Standing up for Others

Why should you do that?

It is inspiring to see those who stand up for others.

Standing up for others is the right thing to do, every human goes through a period of invincibility to vulnerability, if we don't stand up for those who are vulnerable, then who will stand up for us when we are vulnerable?

Father Moon emphasizes the idea, "Living for the sake of others" indeed there is a lot of wisdom in it as Martin Niemoller also reflects it in his eternal poem, "first they came for the Jews, I wasn't a Jew, so I did not say a thing, then they came for Communists, I didn't care, I wasn't a communist, then he concludes, then they came for me and it shattered me to know that there was no one left to speak up for me."

The idea of alms, charity, taking care of the elderly, weak, sick and the children is a common theme in every religious tradition. It is indeed an insurance for every one's well being. I cannot be at peace when others around me aren't, and hence it behooves me to take care of the ones who need assistance.

Admiring Father Moon, I have stood up for Jews, Catholics, Ahmadiyyas, Immigrants, Hindus, Falun Dafa, Zoroastrians, Muslims, Native Americans, Christians, Baha'i, Wicca, Sikh and other identities of humanity. It is the right thing to do.
On Saturday, September 4, 2010 in Houston at the interfaith symposium at the Ahmadiyya Mosque, I quoted Father Moon's drive, "Living for the sake of others" and expanded on it. We don't have to do it for God, or even claim it to be the noble" thing to do. We have to do it, because it is the right thing to do. That is also the wisdom from Bhagvad Gita. Keep doing the work and let the creator decide which way it goes, but don't look for the fruit, your job is to just do it.

Twice in my life I have seen Mahatma Gandhi, the first time was when I was in College around 1971, when Mahatma Gandhi, the vice-chancellor of Bangalore University Sri V. Narsimaiah and I were having a dinner together and Mahatma puts his hands on my shoulders and says, "tujhe bahut kaam karna hai beta", you have a lot of work to do son, and again around 2003, he appears in my dreams and with the same affectionate hand (as my Dad's), he pats on my back, "you have to do it"... the only thing I consistently get from this message was the work of Pluralism, help me God, I am committed to do.

Today, I received a note from John Halsey, Dallas ACLC (American Clergy leadership conference) how we would not let go of a Minister's negative remarks towards Muslims. Then the thought of putting together some the of work I have done came to my mind, and here it is, by the next week, I will have most of the work listed. Thank you John.

I am pleased to be a part of Dallas Peace Center and it feels like home to me, every one around is about justice and peace and that is such a hope giving environment to witness.