Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Day 220: Why Bad People Happen in a Good Country


Why Bad People Happen in a Good Country

I have tried and tried but I am having a hard time putting this nicely; the shootings at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin have made me feel angry and shameful. I am angry that this kind of thing (a racially motivated attack) is still happening. I am ashamed that it happened in our country.

I’m not going to spend a great deal of time being angry, because I have work to do, but we often wonder why bad things happen to good people; and I wonder why things like this keep happening.

Yesterday, I chose to think before acting, so I fasted, prayed and looked inside myself for ways to do better. I realized that I knew very little about Sikhs and so I began to read and learn. (Read more but don't stop here)

I quietly reflected on my own feelings and ways that I could make a difference and I knew that within my own home we needed to come together to talk, feel and pray.

I’m asking you today to start a conversation, with yourself and others. We cannot respond to hatred and anger with more. We must find a way to heal and help others do the same.

There is a problem in this wonderful land of ours. We think that it’s okay to dislike certain people. We believe that it is our right as Christians to tell others how they should believe and worship. We believe that we have been commanded by God to change them so we can drive old Satan away.

I feel myself getting angry again, so I will just leave you with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

Be you, be well, be the change we need

Bertice Berry, PhD.

1 comment:

  1. Once again, you strike the nail on the head. I feel ashamed to be a Christian at times because of the lack of tolerance and love that is there. We aren't presenting a unified front to those that need to see it the most. Jesus loved everyone and he wants us to do the same. It's something I try to do every day; no matter your race, religious beliefs, sexual preferences or personal decisions. I have too much love to give to waste my time on hating and discriminating. Thanks for your powerful words.

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