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�The distinguishing characteristic of modern civilization is an
indefinite multiplicity of human wants. The characteristic of
ancient civilization is an imperative restriction upon and a
strict regulating of these wants.� --MK Gandhi
I am mystified today by Africa. It is so easy to forget to consider suffering
around the world, or to only focus on the suffering of one�s own people. Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people, at this very time in history, are being
hunted in Africa. While we in the West enjoy much more subtle forms of
discrimination, they are arrested, tortured, killed by agents of their governments.
This is seen both as morally virtuous, based on their maladaptive, imported
Christian faith, and as a means to ensure that their �cultural values and the rights
of traditional families� are protected as they move to maintain personal power,
modernize their nations and emerge onto the world stage.
As Gandhi wrote, �The distinguishing characteristic of modern civilization
is an indefinite multiplicity of human wants.� He was probably referring to a
negative from his perspective: that modern (Western) society attempts to
cultivate the material desires of its people, whereas ancient (Eastern) societies
teach the restriction of desire. At the same time, we can understand his wisdom
from another perspective.
Perhaps the distinguishing characteristic of a modern civilization is
recognizing and respecting the diversity of beings--the �indefinite multiplicity of
human wants.� The characteristic of ancient civilizations is then the restriction of
diversity and the maintenance of conformity. This is certainly true in Africa, and
all over the world, as regular genocide, torture, and discrimination is perpetrated
against people based on their gender, religion, sexual orientation, political
beliefs, geographic residency, and so on. These are efforts to repress and
eliminate the �other.� These are attempts to stop any challenges to the
patriarchal, heterosexist, and/or materialistic domination of a country or region by
a particular individual or in-group.
Gandhi also wrote that �Man easily capitulates when sin is presented in
the garb of virtue.� The guise of religious virtue is perhaps the oldest disguise for
the will to power, and, as we know, where the will to power dominates, the will to
love is absent. May love replace all ambition. May love replace all fear. May
love replace all hatred. May truth replace all lies. May peace replace all conflict,
in Africa and around the world. Amen.