Is World Peace Possible? (part 5)

Repurpose Spirituality

Image generated via Gemini

For much of human history, we used spirituality to explain the unknowns. But now, science has replaced many spiritual explanations. For many of us, logic (logos) is the new God. But until logic can explain the great existential unknowns, we'd better hang on to spirituality; it just may save us.

Humans are dually gifted with the free will to create wonders and cause their own oblivion. Unless our gifts are tempered by subservience to some universal loving power, we will be left with the hardwired life constant (defined in Part 3) and human-made laws as our guide. The life constant focuses on gene propagation, and laws are mutable and not always moral (e.g., Nazi laws). We need a higher morality to defer to, which, for many, is intertwined with the concept of a greater loving force.

But so many horrific acts have been done in the name of God and continue to go on within the Church. Religion creates conflict between different spiritual groups, puts too much power in the hands of spiritual leaders, becomes a rationalization for wrongdoing, and defies logic. Empirical science is averse to faith-based religion and can explain it away as an evolutionary coping and controlling mechanism. It’s understandable how people would notice the historical hypocrisy, competition, and brutality within or between religions and turn away.

However, religion, like technology, is neither intrinsically good nor bad; it can be used for good or bad. Many of our most brilliant minds have believed in God or a higher, unknown power. There is wisdom in not always knowing: most athletes, performers, and creators understand the magic of the non-thinking moment, as well as the paralyzing effects of overthinking. Perhaps spirituality helps connect us to the magical, unknowing state of consciousness, while science allows us to step back, analyze, and reason; these two essential functions are dangerous alone but have infinite possibilities when working in tandem.

There is so much we don’t know about the universe, where we came from, and why we are here. If we are interested in getting closer to the truth, shouldn’t we do our best to stay open to all possibilities? Spirituality is not stupid, nor is logic smart. We need the head and the heart. We need logic and intuition. Skepticism and belief are each vital.

Final Thoughts

We do our best when we work together. Knowledge, creativity, and innovation are cumulative. Our brains will continue to evolve, and we will continue to advance as long as we don’t destroy each other and our ecosystems. We can’t erase the horrors and inequities of the past, but we can make amends. And for this to happen, there needs to be a global shift in perception from ‘me’ (and my group) to ‘we’ (all of us). This may sound fanciful, but it is actually realistic. Put two healthy people, from anywhere on the planet, face-to-face in the same room, and their external differences will become less and less significant; eventually, they will find a deeper, inner commonality and shared humanity.

This is not a plan for some utopian society. It’s a connection of simple truths to help prevent human extinction. A call for mutual respect and recognition of all humans can only make us stronger.

Many of the world’s problems stem from corruption. One of the most powerful tools corrupt leaders have is the divisive myth of the Other. The more understanding we have about our innate Oneness, the less ammunition the corrupt few will have to manipulate the many. The smaller the world gets through technology and transportation, the more we’ll get to know each other, and the truth about our shared heritage, and the more Othering will dissolve into archaic silliness.

Only together will we perpetuate human existence. If we can succeed in not destroying each other, imagine how much we will know in another thousand, hundred thousand, or a million years. All contributions that our ancestors and each of us have made will have a purpose for as long as we coexist. Although we still have significant challenges to face, we don’t have as far to go as we may think.

World peace is possible. Moreover, the exponential spread of information and technology may soon make cataclysmic weaponry too commonplace for any other option.

Photo and image by Pol Sole on Shutterstock.com

Seven Acknowledgments Toward World Peace:

1) Acknowledge that we have a hand in our fate as a species.

2) Acknowledge that long-term survival needs peace, cooperation, and freedom.

3) Acknowledge that, in the nuclear age, as the world survives, so do nations.

4) Acknowledge that we can be both independent and cooperative.

5) Acknowledge that we can be both individuals and family.

6) Acknowledge the need for long-term goals as a world community. Where do we want to be in 50, 100, 1000 years?

7) Acknowledge the possibility of a greater loving force and respect each other’s way of tapping into it.

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Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. World peace is definitely a work in progress and an area that deserves our uttmost attention. Please share this essay with your friends and colleauges — especially those who don’t think world peace is possible. …Peace

Previously in this five-part series…

Is World Peace Possible? (part 1): A New Age of Vulnerability

Is World Peace Possible? (part 2): Who Are We?

Is World Peace Possible? (part 3): Why Do We Do What We Do?

Is World Peace Possible? (part 4): What Can We Do?