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mijanI've started a public community. I don't know if this will work, or if it's doomed from the start, but feel that I have to give it a try.
In case you've been hiding under a box, there have been protests in recent days in Myanmar (small country, used to be called Burma, between China, Thailand, and Bangladesh) because the government raised the fuel prices. It sounds trite, but bear in mind that these people are amongst the poorest in the world, and can barely afford the basic necessities as it is. So, this is a huge burden on these people.
The people started peaceful protests. Marches. Trying to get the government to listen to them. And then, this:
"Witnesses said the violent crackdown came as about 100 monks defied a ban by venturing into a cordoned-off area around the Shwedagon Pagoda.
Authorities ordered the crowd to disperse, but witnesses said the monks sat down and began praying, defying the military government's ban on public assembly."
At this point, the monks were beaten and arrested. Violence began in earnest. Other protesters were assaulted. Soldiers opened fire on protesters who refused to disperse. Several people have already died, and more will follow. However, in my mind, I can't get rid of the image of these monks, sitting down to pray peacefully, and having armed soldiers descend on them to beat and assault them. (Later, the soldiers entered the monasteries and arrested more of the monks, and I'm sure they weren't treating them with kid gloves either.) The very idea of attacking a peaceful group of monks, praying... it makes me ill. These are some of the most peaceful people in the world.
So, I had an idea. What if people, of all religions, carried on what the monks were unable to do? What if we all got together to pray? And I mean EVERYONE.
If you know me, you know I'm not a religious person. I don't formally pray, at least, not in any way recognized by any of the major religions. However, I would defend anyone's right to pray in any way they wish. Indeed, I'd probably defend it to the death. There are few human rights that are more important. And I want to support that right, and to support the people of Myanmar. I started a LJ community, with the hope that people will spread this like wildfire.
Here's the community link:
the_world_prays
Please read what I had to say. Please join. Please pass it on. You don't have to be of any specific religion. You don't even need to be strictly "religious". (I'm not religious, myself.) Even if you're atheist or agnostic, but simply wish to join with other human beings in fellowship to support the people in Myanmar, come to show your support and add your voice to those crying out for peace and human rights! This is about human rights, and supporting our fellow human beings. Will you join me?
In case you've been hiding under a box, there have been protests in recent days in Myanmar (small country, used to be called Burma, between China, Thailand, and Bangladesh) because the government raised the fuel prices. It sounds trite, but bear in mind that these people are amongst the poorest in the world, and can barely afford the basic necessities as it is. So, this is a huge burden on these people.
The people started peaceful protests. Marches. Trying to get the government to listen to them. And then, this:
"Witnesses said the violent crackdown came as about 100 monks defied a ban by venturing into a cordoned-off area around the Shwedagon Pagoda.
Authorities ordered the crowd to disperse, but witnesses said the monks sat down and began praying, defying the military government's ban on public assembly."
At this point, the monks were beaten and arrested. Violence began in earnest. Other protesters were assaulted. Soldiers opened fire on protesters who refused to disperse. Several people have already died, and more will follow. However, in my mind, I can't get rid of the image of these monks, sitting down to pray peacefully, and having armed soldiers descend on them to beat and assault them. (Later, the soldiers entered the monasteries and arrested more of the monks, and I'm sure they weren't treating them with kid gloves either.) The very idea of attacking a peaceful group of monks, praying... it makes me ill. These are some of the most peaceful people in the world.
So, I had an idea. What if people, of all religions, carried on what the monks were unable to do? What if we all got together to pray? And I mean EVERYONE.
If you know me, you know I'm not a religious person. I don't formally pray, at least, not in any way recognized by any of the major religions. However, I would defend anyone's right to pray in any way they wish. Indeed, I'd probably defend it to the death. There are few human rights that are more important. And I want to support that right, and to support the people of Myanmar. I started a LJ community, with the hope that people will spread this like wildfire.
