Pedro Francisco Muñoz Lorite’s Post

The Make America Great Again slogan never made any sense. Who gets to determine when our nation was "great" and by what standards? We do know that following the Civil War, the United States began enacting civil rights through Amendments to grant full citizenship to all Americans. At the same time, Native Americans were being extirpated, blocked from their traditions and forced off their lands under the claim of Manifest Destiny. Fifty years later following World War II, Black Americans came home to a segregated homeland and Native Americans were, in many cases, confined to reservation lands in less-than-ideal locations. The 1950s began to see changing attitudes, but Jim Crow laws still existed, and many kinds of #racism were still accepted as part of #American #culture. In the 1960s, beginning with #JFK, Democrats worked to pass civil rights laws. Over time, liberal Americans worked to eradicate negative depictions of Black people, Native Americans, Asians, Latinos, and anyone outside what some called the "normal" part of society, which was essentially a dominantly white Christian "mainstream" where slurs and insulting terminology were considered fair game against people of different races and heritage. Now for the reckoning. Seeing how people once took abusive depictions of others for granted is controversial. This Popeye the Sailor cartoon* is offensive in many ways. Yet it serves as evidence* of the low #morality of a prejudicial culture. We need to continue the fight against #racism of all kinds, and given the divisive complexion of the upcoming election, it's no laughing matter. *This cartoon is presented for #education purposes and does not represent the views of this author. It remains part of the public domain and evidences historical attitudes that are no longer considered ethical. It is not intended to approve or justify its content in any way.

In a world full of differences, let’s choose unity. On this #InternationalDayOfPeace, let’s commit to spreading love, respect, and understanding in all corners of life. #peacefulliving #WorldPeaceDay #UnitedForPeace #GlobalPeace #liveinharmony #nonviolence #harmony #spreadloveandkindness #ChannelTechnologies #CT

As we reflect on the insights of the late Harry Schwartz, a distinguished South African politician and diplomat, his concerns for Jews and Zionists in South Africa post-apartheid resonate deeply today. Schwartz's foresight on the challenges that emerged for these communities underscores the complexities faced in the new socio-political landscape. In his analysis, Schwartz emphasized the rising concerns about the safety and security of Jewish communities and the increasing pressure on Zionist organizations. The post-apartheid era brought about significant changes, but it also unveiled new struggles, including rising anti-Semitism and the shifting dynamics in international relations that affected Jewish and Zionist advocacy. Schwartz's legacy as a voice of reason and advocate for human rights reminds us of the importance of vigilance and active engagement in promoting tolerance and understanding. His words urge us to continue the fight against discrimination in all its forms and to support the values of inclusivity and mutual respect. As we navigate the current challenges, let us draw inspiration from Harry Schwartz's dedication and commitment to justice, ensuring that we create a society where everyone can live without fear or prejudice. #SouthAfrica #HarrySchwartz #JewishCommunity #Zionism #PostApartheid #HumanRights #Tolerance #Inclusivity https://lnkd.in/d-_w_-Dt

What do the Haka, Cheegha, and Attan have in common? Read my piece to explore these cultural symbols of unity.

Dante presents Powerful Biblical Truth, HalleluYah. https://lnkd.in/eTAFKSs3

Have you ever wondered about Cyrillic and its origins or what it looks like? Below you can read the story, and see the original symbols and the ones we're using today (FYI the transition between the two happened very early in its creation)

On Gandhi Jayanti, let's remember the power of truth, non-violence, and compassion. . . #gandhijayanti #alponix #gandhijayanti2024 #nonviolence #peace #alponixpost

Recently, this would have attracted howls of anger and allegations of extremism: a Jew and a Mohammedan discuss immigration, integration, 'The DEI Class' and society. It is a cardinal error not to appreciate that religion can adapt in a way that ensures compromise, cooperation and mutual respect https://t.ly/Y3IRL Those who read religious books to get a steer on the future should know that The Intersubjective accommodates contradiction, most of our memory is non-logical and that we could not reason, negotiate without temporary validation of contradiction. (By the Second Paradox of Reason). Religions, along with ideology, politics, language, culture, interpretation of history and society belong to The Intersubjective It is impossible to reason or negotiate with abstractions- The Intersubjective is their home and it, too, is abstract. Although immaterial, intangible and extant only as the sum of mutual human thoughts, beliefs, prejudices, illusions, delusions, ambitions, fears, emotions etc: it is still hugely influential. Influence does not presuppose agency. The Intersubjective has no agency but can influence in the same way a beautiful jewel can stimulate avarice, envy, prompt a wish to buy or steal it in the name of love, greed, investment and so on The English Civil war was marked by a rash of Protestantism. It's possible Henry 8th pleased to see William Tyndale, translator of the Bible into English, burnt at the stake, may not have been so misplaced in his fear of the consequences of by-passing the church. As Tyndale implied: "ere many years I will cause a boy who drives a plough to know more of the scriptures than you do" Recently, similar translation of another religious book has become available undermining the pragmatism that goes with appreciation of social and political power, often exhibited by religious authorities in regular contact with temporal power. There is nothing right or wrong in The Intersubjective. It's just there, amoral as a stream or ocean, pebble or mountain. But being influenced by and acting on what it accommodates, for good or bad, makes people personally responsible. Agency makes people moral beings, without it we are nothing While abstractions lack agency, their capacity to influence can be quite dangerous. (Passive influence). Abstractions, including society, cannot be responsible. Only individuals have agency, consciousness, reason and make sense out of contradiction. Stripping individuals of agency while according it to abstraction is as inhuman as it is irrational Religion in the Intersubjective does not diminish its significance. All are there. Most, if not all, are contradictory. Some harbour streaks of inhumanity- but this is not the logical 'got ya, now we can dismiss them' some claim. Religion is in The Intersubjective- it just is and can't be right or wrong.

I try to be respectful of anyone’s faith, and certainly the beauty of this country is our constitution, one of the greatest documents free men established in founding a new nation. Part of this drive in our county’s founding was to have the freedom to worship without the intrusion of the government on this right. Most of my political posts and comments refrain from bringing my Christian faith into this arena (and, trust me, some of my comments would make the clergy blush, but that is coming from my imperfect humanist side 🙂). Anyways, I came across a video (which I have included in the link below), a religious sermon that really changed the way I look at things. It’s not for everyone I suppose, but it had an very positive and spiritual impact on me, so I thought I would share it, particularly in regards to the current election process we are going through. I am sure this video is widely circulated, so some of you may have already seen it. Some may not agree with everything in this sermon, but I promise you, it will get you thinking about things in the world today and the ramifications of religion and politics. If you are agnostic or of another religion or faith, you are more than welcome to bypass this video of a Christian sermon that deals with Christianity and politics (which you would think you would want to keep separate, but the reality is, if you are a believer, it shouldn’t be). Now I have received comments from LI members who say this is a business platform and politics should not be on it (I just remind them at this point, that is a losing proposition and they are wasting their time pointing that out (and for many reasons, which I used to explain - but now I merely say “sorry” and it is not the reality). I am sure I will get comments about this post to that effect, as well as snarky comments from those on the left (and I say that because I get a lot of that on my posts, which is fine (yet sometimes aggravating)) but I don’t care. This was profound for me and I am sure there are others who will feel the same way if they view it. Also, I am merely putting this out there for anyone who chooses to view it. I am not making any judgements against anyone who does or does not watch it, or wants to argue about points made in this video. That is not my intent at all. I felt compelled to do this (maybe it is the spirit moving me). It is about an hour long, but is engaging enough that you may not even notice the length. I hope that if you do watch it, it makes a positive impact on you and helps you discern something from it that is useful. Thanks.