Different perspectives

So I'm currently reading (devouring) Dan Brown's book The Lost Symbol. I haven't read either of his others, but my friend Kim persuaded me to read The Lost Symbol because it deals with American history and secrets in Washington D.C. -- stuff I LOVE.

Anyway, I'm not finished with the book, but I may post a little review when I am. For now, I wanted to share a passage that really intrigued me. It's a "wow" moment that (should) make you stop and think, and then re-read it again. Makes a fantastic point.

Without going into the whole background leading up to this passage, all you need to know is that Robert Langdon is a professor of mythology and symbolism at Harvard, and he is currently explaining some of the religious practices of the ancient Free Mason society to his students (also a fascinating topic to research on your own). Needless to say, his students are skeptical and critical.

"Professor Langdon," called a young man with curly hair in the back row, "if Masonry is not a secret society, not a corporation, and not a religion, then what is it?"

"Well, if you were to ask a Mason, he would offer the following definition: Masonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."

"Sounds to me like a euphemism for 'freaky cult'."

"Freaky, you say?"

"Hell yes!" the kid said, standing up. "I heard what they do inside those secret buildings! Weird candlelight rituals with coffins, and nooses, and drinking wine out of skulls. Now that freaky!"

Langdon scanned the class. "Does that sound freaky to anyone else?"

"Yes!" they all chimed in.

Langdon feigned a sad sigh. "Too bad. If that's too freaky for you, then I know you'll never want to join my cult."

Silence settled over the room. Several students looked uneasy. "You're in a cult?"

Langdon nodded and lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Don't tell anyone, but on the pagan day of the sun god Ra, I kneel at the foot of an ancient instrument of torture and consume ritualistic symbols of blood and flesh."

The class looked horrified.

Langdon shrugged. "And if any of you care to join me, come to the Harvard chapel on Sunday, kneel beneath the crucifix, and take Holy Communion."

The classroom remained silent.

Langdon winked. "Open your minds, my friends. We all fear what we do not understand."

Quran burning

This subject makes me SO angry and sad, I wasn't sure if I wanted to write about it. So I've been trying to separate my emotions from the logic, and then realized - it's my blog, and I'll write about whatever I damn well please. LOL!

Anyway, if you all haven't heard about this, let me enlighten you. A Christian pastor in Florida has publicized the fact that he will travel to Ground Zero in NYC tomorrow (9/11) and host a Quran burning ceremony to oppose the erection of an Islamic Mosque not two blocks away.

Now, I won't get too into THAT can of worms - because although I can absolutely sympathize with how a monument in tribute to Islam so near the site of the World Trade Center attacks would be offensive to the victims and their families, it also remains true that the attackers on September 11, 2001 were radical Islamics, who don't (and shouldn't) represent the entire Islam culture. I do, however, wonder why in the world the powers that be would choose to even enter the world of massive controversy and build the Mosque THERE...it was bound to upset many an American (and New Yorker, especially). So why not choose another location...? Just my opinion.

But back to the pastor. Unfortunately, he's not the only Christian radical out there who doesn't think things through, acts upon impulse and skewed logic, and has no regard for human harmony. He undoubtedly believes this is God's will - although I am constantly amazed by how many times "God's will" is the justification for acts of violent hatred, and, moreover, how people do not see how this is unbelievably hypocritical. And this one (physically) simple act of burning a book considered holy to a select group of people holds more significance and consequence than I possibly care to think about.

Disrespecting and viciously opposing everything the Islamic culture/religion stands for will ONLY create more tension, more anger, and more hatred - both from the Islamic side AND the Christian side! Radical Christians who support the Quran burning will deepen their hatred and opposition to Islam, while everyone who practices Islam is sure to be offended - and there are always those who will retaliate violently.

I realize this is an age-old battle; I am not naive enough to think it started with the September 11th attacks. However, in this particular situation, I am disgusted by the members of this modern world who are encouraging this despicable act of hatred. it only makes one appear ignorant, uninformed, cruel, immature, and cowardly - among other things. And you are not one IOTA better than the cowardly snakes who attacked us in the first place.

It is people like this pastor who are the reason we will NEVER achieve global harmony - there will never be universal respect amongst the human race for different cultures, religions, ethnicities, beliefs, or values. As long as people like him continue to break the bonds of brother and sisterhood, and openly insult other groups of people, we will never see peace.