America Under Attack

Are America’s woes rooted in a moral crisis? Why no amount of taxes and other governmental remedies can save America.

Everyday we’re bombarded by bad news: Failing systems and institutions and growing social ills highlighted by scandals de’jour, violence, the incremental loss of our individual liberties, and the destruction of the environment.

Although the magnitude of the present meltdown of our systems and institutions may be well known, the underlying reasons behind these staggering problems are not. America’s growing woes are merely symptomatic of a moral crisis; declining moral and ethical standards characterized by a lack of integrity. Simply put. America is spiritually and morally bankrupt.

But denial can’t mask the devastating consequences of declining moral and ethical values on the quality of our lives, regardless of financial status, religion or ethnicity. They also impact our economy, our national security, our leadership in the world and our very future.

It’s obvious that we have simply lost the connection with the moral and spiritual core of our traditional values, which are now regarded as leftovers from a primitive worldview. Traditional values centering around family and community are being replaced with a trash culture that undermines moral and ethical values. Instead, we are now subjected to virtue terrorism while embracing a culture of exploitation and degradation – from abuse of children and animals to destruction of the environment.
In the words of fellow author Robert Fitch, ‘We live today in an age when ethics have become obsolete. We are rapidly approaching a Godless, valueless society in which "power ethics" or the "political rationalism" of humanism is replacing the Judeo-Christian ethical base of traditional morality and the whole idea of right and wrong seems to be up for grabs.’ In the absence of positive role models and the declining moral authority of organized religion, Americans are taking their moral cues from the media, particularly celebrities.
Sadly, political correctness and materialistic values have hijacked our moral compass and national consciousness. As such, corruption and the pursuit of power, by any means necessary, has become a staple of our rapidly changing culture, which allows personal, political and financial interests to override what’s in the best interest of our country. Such a breakdown in moral values, which permeates every facet of our lives, from government and the work place to relationships and schools, is viewed now as an acceptable practice in which the lust for power and money is unrestrained and the lines between ‘right and wrong’ and ‘good and evil’ are often blurred.

As the pursuit of happiness has turned into the pursuit of money and power, we’ve embraced a toxic culture of ‘more is better’ and ‘anything goes’ abetted by moral permissiveness which has produced a ‘me first generation’ and has turned the American Dream into the American Greed. As such it has driven our society into rewriting its own rules, so that self-gratification and winning at all costs have replaced personal and social responsibility. As a result, America has been sinking into swamps of debt, falling behind other countries in education and progressively losing our competitive edge, while the deeper meaning of life seems to elude even the well-off. Hence, the seeds of destruction have been sown. We are now a country in crisis.

The moral foundation of this great nation that has created prosperity and pride for over 200 years is now being quickly dismantled in order to “fundamentally transform America” so as to fulfill a much more sinister agenda for a new world order and one world government. Under such conditions, America would become just one of many, a generic second-rate country and a marketing concept at best.


AMERICA’S BIGGEST CHALLENGE

Clearly, America is now facing its biggest challenge ever; bigger than the Civil War, Great Depression or even World War II. Why? Because it’s a moral crisis in which the stakes are vastly higher.

In fact, many traits that have helped us meet previous challenges, which were all rooted in high moral and ethical standards, are sadly no longer with us. The godly principles of America's founding fathers that once governed our consciousness and helped create prosperity and pride, are no longer valued by many of our current representatives and leaders.

America is now challenged to regain its moral vision so as to save its very soul. In fact, nothing defines America’s soul more than its moral values, which are characterized by integrity, personal responsibility, individual liberty, justice, truth, family and community.

Bottom Line:

If history or the financial crisis has taught us anything, it is that no one is too big to fail. America is clearly a nation at risk. The country is going down the same road as the Roman Empire, which ultimately suffered a total collapse because of a lack of integrity and moral values. This is why unless the underlying root cause of our growing problems - moral decay - is effectively addressed, no amount of taxes or governmental remedies can save America,

If America is to survive and thrive, we must conquer this Goliath through moral courage and will of free people, which Ronald Regan believed was stronger than any weapon. We must equally heed the warning of Winston Churchill who once said, “If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.”

