If the warfare against each other and Planet earth continues, the Cosmic experiment with human life, which in principle could support its harmonious and joyous flourishing existence far into the future, could soon come to a premature end. This would be one of the supreme tragedies of the universe.
Our Biological Vulnerability
The Pandemic Covid-19 as it builds in intensity is turning our attention to our biological vulnerability on this planet. It is also turning our attention to the inadequacy of our understanding of that vulnerability.
It is showing us that we are living in contradiction to biosphere planetary Gaia equilibrium. (Gaia Theory: the earth and all life on it as an interdependent organism)
We were given ideal ecological conditions for our evolutionary development when our journey began some eight million years ago; then when standing upright four to three million years ago and then when beginning to develop a large brain cage 400 to 300 thousand years ago. But now with over seven billion in population, (more than double since 1950) mostly packed together like sardines in a can and in a planetary “free-for-all” potpourri of ecologically destructive social, political, economic religious systems for the first time in our evolutionary history we find ourselves in violation of the divinely grounded Gaia laws of nature; laws that are rooted in the laws of physics, chemistry and biology.
As for the virus, in the long run there will be a vaccine. It will then be far more manageable. Nevertheless, the question before us will remain:
Will Covid-19 teach us the underlying Gaia lesson or will the self-destructive demonic within us continue to be a force leading to Homo sapiens extinction?
Go to my Blog 55 and read my essay: “Our Biosphere Problem”
https://countercurrents.org/2018/06/17/our-biosphere-problem/
Essay Summary
Over the next 50/150 years our Biosphere will undergo drastic temperature change. That change may bring about our extinction. Unlike past extinctions, this one will not be brought on by a random meteorite/asteroid or natural planetary happening. It will be self-inflicted by Homo sapiens.
A WAY TO A GLOBAL SOLUTION
Understanding of the “Demonic” by way of
A world dialogical imperitive leading to religion/science pluralism
Religion
Religious belief as it exists in its varied permutations throughout the world is a powerful force.
Because our planetary survival problem is a global problem, leaders of the world religious belief systems need to come together and reach consensus as to commonality in thought and how that can be energized so as to find a way for continued human existence on Planet earth.
They will find that many seemingly different religious assertions that at first appear contradictory underneath express complementary truths.
This is not a call for debilitating religious relativistic debate. It is a call for definition of commonality of religious objectives. People can strongly affirm the primary doctrines of their faith while determining universalities.
Physical Sciences
As for the physical scientists, they too need to come together and acknowledge a Modern Age fact: There are cosmic truths within which a deeper understanding of the confluence between religion and science can be found. That understanding must center on the need for an understanding of the continuance of Homo sapiens on Planet earth from a scientific, philosophic and religious viewpoint. (Yes and that includes atheists)
Social Sciences
And as for the in the Social Sciences it is time for it to be concentrating attention on the eukaryotic/neurotic/psychotic thinking imperfection (religion called the demonic) that we brought with us into this New Age.
A New Social Political Economic – and Religious – Order
Such a form of world-wide exploration and reconciliation could establish a framework for a new social political economic – and religious – order based on divine values replacing the present world order; which is now without question under demonic control.
A few quotes from one of our great American thinkers can give insight. In my view he and his publishers wrongly presented its title. It should have been: (See Sources NY Times Below)
Religion in America Gone Wrong
The Christian Gospel for Americans A Systematic Theology
David Ray Griffin
God’s Experiment
“If the warfare against each other and the rest of the earth continues, the creator’s hope for this planet, which in principle could support the harmonious and joyous flourishing of human beings and other forms of life far into the future – God’s experiment with human beings – could come to a grossly premature end. This would be, we can only suppose, one of the supreme tragedies of the universe.”
The Demonic
“Jesus clearly believed, in line with widespread beliefs of the time that the world was under demonic rule.”
“Demonic power is now even more complete than in New Testament Times in effective control of the trajectory of human civilization. This control is now so complete that, although we are on the verge of destroying human civilization and much of the rest of the planet’s advanced forms of life, our leaders are, rather than changing course, actively fanning the flames of conflict.”
“The present world order is demonic because it is based on principles that are diametrically opposed to divine purposes and powerful enough to defeat them, and because it is idolatrous giving primary devotion to wealth and power.”
The Need for Religious Pluralism
“Promotion of religious pluralism in our world today is vitally important.”
“The conclusion that Christianity, like every other religion, is limited, said Knitter, leads to the dialogical imperative, because it is through dialogue with members of other religious traditions that we can expand or correct the truth that we have, therefore overcoming the limitations of our own viewpoint.”
“A theological impetus for dialogue is that once we see that our own religion is not the one and only true religion, we realize that other traditions may have truths and values that are not provided, at least as clearly, in our own religion.”
“If civilization is to have much hope of surviving even the present century, we must find solutions to our global problems of war, imperialism, nuclear weapons and global warming, plus ocean acidification.”
“The world’s religions, with their ability to motivate people could provide a powerful force for the kind of civilizational transformation we need if they cooperate toward that end in the name of their common values. But thus far the religions have been the source of discord as much as sources of solidarity. The growth of religious pluralism in the various traditions could encourage a mutual respect and appreciation that would facilitate cooperation.”
“Growth of religious pluralism is now especially important among Christians. This is because the tendency of religious absolutism has been very strong because Christians have in recent centuries had far more power – militarily, economically and culturally – than adherents to other religions, making for the Christian tendency to accept religious absolutism.”
Abrahamic Recognition of the Demonic
“Many systematic thoughts have no discussion of the prophets; they go directly from Scripture, God and Humanity to Jesus. But to understand Jesus, it is essential to know something about the prophets.”
A Few Judaic Christian Quotes
Amos 750 BCE 2:6-7
“The elite deserve punishment because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals – they who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and push the afflicted out of the way.”
Isaiah 740-55 BCE (685 year period) 24:5-6
“The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants. For they have transgressed laws, violated statues broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth. And its inhabitants suffer from the guilt.”
Matthew 70 AD 19:24
“Jesus said: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God.”
Ephesians 20 AD 6:10-12
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly.”
SOURCES:
The Christian Gospel for Americans A Systematic Theology
David Ray Griffin
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Watch listen Jane Goodall’s brief beautiful message
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOkBBMFlTpM&feature=youtu.be
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To understand all that we will be losing listen to Igor Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky The Rite of Spring Leonard Bernstein
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From The New York Times:
In God We Divide
The political dimensions of worship have never been greater.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/25/opinion/religion-democrats-republicans.html?smid=em-share
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David Anderson brings together a wide range of interests in his writings, namely; theology, history, evolutionary anthropology, philosophy, geopolitics, and economics. He has written four books. The fourth is about a necessary geo political, social, religious, economic paradigm shift for human survival. Go to: http://inquiryabraham.com/new-book.html
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