h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

How about we ask ourselves: is life actually holy? Do we ordinarily act as if it is? Why does it take a disaster like this to shake people into feeling compassion for each other?

I would say: yes, life is holy. Unfortunately most people seem to act otherwise, both in their regard of others and of themselves.

I have been fortunate in meeting people who actually do practise a reverence for life, and I can only attempt to emulate such people.

Compassion arises naturally from respect and reverence for life, and it is not even a trait exclusive to our species. A disaster does tend to awaken our feelings of connectedness, but a human inspired disaster such as this also causes us to feel ashamed of being a member of a species that is capable of such a callous, cowardly act.

Perhaps something like this can be a wake up call for humanity. I hope so.

We can make it so.

Compassion, respect and reverence for life, in my view, comes from appreciating one's own life, and recognising the same life in others, and from that sensing a common bond.

Can we perhaps draw people's attention to these discussions?

I will post the link info on the ACE forum, for a start.

Also, perhaps this could become a talking point.. The discussions directly related to the terrorist attacks of yesterday have already been moved to the talking point and are noted on the front page

talking point-- www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A630163

Yes, that would be a good idea! I know the talking point - talking there in fact!