A Christmas message for the community

This is the season of good will to all men, of love and generosity.

Should we not be unselfish and do good to one another all year round?

All the great religions of the world seem to have originally been attempts, by wise leaders, to get people to work together for the benefit of all. But instead, they often became excuses for war and oppression.

Selfishness is about to kill us all. Capitalism has indeed allowed millions of people to live in unprecedented luxury. Way back, even Queen Elizabeth the First of England did not have a bathroom. But now, luxury for some and the heedless habits foisted on us all by advertisers and merchandisers are quite literally leading to the end of the world.

Without a healthy environment, a healthy economy is impossible. As snow and ice melt in the Arctic, the albedo effect kicks in, causing earth and ocean to absorb more of the sun’s heat.

As tundra thaws, vast quantities of methane gas are released. Once started, these vicious cycles are irreversible.

As money is coined by arms manufacturers and dealers, our lives hang by a thread. As people flee drought and famine caused by climate change they are turned away, and needless war compounds the disasters. We have, finally, all of us, especially the ones at the very top, to realise that only by working unselfishly together, all year round, can we save life on this planet, including ourselves.

Those who need to keep getting richer however rich they are, will not find happiness. They are psychopaths, with no concern for anything but themselves.

Christianity and socialism are basically the same thing. They say, love one another and work together for the good of all. The core message of Islam, I am told, is equality. True Buddhists do not destroy life.

The way has always been clear. Let us take it before the opportunity is forever gone. Do not vote or grant power to ignorant bullies who will destroy the world for private gain. And be kind to those around you.

Spirit of Christmas,-may you be with us all year long.

Jenny Carter, Hillcrest Ave.