This is so good, Diamond-Michael. I've read and experienced a lot from the realm of socially engaged Buddhism and of course there are common roots, but it's so fascinating to read a Taoist perspective on nonviolence and social change. Subtle and powerful.
What you say is all true, but it is not the whole truth. Arresting grandmothers might be injustice. But arresting militant agitators might also be justice. Millions of militants have infused and transgressed our borders under the cover of a short-sighted display of ignorant benevolence, for the sole purpose of creating turmoil. Some have trespassed our borders to perpetuate the marketing of illegal drugs. Others to commit acts of terror to destabilize our tentative effort to promote civility. Some for expected financial gain, other for political or religious gain.
It mat well be charitable to invite folks into our houses to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. It would by an injustice to ourselves and our families the just hold the door open to anyone without regard to those who would rob and brutalize us. Twenty-some years ago nineteen plus violent people made their way into our country, trained and prepared themselves for a mission to hijack commercial jets and fly them into buildings, killing thousands of peaceful people, destroying millions of dollars worth of buildings and aircraft, and sowing havoc that is still disrupting lives of otherwise peaceful people. Could any of that have been prevented? Undoubtedly, some of that could have been prevented. Also undoubtedly, a determined enemy could have still succeeded to some extent, without nearly as much disruption as we have suffered from foolish over-reaction by our own government.
We have a right to sacrifice our own safety and wellbeing to offer benevolence to strangers. I think it is unquestionable that we have an obligation to protect our families and communities from preventable mischief in the process of being charitable. Obviously, there is certain risks that cannot be foreseen. But what can be foreseen, it would be irresponsible of us not to foresee and avoid. There are some grandmothers and parents who would sacrifice their children as well as their enemies' children to further their political, religious, and financial goals. We should do whatever morally possible to prevent such from happening.
An impossible bar. The whole question of immigration is fraught with lack of knowledge. But it seems to me that open borders is an unwise policy. It is at least as unwise as keeping doors unlocked. True, a determine thief, mugger, or rapist won't always be stopped by a locked door, but, peaceful as I try to be, I would put myself and my .357 between an intruder and my wife and children. A hireling, assigned to protect a neighborhood is unlikely to be handy when an immediate threat appears.
THANk you for this wisdom on how to navigate the fire without becoming the flame:
This is so good, Diamond-Michael. I've read and experienced a lot from the realm of socially engaged Buddhism and of course there are common roots, but it's so fascinating to read a Taoist perspective on nonviolence and social change. Subtle and powerful.
🙏 I am learning so much about myself as well as the world during the period of immense suffering.
What you say is all true, but it is not the whole truth. Arresting grandmothers might be injustice. But arresting militant agitators might also be justice. Millions of militants have infused and transgressed our borders under the cover of a short-sighted display of ignorant benevolence, for the sole purpose of creating turmoil. Some have trespassed our borders to perpetuate the marketing of illegal drugs. Others to commit acts of terror to destabilize our tentative effort to promote civility. Some for expected financial gain, other for political or religious gain.
It mat well be charitable to invite folks into our houses to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. It would by an injustice to ourselves and our families the just hold the door open to anyone without regard to those who would rob and brutalize us. Twenty-some years ago nineteen plus violent people made their way into our country, trained and prepared themselves for a mission to hijack commercial jets and fly them into buildings, killing thousands of peaceful people, destroying millions of dollars worth of buildings and aircraft, and sowing havoc that is still disrupting lives of otherwise peaceful people. Could any of that have been prevented? Undoubtedly, some of that could have been prevented. Also undoubtedly, a determined enemy could have still succeeded to some extent, without nearly as much disruption as we have suffered from foolish over-reaction by our own government.
We have a right to sacrifice our own safety and wellbeing to offer benevolence to strangers. I think it is unquestionable that we have an obligation to protect our families and communities from preventable mischief in the process of being charitable. Obviously, there is certain risks that cannot be foreseen. But what can be foreseen, it would be irresponsible of us not to foresee and avoid. There are some grandmothers and parents who would sacrifice their children as well as their enemies' children to further their political, religious, and financial goals. We should do whatever morally possible to prevent such from happening.
The whole truth? That’s a very high bar for anyone to cross.
An impossible bar. The whole question of immigration is fraught with lack of knowledge. But it seems to me that open borders is an unwise policy. It is at least as unwise as keeping doors unlocked. True, a determine thief, mugger, or rapist won't always be stopped by a locked door, but, peaceful as I try to be, I would put myself and my .357 between an intruder and my wife and children. A hireling, assigned to protect a neighborhood is unlikely to be handy when an immediate threat appears.
I don’t live in that type of fear.
Beautifully expressed. Thank you.