As a proud American and someone who moved to this country with nothing and no support system and was able to achieve the American Dream as described in my bestselling book The American Dream I feel especially protective about preserving the American Dream for future generations. In fact, as a way of helping put America back on track and inspiring hope and social activism I have created a unique movement called Women Transforming the World (www.womentransformingtheworld.com).

Say what you will about America’s many ‘faults,’ America still offers the best hope for mankind. Consider why so many people from around the world are willing to endure and sacrifice just to get to ‘the land of opportunity.’ Perhaps it’s time for America to do moral soul-searching before we lose our sovereignty, our uniqueness and our individual freedoms. Can you imagine a new America where the American Dream would be just that… a dream?


Copyright © 2010, Geela Parish
Geela Parish (www.geela.com) is an award winning artist/activist, and the author of the critically-acclaimed book The American Dream. She is also a host and an Editor Contributor for Women’s Radio, a freelance writer, and founder of One Spirit, One World a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting peace and healing and Women Transforming The World (www.womentransformingtheworld.com). You may contact her at gverecords@aol.com

Tags: American, America, Attack, Government, violence, Liberties, Politics, God, religion

Do You Believe in Miracles?

It’s been said that for the faithful no miracle is necessary, but for those who doubt no miracle is sufficient. Likewise, Albert Einstein once reasoned that, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is.”
I decided to share some relevant excerpts from my book The American Dream which provides fresh and through-provoking perspective often based on personal experience on this fascinating topic. So, here we go…

Since the journey is written but not the destiny, I find life to be a never-ending drama. It is a drama about the evolution of the Self and about the discovery of the Self. Therefore, I am continually seeking while constantly being challenged to understand the world around me. The illusion of life is so powerful that one must make a conscious effort to identify with their true essence and origin. Only by realizing who we are can we operate from a place of love and strength rather than from a place of fear and weakness. In the realm of truth, which is beyond any intellectual arrogance or theory, my personal experiences have led me to believe that God is not only a very real thing, but that his presence and infinite love can be felt as well. A closer look at creation suggests that it’s the divine intention not only to be known, but also to express itself through his creation, including us. All it takes to unlock some of the mysteries of life is awareness. In the end, all that counts is that we come to the realization that God's love is the essence of the sacred promise of life to all and for all.


Miracles have always been a source of great fascination to me. As a young child, my parents would tell us many stories about true miracles. I was told that miracles happen to those who believe. However, I was never quiet sold on the idea. If anything our humble life during my childhood, as well as my many unanswered prayers, only made me be more skeptical about miracles. I concluded that miracles happened only to the very few who were deserving, lucky or strong.

As a result of the Black Hole experience (my near-death experience), I was able to gain some insight into miracles. Although I didn’t understand exactly how the process worked, I was able to observe the cause and effect associated with them. It was only then that I realized that faith was the critical ingredient.

Time after time, the wisdom contained in the words “It is done unto you as you believe” has been proven to be true for me. The Scriptures explain that the key to creating miracles and making your dreams come true is to have an unshakable faith and trust, which defies all logic. While it may sound like a simple concept, it is, nevertheless, the toughest principle to apply. The difficulty is rooted in limiting false beliefs about the self and one's ability and willingness to adapt to new ways of thinking.

Doubt, which is nothing more than faith in reverse, keeps us chained to those limiting and false beliefs about ourselves, as well as our place in the universe. Since faith contains the seed for revealing greatness and the possibility of creating miracles, doubt will only prevent it from occurring. It is essential therefore, to at least keep an open mind in order to allow for the greatest chance to create miracles in one’s own life. Once you discover the beauty of life, that anything is possible, your faith will grow with matching results and you will never again say never, because you never know.

