 |
The way to fight world terrorism is not by
perpetuating more violence, but by eliminating its root causes: poverty, social
inequality, a lack of education, and a lack of respect for human rights.
Moreover, the importance of religion must be deemphasized. According to the
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization “violence
begins from the mind.” This means removing children from violent circumstances,
and raising the world’s children in healthy, safe environments, making sure
they have a good primary education, and are free from religious influences.
For those who say, “good words, but
poverty, social inequality, a lack of education, and a lack of respect for
human rights has been going on since the beginning of time. It’s in the Old
Testament. We can control it but we can't eliminate it.” I say, we must free
ourselves, particularly our children, from the religious influences that
dictate over reason and conscience.
I am always reminded of the quote of
George Bernard Shaw, famously referenced by RFK, “You see things; and you say,
‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?’" We
should always ask ourselves that question: “Why not.” Why can't we change the
course of terrorism has taken by eliminating its causes, and maybe not
eliminate it but significantly marginalize it.
Copyright © Horatio Green 2016
