Trade Radical Ideology for Radical Compassion

It goes without saying that it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day stuff, leaving some of the more broader issues on the proverbial back burner of our mind, right? I mean, we all have bills to pay, mouths to feed, and other various needs to be met. Especially for those who are financially restricted, it can become even more daunting to stay informed. I imagine those with great resources can probably divert more attention to more “frivolous” things, like world politics. But who knows. With money comes other types of problems, or so “they” say.

After going through treatment, I found waking up in the morning to be very difficult. A cup of coffee helps, but while that kicks in, I like to check the latest headlines. News on TV is more opinion than journalism, and it’s all biased and creates echo chambers. For that reason, I like to read articles on my phone. I find it easier to parse the news from opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate an opinion or two here and there. After all, this blog is most certainly an opinion blog, isn’t it?

When I wake up, I like to see the latest developments around the world. Whether it’s keeping up with advancements in technology and artificial intelligence, or seeing what’s going on politically in the United States and abroad. Mind you, these days, I take my U.S. politics in small doses. For that reason, much of what I find myself reading about deals with other countries.

I hate to bring up the Arab nations, particularly near the Gaza Strip. Long ago, I was told that there has always been conflict there, and always will be. I took that information at face value for a long time and just disregarded what was going on there. I mean, imagine if you have a few children and two of them are always butting heads. It’s going to make the next fight feel less important because there are so many, right? So you begin to ignore them and let them work their own differences out. You grow numb to it, to some degree. And I think the same could be said for how many people view the conflicts surrounding the so-called holy lands.

However, I’ve never lost an interest or passion for spirituality, and in that I find the conflicts between those states to be integral to a fully developed spiritual understanding. So much of our belief systems today originate from that region. For example, it’s factually reasonable to say that Zoroastrianism is among the earliest known religions with a clearly articulated monotheistic framework, centered on Ahura Mazda as the supreme, uncreated god. This belief system very likely influenced the later development of the Abrahamic religions.

If you’re unfamiliar with religions, the Abrahamic ones are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. They trace their spiritual lineage back to Abraham. In simplified terms, Jewish tradition identifies descent through Isaac, while Islamic tradition traces lineage through Ishmael. Christianity later emerges from Jewish tradition and theology. I’m no religious scholar, but I think that’s a broadly accurate way to describe where we are today. And that leads me into the more specific topic of this post, the feud between the followers of Abraham.

The primary reason these groups continue to fight today is largely tied to control over land that holds deep religious, cultural, and historical significance to each faith. It’s unfortunate that these sacred places couldn’t exist in opposite corners of the world. That would probably alleviate some of the tension. But that is not the reality we’re dealing with.

I haven’t done a full deep dive into this, so I may run parts of this through a fact checker prior to publishing. That said, my understanding is that prior to World War II, the region known as Palestine was under British control, and the Gaza Strip was part of that territory. Jewish communities existed throughout the world, often as minorities within other nations. After World War II and the Holocaust, international agreements led to the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948, with land partitioned from the former British Mandate. This decision displaced many Palestinian Arabs and laid the groundwork for the ongoing conflict.

When I open the news today, I see day after day articles showing atrocities occurring in the Gaza Strip. I’m sorry, but I have to be very frank with how I feel, and I don’t think this is the time for polite pleasantries. That land does not belong to any single nation. That land belongs to all of mankind. And the reason I say that is because the sites being so fiercely contested have had an immense influence on the development of the world. Without those lands, we would all be living very different lives.

I have been thinking about how shamefully many Israelis and Evangelicals are acting. Selfish. For the Israeli state to carry out mass civilian casualties and forcibly displace Palestinian people from their homes is unconscionable. Especially when you consider how long Jewish people themselves lived without a homeland and endured persecution. Now that a state exists, how is peaceful coexistence not the priority? And I get it, Muslims are not without blame. But there is a very real power imbalance here, especially with Israel receiving strong political and military support from Evangelical Christians in the United States.

I am not overly familiar with Judaism or Islam, but I am fairly versed in the teachings attributed to Jesus that do not involve the manipulation or control of people. Those elements feel more like the teachings of institutions, not their Christ. WWJD is a popular phrase in the United States, meaning “What Would Jesus Do.” And while many claim to live by that standard, I feel it’s dishonest for the majority of people who identify as Christian.

I can’t speak for Jesus Christ, but I can say that his teachings consistently emphasize radical compassion. He likely would have opened his home, or land, to anyone in need. He would have seen past the differences. He would have turned this moment into a lesson in compassion, not hatred. But that is not what many Christians seem to want. They want salvation. They want a reckoning. They want their souls secured for heaven. I hate to break it to them, but that attitude feels selfish and completely misaligned with the teachings they claim to follow.

A true follower of Christ would ask for more time on this planet to spread love and compassion. They would strive to do so not just in word, but in action. I understand that Jews do not follow the teachings of Christ, but I would be shocked if compassion were absent from their scriptures. And even if someone argues otherwise, Jewish history alone should compel reflection and application of the Golden Rule.

As I see it, those who claim to be faithful should recognize that they are all worshipping the same God. The God of Abraham. While the stories of prophets differ, they are still stories attempting to describe the same divine source. If you truly believe there is only one God, then it logically follows that anyone who believes in that same singular God is worshipping the same entity. So what are we really fighting over? Words written in books, or land where events happened long ago? Religion is being used to fuel war, while the very doctrines being cited fundamentally oppose such actions.

Yes, there are passages in scripture that call followers to take up arms. But I believe true faith requires a critical examination of those systems. These texts are ancient. They have passed through countless hands, translations, and political interests. Especially within Christianity, the sheer number of versions and interpretations of the Bible should make it obvious that human influence is involved. We must read these texts with discernment. What resonates, and what doesn’t? What does not resonate with me is anything that promotes division, cruelty, or contempt for others.

I choose to follow systems and beliefs that prioritize compassion, love, understanding, and forgiveness. I don’t take on the label of any one religion. Instead, I allow the Golden Rule to guide how I move through life. I’m not perfect, but it’s what I strive toward.

The Golden Rule says we should treat others how we want to be treated. That includes the negatives too. I do not want to be bombed on a holiday night while sitting in my home with my family. I do not want to be forcibly evicted from my land. I do not want my culture erased. And neither does anyone else.

What truly lit a fire under me was reading that Israel is now heavily restricting humanitarian aid into Gaza. Organizations like Doctors Without Borders are being denied access. That contradicts the entire purpose of humanitarian aid. This brings me deep disappointment. It brings shame upon the state of Israel, upon Christians who support this unconditionally, and upon all who call themselves children of Abraham. Anyone who supports cruelty or collective punishment should sit with that shame and seriously re-evaluate their values. If you claim to be Christian, Jewish, or Muslim, yet support war and civilian suffering, then you are acting in opposition to your own faith. You are the reason I do not call myself religious. You are lost in ego and far from the salvation your prophets spoke of.

I think we all, myself included, need to re-evaluate our positions and values, especially when it comes to conflict. We need to ask what the best possible course of action actually is. With that said, I hold all those suffering in any form of strife in my prayers. And I pray that all children of Abraham find truth, because I believe truth, and truth alone, can bring Peace to the World.

Take care.

Edit: In this post I said Evangelicals but meant Zionists. Sorry for the confusion.