COMBATING BIGOTRY & HATE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

What Little Old You Can Do About Bigotry & Evil Around You?

“I’m just one person. What could I possibly do?”

You’ve heard it, you’ve probably thought it and you’ve very possibly said it. But it’s one of the most destructive ideas known to man. One person can do a great deal—whether for good or for evil. We are much more powerful than we know.

There was a book my mom turned me on to years ago called The Second Son. It was about the second coming of Christ. It was a pretty good book, but it was the basic theme of it that really got me thinking. The idea was that it doesn’t take a big group to make a change. If everyone just took the time to care for those in their immediate vicinity, the world would be a completely different place. Take your elderly neighbor shopping. Or stop and find out if you can help the person you see crying on the street. I did this once and all the lady needed was a ride to the doctor. I could easily do that and did. Made a huge difference for her.

“Something can be done about it” is a saying in Scientology.

We have a team called Scientology Volunteer Ministers who operate under that motto and go around just helping people. That’s their only “agenda.” You’ve seen our volunteers at all recent disaster sites—and at every natural disaster since 2001—handing out food, water, clothing, cleaning up debris, organizing supplies and doing whatever else is needed. Look for us. We’re wearing the yellow shirts. And you’re welcome to work with us, too.

Like a garden overrun with weeds—if you wait until the thistles are three feet tall, they’re quite a project to tackle. But if you get them when they first appear, they’re easy to destroy. Same with tyrants. Same with criminals.

We believe that something can be done about a natural disaster.

But we also believe that something can be done about other kinds of disasters, too. Take evil. That’s a social disaster. What can you, as an individual, do about that?

Pulled weeds in the hands of someone with gardening gloves on

A lot, providing you take action when it is small and weak. Like a garden overrun with weeds—if you wait until the thistles are three feet tall, they’re quite a project to tackle. But if you get them when they first appear, they’re easy to destroy. Same with tyrants. Same with criminals.

A snide comment about another’s religion is evil. It might not seem to be, you might want to let it slide, but it is the small weed. Ignore it and it will grow.

Really, what is the deal with someone who gratuitously cuts others down? A mention from you that this is unacceptable just might make the person stop, think and be more tolerant in the future.

You have choices in life. You, as an individual, can do a lot. You can help your fellow man in times of need or you can walk on by. You can build people up or you can tear them down.

Most religions believe in building people up. I know mine does.

Why would anyone want to tear that down?

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