The Golden Dawn Blog

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Peace, not An Eye for an Eye (Reply to Morgan Eckstein)

by David Griffin

assuming the God Form of...
Mahatma Gandhi

"An eye for an eye...
...makes the whole world blind."
- Mahatma Ghandi

Morgan Eckstein wrote:

"I apologize upfront for anything that you decide is offensive in my latest blog post."

What can I say to this except:

"Apology accepted for all hurt and animosity...

... real or imagined...

...both past and present!"

Let us begin by understanding that we are not "enemies." Instead, you and I are merely people with a different vision of the future (different personal philosophies). If you were to accept our vision today, or if I would accept your vision, we would be friends tomorrow.

I deeply appreciate your words of apology written above. The cultivation of understanding and peace, however, requires not only words, but also actions. For years now, I have not only read your words, but I have also observed your actions.

In the process, even though we disagree about many things, I have nonetheless come to respect and admire you as a principled individual with a coherent personal philosophy. My only criticism is you allow yourself to be moved by passion at times to act in a way inconsistent with your own high standards - For example, your recent promotion of anonymous hate blogs by linking to them from your blog, and publishing comments on the hate blogs themselves.

But you do not need me to tell you this. You already know your philosophy and high standards far better than I do, as well as when you are not always able to fully live up to them. Let us therefore put negativity behind us and endeavor together to move forward to more fully embrace peace and love.

Morgan wrote:

"I believe that it is better to admit that I am struggling with making peace with the HOGD/AO than to just disappear and never write about Golden Dawn again."

I appreciate your struggle with peace and commend you for your emotional honesty. Letting go of old hurt and animosity is always a challenge.

Let's face reality though.

Even though the internet is a wonderful tool, it is also very impersonal. How can one ever be sure about others, especially about an entire order full of others, that one has never yet even met in person?

If ever there is to be true and lasting peace in our community, it must be rooted in personal experience. I invite you therefore yet again to come and share food, magic, and good times with us at Golden Dawn Pow Wow.

Why not wait to make up your mind about us until you have met us, looked us in the eye, sat down with us, and yes, even shared with us?

These are things that true and lasting peace is made of.

Golden Dawn Pow Wow 2013