Here's the community link:
the_world_praysPlease read what I had to say. Please join. Please pass it on. You don't have to be of any specific religion. You don't even need to be strictly "religious". (I'm not religious, myself.) Even if you're atheist or agnostic, but simply wish to join with other human beings in fellowship to support the people in Myanmar, come to show your support and add your voice to those crying out for peace and human rights! This is about human rights, and supporting our fellow human beings. Will you join me?
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no subject
Date: 2007-09-27 08:15 pm (UTC)“Large numbers of people gathering together WILL show support for the people of Myanmar, and there IS strength in numbers”: Gathering on a LiveJournal community to pray to an imaginary friend and talk to each other? Makes no difference at all. Gathering to protest, and using LJ to publicise the protest? *That* would help. To the extent that the community might achieve that, as I said, I can’t object.
“You have no profile and no identity. You seem extremely random here. What brings you to my LJ?”: I have no profile and no identity because I choose not to have them, but congratulations on the detective work. ; ) I came across your entry by accident.
“Do you understand that Buddhism is not necessarily a theistic religion? Many Buddhists are atheists”: Yes, thankyou, I do know all that. So what?
What matters - more than my profile or my identity, or your intentions, or any LiveJournal community - is doing whatever can be done to help the people of Burma. I salute your good intentions, I really do, I just think that you’re not thinking things through. Wouldn’t it be a better use of your time and energy - and mine too, of course - to get off the computer and out there in the real world, where praying does no good, and it’s governments and corporations that need to be yelled at?
Anyway, I apologise if my comment(s) seemed intrusive. My intentions too were good, but I'll stop here.
no subject
Date: 2007-09-27 08:38 pm (UTC)I don't want this to be just a stupid little LJ community. I'm trying to use it like a bulletin board to put an idea out there for people to pass on. (I have a few hundred people who follow my LJ. And they have their own f-lists. It's a start.) Did you read the message I posted on that community? My suggestion to people was to GATHER in PUBLIC as a show of support for the people of Burma/Myanmar. The "praying" idea was because that's what the monks were doing when they were beaten and arrested. They were praying in public, exercising something that *should* be a basic human right, and they were mauled. I had felt that by doing what they were doing, it would be a complete show of support. Hell, I haven't technically "prayed" since I was a kid, forced to do it in school. I just figure, this is as good a reason as any.
So, yes, I'm trying to get people to gather in large numbers in protest. I'm going to post this idea in other locations, too. I run a Yahoo group of 2400 people, and while that's not enough, they live in many different countries, and have their own network of friends. I'm part of a Pagan meetup group in my city. I'm going to make some phone calls, spreading the idea around, and asking other people to spread the idea. I sent copies of the message to a few media sources to see if any of them would repeat it.
I'm going to organize a group of people in my area to gather at the Plaza (downtown) area of my city. I hope for everyone to wear red (in honor of the monks), carry a few signs to let people know what we're doing (and inviting them to join us), and try to make this into an event of cooperation between people, regardless of religion (or lack thereof). Beyond the "imaginary friend" concept... I do know that if enough people put their energy and intent into a cause, it can make a difference. An easy way for people to focus energy is to pray, but there are other ways, too. Carrying signs, waving flags, showing support for people who are struggling for their basic human needs... that helps.
Anyway, I still maintain that there is a difference between "religious" and "spiritual". A religion is an organized set of rules and dogma. I don't like organized dogmatic BS and people telling me what to believe, and will have no part in any religion. I study philosophy and matters related to spirituality out of curiosity, and I have my own private beliefs. I'm actually a scientist, first and foremost, and I don't blindly believe anything. That's all. *shrugs*
Don't worry, you didn't seem intrusive. I think you caught half of what I was saying, and didn't see all of it, perhaps. And yes, we have some differences of opinion. I have no problem with you, so no worries. I had suspected that you were a troll at first, only here to cause havoc. I apologize for my mistake.
Anyway, I've been busy all day, but I'm heading out this afternoon. I don't ever spend "all day" on the computer. Too much to do. Two jobs, plus I'm a softball coach. Joy. But, my best wishes to you. Cheers!
no subject
Date: 2007-09-27 08:46 pm (UTC)Best wishes to you too.