a government and this revolution was lead by those communists. There wasn't any vote that resulted in communism even in Russia

[AmandaM]

<<Keeping Muslims out of western countries will not prevent christian fundamentalists from interfering in politics or trying to set up a theocracy. The same is true of hindus and bhuddists too!
There are fundamentalists and moderates in all religions. There have been plenty of christian terrorists too, let's not forget that.
>>>

What a crock! A large section of Islam has jihad as a part of their religion. NO Other Religion has this!!!

[Zee]

<<Keeping Muslims out of western countries will not prevent christian fundamentalists from interfering in politics or trying to set up a theocracy. The same is true of hindus and bhuddists too!
There are fundamentalists and moderates in all religions. There have been plenty of christian terrorists too, let's not forget that.
>>>

What a crock! A large section of Islam has jihad as a part of their religion. NO Other Religion has this!!!

Christianity had the crusades and witch hunts. Can you tell me that these were not about the denial of individual rights?

Granted those were different times in our history; what I believe we are seeing now is the same kind of thing with the fantatical muslim. Unfortunately, this delusional thinking will take years to correct, and sooner or later, those muslims who are living a peaceful life will take up arms to protect that which they hold dear and combat this destruction of their holy religion. This is something they will have to do, I do not think outside forces would be able to accomplish this as effectively as if it came from the same religious base.

Be that as it may, I know many wonderful muslims, christians, wiccans, agnostics and athiests. As long as everyone has their freedom of choice, evil will not prevail.

[DawnRodgers]

As far as religion goes. it is only as good as the nuts in charge and some are as bad as any ayatollah. Imagine, in Orlando Florida, there is a Baptist minister that has cancelled a high school play just a week before it was to be presented because it fostered "bad" ideas about the lifestyle. The play, La Cage aux Folle, was saved when local theater groups offered stages on which to hold the play and it went on. Many religions in this country are as intolerant as the Muslims. Thanks be to God, indeed.

[Rachael]

For those of us who are citizens of the United States, "we" (a generic "we" -- not all of us) take many things for granted -- and you don't have to travel far to confirm this!!! That said, many times our "American attitudes" spill out when dealing with foreign neighbors -- friends and foes -- thus the so-called "ugly American" comes out of the closet. (Once saw this in Paris -- and it was truly so'ooo embarrassing!!!) There are different laws and atititudes on so many things that Americans take for granted. I recall one of my first trips to the Bahamas there were cautions being given to "gay Americans" that homosexuality was strictly against Bahamian law. Don't know if this is still true, but, at that time, my wife and I wondered if it was such a problem that it required such an overt cautionary warning. Take it a step further: a mtf heterosexual CDer -- who, even in the States, is often automatically looked upon with the "tude" that she "MUST be gay" -- goes to a country where GGs are greatly repressed, and decides to dress -- well, that isn't using the old 'noggin, as the saying goes. It never fails to amaze me how some Americans think thier rights and liberties (and there is a difference between the two) cover them wherever they may go. Of course, it seems to me that some/many of the U.S sisters on here tend to forget at times that this forum is a "world wide web" forum, with sisters from the UK, several western European countries, Canada, and Australia, of which I wonder how many are either fascinated by, or incredulous of, the general attitude of most Americans??!!!
Very perceptive of you Sheri. Many of us are amazed sometimes by the parochial attitudes dispalyed as well. Citizens of the rest of the free world are also horrified by what happens elsewhere. The time has come to get off the fence and choose sides, otherwise we will ose the liberty we have. "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men(Sic) to do nothing!"

[trannie T]

All religious fundamentalists oppose freedom. Do you think that the Christian fundamentalist conservatives are any more tolerant of crossdressing than the Islamic fundamentalists?

[KandisTX]

Yes, Christianity had the Crusades, however the Crusades were a response to the brutal activities of the Muslims in Spain and Southern Europe at the time. It was the Pope who ordered the Christian invasion because at that time in history, the Pope was the true ruler of the European nations as the highest in command of the Christians.

