Is this on your mind?
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Saving the 'World' how often do you think about it? (poll: names not disclosed)
- Thread starter Brickjectivity
- Start date
Since I believe that "the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one [Satan]", (1 John 5:19) and that "the world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever" (1 John 2:17), the world, or system of things existing today cannot be saved, IMO.
The "world" as In the earth itself doesn't need saving. The world will always adapt, even if us humans bring about an early ice age.
Also Isiah 48:18 "For this is what Jehovah says, The Creator of the heavens, the true God, The One who formed the earth, its Maker who firmly established it, Who did not create it simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited"
So i don't believe Jehovah will let mankind ruin the earth beyond repair.
I do see the earth as a gift from God, and that is why I try to be considerate and eco friendly. I don't want to sound hypocritical so let me clarify.. I recycle, I don't litter, I don't eat much meat.. But I still drive, use electricity etc.
Also Isiah 48:18 "For this is what Jehovah says, The Creator of the heavens, the true God, The One who formed the earth, its Maker who firmly established it, Who did not create it simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited"
So i don't believe Jehovah will let mankind ruin the earth beyond repair.
I do see the earth as a gift from God, and that is why I try to be considerate and eco friendly. I don't want to sound hypocritical so let me clarify.. I recycle, I don't litter, I don't eat much meat.. But I still drive, use electricity etc.
I'm a worrier, and I ponder. I'm like Alvin Toffler's unwanted child.
I strongly dislike the hyperbolic, overblown rhetoric of "save the world." Smacks to me of human arrogance, thinking that the "world" needs "saving." More precise things that could be cited?
Well, humans are causing a sixth mass extinction event. Do we want that to be the legacy of our species, or not?
Humans are also generating tremendous amounts of waste. Do we want large trash piles to be the legacy of our species, or not?
Sea levels will rise quite significantly as a result of human-induced climate change. Do we want to be the drivers of that, or not?
Well, humans are causing a sixth mass extinction event. Do we want that to be the legacy of our species, or not?
Humans are also generating tremendous amounts of waste. Do we want large trash piles to be the legacy of our species, or not?
Sea levels will rise quite significantly as a result of human-induced climate change. Do we want to be the drivers of that, or not?
DawudTalut
Peace be upon you.
Yes (and on heart too).
All Ahmadiyya-Muslims feel personal responsibility [ pray and do whatever they can do in good non violent way], to save world from terrorism and other ills which destroy its peace and security.
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
Well, Bodhisattvas are obligated to "save the world" by sharing The Dharma. So, I do my part in different ways not just direct as in, in the Suttas, "The Buddha said, X, Y, and Z" Brahmajāla Sutta DN 1 PTS: Di1 and continue with my thought. I teach and I gravitate towards learning in general, so that's how I spread the Dharma.
As a result, the more knowledge I give, in my education, career, and my whole life, that is my personal effort to "save the world." Other than that, I haven't thought about it in terms of I'm Wonder Woman and I'm going to destroy crime and illness etc. Karma doesn't quite work that way.
Edit: Actually, can you define what you mean by "saving the world."?
If you mean by getting rid of illnesses, crime, and having a good life, then no, saving the world isn't realistic. Everyone is affected by everyone else's and their own karmas. So, basically, we are in a karmic tumble.
What I'd like to see is taking care of the sick, preventing the crimes, and being comfortable with the life we have now instead of waiting for a better one or siting on our cushion contemplating on a better state of mind. I'd like to see people comfortable with death and be well meaning to their families, friends, and strangers. Saving the world is seeing the world as it is, doing our part whether it's owning a charity organization to having a good talk with a homeless person who has no one to speak with. Not everyone wants food and shelter. That's what they need. Some people want a listening ear. A normal person who won't look at them sidewayz.
That's saving the world. Charity without reservation. We do what we can. That's how I see it.
What is your definition of the phrase?
Last edited:
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
I used to worry a lot about it.
I now recognize that much of what I was concerned about was the havoc humans are and may yet cause in the natural systems, to our fellow other-than-human-person kinfolk on the planet. Much of the damage we are causing is unthinking death and destruction--we are not being careful and mindful about what we are doing, and I think we as humans can and should do better, should be responsible for our actions, and should behave responsibly.
