Commentary

Because the fifth Buddhist precept specifically says, “I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins …” I chose not to take this precept. I have a sweet tooth. I drink. I watch trash TV sometimes and knew this is a vow I would break from time to time.

The invisible hand operates unencumbered. Earth warms, fueled by greed. The hand ignores environmental and human costs. Earth is not a shareholder.

FāVS.News is a social web that contributes to the social fabric of our region and beyond.

Among Christians of all stripes, the lines between dominionism, nationalism and fascism are not only increasingly blurred — they are increasingly irrelevant. They all oppose the good news of freedom in Christ and Christ alone.

I do care deeply about truth and accuracy. I am a big fan of justice, but not justice at the cost of truth. There must be measured research and investigation for all the facts, not rumor and supposition. In addition, I know how damaging journalism as a profession can be to people. Just the scope of certain news stories damage people’s lives — especially people being charged with crimes.

I consider both Rumi, creator of the Whirling Dervish Ceremony I witnessed, and Mother Mary to be unique bridge-builders between Christians and Muslims.

We too quickly let language stand in our way of what we want to say. And I’m not just talking about the languages from cultural or ethnic backgrounds. We who speak English as our primary language too quickly subvert communication with each other when our personal attitude reveals we don’t really want to communicate with “certain other people.”