Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein

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Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein

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Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/25/2008 12:25:59 PM

Trilley

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He was viciously murdered. Hung. Please keep him in your prayers.

Post #: 1

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/25/2008 3:43:44 PM

Hildegard

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From: Chicago
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Welcome to the forum, Dave!

I don't know what moves you to this prayer request at this time. As a believer I am asked to love my enemies, which does not mean I have to like them, approve of what they do or agree with them, but to pray for what is good for them. So I commend Saddam Hussein to God's mercy and justice.

With every good wish,
Edda

_____________________________

Peace and joy!

Post #: 2

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/25/2008 4:53:14 PM

sharon

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From: England
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I don't know how anyone could possibly want to light candles for Saddam Hussein. He deserved to be hung for what he did, what about all the innocent people who were murdered on his say so and under his reign. He was an evil person and fully deserved the death penalty and I'm not going to waste any of my time feeling sorry for him for what happened to him or lighting any candles. He brought it all on himself
sharon

Post #: 3

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/26/2008 7:01:21 AM

kriann

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From: US
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Peace to all,

Sharon, I understand. The idea of praying for this man is also a challenge for me. I intend to search my soul about it today. I'll do a lot of journaling perhaps and I'll probably use google to explore the topic. I hope it will be ok to share some of my thoughts on it here throughout the day.

For those of us who are enraged by the types of things Saddam Hussain did, perhaps we can explore this together here. I would ask that our posts be appropriate in terms of etiquette and respectful.

Sometimes I try to pray for my current and previous enemies though none of them were guilty of the things Saddam Hussain was guilty of. Jesus said a lot about praying for our enemies. Though I feel very very angry at Saddam Hussain and all others who murder and oppress, I can learn many lessons and pray for many things because of him.

Here is some prayerful thoughts on this. Would anyone like to add their own prayer?

I refuse to bow to Saddam Hussain's level. I refuse to hate him. I choose only to learn from him that you are a just God. Teach me to learn from him that all forms of oppression and tyranny and prejudice are wrong. Rather than allow my rage towards him to remain in my heart, I pray you fill my heart with your gifts of mercy and compassion. Instead I ask that You lead me to the places where I can free others from all forms of oppression and tyranny. Amen

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Post #: 4

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/26/2008 7:24:37 AM

zenmember

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From: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
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I feel so sorrowful that one nation can make another out to be so awful; and conjure up such hate and anger as I see throughout the world today. Is it Dr. Phil that says we teach others how to treat us? When will we learn to respect and love our neighbor as ourself? Please try to look at the truth from all angles and realize what desperation does to one's priorities. And, yes; forgiveness is more for our own healing.

Post #: 5

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/26/2008 9:26:10 AM

Imenuff

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Reading through all these posts in response to the original brought to mind many, many questions. Are not my responses just as violent (though on a smaller scale) as his??? If I had been raised in his circumstances (walk in the other man’s moccasins) would I be any different? What kind of atrocities have been perpetrated throughout the world by our elected officials in the name of our country? Did not the USA come into being by violently taking the lands from the Indians and slaughtering them. 30,000 children die each day because of lack of simple vaccinations, food and water—what part of responsibiity do I share for that by all the excesses in my life which I feel I have a right to? What is my involvement in the political system and checking out candidates for office? Do I check out both sides of an issue,or just swallow what is fed to me? Is it only correct when it benefits me? On a more personal level, I cringe every time I hear about strong “pro-life” candidates. After researching their stance on war, capital punishment, healthcare, good education for all, sharing the world’s resources, etc., etc., etc., it seems that the only instance where they are “pro-life” is in regard to the unborn I have often read that the only reason Hitler could do what he did was not because the Germans were bad people (yes, I am German) but because individuals just didn’t want to believe the truth of what was going on.

