LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Heed the words of a great peaceful leader

Ray Harbert, Las Vegas

Monday, Dec. 1, 2008 | 2:03 a.m.

As political and economic chaos spreads around the world, one wonders what happened. One only has to turn on a television to the news or pick up the day’s newspaper to get traumatized by another event. That news can be a pirate attack off the coast of Somalia, another terrorist attack with its killing of more innocent bystanders, or the report from Wall Street of a record down day for the Dow Jones industrial average.

With each day’s news, one has to wonder why. We know it stems from personal greed, religious idealism or just plain ethnic hatred. Fifty years ago a very wise man from India, Mahatma Gandhi, stated a profound description of the world’s current condition. Gandhi said, “The things that will destroy us are: Politics without principles; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business without morality; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice.”

You do not have to be Hindi to recognize the truths within Gandhi’s prophetic utterance. Although he was a religious leader, his statement covers all segments of society. It is too bad the world did not listen.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By lvsundog

12/1/08 at 4:26 a.m.

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"With each day's news, one has to wonder why."

Yes, but the real reason is that the media focuses on tragedy and misfortune to attract attention and eyeballs.

Go on a media diet and look around you to see that human goodness exists practically everywhere.
By uddeboda

12/1/08 at 7:18 a.m.

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Across the world, whether it be a capitalistic, socialistic or a communistic country, its just one thing, and pardon my "french", its all to do with greed, like ""pigs in s##t"". These highly placed people are all just scoffing around for the best bits of "swill"
By johnevegas

12/1/08 at 7:32 a.m.

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Thank you for the wonderful quote Ray.

If you continue on exploring Hinduism, you will find much is said about the chaotic nature of change. Consider the new growth after a hurricane or new ideals and new standards that result from an earthquake or tidal wave. Or consider that the world would not know of Tibetan Buddhism with their repression at the hands of the Chinese.

I personally believe it is our lack of spirituality (our connection to spirit) that makes life so difficult. We may talk about the absence of "God", but I seldom hear anyone talk about being too connected to the "reality".

In short I would say, we are shallow. We tend to connect with the outer shell easily, but lack the willingness (or do not know how) to explore our own inner depths. But it is within those depths that we find peace and begin to see the goodness in ourselves and the world. And it is within those depths that we can truly begin to understand all of life, and therefore be less surprised by and afraid of change.
By JD

12/1/08 at 2:35 p.m.

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WELL SAID JOHNEVEGAS!!!!!!!