World Unity (Earth, beliefs, religions)

[Lightkeeper]

What do you think it would take to bring about world unity? Why is it so difficult to understand that the exchange of ideas and information would benefit all of us? Why is it so difficult to understand that each culture has something valuable to offer? This forum is a microcosm and shows us that we can exchange information and not destroy each other. What will make people "get it."

[rivet]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

What do you think it would take to bring about world unity?

Probably some huge catastrophe or common enemy. Maybe if Earth was attacked by aliens - then the world would have something to unite against.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

What do you think it would take to bring about world unity? Why is it so difficult to understand that the exchange of ideas and information would benefit all of us? Why is it so difficult to understand that each culture has something valuable to offer? This forum is a microcosm and shows us that we can exchange information and not destroy each other. What will make people "get it."

This is a question I have been asking myself for so long; but there again, you only need to compare the discussions about differences in cultures and religions with (say) Politicians who spend weeks arguing some small point. I have often thought that if politicians here could spend a bit less time procrastinating and more on 'doing'

[Dr. Nosophoros]

It has never happened nor will it ever, we human animals have always preyed on each other and always will in some form or another, other animals do it within their own species but not on the scope or scale that we have "advanced" to. Even with interspecies violence, there always seems to be a balance with the non- human animals, they may fight each other within their own species but rarely kill, most violence within it's species seems to be for a mate, protect it's hunting ground, or protect itself from attack, with us, these basic insticts have been manipulated into something much different. I also think that these basic instincts have been manipulated and perverted by so many for so long, the only thing that may change minds is a complete annihilation and start over. This doesn't have to be a physical annhilation (but it will probably end up that way) but the annihilation of all the imposed mentalities that have led us to this point. That has to be done individually, not through a collective mandate to do so, that would be like the monkeys running the circus from a cage on the other side of the tent.

I don't believe collectively this will ever happen because the machinitons of societies thought trainers hold too much sway, thought beyond the generally accepted parametres is either discouraged or "demonized" through a variety of means or not even entertained because those dictating what is acceptable or "normal" may not even know how to themselves, and some may not find it conducive to their continuing control because thought too far away from the boxes that they have constructed may threaten to dissolve the deceptions that form their walls. Then you have the general "need" of many to belong, this weakness discourages many from even beginning to think or truly explore themselves, it is easier to accept what has been handed to them and belong because that is just the way it is, or they have never been taught to think in the first place- it doesn't have to be this way.

These manipulations are not strictly religions, there are many religions out there that are completely benign and so much the better if it enriches the person or makes them happy, I have no problem with them, live and let live. But there are religions that those that have sought power and dominion over others have used to justify some of the most horrific crimes in the history of mankind by manipulating the emotions and beliefs of the many who follow them, most of the early forms of government started out as religions then drifted slowly away from them, but it's presence is still felt in many systems.

I despise war but there are times I feel that it is necessary, but I have seen few modern wars that could classify as being neccessary, they seem nothing more than a series of mass murders to the sound of trumpets encouraged by the people who stand to monetraily or politically benefit from them the most. Of course, the average peasant are the tools for them to achieve their goals, but these tools must be forged with the pre- disposition to serve their masters more fully. These tools are raised within the parameteres of acceptable beliefs (which forms the pre-disposition) substituting words like "patriotism", "nationalism", or any other words that are used in place of the natural instinct to protect what is seen as their "territory" or hunting ground- it is an intellectual/psychological/emotional perversion of the basic instict to protect what is seen as theirs wrapped in a lie, supported by society and symbolism to benefit the few to the detriment of many. That training also often includes perversions and falsifications about others territory or hunting grounds or the people in them to help strengthen the divisions between us all, again- to benefit the few.

Those are just a couple of examples, but there are many, many more, there are many reasons why there will probably never be true unity. In the end, it seems only the individual is the one that has the power to change or think, The leeches that have attached themselves to us and drain humankind as a whole need to be removed and we need to walk out of the swamp and never return if we have any true hope at all.
My opinion anyway.

[Scorn]

Well put Dr. ^^^

[Lightkeeper]

Let's pretend we on Earth had a common enemy and the world united to fight the enemy. Let's pretend we won and we learned that we could all work together. Would this unity last or would we return to the old ways?

[Scorn]

I think it would take an upheaval of generally accepted global concepts for the world to unite. But even in that I think that ethnic and political lines would remain and refocus after a "cooling off" of any united cause. Call it "the cynic" in me.

[Master Vigil]

I always think of world unity happening when we start exploring the galaxies and find out where not alone. Then planets become like countries, and we are then earthlings. Not americans or australians. We are earthlings.

[Jaiket]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

What do you think it would take to bring about world unity?

Extinction.

[Lightkeeper]

Originally Posted by rivet

Probably some huge catastrophe or common enemy. Maybe if Earth was attacked by aliens - then the world would have something to unite against.

I have had the very same thoughts.