BY REV. DORAL PULLEY
“And the Lord said, Behold the people are one and they all have one language and nothing that they have imagined will be impossible for them (Genesis 11:6).”
When I visited Israel, I was astonished to see that every directional sign was in three languages. At the top of the signs was Hebrew. English was in the middle and Arabic was at the bottom. The three languages on the signs represented the three major religions of the people who lived there: Jews, Christians and Muslims.
The signs had a deeper meaning then just direction. The one sign with the three different languages represents unity through diversity. It symbolizes that people of different religions can peacefully coexist.
The schools in Israel have begun to teach students all three languages. The key to peace is communication. If the young people can speak each other’s language, then they can work together for the common good of all the residents of the country. Youth who can speaking each other’s language and understand each other’s religion have the power to unify a country that has been so divided for so many centuries.
The Tower of Babel in Genesis represents confusion. Because the people were no longer able to communicate with each other they were unable to live together in harmony. The only way for us to have peace is that we must be willing to learn to speak each other’s language. Whether the subject is world peace, community peace or peace in our homes, effective communication and education are the solution.
Rev. Doral Pulley is the senior pastor of Unity Temple of Truth Church, 511 Prescott St. S, St. Petersburg.
