May 4, 2009  

This is my final installment in which I address solutions for the racism and prejudice problem. If you have gone through the previous stages, you most likely can think of some replacements yourself. Have fun.

If we follow all or most of the suggestions in Stage Three we will have had a profound effect on our community. Now that we have identified and eliminated the dandelion roots we have to replace them with flower and vegetable gardens.

Religions need to change how they function
    As you have noticed, various aspects of religious expression will be seriously affected so my first flower garden will address the religious issue.
    Most of Thunder Bay's believers are Christians. While they may differ on how they wish to express their Christianity, they do subscribe to a common book — the Bible — and adhere to identical moral principles and values. Their differences are primarily found in their expression of these beliefs — their practices, prayers and traditions.
    In our elimination of roots most of them, if not all, will encounter profound financial problems. Most will have had to sell off their properties or are about to. So, here is a solution that confronts prejudices and racism rooted in religion.

Sunday services to take place at the Gardens
   Every Sunday the Fort William Gardens (a city owned rink with 4,000 plus seating) will host a Christian gathering featuring great music, singing and dynamic speakers. The emphasis will be on mutual worship and fullfillment. Second and third seatings, if required, should accommodate Thunder Bay's Christian community. The various religious communities can share the pulpit, the organ and the administrative roles involved in staging this gathering.
    The city would charge an admission that covers all of its costs. The price of admission will be adjusted quarterly based on attendance. Religious leaders will be paid out of the take. Special bus services will pick up worshippers throughout the city.    
    There will not be any financial appeals to the crowd. Many religions may have to sacrifice their rituals. These have evolved over the last 1,700 years. Since the strength of such a gathering is its common belief in Jesus Christ I am certain they will learn to adapt. If He set an example by His sacrifice, modern day Christians should be able to adapt to this concept. If there are differences of opinion, the church leaders can work them out. They can set an example.
    If church real estate can not be sold commercially, the city will make an offer for the property. The price will reflect the fact that the churches have been utilizing city services without having to pay taxes for many years. Besides, they won’t need so much money!
    If religious denominations retain their real estate holdings it is with the express understanding that they pay municipal taxes at the same rates paid by commercial buildings and will be subject to the same by-laws for commercial buildings. Discounted valuations for tax purposes will not be allowed.
  
The population will take over
With the doors open to new and innovative thinking, I am certain that within Thunder Bay's population, other ideas will be generated that bring us together. Here is one!

                                
We could learn from our Olympic athletes
Several years ago, olympic athletes decided that the divisive practice of appearing always as "national" teams had to end. They came together to the closing ceremonies as a citizens of our world. Athletes of all nations, colours and creeds held hands, and joyfully entered the stadium together. It was the greatest moment in Olympic history as the athletes took back their cherished event from commercial and national interests. Remember, the athletes did it — not the Olympic officials, the politicians or the bureaucrats!
    In Thunder Bay we have a major thoroughfare called Memorial Drive. Wouldn't it be a fantastic gesture if our citizens could walk hand-in-hand as they celebrate their citizenship on July First — Canada Day?

The people need to dance and sing together
    The citizens need to dance with each other much more than they need to watch other people dance, and they would enjoy singing together, too!
    We should resist any attempt made by groups to preserve the past at the expense of the future. They will, and have, argued that they “can’t see a problem with what they want to do!” I have found that is usually a matter of they “won’t see a problem . . . ”

    I encourage you to leave a comment or question below, or send me an e-mail. I do know that the religious world will be more receptive to these changes, even though they know I live . . . without gods!  

                            Anton Kozlik
   

To view list of all posting that deal with prejudice, hate and racism, click here

Home       Comment Policy      Contact Us

        *Terms and            Definitions
My articles may contain words or phrases that may infer different meanings to different readers, or the reader may be unfamiliar with the term or its definition. I feel it is important to know what the writer meant when he used a word or term.

racism and prejudice — Most definitions focus on racial superiority and miss the point that prejudice is really the root of racism. For example, one group may dwell in a swanky section of town. They are undesirable to the other townspeople who apply various forms of prejudice against them.
     Another more obvious example deals with religion. One religion exercises prejudice against members of another religion even when both religious groups are of identical racial, economic and national backgrounds — and worship the same God. They may never come into open conflict with each other but they are, in effect, practicing a form of prejudice — just a more civilized version so they believe it is acceptable. Families, however, will exert pressure to make sure that its members do not associate with the other guys, especially when it comes to finding a mate. Modern social practices have almost eliminated this one.
     Some forms of prejudice are difficult to isolate, as in this example. Most Italians will rally together as they defend Italy. But, among themselves, a serious prejudice becomes apparent when northern and southern Italians are forced together. Prisoner of war camps attest to this situation as Italians split into two encampments. Ask an Italian from the camps if this situation ever happened and they will deny it. You will get a different story from their prison guards.

cognitive dissonance —
Filtering out information that conflicts with what one already believes, in an effort to ignore that information and reinforce one’s beliefs.

Editors note: I will be repeating the “cognitive dissonance” definition for quite a while since it is practiced by so many — known by so few!