To Prevent An Upwelling Of Prejudice And Hate Jane Shevtsov (9-01)

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To Prevent An Upwelling
Of Prejudice And Hate
Jane Shevtsov

From: "Jane Shevtsov"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Cc: [suppressed]
Subject: Thoughts for Today
Date: September 12, 2001 12:49 AM

Graphic Rule

"Whenever our ethnic or national prejudices are aroused, in times of scarcity, during challenges to national self-esteem or nerve, when we agonize about our diminished cosmic place and purpose, or when fanaticism is bubbling up around us-then, habits of thought familiar from ages past reach for the controls. The candle flame gutters. Its little pool of light trembles. Darkness gathers. The demons begin to stir." (Carl Sagan, Demon-Haunted World)

Graphic Rule

Needless to say, today's events are a great tragedy, a human tragedy not confined merely to the United States. Thousands of human beings died. Now we must work to help the injured and the families of those who were injured or lost their lives. We must work to see that those responsible are brought to justice and that such an attack never happens again -- anywhere. But most of all, as ordinary people, we must work to prevent an upwelling of prejudice and hate. We do not know for sure who is responsible for the attacks -- perhaps Osama bin Laden, perhaps domestic terrorists, perhaps somebody else. We must not form our conclusions too hastily. We had been wrong before. As governments try to locate and punish the guilty, it is our duty to protect the innocent.

Graphic Rule

"Our loyalties are to the species and the planet. We speak for Earth. Our obligation to survive is owed not just to ourselves but also to that Cosmos, ancient and vast, from which we spring." (Carl Sagan, Cosmos)

Graphic Rule

These are from the singer and songwriter Jackson Browne.

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"God is great, God is good
He guards your neighborhood
Though it's generally understood
Not quite the way you would
You try to take up the slack
Stay awake and watch his back
Something happens every now and then
Someone breaks into the promised land"
-- "Soldier of Plenty"

"They call him by the "Prince of Peace"
And they call him by "The Saviour"
And they pray to him upon the sea
And in every bold endeavor
As they fill his churches with their pride and gold
And their faith in him increases
But they've turned the nature that I worshipped in
From a temple to a robber's den
In the words of the rebel Jesus"
-- "The Rebel Jesus"

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