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Although I am a Protestant Christian, I believe firmly
that it is imperative now that the great faiths of the
world begin to recognize their commonalities and not
focus on their differences!? It is time to stop
sending pain to God via our pain sent to one another.?
I ask that the non-religious consider also the story
to follow from a humanistic viewpoint.
The
prof about whom I write in this short piece taught at
one of the religiously-affiliated institutions at
which I studied.? Since I personally believe that God
will deal with those who acted as they did, I do not
want to embarrass anyone.
My
prof had an M.A.? from Oxford!? He had the
graciousness to put up with my classmates and me!? He
was alone in life; for many years he had been a monk.?
On occasion, we would have class in his small
apartment.? That would allow, of course, for a snack
and a more casual atmosphere, pleasant to us -- but
unknown to me, needed by him.
He
had no family. He had no friends. But he taught at a
strict Christian institution. How fortunate we were.
Then
he was no longer in our classroom. Why? I heard later:
Because someone had found him sleeping off a drunk at
a nearby park.
? ???Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound!??? -- famous
Protestant-based hymn.
???Love
your neighbor, as yourself!??? ??“ the Second Great
Commandment from Elohim Adonai
Yahweh, God of Israel.
???Love
the Children of the Book!??? from Mohammed and referring
to Christians and Jews.
Catholics: please consider the love of St. Francis and
St. Vincent de Paul.
? Was
Prof DWI/DUI? Had he broken the law?? Had he directly
hurt someone?
No.
He was a potential example of the power of love.
I
believe that he was a test -- not for himself; he knew
his dark loneliness, as did Poe lying in the Raven??™s
shadow.? As did the Man of Sorrows. He was a test for
others.
The
Apostle Paul wrote that without caring love, Xaritas,
he was nothing! In the drama of the ages, there are
many roles. Some of honor and fame, some of apparent
dishonor. The task of all of us who claim any love for
others is to reach out and try to help, not to throw
them away. And is not education itself supposed to
have the power to cause change? (James Mill, father of
John Stuart Mill).
I?
wonder if those in authority who threw away my prof
lived perfect lives.
? ? I
hope so.
? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~?
?©
2005 Vance Agee
vgagee@adelphia.net? |
