"Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles." Olympic Charter, Fundamental principles, paragraph 2
Does the Chinese government live up to these ideals?
The International Olympic Committee has chosen China as the host nation for the 2008 summer games. China's government (NOT the Chinese people) is guilty of perpetrating on its citizens unspeakable atrocities and violations of fundamental human rights. Skip the Olympics this year and show your solidarity with the Chinese people and not the Chinese government.
Thanks to Portal and the Redemption of Unity Gain for the pic.
11 comments:
I have no idea what the IOC was thinking when they awarded the Olympics to China.
I've been wrestling with this predicament. I absolutely love the Olympics and want to support our athletes. But in no way do I condone the human rights abuses that the Chinese government perpetrates.
But honestly, I'll probably be watching along with my family. I can only pray that the spotlight shone on China during the Olympics may serve to force some change in their government.
Yeah, China was definitely not ready to host- it's the number 8 thing. It's auspicious and I'm sure they had serious pull with 8/8/08.
I hope I can show my daughter all the wonderful and beautiful things about her culture without sugar coating it too much.
IMHO the Olympics have gotten so out of hand what with the over-the-top spectacle and expenditure of money.
And, lets not forget the number of athletes who are doped up or exploited in some way.
It kind of reminds me of a ancient non-bloody Roman show.
I'm skipping it!!
"Stop judging and you will not be judged."
Jim-
That’s a nasty way of twisting words around, don’t you think? If you believe the statement “Stop judging and you will not be judged” means to stand by apathetically and not discourage people from watching an event that benefits directly a government guilty of appalling human rights abuses, then not only have you missed the meaning of that statement, but you have also ignored the rallying cry of Christianity for justice for all human beings; practically every standard of decency and respect for human life set by that same Christian tradition; and have also ignored the persecution Chinese men and women experience in their daily lives, often times because of religious beliefs. Perhaps you should speak to your parish priest to gain a better understanding of what "stop judging and you will not be judged" truly means.
BTW, nothing in this post suggests a judgement on my behalf of the people who choose to watch the Olympics.
Whoops ... sincere apology.
I was catching up on your blog and I was skimming topics. I scrolled down to and past your Friday, August 1, 2008 Skip the Olympics this Year to the next previous one, which was your Thursday, July 31, 2008 "Stop judging and you will not be judged."
I had not but skimmed the Olympics item as I caught sight of the Thursday topic. My 'still coming out of sedation' mind saw it as ironic...and i commented before I could clearly think, apparently, because I agree with your comments to me whole-heartedly.
The post recovery room instruction sheet states that physical and reasoning functions could remain impaired for up to 24 hours. I'm hanging my hat on that 'cause I really was not intentionally suggesting your position on the Olympics was out of place.
In fact, my wife and I have discussed weather or not we would watch any this year.
So, please accept my apology.
[might have been a problem sending your comment to me as I received it 4 times yet see it above only once]
Jim-
No apology is necessary:0) But what of this "post recovery" you speak of? Are you doing okay? I'm going to stop by your blog to see if there is anything there.
First off, I like the picture!!
Second, I'm not watching the olympics either, but my husband is, which is fine, I'm not trying to tell him how to live. BUT... he did promise he would cut back on goods he buys from China(clothes and other things)! I think it's the little things that people do that can help make a difference.
Jessica-
If your husband is watching the Olympics, this does NOT make him a bad or apathetic person. Not watching is a decision I made for myself based on the precepts of my own conscience. No more and no less.
Tom - I didn't mean to imply that my husband watching was a bad choice, I just meant it would be harder for me to not watch because it would be on. I didn't think you thought he was bad or apathetic. I made the choice not to watch for myself, not anyone else, and I don't expect others to agree with my personal feelings. I'm sorry if I came across as judging him or something.
Post a Comment