"Ubuntu" is an ancient African word, meaning "humanity to others". Ubuntu also means "I am what I am because of who we all are".

I recently installed a new version of Linux on my nifty laptop [Thank you again!] because the other version was a little strange when it came to configuring the video drivers. I had read about this version and thought I'd give it a try. It's called Ubuntu. Pronounced you-boon-too.

I have too admit, I had a knee jerk reaction to the name because of the definition of the African word. As you know, I analyze myself and intentions regularly and gave this some serious thought. Then it occurred to me why the apprehension.

Christians are afraid of certain words. As Christians, we are programmed to eschew humanistic references. Someone even coined a wretched title, Secular Humanism and we ALL avoid that if we are G-d fearing, Bible believing Christians, don't we? Consequently, embracing a product that clearly referenced humanity to others must be humanistic, right? And also secular! Argh! I can sense readers shuddering at the thought.

Well, I got to thinking, didn't the Lord teach us to treat others with respect? Aren't we supposed to live peaceably with all men, as Paul taught? G-d made humans and He wants us to get along. Why is it that we, as Christians raise two fingers and make a cross when someone mentions the word, humanity?

We are a funny lot. We duck and weave, hoping to avoid any appearance of being human. We paint our words with Christian colors, more specifically, denominational colors, in hopes of setting ourselves apart from those icky humans.

John 3:16 Judging by this verse, G-d loves humans.

I'm over the initial knee-jerk reaction I had to a harmless definition of an African word. After all, it coincides with what G-d wants us to be doing anyway. I installed Ubuntu on my laptop and it runs great! It is the easiest version of Linux I have ever seen and I heartily recommend it for anyone who wants to move away from the bondage of a Windows system, not that I would ever bash Windows.

Ubuntu!

Let it be on your lips as you do the work G-d has called you to do...with other humans.

http://www.ubuntulinux.org (if you are interested)
It's free. You can download it or they'll even send you a CD at no charge.
That's the humantarian thing to do.

Download now

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