The Witch Hunts were part of the Spanish Inquisition as well as the actions of the Quakers here in The US. Salem Mass. to be exact. They were the result of what hysteria can do to a community when enough people cry wolf, someone is going to be a scapegoat.

Sharia Law is the law under many nations of Islam. Is it right? Not by OUR (many of us) standards. HOWEVER, there are still those that do not realize that Sharia Law is one more reason we have troops over there. There is no reason any woman alive in this world should fear being able to be herself, or speaking her mind. (They come here and do it quite well, but if they did it over there, they'd be decapitated).

Kandis:love:
I could really go on and on about a lot of this, but this is truly NOT the correct forum for this type of discussion.

[Victoria Anne]

I don't want to over simplify this but...this crap started with all this political correctness here in the states , so we allowed it and are still doing so and making it worse everyday. As for those poor girls in Nigeria it is a horrible shame and should be stopped .They have the right to be who they are. Terrorist on the other hand...well...lets just say they need to be disappeared if you get my meaning and I DO NOT mean all muslims , I do know a few that are good honest upstanding people , I refer only to those fanatics of any sect or religon. Enough said , by me at least.

[Sam-antha]

Sheri thank you for the realist offering. This thread hovers on the edge of religious politics and I thought that you might have brought it back to earth.
Sharia Law has existed for centuries in the area of Nigeria involved, under British Rule, the laws were somewhat relaxed, but as Reuters reported, the laws have been beefed up since 2000.

CD and religion ?
Each religion has their own version of any law, just as each coutry has different version of civil law.
I ask the probable fate of a cross dressing party in some parts of the States, Utah say or the red neck parts ?
Remember that this fate would be outside of the law.

Fear of Terrorism / US way of life does not enter into the punishment rules of any land other than the United States.
If it does then it is unnecessary interference with the laws and beliefs of some or all of the people of that country.

[Cindi Johnson]

Before you-all get your shoulders disconnected from all the patting of yourselves on the back, please consider that there are many, many Americans, Muslim and Christian, who cite the Koran or "scripture" as a reason to deny us the right to dress. The recommended scriptural punishment? Let's just say, it ain't pretty.

My point? Don't get complacent, even here in the USA. We ALL must take a stand! We have the right to go out dressed, so let's do it. And vote!


Cindi Johnson

[Rachel Morley]

Religion can be so complicated, and this goes to show that how people interpret it is fraught with danger. :sad: Thank God we live in the west ... however, having said that .... some of the things written in the Bible aren't exactly TG friendly are they?

Why can't we all just get along? :sad:

[weyburn]

Isn't it interesting in the Middle Eastern countries that treat women as 2nd class citizens have leaders and others dress up as women to escape being caught by Allied Forces.Terrorists of any faith,religion etc.are nothing but cowards and mass murderers.And no we will never all get along.Never have and unfortunately never will.We,as human beings have not progressed up the evolutionary food chain to allow tolerance of others that do something different.I do agree this whole political correctedness is a load of garbage

[TV Wannabe]

Maybe one day they will be more tolerant.

[Sheri 4242]

Wow! Does this thread ever go all over the place!


Sheri thank you for the realist offering. This thread hovers on the edge of religious politics and I thought that you might have brought it back to earth.

Thanks for the compliment, Sam-antha. You're right that this thread seems to be hovering in the realms of religion and politics -- and in a disjointed way. A few comments might bring things full circle (b/c I think many would agree, this thread is way off track).

1.) Jihadist (in the sense of those who are actually practicing it in the form of terrorism) really only account for a small percentage of Muslims -- and the Jihadist Muslim is not the mainstream. "True Muslims" (and this is important to one's understanding) view Jihad as defensive and not offensive -- which perhaps sheds light on those who would call for Jihad today (in the form of offensive, overt terrorism).

