Sowing Seeds of Peace

Join the discussion: All our events are open to anyone who desires world peace. We will continue to hold events until world peace is established. If you have a suggestion for a location or want to participate in planning an event, email me.

COMING EVENTS PEACE FEST Saturday June 29th 2013 We are beginning to plan a big event for June 2013. If you would like to help organize this event send email to peacefest@sowingpeace.ca. Keep checking this site for details. We will post information as it becomes available.

Religion: A Means for Achieving Peace Many times, when we suggest that religion is the means for achieving peace, we will be reminded of all the wars that have been fought in the name of religion, many times with both sides believing that God was on their side. So bad is the name of religion that some groups have chosen to call their belief system by another name. Many Christians tell me, Christianity is not a religion but it is a relationship. If we define true religion as that revelation that comes direct from God, we find that there is no conflict and no need to kill each other. We need to go directly to the revealer of God’s word to get the truth. If we rely on man’s interpretation of the word of God we find nothing but conflict. Man has a habit of taking portions of the Truth and then twisting the meaning of it to suit his own agenda. Indeed, pure religion is a very powerful force. When the capitalists see this they say, “there must be some way we can make money from this.” So they twist it and tweak it until it becomes a powerful money making machine. The problem is that religion was never meant to be capitalized. “What harm can there be in making a little money on the side if we are promoting the word of God,” they will say, yet religion must be equally accessible to all regardless of material means. By capitalizing it we have religion for the rich that use their “pew rent” to cover a million sins. The word of God is modified to assure them that they are safe and assured of salvation so long as they attend church once a week and pay their tithes. When a poor person wanders in from the street he is often made to feel so uncomfortable in their presence that he will never make that mistake again. In no way would I suggest this is the norm. There are a lot of good Christian organizations who are very devoted to helping the poor. There are a lot of individuals of all religions that are committed to living a Godly life and would make any sacrifice for the Cause of God. These ones follow such words as, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:43, 44) So we see the command of God in every religion is to love one another and to live peaceably. Yet man uses it for an excuse for war. Religion tells us if someone asks for your coat; give him your cloak also. (See Matthew 5:40 / Luke 6:29) Man makes a different religion an excuse for conquest where, not only the land is appropriated, but the opponent’s way of life is destroyed as well. Now, however; we see a movement toward peace. Those who steal land from others are no longer seen as heroes, but are regarded as tyrants. The injustices of war are no longer being tolerated. No longer do we see the division between them and us, but we recognize our fellow man as having rights, needs and desires similar to our own. A new consciousness has entered the body of humanity, yet it still has to recognize the source of that new consciousness. If one examines history one will see definite eras being divided by periods of rapid change. The Hebrew people were living in a state of slavery. For many generations this is the only life they knew. Moses came and a new way of life was born. For ages people lived in slavery to the law, Jesus came and set them free. Warring nomads roamed and terrorised the Arabic deserts, Mohammad came and built a great nation. In the mid 1800’s the patent office in England was about to close because everything that could be invented had already been invented. Scientific discoveries changed that and a new life was breathed into the world. We see a boost in material things. The paupers of today enjoy luxuries that the kings of old had not even dreamed of. Imagine turning a knob on a box and getting music. That was completely unheard of a few years ago. Now we see a new technology coming every year. The science fiction of years past dreamt of giant computers that would perform great functions. Now a tiny handheld device performs tasks that hadn’t even been thought of back then. What could have caused such a sharp boost in technology? We see that each time in the past there was a sharp change in the social and economic segments of society, a great spiritual leader was also on the earth bringing salvation and the way to recognize and revere our Creator. Thus each one of them was the Way the Truth and the Life and where the only Way to God. (See John 14:6) Today we see great social and economic change. Where is the Spiritual Guide for today? In 1844 One who became known as the Báb (or the Gate in English) came and announced one who would come quickly. In 1863 Bahá’u’lláh announced He was that chosen one who not only fulfilled the prophesy of the Báb, but also of all past religions. Now we all want to know if this great spiritual reformer will bring peace to the world. We know that this is impossible unless He is ordained of God. This Spiritual leader must be the promised Messiah, the returned Christ, the very Manifestation of the One True God. Only when we recognize His Voice will we see His Truth. (See John 10: 26, 27) When we examine His fruits we will discover if they are good. (See Matthew 7: 15 – 20) One with such a claim would either have to be extremely evil or extremely good. They are either an evil imposter or the promised one of God. Here is a taste of the fruit of Bahá’u’lláh so you can judge for yourself. Is this of God or of the Devil? Is this indeed the Voice of God giving guidance to His Sheep? CXXXII. The Purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves. That the divers communions of the earth, and the manifold systems of religious belief, should never be allowed to foster the feelings of animosity among men, is, in this Day, of the essence of the Faith of God and His Religion. These principles and laws, these firmly-established and mighty systems, have proceeded from one Source, and are the rays of one Light. That they differ one from another is to be attributed to the varying requirements of the ages in which they were promulgated. Gird up the loins of your endeavor, O people of Baha, that haply the tumult of religious dissension and strife that agitateth the peoples of the earth may be stilled, that every trace of it may be completely obliterated. For the love of God, and them that serve Him, arise to aid this most sublime and momentous Revelation. Religious fanaticism and hatred are a world-devouring fire, whose violence none can quench. The Hand of Divine power can, alone, deliver mankind from this desolating affliction.... The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He Who is the Day Star of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. The one true God, He Who knoweth all things, Himself testifieth to the truth of these words. Exert yourselves that ye may attain this transcendent and most sublime station, the station that can ensure the protection and security of all mankind. This goal excelleth every other goal, and this aspiration is the monarch of all aspirations. So long, however, as the thick clouds of oppression, which obscure the day star of justice, remain undispelled, it would be difficult for the glory of this station to be unveiled to men's eyes.... Consort with all men, O people of Baha, in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel, of which others are deprived, share it with them in a language of utmost kindliness and good-will. If it be accepted, if it fulfil its purpose, your object is attained. If any one should refuse it, leave him unto himself, and beseech God to guide him. Beware lest ye deal unkindly with him. A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men. It is the bread of the spirit, it clotheth the words with meaning, it is the fountain of the light of wisdom and understanding.... (Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 287, 289)

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