American Soul: The Politics of Religion

[H2O Man]

"I had wanted to meet the Dalai Lama for a long time. He is a sweet and humble man who works tirelessly for peace. As an exhiled spiritual leader and outspoken advocate for the Tibetan people, he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. He has made a tremendous difference in the way the world understands peaceful movements for self-determination.

"We finally met in 2003 at an interfaith temple just outside of Bloomington, Indiana. The Dalai Lama had named the temple, which is on the grounds of the Tibetan Cultural Center, Chamtse Ling or 'Field of Love and Compassion.' His older brother, Thubten J. Norbu, had spent decades working on the temple in fulfillment of a long-cherished dream.

"Leaders from sixteen religions and denominations were there to speak. The Dalai Lama wanted to impress upon everyone that 'all religions have the same potential and capacity to serve humanity.' He stressed that religious teachings should be part of all of our lives. I understand that there are many paths to God, and I believe that Islam is the correct path for me. Like the Dalai Lama, I respect people of different religious beliefs and agree that spirituality should be a central focus of our daily lives. Spirituality helps us achieve self-discipline, forgiveness, and love, which are so essential to a peaceful existence in living among others. ....


"I was grateful for the time I had with the Dalai Lama. I have come to understand that there are those who believe in God and those who make God a reality.The Dalai Lama is among those who manifest God in the journey of their everyday lives. Before leaving, I thought about how I would say good-bye, then I realized there are no right words. So I parted from him the only way I knew how -- with a hug and smile. It just felt right."

-- "The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey"; Muhammad Ali; Simon & Schuster; 2004; pages 199-201.

In the mid-1960s, Muhammad Ali fought Uncle Sam in one of the most important political, religious, and cultural conflicts in American society of that decade. There were numerous people who said that Ali's religious beliefs were a threat to the political fabric of America. I admire Ali's strength, and appreciate how his religious and spiritual beliefs helped to improve the political lot of the majority of Americans. There are those who believe that Muhammad Ali and the Dalai Lama should not participate in political discussions in the United States. I'm happy that they do.

[H2O Man]

1. "A Time to Break Silence"

"Over the past two years, as I have moved to break the betrayal of my own silences and to speak from the burnings of my own heart, as I have called for radical departures from the destruction of Vietnam, many persons have questioned me about the wisdom of my path. ... And when I hear them, though I often understand the source of their concern, I am nevertheless greatly saddened, for such questions mean that the inquirers have not really known me, my commitment or my calling. Indeed, their questions suggest that they do not know the world in which they live.

"In the light of such tragic misunderstandings, I deem it of signal importance to try to state clearly, and I trust consisely, why I believe that the path from Dexter Avenue Baptist Church -- the church in Montgomery, Alabama, where I began my pastorate -- leads clearly to this sanctuary tonight."

-- Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr; "A Time to Break Silence (Beyond Vietnam)"; April 4, 1967

When Rev. King delivered this, his single most important speech, at the Riverside Church in New York City, there were many who were upset that a Christian minister would attempt to involve the gospel in the political and economic issues of the United States. There are those who still believe that religious figures such as Rev. King have no role in American politics. I'm glad that Martin followed his conscience, and I believe he was one of the greatest political figures in our nation's history.

[H2O Man]

2. The White Roots of Peace

"Spiritual consciousness is the highest form of politics."
-Deganawidah, Hau de no sau nee

Two weeks ago, the Onondaga Nation filed a land claims law suit in federal court in Syracuse, NY. This is a unique action, in that it asks for no money, no rent, no evictions, and no gambling casino.

Rather, it demands that the US government clean up 95 SuperFund Sites, as defined by the US EPA.

There are those who believe that the religious and spiritual beliefs of these Haudenosaunee (Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy) people should play no role in American politics. I think that it is a good thing they do.

[Malva Zebrina]

3. Anyone who thinks that religion is not poliltical

is naive. Often the leaders practice fascism or forms of dictatorship with devout followers believing they are being spiritual.

As with many who indulge in politics, it is subject to, and often has succumbed to corruption, lies, greed and debauchery.

I do not believe that the Rev. King began a religious crusade to demonstrate how religious beliefs should prevail over the law. He began a civil rights campaign, a campaign for justice, and happened to be a minister. I don't mean to take anything away from him by saying that.

If there were another like him now, I would be more than happy to see her or him,(doesn't have to be a minister), work the same approach and get the same results.

It seems, the successful approach used by Dr. King, is being used more by religious fascists campaigning to manipulate and change the laws.

[H2O Man]

4. He joined the civil rights

movement because he was a minister. Those who grasp not only how, but why he did what he did, should not look for another person to carry on in his role: it is up to each of us. It is our own responsibility. For if nothing else, King showed people that the ability to change America came from within, rather than from some outside source.

[H2O Man]

5. Tao Te Ching

Knowing ignorance is strength;
Ignoring knowledge is sickness.
- Lao Tse

[H2O Man]

6. J Edgar Hoover feared religion mixing in politics.

J. Edgar Hoover's March 4, 1968 memo to FBI agents expressed his concern that religion would mix with politics in the USA. He wrote:
"For the maximum effectiveness of the Counterintelligence Program, and to prevent wasted effort, long-range goals are being set. .....
2. Prevent the rise of a 'messiah' who could unify, and electrify, the militant black nationalist movement. Malcolm X might have been such a 'messiah'; he is the martyr of the movement today. ... King could be a very real contender for this position..."

J. Edgar Hoover was one of the people who felt that religion should be kept away from politics, or the nation would face grave dangers. He recognized that the social gospel of ministers such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. posed a danger to the America he believed in. I think that Mr. Hoover had a diseased mind, and I am very happy that religious leaders such as Malcolm and Martin were involved in politics.

[H2O Man]

7. Gandhi on intolerance:

"Intolerance betrays want of faith in one's cause." - Gandhi.

I think that this is equally true for intolerant theists and atheists. Intolerant people are a drag, no matter if they call themselves democrat or republican.

[H2O Man]

8. Progress in religion

"I have noticed no definite progress in any religion. The world would not be the shambles it has become if the religions of the world were progressive." - Gandhi

[H2O Man]

9. Gandhi:

"Anxiety about the future is sheer atheism."

[H2O Man]

10. Good morning Gandhi:

"Truth is God."