Transcription
Brief aan Jim Gregory een collega, die werkte voor de lloyds Bank in Mexico City. ADD & Jim volgden dezelfde cursus van de Manchester Business Scool.
Rhoon, november 18 , 1985
Dear Jim,
If I have not written you immediately after the earthquake, it doesn't mean that we have stopped thinking about you. I am beginning to believe that your Creator has created an imperfect world. Just when we have emotionally accepted the calamities in one place, the the calamities in other places replace the pity we had with the people in the former area.
There is no real civilization, nor has there been in the past, without a good supporting religion. In these religions, mortals always tried to establish a preferential relationship with the God by observing certain rituals or by devoting his craft and/or energy to that religion.
In the 17th century, a Dutch philosopher of Portuguese Jewish origin Spinoza (1632-1677 )developed the theory that the Lord is a wholesaler. In other words, he was not concerned about the well-being of each individual. He was concerned with the system as a whole. People may suffer in one place, while it is compensated elsewhere.
You better believe in the impersonal God of Spinoza, otherwise you cannot accept all the misery he shares with us.
I assume you and your family are doing well. Immediately after the earthquake, Paul Brown (division director Middle East and Europe) visited the Rotterdam branch. He told me that the branch office (representative office) in Mexico City and the staff were fine. I have no idea if you're having a normal work day again.
I happened to write you a letter, I think in August, and I wonder if you ever received my absolutely unimportant thoughts?
I wish you and Margriet all the best. Stay healthy and maintain confidence.
Adriaan Dirkzwager and love from Vera.