There is an excellent book called “Violence Unveiled” by Gil Bailie that was on the New York Times best seller list. This is an in depth study of violence since the beginning of time and how each of us is complicit in it by our very desire to scapegoate rather than look at personal responsibility on a micro level that when added together with enough other micro levels becomes macro level. As the little kids say “HE/SHE STARTED IT MOM!” “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." In the end, VIOLENCE ALWAYS BEGETS VIOLENCE!!! Our one example is Jesus on the Cross--"Father forgive them for they do not know what they do!" Personally, I am far from that but it is an ideal to at least begin to attempt to live out. Right now there are several areas of my own life where I am struggling with forgiveness and anger. As my own spiritual director asks--What is going on inside of you Betty. What issues in your own personal life are being surfaced where you still need healing? Why are you still holding onto this? What are you personally getting out of it? I cannot change others. The only person I can change is myself and I cannot even do that but can only be open to allowing the Holy One to Change me. and so, "let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." "Father forgive them (and Me) for we do not know often times the depth of what we do."

_____________________________

Shalom(May you be at peace in Body, Mind,& Spirit)

I'menuff

Post #: 6

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/26/2008 1:40:58 PM

buttington

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This is a fascinating post.

My Spiritual teacher used to say that we are ALL responsible for everything that happens in one way or another. This is a very hard pill to swallow, but you have described this concept very well Betty, and I couldn't put it any better.

Peace really does begin with me. Judge not lest ye be judged. We are all on this earth journey together.

Jude

_____________________________

Love is the only way

Post #: 7

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/27/2008 7:04:15 PM

sharon

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From: England
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I am sorry to anyone I may have offended with my post the other day. I didn't set out to offend anyone I should have kept my thoughts to myself on this matter. I have a lot of anger and hate inside me and when I read this the anger in me exploded and I let rip and I am sorry for that. I can't understand at all why someone would want to light candles or pray for this person or anyone like him but at the same time its not my place to question anyone that wishes to do this. I am so stupid sometimes I'm far from perfect and I shouldn't have said what I did. I think I'd better stay away from here now before I say anything else I shouldn't
sharon

Post #: 8

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/27/2008 7:44:45 PM

Hildegard

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Dear Sharon, you are not stupid, and none of us is perfect! You have your feelings and are more honest about them than a lot of people. Your comments started an interesting discussion which may help you and us see how different people look at things differently. There is no question that we are all challenged when we encounter violence, no matter who is responsible for it. Betty's comments are very helpful in this regard.
So, please, don't stay away for fear of offending someone. We know this is never your intention!

Much love and warm hugs,
Edda

_____________________________

Peace and joy!

Post #: 9

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/28/2008 6:03:00 AM

kriann

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From: US
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hi sharon,
no way did you do anything wrong. if you read over my post, i felt a lot of feelings similar to yours. even if i didn't write it down, i find it extremely difficult to pray for someone like saddam hussain. and you are definitely not alone in your feelings. many many people would agree with you.

((((((hugs if ok))))))

love to you,
kriann

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Post #: 10

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/28/2008 6:40:50 AM

buttington

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Dearest Sharon,
In no way did you offend me (or anyone else I wouldn't think)
I feel as angry about him and others like him as you do. But I have found a new way of looking at such people and events which (I hope) will help to bring about a more peaceful world with fewer (preferably none!) Saddam Husseins and people of his ilk.

Knowing in my heart, and accepting, that I am responsible for the kind of world which is going to be our future, is very empowering. What I think, say or do today will have an effect, for good or bad, on tomorrow.

My friend Jinny made me and my friends laugh one day during the Iraq war. We belong to a circle-dance group, and before we dance we join hands in a circle and imagine people we want to pray for, are in the centre of our circle, so we can focus on them and pray for them as we dance. On this particular day Jinny decided to put Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bush in the centre of our circle. She suggested we blow kisses to them!!!!!!!!!!!

We had great trouble doing it as we were all so against the war. Jinny proudly told us that she was imagining blowing little pink hearts to them!

As you can imagine, we fell about laughing.

But Jinny is right. Even awful people like Saddam, who do monstrous things can be effected by our thoughts and prayers, and so can our Presidents or anyone else for that matter.

