| Religion - Education - Science - Toward A World Summit on Societal Sustainability - There is common agreement that the purpose of religion, education and science (beyond preparing us for the voyage of life), is to motivate and inspire so that the essence of our journey can become something more to each individual than a journey of survival only. Given the oneness-of-life perspective of twenty-first century consciousness, religion, education and science are at a vantage point as support grows for a world summit on societal sustainability. "A human being is part of the whole, called by us "Universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." - Albert Einstein Extending human empathy and compassion within our own species, to species other than our own, to our planet, and to future generations - pivotal in the direction and future of religion, education and science - has engendered rationale for a world summit whose agenda, in addition to conflict resolution, must necessarily focus on: (a) a healthful, sustainable environment for every planetary citizen, (b) universal health care, publicly supported, (c) education for all based upon individual capability, (d) creative/productive employment for every citizen, (e) financial security upon completion of work career. Human empathy and compassion in the post-Darwin era (of undeniable significance in human mate selection, in the nurturing of offspring, and in early childhood education) presupposes Golden Rule influence, preeminence and orientation within religion, education and science. "The Golden Rule is a natural consequence of the recognition of the unity of being" (Esme Wynne-Tyson, The Philosophy of Compassion, Centaur Press, 1970). A world summit on societal sustainability - aided and abetted by religion, education and science - advocates unity and reconciliation within the global community. "This is the message that must be taken to the very few of our species who have chosen to adopt the terrorist philosophy: that the whole of humankind, engaging the constant of human empathy and compassion in united commitment, might together move in step toward The Compassionate Global Society" (www.oocities.org/forelaws/Sep21.html). |
| Last edited 12/24/02 |