Every student of history knows that truth is an elusive, uncertain thing. But on the whole, history – good history – provides us with evidence that verifies or refutes the underlying truth of any given social philosophy of humankind.

Certainty will always be the mark of the ideologue – the true believer: the man or woman who is so sure of his/her point of view, that no questioning is  allowed. The search for truth does not know certainty.

Bertrand Russel was a wise man. He wrote that "The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so sure of themselves – and wiser people are full of doubts". How true that is.

The real heroes of history are always those who not only thought outside the box…they lived outside it: Diane Dupuy, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Mandela, Rosa Parks, George Fox, Mary Magdalene, Buddha, Jesus.

Real heroes stand up. They speak their truth to power. They resist authoritarian rule. They oppose racism. They speak out for the poor, the dispossessed, the helpless and the powerless. And all too often they die for what they believe.

Jesus challenged the "powers that be" of his age. He confronted the authorities with his wisdom and common sense. He rebelled against rabbis. He advocated originality and invited others to follow his example.

Now the time has come for a New Reformation. One that would put aside the values of greed and self-interest. One that would place a high value on goodness, forgiveness, tolerance and generosity.

We live today in the midst of a spiritual crisis. It’s a cyclical thing that seems to come around every few generations. It’s what I call the "I-Know-Best syndrome". I’m not ‘religious’…but you could call it "pride".

One of the truths we know is that while revenge may be sweet, it achieves nothing. Great leaders have taught that without forgiveness…immediate and unconditional, there is no closure for either victim or perpetrator.

Years ago I attended a lecture by a renowned Jewish philosopher. Viktor Frankl had been incarcerated in Auschwitz. His parents were killed there. He said his inner peace was the result of forgiving the Nazis.

In 2006 a disturbed young man entered an Amish school in Pennsylvania and shot 11 girls. 4 died. The Amish neighbours went to the killer’s home in a horse and buggy caravan to offer food, condolences and forgiveness to the family of the shooter. By doing that, the Amish mourners put their faith into practice. They actually lived their faith and its message. "Love your neighbour" and break the cycle of revenge with forgiveness.

Imagine how different the world would be if – after 9/11 – we had reached out to the families and co-religionists of the killers and met with them and asked their help in preventing such acts in the future.

Imagine how different the world would be if we went en masse to the Palestinian people – offered our help – and asked their forgiveness for being complicit in what has happened to them.

Imagine how different the world would be if we then immediately went en masse to the people of Israel and offered to sit with them and truly help them make peace with people who are not really their enemies…but rather, who are victims of historic mistakes.

It’s not too late to change our ways. People at the core are pretty much the same – with the same needs, desires and ambitions.

Willingness to forgo vengeance does not undo a tragedy or pardon a
wrong, but rather constitutes a first step toward a future that is more
hopeful.

Our present course will lead only downward.