Changed by 9/11

9/11 changed my perception and outlook on the world and my faith forever. Before 9/11, the world community had seemed vast and unimportant in my life. How could events that transpired 10,000 miles away possibly affect my daily routine of school, family, sports and friends? How could the beliefs of radicals and cynics in another religion possibly relate to my own beliefs?

September 11, and the events in the months and years that followed, changed that perception forever. The world community, which had seemed so large to me just days earlier, became much smaller. No longer did highways and oceans separate me from these events, nor did my relative ignorance of the world community keep me from understanding what was motivating these events.

While I was shocked initially to see the towers blazing out of control and crumbling to the ground, I was comforted by the reactions of ordinary people who were standing united and doing extraordinary things.

I saw firefighters and even innocent bystanders risking their lives to evacuate people from the towers. I saw people going out of their way to help in any way they could - gathering supplies, giving blood and offering manpower.

It was then I really understood the differences between us and those who stand against us. It was not geographic location, political ideology or religious belief. It was just a different interpretation of what makes a righteous person a hero or a martyr, and deluded person, a cynic.

We are willing to risk our lives for the good and protection of others, so that all people may celebrate their faith and freedom. Those who stand against us would kill others to have their way, and only their way. This realization strengthened my resolve and understanding of faith.

While we may differ in the steps we take toward it, all good people share a common goal in the safety and well-being of everyone who inhabits this world community.

(11/16/06) [[In-content Ad]]