Thank you, Richard, for bravely articulating the questions that are churning in your heart. I am grappling with similar ones at this heartbreaking time. Your art is deeply moving, a tribute to our ancestors whose lives and stories, dreams and sorrows echo through our own. I sometimes wonder how future generations will view us as ancestors. . . keep writing, keep creating. your voice is needed.
Powerful words and images, Richard. Thank you for sharing. As with most potently good things, tribe/community have powerful shadow sides. I think recognizing and honoring that duality is the best way to find our way back into the light. Prayers for healing in Gaza and Israel.
We probably agree (a little) more than you think. I am all in favor of separation between church and state, and opposed to all forms of theocracy, whether Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. I am a staunch supporter of democracy. But the Jews are not only a religion, but a people with a shared history, language and culture. Everything I have read and been taught supports the fact that the founders of the state of Israel, the original Zionists, were adamantly non-religious. (Tragically, this has changed drastically under Netanyahu, who in an effort to save his own skin has sharply veered Israel toward theocracy). Israel was created as a refuge from anti-Semitism, with the Jewish people returning to their ancestral homeland after suffering centuries of expulsion, brutal oppression, and near extermination in Europe and the Middle East. They were also essentially written off by the U.S. in World War II and its aftermath. Fanaticism, with its black and white thinking and intolerance, whether in the form of religion or nationalism, is a cancer. As a friend pointed out in a previous comment, it is the “shadow side” of tribalism.
Now, you can ban religion and erase all the borders you want, but humans will still coalesce into groups based on blood, history, and belief. For better and worse it is part of the human condition. The question is, how can we resolve the inevitable conflicts between these groups without resorting to violence? At the end of the day, we ARE all brothers and sisters. The problem is that brothers have been killing brothers since the biblical story of Cain and Abel, and tragically, we haven't been able to figure out how to avoid that.
And one additional thought: I probably don't need to point out to you that Jews felt they had found safety and stability in Germany before Hitler came to power. Just saying.
Thank you, Richard, for bravely articulating the questions that are churning in your heart. I am grappling with similar ones at this heartbreaking time. Your art is deeply moving, a tribute to our ancestors whose lives and stories, dreams and sorrows echo through our own. I sometimes wonder how future generations will view us as ancestors. . . keep writing, keep creating. your voice is needed.
Thank you, Eva, I deeply appreciate your kind words and support. Sending you all my best, Richard
Beautifully written, Richard. We are all struggling to find a way through the unspeakable, and I appreciate your words.
Thank you so much, Alison. I appreciate your support and understanding. Sending strength and hugs to you and Diane.❤️
Powerful words and images, Richard. Thank you for sharing. As with most potently good things, tribe/community have powerful shadow sides. I think recognizing and honoring that duality is the best way to find our way back into the light. Prayers for healing in Gaza and Israel.
Thank you, Jeff, and thank you for sharing your insights. I totally agree. Sending hugs to you and Diana.❤️
Richard, thank you for your courage and tenderness in sharing your thoughts on this heartbreaking situation. Eloquent and thought-provoking as always.
Cindy, thank you so much for your kind words and support. It means a lot to me. All best wishes to you and yours.❤️
We probably agree (a little) more than you think. I am all in favor of separation between church and state, and opposed to all forms of theocracy, whether Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. I am a staunch supporter of democracy. But the Jews are not only a religion, but a people with a shared history, language and culture. Everything I have read and been taught supports the fact that the founders of the state of Israel, the original Zionists, were adamantly non-religious. (Tragically, this has changed drastically under Netanyahu, who in an effort to save his own skin has sharply veered Israel toward theocracy). Israel was created as a refuge from anti-Semitism, with the Jewish people returning to their ancestral homeland after suffering centuries of expulsion, brutal oppression, and near extermination in Europe and the Middle East. They were also essentially written off by the U.S. in World War II and its aftermath. Fanaticism, with its black and white thinking and intolerance, whether in the form of religion or nationalism, is a cancer. As a friend pointed out in a previous comment, it is the “shadow side” of tribalism.
Now, you can ban religion and erase all the borders you want, but humans will still coalesce into groups based on blood, history, and belief. For better and worse it is part of the human condition. The question is, how can we resolve the inevitable conflicts between these groups without resorting to violence? At the end of the day, we ARE all brothers and sisters. The problem is that brothers have been killing brothers since the biblical story of Cain and Abel, and tragically, we haven't been able to figure out how to avoid that.
And one additional thought: I probably don't need to point out to you that Jews felt they had found safety and stability in Germany before Hitler came to power. Just saying.