As we welcomed the New Year, and as terrorism by Muslim extremists continues to dominate the news, I cannot help but think that those of us baby-boomers were born, grew up, and became adults during one of the best periods in human history – thanks to millions of people who came before us, who recognized evil for what it was, fought it and, collectively, crushed it so that future generations of humanity – you and I – could live in peace and harmony.
I grew up in post-WWII Japan, the very country that attacked the United States of America on December 7, 1941.
Most of us in the West think that every human being is to be treated with dignity and respect – no matter what. It is a noble cause. Based on my personal life experiences, having witnessed repeated violence within our own home as a child, however, I have a different view of human nature and existence:
- The world in which you grow up is how you perceive the rest of the world to be UNLESS you are fortunate enough to be given the gift of freedom to think for yourself – as I was.
- Here is an eye-opening article I came across, entitled, “Ex-Muslim’s open letter to America.”
- When violence dominates your world, death becomes a very attractive and comforting alternative.
- Every human being wants to feel that his/her life is worth something.
- Unlike in the West, not every culture values human life.
- What you believe to be true becomes your reality – whether it is right or wrong in anyone else’s eyes.
- Every human being has the potential within to be both good and evil.
- Evil: Those who torment and/or kill others without cause or remorse.
- Evil begets evil.
- Violence begets violence.
- Good: Those who choose to be good.
- Good begets good.
- Kindness begets kindness.
- Evil: Those who torment and/or kill others without cause or remorse.
Knowing what I know about evil, once we recognize it for what it is, it must be swiftly destroyed BEFORE it destroys the rest of humanity. If the Muslim clerics want the rest of the world to believe that Islam is indeed a peaceful religion, then it is their responsibility to show by their words AND their actions that they are willing to take the lead in rooting out violence from within their Muslim communities. If they continue to allow teaching children to kill infidels, they are the source of evil. They are the ones that should be held responsible for all of the crimes being committed against humanity by the extremists.
After the massacre at Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France, I decided that I was no longer going to be silent about what I have been thinking since 9/11/2001. Expressing my thoughts openly is the least I can do for the future generations of humanity. My hope is that doing so can help encourage others to do the same so that, collectively, we can help sustain the wonderful world in which I have been privileged to live.
Peace.
