With all due respect to anyone who believes that money is the root of all evil, and living in that archaic, fear-dwelling, guilt-swallowing way of existing, I have only one thing to say; get conscious already!

It’s as preposterous to consider money as the root of all evil as it’s preposterous to convict a baseball bat to death because it was used to bludgeon someone to death. If a man uses a baseball bat to kill someone, it's the man who's done the evil act; not the bat. When a baseball player hits a home run, we cheer the player, not the bat. It’s the player who used his thoughts, feelings, skill, knowledge and passion, and he took the action to make that home run happen. The bat's not good or evil; the bat's a bat!

Consider what would happen if we eliminated baseball because a bat was used in an evil manner; imagine a world without baseball practice, little-league and even the World Series. It would certainly affect the economy, not to mention make for a planet full of unhappy little boys, husbands, buddies, dads, sons, nephews, grandsons, great grandsons, grandfathers, great grandfathers, boyfriends, uncles, godfathers, brothers – And that’s just the men (who account for only one quarter of the population). I won’t even get on the subject of what would happen if Barbie, Bratz, make-up, clothes, automobiles, the Internet or anything else that brings us joy and stimulates the economy, were to be considered the root of all evil because someone used them in an evil way.

The “Money is Evil” rule was created by religions and political groups, and if money is evil, why do the churches want our money?  If money is evil, perhaps this should tell us something about religions. Or maybe it’s just because a rich religious organization is a powerful organization, and the rich and powerful make the rules.

Still think money is the root of all evil? Explain that to the single mom who can feed her child because someone made a financial donation to the United Way. Explain it to a quadruple amputee who can run, ski, bike, dance, hold his child, and then brush his own teeth at the end of the day because someone gave money to the War-Amps. Explain it to the retired Veterans who have a roof to sleep under in July because someone gave money for a poppy in November. Explain it to yourself the next time you receive a bill in the mail...or a cheque.

The only thing evil about money is how we use it. The root of all evil is the same root as everything else; it starts with a thought!

For better living ideas, visit the insprational page at www.claudelavertu.com