2.) There was not just one "Crusade." There were many so-called Christian Crusades to the "Holy Land" . . . a total of nine major ones during the 11th, 12th and 13th Centuries (one of which had no Papal sanctioning) -- and few more minor ones up until the time of the Reformation. A major purpose was to reclaim the Holy Land from the Muslims. The goal of the Crusades had far-reaching impact on the politics, religion, and society of the era. Even when peaceful purposes were the stated goal, the Crusades often served as an outlet to let warmongers ply their trade and vengence.

3.) The Salem Witch Trails and The Spanish Inquisition are not connected. The former was a period of hysteria in three Mass. counties in 1692. The Puritans, who believed in predestination -- and who were very patriarchal in their beliefs -- viewed the invisible world as real as the visible, and thus actively believed both were occupied by good and evil. They constantly sought out signs to see where they each were in the predestined scheme. Add to the mix that they believed that women should be totally subservient to men, and that women were, by nature, more lustful and thus would be prone to enlist satan's help. Also add to this a bitter woman who mumbled a lot, a few teens who weren't beyond scheming to get what they wanted (one who was particularly lustful), and you have the start of the witch hunt. The Spanish Inquisition was complex. Basically it dealt with Jews and Muslims in Spain who had, it was felt, falsely converted to Roman Catholicism. (Very few Protestants were dealt with in the Inquisition. Spain wold deal with Protestants in the Americas -- especially when the Hugguenots established a settlement at what is the mouth of the St. John's River at modern day Jacksonville, Fla.)

4.) So what is this thread about??? Sharia Law. Which is??? Non-codified religious laws of Islam that regulate most aspects of public and private life, especially aspects of day-to-day living, business, and even things like hygine, all of which equals, in essence, Muslim jurisprudence -- based largely on the Koran and the sayings/teachings of Muhammad. Sexuality and social issues are definitely part of Sharia Law.

5.) As far as the issue goes in Nigeria, IMO, the recent reports of arrests and punishments are probably more aimed at homosexuality than crossdressing, although the latter is probably being utilized to bolster the former -- and therein lies the deepest part of the problem.

Okay, does this show how far of course this has gotten??? Has it come full circle??? This is so'oooo taxing :lol2: !!!

[Angie G]

Yes I glad I live in the free part of the world I do feel sory for others how are not free to do as they wish :hugs:
Angie

[CD Tammy]

And Islam is such a peaceful religion... What happens IF the individual being punished is a masochist? You break out the cane and give the twenty lashes and they ask for more?

I wouldn't mind the lashes but I'd want to be dressed when I received them.

[Sheri 4242]

And Islam is such a peaceful religion... What happens IF the individual being punished is a masochist? You break out the cane and give the twenty lashes and they ask for more?

I wouldn't mind the lashes but I'd want to be dressed when I received them.

Maybe somebody with a tad more knowldge can correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that the cane used in Middle East and Eastern countries (that employ such as punishment) is much different from your general bdsm cane. The former can actually kill you (even at 20 blows), while the latter is painful but not nearly as deadly.

[Alicia_lynn419]

... so much for the "peace loving religion of Islam"

[Rachel Newark]

For those who don't know. This is what a punishment caning with a 'rotan' cane looks like.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=5ab_1172940415

I like a spanking but......


not nice

Rachel Newark

[Sheri 4242]

For those who don't know. This is what a punishment caning with a 'rotan' cane looks like.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=5ab_1172940415

I like a spanking but......


not nice

Rachel Newark


Thanks, Rachel!!! Now think about twice as many blows as shown on the video and where the back is also fair game!!!

Too many Americans don't have a clue that stuff like this goes on -- oh, we occasionally hear it on our news from time-to-time, but it is never shown by our mainstream media! If Americans were shown videos of beheadings -- and even some of the hidden videos from 9-11 -- well, let's just say they wouldn't be so comfey with allowing laissez faire politics to make a hot potato out of right action.

[battybattybats]

My question is, how can we actively try and support these people and other oppressed TGs around the world?

