To be or not to be ...

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing
- Edmund Burke

I read a forwarded e-mail today that made me realize how important it is to be counted and to have done the necessary and right thing in order to make a positive difference in the society in which we live.

A portion of the email content reads:

It is a matter of history that when the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower found the victims of the death camps, he ordered all possible photographs to be taken and for the German people from the surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead. He did this he said, in words to this effect; "Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the track of history some ******* will get up and say that this never happened.

This week, the UK removed the Holocaust from its school curriculum because it "offended" the Muslim population because they say it never occurred.

This is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easy each country is giving into it.

It is now more than 60 years since the 2nd World War in Europe ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the 6 million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, starved, burned and humiliated while German and Russian people looked the other way!

Now more than ever, with Iran among others, claiming the Holocaust to be a myth, it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets.

I realized that either way, our actions or non actions will make a difference. The question is what sort of difference would we want to make.

I am also reminded that we each have our convictions on various matters. Each may not share the same convictions as the other.

Consider the story of Esther and how God placed her in places of influence where she could and thankfully, did get counted. Yes. She shivered. She feared. She fasted. She prayed. She did all she knew and had courage to do. God worked through a life submitted to him and she made a difference for a people and a nation ...

"If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14, NIV)

May righteousness and truth prevail. May the kingdom of God that stands for love, joy and peace come, and God's will be done. May we find courage do what is right for such a time as this.

Disclaimer: This is not a post about race or religion, rather it's about certain values and principles that I believe cultivate a positive and progressive people and nation.