I have spent many years of my life living in a city re-knowned for its celebration of diversity and respect for Sprirtual Belief Systems of all origins.. This after spending time in the wheat basket of Kansas, USA (family came thru Russia from Germany during following Catherine the Greats rein) ...

Here we have, Christian, Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Hindu, Unity, Athiest, Native American, Tibetan, Wiccan, Shamanism, Methodist, Adventis, Greek Othodox,Muslim and many others i cannot name all..

Here we do not have religious wars... others are allowed to express thier belief free of fear from attack by non-supporters..

In America, we are provided the freedom to express our religious beliefs.. part of our founding principals, and while some are more outspoken than others, we are guaranteed the right to follow our own belief systems, whether young or old, crippled or blind, rich or poor..

In America, some, as in any society, attempt to promote their individual belief system as being the only one. In broader overviews, this type thinking creates from within itself, its very own destruction, and imho, the elements of destruction for many.

It is diversity, not separation, which will bind others together in common interests, to help make our planet, our society, our human condition one which provides an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance of others. A pot fertile for growth.

In coming years i forecast increases in population, resulting in more crowding and congestion, as Earth continues her natural cycles of change, weather patterns and natural disasters will continue to alter shorelines and boundaries..

Some will provide for themselves and regretfully close doors to others... some will provide and care for those who need..

How quickly this will happen depends upon our Maker.. sadly, i fear a closing of doors will contribute further hardships to those in need...

Can we open the door to acceptance of other Faiths? Or close it with eyes cast downward in self-righteousness? Do we contribute to fear and mis-understandings, further sepearations? Or would we prefer kindness and peace?

Will the door be closed to those who close their own doors in their time of need?

It is Christmas time the world over... celebrate Peace, Love, Strength and Diversity... the truest spirit of the day..

and please... i will do the best i can to keep my door open, would you please do the same?

I would like to hear others experiences with "closed doors". For myself, once while traaveling, i found myself in Valentine Nebraska. Beautiful place, Niobrara River nearby, sandcranes, the ghosts of Custer, trains and rolling sandhills...

My car broke down there and i was penniless. I searched the town for helpful folk. A few came forward in my time of need.ust ordinary citizens.

Because Rosebud Indian Reservation is nearby, the families would come to town shopping and such... one little band came to seek doanations from passers through...

The town people were not so friendly always. Not welcoming the natives into their establishments (and this is less than 5 years ago), some even saying the natives were too dirty, and unfit..

I befriended this group. I empathized with their history and experiences. I felt somehow responsible (though its impossible that i am) and i wanted to do something to help.

Well, they surprised me. One day, the car needed to be moved. I needed help.

No one around, but then, around the corner, came one of the members of the outcast group. Without asking, without a statement, she walked towards my car and began to push. Within a few minutes the problem was solved. The girl later told me she loved me, though she had a lesbian girlfriend.

During this same time i had approached the town minister. He wasnt at church, but asking around, i found his home and visited there instead. WHen i explained my situation and offeres to return any kindness for the initial help, i was told, those services were not provided to non-members.

Now i would ask... what message should i construe from this experience?

In Santa Fe, I attended a homeless shelter operated by the local Catholic Church.. Food, shelyer, clothing and laundry, showers and other services were provided to any who requested.. with one catch... the recipient was required to provide a social securitu number in advance of usinf the more "special" services, like the showers...

The padre was kind and giving to all... he would give sermons in his spansih accent that literally made tears roll down my cheeks...

One day i asked him if i could join his organization.. he asked what my faith consisted of..

At that time, the best explanation i could give was that it blended with several belief systems... his answer? Only those who follow Christ will see the Glory of Heaven, and that ANY other belief was the Devil ...

This shocked me... i wanted to help, but, apparantly...

separation was his method... ?????