PRESENT TIMES

If nothing else, the idea that a great big powerful someone somewhere loves us is very comforting. But at some point in life, every one of us has gone through the stage of realizing we now have to take care of ourselves. Time to grow up. I realize I’ve given a lot of very ancient quotes, so here are some contemporary ones, so that one can’t claim there are no great teachers today…

“Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”
- John Lennon, singer, song-writer, peace activist, 1940 - 1980 CE (no professed religion)

“War! Huh! Good God ya’ll, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!”
Edwin Star, singer, song-writer, 1942 – 2003 CE (no professed religion)

“Speak out, you’ve got to speak out against the madness. You’ve got to speak your mind if you dare.”
- Crosby, Stills and Nash, recorded 1969 CE (no professed religion)

“Tell the people everywhere we the people here don’t want war.” “Most of what you read is lies.”
- Bobby Darrin, singer, song-writer 1936 – 1973 CE (religion unknown)

“All you need is love; love is all you need.” – The Beatles recorded 1967

And oh, back in the sixties we made some changes in the world. Most of us now can wear jeans to work (and women can wear pants) because of what was started then. It’s time for a new generation to take up the mantle. The sixties achieved change, but not the change it was hoping for; peace and love.

Behold, my friends, a long line of ancestors stands behind you, stretching back to the beginning of time, sending all their hopes this way. You will birth a new legacy to pass on to your own descendants. Look, they stand before you from this moment to the end of time. Will your legacy be ever-more-fantastic cell-phone technology, or will it be that you Changed The World?

WHAT CAN WE DO? AND HOW? NOW WHAT?

You know what’s right without being told, but sometimes it helps to have a reminder. Here’s what we can do:

We can comfort one another, be kind, help one another, love one another like brothers, all without the threat of a unbalanced deity’s judgment and the possibility of eternal torture. In fact, I will not respect such a deity.

Picture yourself having floated up among the clouds and look down. There it is. The whole planet, ALL DEPENDENT UPON EACH BIT for harmony, for peace, for what we need to live. And there's nothing else. We're all there is; surely we can decide what we do in this little space.

Peace equals prosperity – those who say otherwise are profiteers. War equals destruction and devastation on your brothers and sisters and on your home (Earth). So for maximum success, we must first stop war. And how do you do that? By refusing to fight. If war is coming near you, walk away. Let them have your homeland, but keep yourself. If you come from a long line of soldiers, be the first to hang up the sword; birth a new legacy. It's the courageous thing to do.

Never ask what difference one man can make; the man who faced the tanks in Tiananmen square, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV-tk8CrqCQ) and Gandhi, who faced down the entire British Empire, both changed the world without raising a hand.

Stop killing each other and taking advantage of everyone and find useful work; like restoring the planet you’ve helped to damage, or helping to stop further damage. Like helping restore the victims of war. Stop making wars and refuse to pay for them. We have a common enemy, and it is ourselves. Collectively redeem earth – if you can’t be raptured (and based on earlier discussion, you probably won't be), be among the meek and inherit the earth!

All the commandments really come down to one thing; betrayal. Don’t betray me, or your neighbor, or your spouse or parents. This is a good sentiment. It’s so easy for us to steal from one another, lie, kill each other; all of these are betrayals of trust.

Here are MY 12 commandments (and I didn’t get them on the mountaintop, in fact I’d appreciate hearing your votes for and against):

1. Do no harm. Not even with words. (Raise your voice, your hand, to no one) If you accidentally cause harm, apologize and seek to repair the damage.

2. Support human rights everywhere (for you, too, are human).

3. Help or please someone else for no gain at all every day.

4. Do not betray the trust of another.

5. Pair-bond with sincerity and respect.

6. Don’t take more than you need. Of anything.

7. Celebrate your curiosity and reason; they are the gift of mind; our greatest gift.

8. In your work, be in harmony with your principles.

9. Practice thankfulness, kindness, and joy.

10. Redeem the Earth.

11. Sing, dance, and/or speak in unison with others.

12. Practice mercy.

These things may be difficult to even imagine at first, but just practice, and you’ll soon discover a whole different person where you used to be; a person you can respect. Worthy things like mercy may at first be difficult, but here’s what to do; When you see someone in trouble (alcoholism, drug addiction, obesity, depression, homelessness, etc.) instead of saying “Ew,” ask yourself how that one must feel and how you can help them, not by force, but by kindness, gentleness, and patience, for their suffering is great. (Don’t tell them “get help,” or "get a job" and walk away, ask what help they need, and go with them to find it).

Stop allowing people to make a good living off your greed. Don’t go to a store until you know you can get the best price there, and don’t forget coupons. Sometimes buying directly from the manufacturer can save you a surprising amount. Human women are inherently sexy and don’t really need high shoes, plaid fingernails or perms to be appealing. Greed requires these things – most potential mates do not. Who ARE you trying to impress? Stop remaking yourself at great expense, and let people judge you by your character, and your smile, not by how much you spend trying to look like what you’re not. Frankly, I'm not a bit impressed; you require too much maintenance.

Your punishment for failing to obey these commandments is the unhappiness and eventual destruction of the whole world. Your reward for obeying is to live without shame or fear, and with full self-respect and bringing respect and joy to others. If you wish to believe in a god, believe in one who is at least as good as the best of us. Let him be a good master to his creatures, a good father to his children. Let him be one you can respect and who will respect you.

It doesn’t really matter if Yeshua is arriving in the clouds, or if fools are having a war near Meggido. It doesn’t really matter because your life itself has become a thing of beauty and a joy forever. It doesn’t matter if there’s a hell, because if you live these commandments you will become pure as snow, as innocent as a lamb. Is that just me?