(The answer is not simplistic bearing in mind that recent military action has currently worsened the circumstances for religious minorities in Iraq with numerous examples of rising oppression amongst the Yezidee, Ba'hai, Zorastrians etc)

In what way can we help?
Just as we should be standing together to support one another in the western world so should we do so with our sisters overseas.

In Pakistan one of the highest rated tv shows is a talk/interview show hosted by a gay crossdresser! How can we help solidify such advances?

[Melinda G]

I thank God that I was born in America, If the islamist get their way in this country, we all will be in trouble. So lets support our troops and pray that our federal government will protect us from the terrorists,
Be scared. Be very scared! It's patriotic as hell. And hang onto that duct tape and plastic.
But don't worry too much. "Our Federal government" is protecting us from terrorist campers and bird watchers.


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[Julogden]

Not all muslims are fundamentalists!
There are also plenty of folk from other religions who suport theocracy that are just as bigoted as muslim fundamentalists! Keeping Muslims out of western countries will not prevent christian fundamentalists from interfering in politics or trying to set up a theocracy. The same is true of hindus and bhuddists too!
There are fundamentalists and moderates in all religions. There have been plenty of christian terrorists too, let's not forget that.

That is why the enlightenment considered individual rights to be so important. Rights that America for one was founded upon. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion etc.

Let us not be discriminatory.
Western countries have had there share of human rights abuses. Australia doesn't even have a bill of rights!

Whenever anyone refuses to accept anothers freedoms, their right to choose to belong to a religion or not, to accept a particular interpretation of that religion or not that is wrong.

Certainly we should support the fight for individual civil rights all over the world. That means speaking out against those who would force their choices for their own rights onto others, no matter the religion or ideology.
Couldn't have said it better. The American extremist Christian Donimionism movement would be a good example of potentially dangerous Christian extremism to watch for.

It's the extremists in any of the religions that are the danger.

Carol

[ArleneRaquel]

A wonderful and very insightful post in regard to the Dominionist Movement. Thank You - Carol :happy: :love: & :hugs: Beyonce Welch - Lover of Freedom :happy:

[janet1234]

This is again why we must enforce the law, not permit honr killings, spousal abuse simply because their religion permits it.

From Joy
"""I read where one North Central municipal judge refused to hear a case of domestic violence. Because the couple was Muslim. And it's not against their law to assault a wife.
We have much to fear from this judicial activism."""

Again we must make our government resist muslim immigration.

[battybattybats]

Again we must make our government resist muslim immigration.

Umm.. Christians blew up plenty of bombs in the last 20 years. Or has everyone forgotton all the terrorist acts on both sides of the sectarian divide in Ireland? There have been lots of christian acts of terrorism.

Now either you'd have to argue for resisting the immigration of almost every religious background on earth as almost all have involved at least a half dozen religiously motivated acts of serious terrorism in the last generation or enter some very uncomfortable territory...

For example.. how do you tell if someone is a muslim? Let's say they come from Iraq for example.. well they could be a Yezidee.. the Yezidee believe that Satan repented and that his tears of regret quenched the fires of hell and he was forgiven and is again one of God's arc angels! And what about the Ba'hai? They call for peace with Isreal and the whole world. The Zoarastrians? They belong to a religion vastly more ancient than Islam. And what about the sects of Islam? Whereas the Wahabists include almost all of the terrorists the Sufi are rarely involved with violence. There has also been a substantial christian minortiy in Iraq. If you banned the muslims from Iraq anyone could simply claim to belong to one of these other beliefs and get in wheras if you stop all immigration for predominantly muslim nations you will be discriminating against all the non-muslims in those countries.

So you'd advocate banning entry to your country from all the diverse muslims and people with other beliefs from predominantly muslim countries just because of a minority of muslims that ignore the parts of the Koran that demands nonviolence and who choose to consider Jihad as meaning violence when it can be fulfilled by voteing! Yes, voting and charity counts as jihad for most muslims!

