A bunch of Buddhist monks are presently taking part in a 2,300 mile “Stroll for Peace” as they make their means on foot from Fort Value, Texas to Washington, D.C. Whereas the crowds who’ve come out to see them alongside their journey have been overwhelmingly optimistic and supportive, sadly, the monks have additionally encountered a handful of not-so-friendly locals. Previously week, as they walked by way of elements of Walton County in northeast Georgia, a gaggle of Christian protesters confirmed up in Good Hope, Georgia to voice their opposition to the peace-loving monks. Flagpole Journal explains:
​The Buddhists left Good Hope this morning, the place that they had been met by Christian protesters, in line with Basic Metropolis Information. The monks then stopped for lunch in Bishop and deliberate to spend the night time in Arnoldsville, in line with their Fb web page.
On their Fb web page, Basic Metropolis Information acknowledged that “not everybody who confirmed up in Good Hope got here to welcome the monks as they stopped to relaxation on their Stroll For Peace,” and shared a photograph of a number of the protesters, who held up indicators that learn, “JESUS SAVES,” “Be humble and let Jesus set you free,” “JESUS IS THE ANSWER” (in MAGA font), and the traditional: “WARNING: Drunkards, thieves, homosexuals, lairs, fornicators, atheists, potty mouths, drug customers, Muslims, false religions, racists, transgenders, child killers, sin approvers, all unrepentant sinners — Hell Awaits, Judgement is Coming, DON’T GO TO HELL!!”
Ah sure, as a result of, as one of many feedback on the photographs states, “There isn’t any hate fairly like Christian Nationalist love.”
It is nearly just like the protesters utterly missed the entire level of the Stroll for Peace, which, as reported by the Asheville Citizen Occasions, is to “elevate consciousness for peace, loving kindness, and compassion throughout America and the world.” And in line with many of us who have been on the Good Hope occasion and witnessed the protest, it wasn’t simply hateful indicators that the monks and the supporters needed to take care of. Many commented on the Basic Metropolis Information submit with their eyewitness accounts, stating that the protesters yelled, made noise, and have been typically the very reverse of peaceable or respectful. Listed here are some of the eyewitness accounts:
I used to be there. These persons are not godly folks. The people who have been screaming and yelling have been hateful folks. They wanted to take heed to the message of the monks. The individuals who declare that they’re of Jesus and righteous should not christians. They’re snakes. Jesus was a peaceable man and he completely wouldn’t have completed this.Â
When the Monks would ask everybody to deal with inhaling silence, the blokes on the hill would begin screaming “You are going to hell” & “Save your self from the flames”
The Walton County PD did an important job holding them quiet. And, I can guarantee you, the group that gathered to see the monks weren’t glad they have been there, which speaks volumes as a result of Good Hope (GA) is a small city and identified to be very conservative.Â
THANK YOU i used to be there as we speak there have been so many Nasty folks standing on the financial institution screaming imply and hateful issues out at them–i meet 1 and obtained a pic with him.
I noticed this primary hand in Monroe, the place they used a PA that was louder than the monks. They’ve 364 days a yr for his or her message, and nobody was there to see them. Completely disgraceful, Jesus could be embarrassed.
There was two of them hollering and being loud in Monroe too. It is disgusting actually. The Monks aren’t attempting to vary who you consider in, they’re actually solely strolling for peace. Individuals are making it extra difficult when it’s simply merely about Peace and nothing else.
I used to be there and I’ve video of these stated “Christians” they have been yelling and laughing after we have been requested to be silent. It was so disrespectful and disappointing!
i used to be there these silly folks have been on the financial institution one man with a mega telephone others have been simply screaming the police wouldnt permit them down within the parking zone the place the monks have been.
These guys have been idiots. I videoed considered one of them simply attempting to begin hassle with a girl. There was nothing peaceable about them. They have been simply attempting to trigger a scene. There was nothing Christian about them.
I used to be there this night. Not an important search for Christianity. They have been loud, disruptive, even attempting to hope the Lord’s Prayer over the Monk’s blessing and chants. Extraordinarily disrespectful to folks attempting to deliver consciousness to peace. The monks are not doing this to transform anyone to something. In case you are ignorant to what their beliefs are, simply educate your self.Â
Throughout the speech, they tried to get much more belligerent, and the monk stated “all of us bleed the identical shade, all of us cry tears that style salty. Once you come from love no matter variations, that ripples right into a world that’s unbalanced. It begins inside you.” So with that I ask you: Who higher represented Jesus tonight?
Fortunately, in a transparent demonstration of the very peace they’re encouraging with their journey, the monks simply saved strolling and paid no consideration to the protesters. One attendee acknowledged: “The Monks did not have interaction AT ALL (higher folks than me that is for positive) and delivered a phenomenal message of peace and unity. Nothing non secular what so ever. Simply kindness! So fortunate I obtained to be there!” One other individual shared: “The monks had the proper response at lunchtime as we speak. No response. We’ve got loads to study from them.” Another person wrote:
They [the protesters] completely weren’t appearing like Jesus and it was a disgrace they used their time on expending a lot hate when there was far more love there then hate final night time. Love and Peace wins! That they had nothing however dangerous vibes and the Monks fought it with good vibes and peace. It was a great present of letting your interior peace not be disturbed.
Fortuitously, a lot of the of us within the feedback of the Basic Metropolis Information submit condemned the protesters, and shared solely love and assist for the Buddhist monks and their Stroll for Peace. One individual reported, “Don’t be concerned guys, regardless that they have been doing this they appeared silly. The crowds cheer and responses to the monks have been means louder than their silly chants. They have been actually solely heard each time it was alleged to be silent second. That is after they selected to talk up.” One other commenter stated, “How disgraceful. That is the primary I am seeing of this. Good Lord if somebody feels the necessity to protest Peaceable Loving people spreading peace and love they’ve some critical interior work to do. They know no mindfulness.” Different feedback supporting the monks included:
Jesus would have washed their toes, and fed them, given them garments and brought care of them. Finish of story.
In case your core perception is so shakeable {that a} quiet monk handing out flowers and saying “peace and love fill you” challenges your beliefs, you’re the downside, not them.
It was an exquisite educating second to reveal my youngsters to different cultures and beliefs. It didn’t convert them from Christianity to Buddhism. It taught them to deal with what we now have in frequent. Unhappy to see Walton county is at all times going to dwell at midnight ages.
One of many attendees who posted on Fb revealed that the protestors had additionally not too long ago confirmed up in close by Monroe, Georgia when the monks handed by way of, and that the ‘ring chief’ of the protestors was previously an educator at an enormous native college that was fired for having inappropriate sexual relationships with a scholar and a educating assistant, who ended up submitting a harassment grievance in opposition to him. I do not know if any of that is true, so I will not be sharing the title, but it surely’s accessible should you scroll by way of this thread.
To study extra in regards to the Stroll for Peace, go to their web site or Fb web page, the place they’re documenting their journey.
Beforehand:
• Buddhist monk reminding us: ‘All of us dwell in a yellow submarine’
• Meet the robotic Buddhist monk
• Stunning movie on a Buddhist ritual solely 46 monks have accomplished
