What Say You?

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
George Santayana

“People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.”
James Baldwin

“It [Democracy] is a great word, whose history, I suppose, remains unwritten, because that history has yet to be enacted”
Anthony Whitman

“History, despite its wrenching pain,
Cannot be unlived, but if faced
With courage, need not be lived again.”
Maya Angelou

“The use of language is all we have to pit against death and silence.”
Joyce Carol Oates

 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

 If you consider yourself a Christian and rationalize racism and hatred, please do us all a favor and stop calling yourself a Christian.  If we truly are one nation under God, it is time for the silent majority to speak up…

 

By Lilka Finley Raphael

Author, Editor, Gardner, Photographer, Pharmacist

27 comments

  2. “If you consider yourself a Christian and rationalize racism and hatred, please do us all a favor and stop calling yourself a Christian.”

    Well said, Lilka. Amen and amen. My son did his master’s thesis on the theology of the 19th century South on slavery. It’s pretty appalling, which shows you can make up any false doctrine you want by twisting Scripture to your own agenda.

    It’s time we actually started following Jesus and walked in other-centered, self-giving love. There is no excuse for any form of racism or hatred.
    Blessings to you.

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    1. Hey Mel, I read your response just as a Klansman was on the local news justifying why he wants to burn a cross in front of Stone Mountain. He cited the burning of the cross referenced Christianity.
      Whose Christianity?!!!
      I’m going to have to stop watching the news or I’ll go crazy. One older family member who has been through marches and the segregation is having a hard time with the events of last weekend.
      Christianity has been skewed and warped through the ages. I can guess your son got more than expected when he dug deep into his research.
      Only self-giving love can change this. I pray it changes but I’m not so sure. I know many people dismiss this weekend to a small bunch of extremists but my fear is that this bunch may not be so small based on varied responses I’ve seen.
      Regardless, B Blessed and as always thanks for stopping by and taking time to comment. We can only pray a change gone come 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thanks so much! I always enjoy seeing you stop by!! 🙂
      It wasn’t my intention to post about all the crazy because my head was throbbing but my fingers got in the way!! Take care and thanks for taking time to comment. I pray God uses this weekend to promote a greater good. I think this was a wake up call for many and hopefully a call to action. Peace to you! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Yes, Heather, I call it my “photo therapy!” When I began this blog years ago, my mother purchased a camera for me as a Christmas gift! I’ve been hooked ever since. I am self taught for the most part with much to learn. Photography has become a huge stress reliever and creative outlet. Thanks for stopping by and taking time to comment! 🙂

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      1. How wonderful. It’s been therapeutic for me as well. Difficult to find time in my current life season (mom of teens), but I really enjoy photos – both taking them and viewing good ones. So fun!!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I totally get it. I have an 18 year old and a 19 year old, will be an empty nester in a week. Lots of times the laundry (and a few other things) did not get done… 😉 But they soon figured out I was a lot nicer after spending time outdoors! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Indeed. Maybe this tragedy will prompt more people to call it what it is. I hope that poor woman’s death is not just another murder but instead a catalyst for change. We’ll see.

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  8. I agree with you but people will hold onto negative racist beliefs because they feel threatened by others who don’t look like them. That’s how stereotypes have persisted. They change the facts to fit their reality. I read the below article and it is not really funny when you think about the thousands of people who espouse and will kill for their twisted beliefs.

    http://babylonbee.com/news/hilarious-white-supremacist-thinks-hes-christian/

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  9. If the silent speak up I sure hope they are walking with, reading the Word, and taking direction from the Spirit of love and truth. Then it will be a joyful noise unto the Lord. May the Lord revive the desire to know God in a rich relationship manor. Wonderful post, keep up the good work friend.
    Denny

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thank you! It is the voice of God’s people that should be heard, our praises and living in a manner that demonstrates love for our brother/neighbor I would hope to drown out and overwhelm the increasing propensity for hate that appears to be spreading. Thanks so much for taking time to stop by and comment! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. It is so strange that when we get past our God given skin color that we all were made Very Good in the Image of God, all the same. Have we forgotten this truth? Then we give that minor color difference to evil so we can have a poor excuse to hate someone. We really need a God empowered revival of God’s Love in our heart and soul. I have been praying for this for a long time. Feel free to join me I welcome your fellowship in this burden i have.

        Your Brother,
        Denny

        Liked by 1 person

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