You are quite right to feel angry towards Saddam Hussein, but I believe that, holding on to that anger can actually empower him and others like him. Don't worry........this concept took me ages to accept and I still can get worked up over things. Anger is a valuable and useful thing if used wisely.

Please don't stay away from the Forum. As Edda says, you started an interesting thread. You woke us up!!

Love and Hugs, Jude

_____________________________

Love is the only way

Post #: 11

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/28/2008 7:12:50 AM

zenmember

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Ladies, a history lesson; tell me who it was that set Sadam up for failure and then demonized him to make you all feel the way you do? Sadam was placed in a position where he could not resist the opportunity when greed took him over. It is a classic case of the politics of fear. We ARE all equal and endowed with the spirit of life that makes our potential infinite. Our task is to realize this and use it toward the betterment of all. This is difficult to understand when people do bad things but hey, who said life was fair?

Post #: 12

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/28/2008 7:17:58 AM

buttington

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Quite right Richard, every last one of us capable of doing 'bad' things. Jude

Fear is responsible for all wars.

Love is the opposite of Fear

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Love is the only way

Post #: 13

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/28/2008 8:02:30 AM

zenmember

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I wouldn't call them opposites; rather fear is a response to anger. Anger is something we have to resolve within ourselves to allow for love. Love is awareness, acceptance and caring.

Post #: 14

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/28/2008 2:02:34 PM

buttington

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I am a fearful person, but not just as a response to anger. I could write you a long essay about my fears, past and present.

But I'm winning!!

Here are some quotes from Val Littlemore, author of "Love is the only way."

"When you know that you are one with God and your fellow man, you are released from fear. When you are released from fear, you are able to love."

"Love is the only source of peace and joy. It always and immediately brings an end to all suffering."

"It is only ever fear that prevents the flowing and manifestation of Love, that prevents you from living the life of Love that you know will fulfill you. When you see this totally, when you see that it is fear that is in the way, then you will be prepared to look at the very root of the problem and to face and release your deepest inner barriers to Love."

When you think about it, all violent acts are prompted by the perpetrator's fear that he is lacking something. Money, sex, love, a homeland, wealth, power, etc etc.
A well loved and nurtured human being, even if materially poor, seldom wishes to harm anyone.
If we aren't given love as children, how can we feel love for our fellow humans as adults?

Jude

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Love is the only way

Post #: 15

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/28/2008 2:20:25 PM

buttington

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"Wicked men obey for fear, but the good for love."
Aristotle

"The most dangerous person is the fearful; he is the most to be feared." Lidwig Borne

"The most destructive element in the human mind is fear. Fear creates aggressiveness." Dorothy Thompson

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Love is the only way

Post #: 16

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/30/2008 3:51:26 AM

celtic star

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Adding my prayers for humanity. Amen
Glenys

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RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/30/2008 10:15:11 PM

mamaluvskids

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I also agree that Saddam got what he deserves. God does tell us to love our enemies.I feel sometimes it's hard to love so one who did so much evil. I do try though. That man did alot to hurt so many people. It saddens me to know that people in the world can be so evil and hateful. We will never know all the people that he hurt. Maybe we should light a candle for the many people he had killed and tortured.

Post #: 18

RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/31/2008 12:51:12 AM

ananda

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One of the beliefs of my Spiritual path is that there is "a spark of the Divine in ALL beings". That would include Saddam H. and other politicians.

My understanding of this is that I don't have to condone heinous actions but I can honor the spark, however dim it may be.

Peace to all beings.

Namaste!
Jessica

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May you be blessed!

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RE: Please Light a Candle for Saddam Hussein - 8/31/2008 5:17:08 AM

J1937

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Dear Jessica,

Thank you for expressing your belief so clearly. It is also mine, but I found it difficult to find the right words. It will always remain a mystery why there is evil and what leads human beings to commit evil deeds. It is not up to us, however, to judge. The only way to peace - within ourselves as in the world at large - is non-judgmental thinking.

Juliana
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Speak Peace in a World of Conflict

Post #: 20