An Optimistic View of Pre-Messianic Developments

By Rabbi Allen S. Maller

Human society changed more rapidly, violently and fundamentally in the last century of the second millennium than ever before in history.  Doctors saved the lives of millions.  Dictators sacrificed the lives of millions. Populations exploded and birthrates declined.  Technology produced both worldwide prosperity and pollution at the same time.

Knowing all this, should we look upon the first century of the third millennium with optimistic hope or with fatalistic trepidation?  Are the world and our society heading towards a wonder-filled new age, or toward a doomsday; or are both occurring concurrently because breakdown is always a prelude to breakthrough?  (more…)

Solving the World/America’s Problems

By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff

Initially I wrote this piece in 2013 (after a mass shooting in Arizona) and offer it again as a beginning solution to the world’s problems. Gun control and gun violence is one aspect of the larger problem. The larger problem: Is how to make better people?

Better people make a better world and collectively, we must work on this together. Solutions are possible and may take a long, long time; but it is time for more action and movement forward. I hope you enjoy this piece and share it with others. Perhaps, then, we can continue our conversation about how to accomplish this goal. (more…)

Behaviour

by Sheelagh McGrath

I have a plethora of ideas, beliefs and events to write about. The one thing that really pops out at me at the moment, is behaviour. Why has our behaviour to ourselves, to our fellow human beings, to animals and plants and indeed, to the earth, become so degenerate?

Where have the human values of kindness and goodness gone? Where has respect and humility gone? (more…)

Teaching metaphysics and beliefs to our children and grandchildren

by Sheelagh McGrath

It is of the utmost importance to instill in our offspring the values of right and wrong. With the evil that is sweeping our world at this present time we need to teach them our civilized values and teach them that they can change the World by positive thought and manifestation. We must teach them to stand tall and fight for freedom so that we can maintain our civilized way of life. And add into the mix, a belief, in a greater power than ourselves. (more…)

Educating child to make Good Human Being

By Lt Col R K Langar

Some time back I read a news item in Times Of India(TOI) newspaper under the heading- ‘Role of educators, the way forward’. It was emphasized in this write up that a child’s education should be such that after completing the education, the child passes out as a good human being. I liked this write up immensely since it focused on the inner personality of a child. Today if there is anything which is in acute short supply in India, it is the availability of good human beings. Our newspapers today are telling us that how corruption, murders and rapes have spread in our country since our people lack goodness which is the first hallmark of a human being. Therefore before we become anything else, we must first become good human beings. We are inclined to believe that those who are occupying high posts in the society are good human beings. This is not so. Capability and goodness are two different things. Professional efficiency can take you on top of the ladder even if you lack good inner qualities. A good person is always good from inside wherever he may be. (more…)

Peace Chaplain

Chapter 13 of the book RADICAL PEACE: People Refusing War By William T. Hathaway

RADICAL PEACE is a collection of reports from antiwar activists, the true stories of their efforts to change our warrior culture. A seminarian contributed this chapter about learning to love her enemies. Because of her activism, she prefers to remain anonymous.

To celebrate Armed Forces Day the military base near my seminary held an open house, a public relations extravaganza to improve their image and boost recruiting. They invited the public in for a marching band parade, a precision flying show, and a sky diving demonstration. They even offered free lemonade and cookies.

A subversive seminarian, namely me, decided to disrupt the festivities and remind people that the military's job is murder. (more…)

Are Wars Inevitable?

By William T. Hathaway

"We've always had wars. Humans are a warring species. Without an army to defend us, someone will always try to conquer us."

These assumptions have become axioms of our culture. They generate despair but also a certain comfort because they relieve us of the responsibility to change.

Many politicians and pundits declare that human nature makes peace impossible, war is built into our genes. They point to research by evolutionary biologists that indicates our closest genetic relatives, the chimpanzees, make war. Therefore war must be part of our heredity. (more…)

Which way India is a secular country?

By Lt Col R K Langar

The Oxford dictionary defines the word secular as something which is non religious as well as non spiritual. Calling India a secular Nation conveys that Indians have nothing to do with religion and spirituality. This is farthest from the truth. Religion is a part and parcel of Indian life where as spirituality is the basis of Indian culture. Labeling India as a secular state distances our people, especially the youth, from the uniqueness of Indian culture which emphasizes on oneness, equality, universality and unity of human kind. Indian culture also teaches us to have unconditional love for all. Religion is the highest power component of India which injects human values in our mind. Swami Vivekananda says that it is impossible to separate religion form Indian life. He says that each nation has its own peculiar method of working. With India religion is the only ground with which we can work. India can only be uplifted through its religious and spiritual traditions. Strengthen India in spirituality and all our problems shall get solved. (more…)

Refusing the Military - Healing the Virus of Violence

Chapter 14 of the book RADICAL PEACE: People Refusing War

By William T. Hathaway

RADICAL PEACE is a collection of reports from antiwar activists, the true stories of their efforts to change our warrior culture. A young Buddhist novice contributed this account, which we then revised together. To protect the people who have protected him, he wishes to be nameless.

Back in high school I'd been good at languages but couldn't afford to go to college, so I joined the navy for the language training. They have a program where if you pass an aptitude test, they'll send you to the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, for an intensive course that's worth almost a year of college credit. Plus they have an active-duty education program that offers college courses. I figured after my discharge I could finish my education on the GI Bill, and with my language skills, I could get a job in international business. (more…)

Rebirth for America: Free Will Choice

By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff

America is a special place; America offers the spiritual freedom, alive in each person’s heart to choose what is best for self and others. Here in this country, each traveler can freely choose their own life and how they wish to live it.
-SB

Introduction

Daily my vision for America is that of a spiritual form which has taken on a physical reality. This spiritual form is the personal freedom to do and become; spiritually as creators of our own reality, every moment of each day, this personal freedom to create is one of the key central aspects to life. We must always remember that we are spiritual beings that have decided to take on a body; and America is a vision of personal freedom for millions of citizens. Spiritually, America represents the essence of individual free will choice. (more…)