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Muslims, Hispanics, Gays

Dear Friends,        Muslims, Hispanics, Gays
“What similaries do to you see in the USA today and in your time growing up in Nazi Germany between 1928 and 1948?” Ask a brother at a sharing I attended. Franz Schneider answered. “What scares me is the signaling out certain groups like Muslims, Hispanics, and gays as the enemy as though they are the problem by a certain candidate. We were catholic we were on the list; fortunately no one turned us in. I had a brother for who the SST came to our house, arrested him and we never saw him again. I was home when it happened. Another thing is the one presidential candidate’s reluctances to say he will accept the outcome of the election if he loses. All these things happened under Hitler. I am fearful. Your country is in dangerous territory.
At one point whole neighborhoods were leveled by the bombing. Many homes had cellars connected to the neighbors under the main houses, so when one was bombed you went to neighbor’s cellar. Many times we barely had enough food to eat, we were often hungry.
One person said to me (Jim) or I read it. “In the news reports about war they often just talk about the guns, planes, drones, and bombs and but fail to mention the suffering and pain that that comes with war.”
Franz is 88, uses a walker, has a PhD, taught 40 years at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. he now lives in Albany, OR.
 Here at George Fox University I gave over 250 flyers. I was surprised at obvious student interest in making peace with Isis nonviolently.
Pray for peace. As I often have to remind myself, the effectiveness of my prayers depends on God not us. What we need to do is show up and say the words.
Shalom, Jim




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