|
IF-I-SEEK-US
"There are a thousand hacking at the
branches |
|
|
Society So fragmentation is in essence a confusion around the question of difference and sameness (or one-ness), but the clear perception of these categories is necessary in every phase of life. To be confused about what is different and what is not, is to be confused about everything. Thus, it is not an accident that our fragmentary form of thought is leading to such a widespread range of crises, social, political, economic, ecological, psychological, etc., in the individual and in society as a whole. David Bohm, Wholeness and the Implicate Order, Routledge & Kegan Paul, London, 1980, page 16 A healthy person can live about 5 to 7 minutes without air, several days without water, several weeks without food, but thinking people admit they wouldn't want to live if there were never going to be human fellowship. After our physical needs are met, our deepest spiritual need−the need for communion with other humans−also represents the highest potential for the enhancement of life. Quality social, emotional, romantic, and sexual intercourse are peaks of fulfillment, as good as it gets. Another broader and enduring human need and desire is to belong to a family, a society where one knows that the members share a common heritage, paradigm and values and thusly identify with each other. We find individuals in such societies feeling psychologically safe and secure. Such societies foster cooperation, compliance, and productivity. The desire for appreciation from some part or whole of our society is part of the motivation for everything that we do. One of the most egregious social and philosophical divides in our world is the one between Fundamentalism and Humanism. Western civilization is currently marching relentlessly towards secular humanism, while the religionists in it are taking as much baggage along as they can. But there is a tacit admission by most of the world's advancing cultures that separation of church and state must be accomplished or maintained. China has defanged religion by allowing its practice on an individual basis but forbidding its promotion by public assembly or public proselytizing. American and some other Western cultures are on heightened alert for breaches in the separation of church and state. Another fundamental divide is between creation-less evolutionism and intelligent design of some sort or another. Even though Darwinism and other forms of "happy accident" beginnings to intelligent life−with all of their dimensions−are beset with mind-boggling problems, the current atmosphere in academia is generally poisoned against any consideration of Intelligent Design. The reason seems obvious: there is an unconscious concern that creationism founded upon textual authority will somehow creep back in. Bottom line? Modern society is fractured into a plethora of races, religions, cultures, classes, and values. Our greater society is far from ideal or satisfactory, so much so that many (most?) people significantly insulate and/or isolate themselves to an uncomfortable degree. The fraternal fabric of our society so often is deteriorating, and all of our lives are lessened by this development. Every spiritually healthy human being has a natural and legitimate desire and need to belong to a family and society. |
|
|
Home Site Sections Complete Article Map Contact Store Contributions |
|