Comments on: Choosing Our Future: Sacred Activism Or Holy War?

By: GG

GG — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:45:48 +0000

As the world gets smaller there’s a chance.

Europe was at war a century or two ago, and is now generally at peace.

Hopefully, as communication and transport improves, the world will follow this trend over the next century or two.

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By: Turner Wright

Turner Wright — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:34:52 +0000

As long as religion exists in its present form, there will be no peace.

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By: Ryan Van Lenning

Ryan Van Lenning — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:33:39 +0000

I think these are issues a lot of us think about daily– When I look at history and the social movements that have made life better for lots of people I am encouraged. Imagine how bleak the future might have looked during certain moments of the civil rights movement mid-century in the United States, or Indian Independence movement after the Amritsar Massacre, or Northern Ireland not too long ago from the perspective of those involved. They persevered and simply tried to do what was right.

Though I struggle all the time with it, I feel I have no right to be bleak or pessimistic.

My take on humans and their history is that we move in several directions simultaneously–in some spheres towards more justice, more peace, more connection; in other spheres, toward more advanced weapons, more divisive conflict, more disconnection. The 20th century saw advances in rights for women, minorities, gays & lesbians, workers. It also saw more world wars, civil wars, economic imperialism and advances in more abstract ways of killing more people.

Perhaps the trend in both directions will continue. But at least one thing does give me hope–that list Paul Hawken showed. Perhaps more people and organizations than ever are working toward peace and justice and there are more ways than ever for people to learn from one another.

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By: Nick Rowlands

Nick Rowlands — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:54:52 +0000

Nice article, Christine. I think sacred activism is a wonderful way of putting it.

I tend to agree with Josh, and think the fractal analogy is very apt.

It’s all about consciousness. We are part of a great, unfolding narrative of the universe; the universe becoming conscious of itself, if you like. Every single thing we do contributes to this story, and as our world views become more evolved, and as we become ever more connected, one hopes we’ll reach a positive tipping point of some sort before we reach a negative one.

I believe many vested power interests contrive to keep us feeling impotent, apathetic, and cynical. The truth, though, is that we have the power to help write the story ourselves.

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By: christine

christine — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:29:11 +0000

Thank YOU, Josh…beautifully put.

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By: joshywashington

joshywashington — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:27:03 +0000

You are neither naive nor living in a bubble!
We are at the Choice Point. No longer can anyone (especially we in affluence) bow out and claim what they do does not matter, every single day we make thousands of choices that either move us towards a loving, holistic future or ultimate demise.
I take comfort in the magnitude of this movement described, that in the face of what may seem as inevitable destruction the dynamic human spirit is only getting stronger, more connected, more hopeful.
The concept of fractals, that the whole is reflected in the part and vice versa, gives me great hope. We do not need everyone to change, we need a fraction, say 10% to shift and the reflection of that shift will immediately manifest in the other 90%.

What we do matters. What we do in our minds, on matador, at the grocery store, matters.

Thank you Christine, this article fired me up on a day when i really needed it.
Cheers!

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