Racism and peace.

OMG, this is such a big subject!

The huge majority of people in this country (although not necessarily in the world as a whole) just want to get on with their lives and rub along with people from other cultures and religions. The problems arise when people, of any race or religion, take extremist views that harm other people. Then this escalates the problems.

The people who perpetrated the atrocities of 9/11 and 7/7 did so in the name of religion, but they were a small, misguided minority. The problem is that other people see this as a reason to hate Islam - a religion that actually condems violence.

I don't pretend to know the answer to this. I just know that I don't have a racist bone in my body and if everybody took the same view things might be much better.

Violence is not allowed at all, because whoever they are, they killed so many people, there could have been english,indians, muslims,jews and chinese people there.

Well Sunflower, your points are admirable. But you know, the problem of people not respecting each other is not just about race, colour or creed, it's everywhere nowadays, between people in general. I believe that since Victorian times ( when respect was an institution ), we have gradually become self-centred where survival of the fittest seems to reign. The fact that the world has 'shrunk' by quicker, cheaper international travel, and the immigration that has followed, we have all become so aware of becoming a rich multi-cultural society instead of simply being 'white and indigenously British'. As the country fills up, tensions rise and we often see this as racism whereas in fact ( in my opinion ) it's just 'people tension'. I mean you never see racism in a class of five year olds, do you. Why? Because they know no different at that age. You would think that growing into adults would reinforce the ability to respect but sadly it doesn't. But to answer your point as to what can be done to promote peace, it needs to come from education and yes, from the age of five upwards. In my life, I have met some real class black people. I am also aware that many black people feel vulnerable because they are black. That is so wrong and we urgently need to get that education in place to protect that precious peace among all men. There is good and bad in all of us, for sure but racism is downright evil and there are excellent laws of the land to recognise that. I applaud what you say.

I've been all over the world; cultures interest me but often confuse! your dead right smarty, we all need to realise we are just here for a little while, and should love each other! tollerance is not a word I like; I much prefer acceptance! if you only tollerate something, you have to put up with it. if you accept something, then, thats a different thing!
regards religeon, christians, moslems et al, well its a spiritual thing! moslems and christians worship the same God, we have different beliefs re: our prophets, but worship alla, yahway, god, our lord; call him what you like but as long as we thank and praise him. yes smarty, how do we have peace?

hello miss sunflower I think peace will come when people are not greedy and are willing to share and help each other, and also people learn about science and how life started like evolution of species and big bang.

Peace will come eventually 20/12/2012.
lol

Religion kills unfortunately.

Although I must say Buddhism doesnt seem to generate negative vibes!

If you actually think about it - if lets just say there is nothing more than we have now just our own lives - doesnt it seem such a waste to blow yourself up , commit suicide or do anything counter productive to a good life!

If people cast aside religion and just thought this is my life its all i have - i wont see any of my family or friends or anything else once i have gone im sure you would all make the very very best of our lives and what we have in this moment in time!

One of the most touching scenes and greatest quotes from a film i have ever seen was :-

"All those moments will be lost in time; like tears in rain."

Ok name the movie , the actor and the character.
No prizes just a virtual pat on the back!
I bet Fruity or G-Man get it first!

But the thought there is something after this life makes people believe they can do what they want here and now as there is always the hereafter and something else.

If everyone became Buddhist it would solve a lot of problems

Indeed Buddhism is one of the few religions I have seen that engenders harmony with oneself and the enivronment and others and actually does seem to work.

I learned meditation and relaxation techniques in a Buddhist monastery in Thailand for two weeks during my treks to far flung places and my goodness it was a revelation , it does actually give something to the human aura/soul.

Hari hari rama - rama classic...