I would like to remind participants to this discussion that the topic “Political Ideology” is a potentially divisive one which can easily arouse strong feelings which in turn may then manifest as personal attacks on the character of other participants. By all means disagree with the views of others but please desist from making personal judgements about the motives and character of the person you may disagree with. Please endeavour to maintain a friendly and conciliatory attitude to your fellow participants, even to those whose opinions you find objectionable.
Please give serious consideration to these words from the book that we have come together to discuss and study on this forum.
Another requirement for the attainment of maturity is the co-operative adjustment of social groups to an ever-changing environment. The immature individual arouses the antagonisms of his fellows; the mature man wins the hearty co-operation of his associates, thereby many times multiplying the fruits of his life efforts.
My philosophy tells me that there are times when I must fight, if need be, for the defense of my concept of righteousness, but I doubt not that the Master, with a more mature type of personality, would easily and gracefully gain an equal victory by his superior and winsome technique of tact and tolerance. All too often, when we battle for the right, it turns out that both the victor and the vanquished have sustained defeat. I heard the Master say only yesterday that the “wise man, when seeking entrance through the locked door, would not destroy the door but rather would seek for the key wherewith to unlock it.” Too often we engage in a fight merely to convince ourselves that we are not afraid. P.1778:1,2
With love!