Sure Honor killings most be stopped.. absolutely, but then so must the violent exorcisms of christian children that regularly involve broken bones, torture and death! Most of those are christians from Africa.. should we then prevent all immigration from Africa?.. and Ireland... and the Catalan areas? Hmmm....?

Or should we respect all religions but make absolutely clear to everyone, from new immigrants to those who've lived in the country for 100 generations, that human rights are to be considered above religion and tradition (because it functions as a buffer of protection for and from each religion and allows people to act on their own beliefs and conscience within that framework of freedoms rather than having a set imposed by the majority upon all) and that breaking of the law, the abuse of others rights, will never be tolerated.

Do that successfully and everyone can be free to keep their religion/culture and practise it privately and publicly so long as they respect the secular state that guarantees that freedom... and so long as they respect the human rights of everyone whether from a minorioty or majority, the same culture, religion, family or another. That will solve your honor killing problem, and your fatal exorcism problem and your culture sanctioned domestic violence and your sexist oppression and all the rest.

The price? People would lose the ability to impose their values on others.. that is all. That is the only cost. Surely that cannot be considered a bad thing?

[RobertaFermina]

Janet1234:Communism was as a result of the overthrow of a government and this revolution was lead by those communists. There wasn't any vote that resulted in communism even in Russia

Czar Nicholas was pretty pathetic, as Tyrants go, but the damage he and his predecessors wreaked was no recommendation against communism. Moreover, the Czar was not offering Socialist or even Democratic options/elections to the people or the Duma (Russian legislative body).

On the other hand, Stalin was a greusome Tryant, and demonstrated why "Authoritarian Socialism" (sic) was no recommendation against communism.

There never was a communist government, and if you read Marx, you will understand why there never could be.
There are plenty of tyrants and oligarchies that call themselves Communist..and we have sufficientlty threatened and undermined every sincere Socialist Experiment that might have drifted in a True Communist spirit and direction and driven them to become client states of the Authoritarian Socialist (sic) dictatorships and oligarchies. Our slavish terror of communism is stupid, and socialist movements that "drank the Stalinist and Post-Stalinist Kool-Aid in order to survive Western Anti-Communist pressure were equally stupid - however desperate."

It takes evolution of consciousness to arrive at a state of society that is ready for Communism.....dozens and hundreds of years yet...probably....or maybe never ? It will certainly take more than "100 Monkeys" for this cultural revolution to take root and find momentum...sad but true.

:rose: Roberta :rose:

[RobertaFermina]

This whole discussion is about the human response to "The Other" and treats our responsive choices: Embrace, Isolate, or Attack.

Isolation leads to Attack as fears multiply in the absence of the evidence of our basic unity that comes when we do embrace each other.

No matter what people teach, they all want one thing....peace, stability, love, security. Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs....

When we look at the fact that we all share the Miracle of Life, without which NO OTHER MIRACLE is possible or even has meaning, then we can see that we are all facets of the same Gem.

The only proper response to such a blessing is to hold it in reverence and serve it with humble devotion. Such reverence for Life, in my judgment is LOVE.

Wipe away all the language and religious differences and what we have is LOVE and LIFE.

I pray to forgive all the Religious Leaders who live in too much fear that dissolution of their Ritual and Communal practices will lead to the end of spiritual power and unity...in fact, I see the end of Religion as the precursor to the blossoming of the only essential and bona fide Spirituality....We are Alive, We can Share the Gift of Life, and Serving and Loving Each Other is just another way of Loving Myself.

Religion will likely NEVER END, yet the opportunity is there, by embracing each other REGARDLESS of Religious Difference or Distaste, we can hold our own Religious Convictions lightly, and with less weight and import than the hand and heart of a human of a different faith, heck even the same faith. How often have Religious Convictions led to persecution WITHIN a single faith ? I get heartsick thinking of it.

The more energy I give to discussions of differences, the more I enchant Division into the world.

The idea that others are not the same as me...blood, bone, spirit...this is the first Evil, and the root of all others.

In Love and Service,

:rose: Roberta :rose: