In the OP, I quoted from an old letter from Rubin; by no coincidence, I called him about an hour ago. Rube refers to the historical figure Jesus as "the Master." So it does me good to see you referencing things that Jesus spoke of here, on this thread. Thank you for that.
Jesus's teachings include lessons on love, truth, gentleness, and -- again by no coincidence -- the Goodness of children. There is no greater truth to be found in the gospels, or any of the other books in that collection we call the bible.
Rubin's friend, Minister Malcolm X, used to say that you best prevent crime from the context of the high chair, rather than the electric chair. That saying, in an era influenced by some very impressive "baby doctors," caught on. In fact, none other than the Director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, would use the quote in several speeches. I've often wondered if he was aware of its origins? Either way, the very idea that as sick an individual as Hoover could learn suggests that there is still hope for our society ..... so long as people be exposed to the concepts of Goodness and Truth.
You may already know this, but I'll repeat it for others: The Haudenosaunee, or what the Euro-Americans called the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy, can trace the "law" (or, more accurately, mutually agreed upon social contract) that insured that children could not be punished by hitting, back to about 475 AD. The Great Law of Peace recognized then, as it recognizes today, that the treatment of little ones defines society.
As always, I appreciate the opportunity to talk with you!
= new reply since forum marked as read
