Something to ponder this Christmas from This American Life

A short real-life story from This American Life, the theme for the week’s episode: Kid’s Logic:

We live in a world with an inordinate amount of violence. Much of it perpetrated by people who do not empathize with their victims. I often wonder, if the victimizers could only grasp the humanity they share with others, how less likely they would be to give expression to their violence.

Stories can do this. They can give us a jolt like the This American Life story does. They can raise our awareness of and sensitivity to the world views and life experience of others. They can make other people less like The Other and more like Us.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” One key to promulgating peace and mitigating violence is through stories that humanize people from all races, creeds and social backgrounds.

This time of year when we celebrate a wide diversity of religious celebrations, let’s all aspire to inspire with our stories. Reject cynicism. Embrace hope. And support visionaries who promote peace.