Saturday, November 17, 2007

History and Hysteria


November 17th, Cyprus and the Fall of the Junta






The above link tells the story of some not so anciant Greek history.




Every year on this date the schools are closed and thousands of students who weren't born at the time and are now living in a democracy take to the streets, and whenever possible lock themselves in the university to protest past events which cannot be changed. They often manage to destroy valuable equipment in our badly under equipped schools thereby making therir own future and that of the students who will come after them more difficult.




It occurred to me that all over the world wars are being fought and lives are being destroyed by anger about the past. For me this is where the real meaning of the expression "turn the other cheek" ought to come into play. Whether or not you believe that Jesus was the son of God you have to admit he was one smart cookie. What a shame that his words have been recorded in a series of riddles that every Tom, Dick and control freak in a dog collar can twist to mean whatever they want!



So how about it world, are we ready to forgive our enemies? At the end of the day it is all our futures that depend on it.








Any day is a good day to blog for peace.

15 comments:

Travis Cody said...

Thanks for the link to that history.

Yup - any day is a good day to blog for peace.

Unknown said...

Thank you. I was aware of the history from newspapers and media of the time, but not of the underlying events and details.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

Elaine Denning said...

You wrote that so well, and so simply.. it really isn't rocket science, is it?

Thanks Cathy.

Anonymous said...

every day is a good day to live in peace

no enemy is going to say sorry
no enemy seeks forgiveness; they don't think they've done anything wrong...

we can only hope and pray that in time nations/tribes will understand how much more pleasant it is to live in harmony with their neighbours and the world is a big enough place for everyone

Schmoop said...

Nicely done Cathy, and right on the mark. Cheers, and Peace!!

val said...

I am constantly surprised when I learn about further examples of American involvement in situations of this sort. They make allies of the most terrible people, then prop them up, to the detriment of the ordinary people of whatever country. Then it was to guard against communism, now it's the fight against terrorism. ALl this dick-waving is destroying the world.

Blancodeviosa said...

amem sister!!! wonderful blog and thanks for keeping us aware.

i saw the flooding in greece and i thoughtf you. i hope you are safe.

kay_ski said...

Cathy, thanks for the feedback on my site. I'll try to find a better color so my blog is actually legible. I found this blog on the history in Greece to be really interesting, I am always compelled by history. Thanks for the great link!

kay_ski

Akelamalu said...

You are so right, any day is a good day to blog for peace.

Thanks for dropping by my blog and taking the time to comment I hope you will call again. :)

puerileuwaite said...

I suppose if they can "turn the other cheek" in prison, we can certainly do it in society (even though there may be different contexts involved).

TK Kerouac said...

Great blog here Cathy,
yes I agree, learn to turn the other cheek,
hard to do at times

cathy said...

travis, Greece has got history coming out of its ears! LOL.

ss nick, I actually had a student whose mother was barricaded in the university and was sent to prison for broadcasting over the radio. It might as well have been yesterday.


miss understood, it isn't, but it might as well be.


ann, this may sound strange but you can forgive people even if they don't ask you to. Hoping and praying right there with you!


matt- man, cheers!

val, makes you want to get a scythe out, doesn't it?

blanco, Amen and thank God I can swim. LOL

Kay ski, what great link? LOL.

akelmalu,it is and I might:)

puerileuwaite,are you being rude? It is so unlike you LOL.


tk, turning the other cheek is good for your mental health, regardless of the situation. I've been in that hard place and it saved my sanity.

Hale McKay said...

Interesting post.

Cathy, may you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Queenie said...

Yet again you say in a few words what many take a lifetime to do.
Making peace is a great healer, but it also takes both sides of any story to agree. Great post.

Anonymous said...

Actually his philosophy is quite simple..do unto others
love thy neighbor
don't kill
etc
it's when the words become religionized and secularized they become crap.
I'm all for forgiving but if the person or country you are forgiving is not really sorry for what they've done..than no.
You do still have to let it go in your heart.
tc