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Inadequate Political and Moral Categories in Palestine and Israel – Part 2
For it is quite conceivable, and even within the realm of practical political possibilities, that one fine day, a highly organized and mechanized humanity will conclude quite democratically – namely, by majority decision – that for humanity as a whole, it would be better to liquidate certain parts thereof. Continue reading
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In Good Faith: A Palestinian-American’s Story
She described her hometown as a place where people slept with their doors unlocked, where theft was unheard of, and where there were no random acts of violence. Everyone knew each other by name, and assistance to other members of the community was a matter of course, and nothing exceptional. Continue reading
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Organized Lying About Palestine
If we are paying attention, we should have noticed the practice of organized lying. Continue reading
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My Prayer for Actions in Israel / Palestine
Dearest Lord, Thou has told us that if we confess our sins that Thou art faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Dearest Lord, I dare to name the sins of my people, and especially the ones of which I am also responsible. I have been an imperialist expander, Continue reading
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The Avatar, Authenticity and Why Palestinians are Returning to Northern Gaza
Authenticity, as the Palestinians are manifesting, invests in home, in land, and in community instead of ideological notions of a “Zionist” state, Continue reading
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The Evil in Claiming, “Terrorist” – and the Al Ahli Hospital
The “terrorist” label is often an unwarranted shortcut to the imaginary moral high road. Continue reading
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Al Aqsa Flood, Day 3 continued: Israel is Telling us that it’s a Genocide!
We should understand that they have placed the entirety of Gaza (not just Hamas) under siege: no food, no water, no electricity, no safe shelter. It is now a concentration camp. Continue reading
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Al Aqsa Flood, Day 3: the Siege and the Danger of Innocence
Claiming innocence to justify any action will make us morally culpable because it is an abdication of our responsibility to think. Innocence is our greatest danger. Continue reading
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Al Aqsa Flood – Day 2
If you haven’t been following, Hamas, the military arm / guerrilla fighters of Gaza launched an invasion into southern Israel. You can read about my take on it here. After Lebanon exchanged fire with Israel on the northern border, and with exchanges of violence in Ramallah, Hebron, and Jericho today, it will be a misnomer to Continue reading
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The Al Aqsa Flood, a.k.a the Israeli-Gaza War
I don’t condone Hamas’s behavior – but I certainly understand it. Continue reading
About me: I am a career educator and traveler at heart. My written work includes academic writing in philosophy and linguistics, English acquisition, and most intently in the areas of spiritual engagement with reality and what that means for our public lives.
My education is a mixture of formal study in philosophy, political theory, Biblical studies, and history, along with professional teaching certification in TESOL and in cognitive testing, and international teaching.
My travel experiences include a range of countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. I have lived in Canada, the United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Thailand. From those places I have traveled to many others besides.
I am a child of the 70’s and a “family man.” That means I have two wonderful kids who have been round the world with me.
Lastly, I am married to a wonderful woman since 2004. She is my partner, my friend, and my muse.
Thanks again for stopping by,
Raymond Klassen - Ideals and Identities 