my views Archives - Opher's World

I took this photo in London a few days ago. It moved me.

I was quite stimulated by a thing Andrew said on my blog. It got me thinking. While I was on my treadmill my mind was mulling it over.

I was seventeen in 1967. It was a good year. I was a young, idealistic, naïve young fool.

This is what Andrew said:

‘Surely you still don’t think the same as you did when you were 17?
Lost of things impressed me at 17, too, but I doubt very much if I’d give them a 2nd glance today.
Particularly when I know better and understand the truth of the matter.’

I am a lot older now. I am very different. I’ve been a lot of places and seen a lot of things. I’ve travelled the world, experienced lots, had an exacting career with lots of responsibilities, met all sorts of people, had my highs and lows and thought deeply about it all. That’s why I write my books.

I am pleased to say that while I am not so naïve I am still just as idealistic. Most of what I believed as a seventeen year old I still hold true today.

I look back at all the great music – the 50s 60s and 70s and love it just as much.
I still play the Dylan that opened up my mind
I still play my Roy Harper that helped it blossom
I still read my Kerouac, Burroughs, Ginsberg, Brautigan, Miller and Bukowski that impressed me so much
I still believe in civil rights, equality and global perspectives
I still believe that we need to limit our numbers and protect nature
I still hate war, racism, elitism, misogyny, sexism and cruelty
I still abhor war, torture and fundamentalism
I still want a world full of love, beauty and creativity
I still love the spirituality of a sunset, tree and rock
I still reject hate and violence

I thought I’d changed a lot – but I haven’t have I? I still believe in the same philosophy I did when I was seventeen. I must be incredibly naïve and boring.

Views

I stand Full Square for living and wringing every last drop out of every second. I want a full life of fun, love and friendship. I am loyal and greatly value loyalty.

I believe in the power of love and understanding to heal and nurture.

I believe in tolerance, freedom and equality.

I stand up to be counted when the chips are down and will put all my energy and strength into opposing racism, intolerance, indoctrination, religious fanaticism, violence and oppression.

I abhor tyranny and coercion.

Those that try to restrict the minds of the young need opposing and those that inflict their religious or political beliefs on children should be locked up. That is the worst crime of all. Everything should be open to debate. Put it on the table and argue your case with all your strength. There are no facts.