PEACE!

“For servants of the most gracious, they who walk gently on earth and who, whenever the foolish address them, reply with peace.” Sura 25, Verse 63 of the Quran

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the Children of God.” Matthew 5:9 of the Holy Bible

Word that some 25 people have been killed at the Red Cross in Iraq is disturbing. We must all remember that the root culture and root religions of the world, including Islam and Christianity call for peace, not random murder.

It is the compelling events of this world that caused me to feel driven to write my book: FLOWERS FACING THE SUN.

In that book I wrote:

“…history has shown that religious and political terrorism is almost impossible to eliminate. Religious fanatics of nearly every religion have their history stained with the blood of religious violence.”

Then I wrote:

“ONE WOULD THINK THAT THOSE DEMONSTRATING FOR PEACE WOULD BE THE MOST DEVOUT, THE MOST SPIRITUAL, THE PREACHERS AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS. YET THE PROMINENT RELIGIOUS VOICES IN THE WEST HAVE BEEN LARGELY SILENT. THOSE IN THE EAST HAVE BEEN VOCAL, BUT FOR VIOLENCE. HOW HAVE THEY FORGOTTEN THE LESSONS OF PEACE THAT ALL RELIGIOUS LEADERS TEACH?”

We see the news photos and weep with sorrow, at the murder of those humanitarian workers, Red Cross Volunteers, there to save lives and help people. These were people who went there, not with guns, but people who repudiated violence and weapons but came to Iraq in love for humanity. The murder, misery and deaths that have occurred in Iraq over the past year continue to increase in savagery. By all reports, violence is increasing, not decreasing in Iraq since the war was declared “over” months ago. Every death in Iraq is a tragedy, in that each death was probably unnecessary.

It is important for you to know of my hopes and deep yearnings. I hope that my new book, as it winds its way around the world, provides some impetus for peace, and charity among mankind. I can’t express how important that is to me. I instructed my staff to even distribute books free to key people of influence, if it would encourage peace.

Our book was detained at Los Angeles, x-rayed, boxes opened, and supposedly certified to be clear of weapons of mass destruction. We were very concerned, because our national book release date of October 30th was coming so near. Only after the Dallas Morning News contacted federal agencies about a story they were doing on it, did the government inspectors suddenly decide to “release” the books. We wonder at a world wherein even a shipment of books must be inspected by hand, for fear of weapons of terror. Or were they held for fear that the call for peace was so compelling? I consider far more “terrible” the murders and deaths I see around the world. It is a global disgrace that intellectuals, clerics, ministers and priests, have been cowed and intimidated into silence in an effort to be “politically correct”. Where are our spiritual leaders and our lay people now…when we need them to keep this world from hurtling into a religious war!?

If you agree and wish to help in a small way, please get a copy of my book and put it in the right hands. Perhaps to a teacher, minister, politician, broadcast person, business leader. Perhaps if we can get a compelling message out…perhaps we can start at the basic foundation…at the level of the minds of the world. Start with peaceful ideas! A few of those ideas are in the book: FLOWERS FACING THE SUN by Ben Boothe. ISBN #1-878162-07-1.

The books can be ordered at Amazon Books, or if you want a personalized autographed copy, go to:

www.gift-treasures.com/flfasuntemre.html

Or hit the link where the book cover is at: www.bootheglobalperspectives.com

Peace!