ARTICLE SUMMARIESBelow please find a short
summary of each article, a link to the full text, and publishing credits. Those offered free of charge require my permission to be published and must include my byline and a link to this site. All other articles are offered for sale. Copyright © by Robert A. Kezer. All rights reserved. No portion of these articles may be reproduced – mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying - without written permission of the author. An Agenda for Peace (593) SUMMARY: This article suggests that by remaining loyal to ancient scripture we sabotage any real chance of finding peace. It argues that our hope for reducing violence in the world resides with revising religious documents to reflect the parental nature of God, bringing women fully into all decision making, and supporting the end of nationalism through the formation of a global representative democracy. Determining Secular Guidelines for Abortion (740) SUMMARY: This article presents rational guidelines to abortion based on secular law. It takes into account the rights and responsibilities of the child, mother, father, and society. Enacting Religious Tolerance (737) SUMMARY: This article explores the meaning of religious tolerance and discusses how this concept can only work in secular societies bound by bills of rights that protect all citizens from majority rule. It shows how ancient dogma continues to fuel the fires separating people and hinders our ability to find peace. The conclusion calls for religious moderates to assume the leadership of their respective faiths and to initiate a new era of increased tolerance through reforming the working texts used to train new adherents. The Need to Publicly Fund Healthcare, Education, and the Electoral Process (wd: 1600) SUMMARY: This article offers compelling reasons why healthcare, education, and the electoral process should be publicly funded if we hope to resolve the global issues framing today’s world. Changes to Israeli School Books Are Not Enough (wd: 1309) Summary: This article refutes the concept of Zionism and promotes a secular Israeli state. The definitions of what it means to be Arab or Jew are clarified and the argument suggests that the Israeli “war of independence” was more the occupation of Palestine than it was a fight against oppression. While presenting the Zionists as the original aggressors, it also shows how Israel can take the lead in guiding the Middle East to peace. Rewriting Scripture: Bringing Our Holy Books Current (wd: 2346) First paragraph: The sacred writings supporting the religions stemming from Abraham – Islam, Judaism, and Christianity – all state people should both love and fear their Creator. More than just causing confusion, this contradiction has set the stage for continual war. The civilizations based on these religions have patterned themselves after the construct of a wrathful God - one that justifies violence as acceptable. Global peace remains unattainable. Teaching people to fear God has anchored humanity in the past and restricted our spiritual evolution. While our ability to kill one another escalates, our knowledge of how to get along remains stagnant. We do not have to follow this model: we can choose love over fear and create an environment from which peace can result. The Need for Progressive Religion (wd: 1582) Summary: This article examines the destructive nature of dogma and how it has retarded humanity’s spiritual evolution: our responsibility to stay current is emphasized over dictates to abide by ancient constructs. It is suggested that our survival depends on our race maturing in concert with our advances in technological ability. Religious diversity is embraced and antagonism between the faiths rejected: argument is made that all scripture contains error and that clergy have the responsibility to update religious documents to keep pace with humanity’s evolution. A religious treaty that places all faiths equal under a single Supreme Being is proposed, and it is shown that this responsibility to embrace our unity resides first with the memberships of the various faiths. NOTE: To be published in the fall 2007 edition of the Ashé Journal of Experimental Spirituality. On Good and Evil (wd: 1145) Summary: This article explores the relationship between good and evil, and shows how our understanding of these concepts conditions our effectiveness when working for positive social change. The dynamics of fear and love as they manifest in our world are examined, as well as how these polarities relate to people’s vision of God. It is suggested that breaking the cycles of violence comprising our history is the people’s responsibility, and that this will only come through humanity reaching a higher level of spiritual awareness – one that recognizes love as the binding force of the universe and our Creator as the perfection of eternal truth, divine beauty, and infinite goodness. Publishing credits include: New Age Journal Playing Our Part (wd: 831- Publish free with permission) Summary: “Playing Our Part” addresses how the average person can best participate in the effort toward a non-violent world. The fundamental constructs of fear and love are examined, as well as why we choose either base from which to make our decisions. Relating today’s violence to ancient ways of viewing God, a more refined image of Deity is offered. People are challenged to accept responsibility for their own growth, and are given hope humanity can evolve to where peace has its first true chance. Publishing credits include: Aquarius: A Sign of the Times New Age Journal The Zoo Fence Deciding Peace (wd: 560 - Publish free with permission) Summary: For many people the concept of global peace is so big they often feel unable to participate. Deciding Peace reduces the scale of the issue and examines it through our fundamental constructs of fear and love. Readers are helped to better understand the evolutionary requirements for peace and how to direct this growth in their lives. Publishing credits include: Spirituality and Community Edge Life: A Holistic Journal New Connexion Spiritlincs Praying for Peace (wd: 563) Summary: “Praying for Peace” examines prayer and its most effective use in the effort to bring about a non-violent world. |