A Prayer For The Enlightenment Of Mankind

    Suddenly, it became clear to me that this cycle may never end! That these people, and millions of others as well, were caught in a cycle of violence and hatred that could never be resolved! It became clear to me that this was the driving force behind the volatile conditions in the Middle East. That, and the belief that "God" not only condones retaliation but demands it, as a Holy "Rite". I saw how these men and boys wrapped themselves in the power of their hatred and anger and were convinced that this was a "Holy Power". I saw the real meaning of the Middle Eastern word, "Jihad". A Jihad is a Holy War against the enemies of God. A Jihad is also a religious driven ritual of violence, terrorism and holy hatred.
    The Jihad is based upon the Mid-Eastern perceptions of God. I can not say whether their perceptions are right or wrong, I can only compare them to my own perceptions. I can not say that mine are based in any more "truth" than those of Middle Eastern religions. I can say that the God of my perceptions would not want me to remain in a constant state of anger, hate and grief. I think that my God wants only love, joy and productivity for me. I think the reason I don't have these things in my life, all the time, is not because of what others have done to me, but rather because of the choices I have made in respect to my responses to what has happened to me.
    Some of these choices are made on an unconscious level, having been imprinted upon my response system from infancy. Also, I may have had no choice, as to my environment, my schooling, my religious training and my family life. All of these, in turn determine my automatic responses to conditions and events in my life. Most certainly, my perceptions of the world, other people, and my God are definitely determined by these factors. Still, as I grew and became more educated, I had an opportunity to make other choices, within a much broader environment. I began to realize that other individuals have had a different experience within their families, within their religions, within their minds. I have the opportunity to adjust my perceptions as well as my responses to my environment. I have the opportunity to test other ways

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