Miracles occur all the time, mostly without our awareness. The trick is to increase their frequency in order to make one’s whole life a miracle and a dream come true. The key is to value inner life and become familiar with one's true nature. "Man, know thy self" is very profound wisdom, for self-knowledge is essential in the process of manifesting desires and creating miracles. Knowing yourself allows you to keep every experience in life fresh and renewed from moment to moment, while being aware of the illusion of life.

It’s equally essential to understand that miracles are not a matter of religion. Contrary to those popular TV shows, God is not just sitting around cooking up miracles for deserving people. Just because miracles defy the laws of logic and physics, it doesn’t mean one cannot create them themselves.

Science is just beginning to explore the world of miracles. Of course, there really are no such things as miracles, only “cause and effect” relationships that we don’t yet understand. Science has yet to explain how certain phenomena can defy the laws of physics, as if the laws of physics are cast in stone anyway. Every day science makes new discoveries, immediately rendering current scientific theory obsolete. Only recently, scientists have discovered particles that travel at faster then the speed of light, which puts Einstein’s once unassailable Theory of Relativity in jeopardy. Scientists have done serious research on things that previously would have been described as miracles. Their research has included such fields as medicine (where they are using the power of the mind to heal), prayer (recent research indicates that there is power in prayer) and quantum physics. Quantum physicists now believe that the universe consists of many more than the three dimensions we’re all familiar with. Furthermore, they theorize that sub-atomic particles eventually break down into a non-physical field of energy that connects all physical matter in the universe and helps explain how certain phenomena can seemingly defy the laws of physics. Some quantum physicists have gone so far as to suggest that matter does not create consciousness, but that consciousness creates matter. This is the stuff that “miracles” are made of. Simply put, miracles work because of the power of the mind.

Through the many synchronicities of my life, I discovered that life is indeed full of miracles. Miracles are truly an equal opportunity employer and each of us has the potential to create miracles and make their dreams come true - for the simple reason that each one of us is a co-creator. The question is no longer “To believe or not to believe.” Love and faith with their many splendors have already proven to be the first, the last and everything. Love and faith indeed are the ultimate answer and most powerful forces in the universe.

Copyright © 2010, Geela Parish


Geela Parish (www.geela.com) is an award winning artist/activist, and the author of the critically-acclaimed book The American Dream. She is also a host and an Editor Contributor for Women’s Radio, a freelance writer, and founder of One Spirit, One World a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting peace and healing and Women Transforming The World (www.womentransformingtheworld.com). You may contact her at gverecords@aol.com

Tags: Miracles, Albert Einstein, evolution, love, God, faith, near-death experience, religion

Gloria Allred is Doing it Again – Fasting with a Purpose

Women’s Radio
By Geela Parish August 13, 2010

Very few women have stirred so much controversy as Gloria Allred. She is a high-powered lawyer known for taking high-profile cases with a relentless drive for justice and making a difference in her own way.

In a press conference today, Gloria Allred has announced that she is fasting for all the right reasons, to bring national attention to “Put the ERA on the FAST Track” campaign to add the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution. “On this 17th day of my hunger strike, many people have been asking me if I am hungry. My answer is simple. I have a hunger for justice for women and whether or not I am fasting, my hunger for justice will never end until we win the addition of the ERA to the U.S. Constitution and equal protection under the law,” said Gloria who has been at the forefront of fighting for social issues and the rights of women in particular.

Gloria was not the only one going on this faith testing 30-day hunger strike. Other women in the room have also pledged to officially join her hunger strike in the hopes of making an impact and inspiring more women to do the same until all the lambs become lions. “We are in it to win it and we will never stop until we do!” Gloria concluded.

The campaign was launched by the National Women’s Political Caucus of California (NWPC CA), led by Teray Stephens, which is a multi-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the political process and creating a political power base designed to achieve equality for all women.

In a growing environment of discrimination and bigotry, Gloria’s timely message of hope is clearly a breath of fresh air. In fact, Gloria’s inspiring dedication to social activism and women empowerment has proven that women can be effective agents of change. Especially women who are in a position to be instrumental in affecting change positively.


