Wednesday, September 29, 2010

It Doesn't Matter In What You Believe

A Polish couple have denounced their past as neo-Nazis after discovering they are Jewish.

The couple where childhood sweethearts and grew up as part of a white power gang in the Polish capital Warsaw.

The couple are featured in a documentary about Poles finding their Jewish roots after learning several years ago through the Jewish Historical Institute that both of them were technically Jews.

"It was unbelievable — it turned out that we had Jewish roots — it was a shock," they said at the time of finding out the news both were "100 percent nationalists".

"Back then we were skinheads and it was all about white power... that Jews were the biggest plague and the worst evil of this world."

Both are now members of their local orthodox synagogue.

He said while he has regrets and feels sorry for the people that he beat up, he does not "lash himself over it".

"I don't hold a grudge against myself."


From skinheads to members of their orthodox synagogue? Such an inconceivable change. It kind of goes to prove that what is important is that people have something to believe in. What it is, I think, seems to matter little, as long as there is something, probably bigger than they are, for them to place their beliefs in.

It doesn't matter what you believe in, one belief system is as good, or as valid, as the next. They all, probably, have equal truth. Whether they are the story of Jesus Christ, the history of the Absinthe Fairy,  Druid High Priest worship, or the moon god Allah, pan flutes or yukka beads, each belief system is equally valid as it is the belief that seems to be important to human beings.

There is only one golden rule after all, Treat others as you would like them to treat you, everything else is just padding.

Of course, I believe in love and the human spirit. I don't know why you need anything greater than that, but, of course, I'm in the minority with such thoughts. There is nothing greater than the here and now, a glorious day folding out before you, the marvels of the planet and the people who surround you, I think.


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