We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all our citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
This quote expresses a deeply-held belief. Each of us is worthy of fair, just treatment. I believe this to the core of my soul. And today Fred's "little talk" in church dealt with the bedrock of that belief. His source was 1 John 4:
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Loving one another is not easy - often it is downright difficult. But I think the action that grows out of trying to show love for others (please note, I'm not saying liking or even wanting to be around some of those others) is healing. Healing to a given situation, healing to a specific societal problem, healing to those society would marginalize, healing to the one who perseveres in love despite the odds. Loving action supersedes tolerance; it affirms the worth of those with whom we do not agree.
Saying "I love the sinner, but not the sin," does not reflect true caring for each other. It reflects judgement and a sense of superiority that diminishes us all. Working to achieve understanding and equal regard for everyone recognizes the value of each of us and makes us all stronger. I wish us all strength in the quest for a peaceful, loving world.
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