So, love her or hate her, but you can’t ignore the fact that Gloria is truly a gift that keeps on giving.

Copyright © 2010, Geela Parish

Geela Parish (www.geela.com) is an award winning artist/activist, and the author of the critically-acclaimed book The American Dream. She is also a host and an Editor Contributor for Women’s Radio, a freelance writer, and founder of One Spirit, One World a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting peace and healing and Women Transforming The World (www.womentransformingtheworld.com). You may contact her at gverecords@aol.com

Tags: Women’s Radio, Geela Parish, discrimination, U.S. Constitution, women empowerment, Gloria Allred, NWPCA CA

The Way Forward: Coming Together For the Love of God

Answering the most important call of our time for nonviolence and peace

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. has reasoned that, “The ultimate weakness of violence is that instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may kill the liar, but you can’t kill the lie nor establish the truth. Through violence you may kill the hater, but you do not kill the hate. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Likewise, Albert Einstein argued that, “We must challenge our enemies not with bombs but with ideas.” This wisdom is more relevant today than ever before.

The world is in turmoil with social unrest like never before. There is a growing fear that we’re all sitting on a ticking time bomb, or worse, waiting for the ax to fall unless something dramatic happens on a large scale. All over the world, unspeakable atrocities continue to be committed in the name of God, highlighted by racism, bigotry and intolerance. What’s worse, Albert Einstein has observed that, “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” Sadly, this describes a climate of political correctness and dangerous ideology that breed such complacent attitudes towards injustice and victimization.

Violence, which is glamorized in movies, video games, and toxic music, is now used as an acceptable way to settle disagreements and as a quick fix to solving problems. In a society driven by instant gratification, winning at all costs, and the pursuit of power, cooperation invariably gives way to confrontation, and construction gives way to destruction. Is it any wonder why we invest so much money into building and acquiring more sophisticated weapons, preferably of mass destruction? However, as long as we seek to solve problems through violence and deny the futility of war, we’ll continue to remain spiritual infants even though we may be technological giants.

Nevertheless, senseless violence by any other name is still violence with far reaching consequences, both on the individual and global level. The truth is that destruction knows no boundaries or respect for anyone. In a new reality of mutuality and interdependence, what affects one directly affects us all indirectly, as evidenced in the global economy and the recent global financial meltdown. Therefore, everyone regardless of financial status, religion, or ethnicity is impacted with the devastating consequences of senseless violence.

History has shown time and time again that the phenomenon of war is but a defeat for humanity because it is an exercise in futility. In a nuclear age, the stakes are vastly higher, particularly when in the hands of terrorists who are driven by a dangerous ideology. It is clear that we can't solve our problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. This is why costly governmental remedies and arms races are ineffective in the long run. The need for a creative solution is both apparent and urgent.

Ultimately, the only way to move forward is by increasing the level of our collective consciousness by understanding that we are all connected by the same spirit that connects us all. Also, we need to create a new vision for the world, one that encourages all of us to start working together and spilling our sweat, and not our blood.

Despite forces that seek to divide and conquer for self-serving purposes, we need to shed the old and self-defeating way of thinking by recognizing what other great thinkers of the world have already come to understand. Namely that:

(a) Violence is not power but the absence of power.
(b) There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.
(c) If we want to have peace in the world, we have to start with the children.

We must sacrifice for peace before it is too late. This means recognizing that creating a better world in the future depends on what we do for our children today. We must reinforce the message of nonviolence, healing and unity, and plant the seeds of peace because peace is the only condition for our survival in a nuclear age. Our children must be taught about the powerful connection between our ability to co-exist and prosper.

So, what can you do as an individual? Plenty. Here are a few practical examples:

• Practice random acts of kindness.
• Become the change you wish to see in the world.
• Make a difference - become someone’s hero.
• Reject hateful ideology and speeches.
• Celebrate diversity as the mosaic of life.

Tags: Geela Parish, Patti Labelle, non-violence, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr, Albert Einstein