Can Hate Be Transformed Into Love?

The Tragedy of May 18th and Beyond…

Contributed by Andra Baylus, the Meher Baba Community

Dear Friends,

Our world is filled with joys and sorrows. It is important to acknowledge both. The ancient Chinese philosophical concept of Yin and Yang certainly exists. It is how we greet each occurrence that determines how it will affect our private lives, if personal, or make an imprint upon humanity if an incident becomes known to the public. Surely, the tragic death of 5 people at the Islamic Center of San Diego has registered in our hearts and minds, not only as a hate crime, but as a crime against the ideal that our democracy holds of a society free to worship as we please and to peacefully assemble.

What is called for at this moment?

Bishop Budde, of the Christian faith and Rabbi Shankman of the Jewish faith responded by speaking up for their Muslim brothers and sisters who are suffering; not only due to the death of their fellow congregants but also the loss of their treasured safety in practicing their religious tradition of prayer within their mosque. They knew that all faiths are now at risk and that we must stand up for one another – that any act of violence on one community’s house of worship injures us all. They affirmed their friendship “with those across the wide spectrum of religious life,” and further affirmed “to promote and protect each faith tradition’s rightful place” in our society.

I encourage us all to thoughtfully read their statement and their suggestions. More importantly, see how we can reach across the abyss of religious silos we sometimes create and to extend the hand of friendship with an invitation to join in our diverse religious celebrations and experience our diverse religious cultures.

For it is only that when we give…we receive. When we receive, we say, as in Psalm 23:5 in the Bible, “My cup runneth over.” And when we feel more abundance, love, compassion and kindness than we can possibly hold – then we naturally, in turn, want to give back. Giving love and extending the hand of friendship is truly the impetus to embracing each man and each woman as our beloved brother and our beloved sister in the Family of Humanity.

Link to Budde and Shankman Statement:  https://mariannbudde.substack.com

This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.