A different concern was/is "saving" civilization, or saving humanity (not exactly the same thing). Except under the most extreme of cataclysms, nature will eventually recover, and human society will go on--but we could lose our civilization, our technology, our knowledge--and still not learn the lesson about being indiscriminate, inconsiderate, self-centered exploiters. I would hate for us to lose our civilization...but at the same time, that might be of benefit to the natural systems, and the surviving humans might learn to build civilization that is intentional and responsible.
As for "saving" the souls of humanity, etc.: I used to think that way, but I no longer believe that is how the universe is. So I don't worry about that near as much as I used to.
Overall, what will happen will happen: for my part, I will try to help develop a sense of sustainability in people, so that we might change our civilization and technology so that we will stop disrupting the planet and harm so many, and start nurturing instead.
I now recognize that much of what I was concerned about was the havoc humans are and may yet cause in the natural systems, to our fellow other-than-human-person kinfolk on the planet. Much of the damage we are causing is unthinking death and destruction--we are not being careful and mindful about what we are doing, and I think we as humans can and should do better, should be responsible for our actions, and should behave responsibly.
A different concern was/is "saving" civilization, or saving humanity (not exactly the same thing). Except under the most extreme of cataclysms, nature will eventually recover, and human society will go on--but we could lose our civilization, our technology, our knowledge--and still not learn the lesson about being indiscriminate, inconsiderate, self-centered exploiters. I would hate for us to lose our civilization...but at the same time, that might be of benefit to the natural systems, and the surviving humans might learn to build civilization that is intentional and responsible.
As for "saving" the souls of humanity, etc.: I used to think that way, but I no longer believe that is how the universe is. So I don't worry about that near as much as I used to.
Overall, what will happen will happen: for my part, I will try to help develop a sense of sustainability in people, so that we might change our civilization and technology so that we will stop disrupting the planet and harm so many, and start nurturing instead.
My heart should think about it all the time. My mind is not worried about it.
It is OK with me if the world you want to save is different from the world I want to save. I am interested in saving the things that are most valuable about people, like love and friendship and in saving an ideal future. Let there be a generation in the future that doesn't experience the same problems and ignorance as we and a time when ignorance and most of our silly problems are gone. That is the 'World' I most want to save, but it connects to many other worlds such as the world we live in now which is one where some pretty awful things happen. Some of those things appear to happen in cycles, and that is what I want changed.
With the flood and Sodom in mind, I see that if the human race becomes what it could become, a couldn't care less, selfish, hateful and violent crowd, then it should be destroyed post haste. But, according to Holy Scripture, it doesn't take many souls who choose good, for the race to continue.
So far....
33 total votes between 11 people (or 11 people posted replies -- not sure how many voted).
7 have voted for "It does not need saving" but 7 have voted for either "Just doing my part is enough for me" or "I am an activist getting others involved in saving it" which makes an even number who believe it does and doesn't need saving.
33 total votes between 11 people (or 11 people posted replies -- not sure how many voted).
7 have voted for "It does not need saving" but 7 have voted for either "Just doing my part is enough for me" or "I am an activist getting others involved in saving it" which makes an even number who believe it does and doesn't need saving.
I voted multiple options. Here's my rationale:
- It does not need saving = I took 'it' to mean the physical world, i.e. earth. I do not see that as needing saving. It too shall pass, and I think every paradigm I'm familiar with acknowledges this. While not knowing, I believe humanity is good to go on the planet for another thousand years, possibly a million.
- A) I take it as a personal responsibility; B) Just doing my part is enough for me. This is, for me, the spiritual kind of saving. I actually don't see that as truly necessary, but is desired. Essentially a perceptual shift in 'who we are, why are we here, how will this end.' I believe this is known to all, but perception being what it is would have us, me included, show up as 'duh, I have no idea how to answer any of those things.' As it is 'normal' to think no one knows answers to those questions, I then see it being about forgiveness. In which case, I take that as a personal responsibility, and just doing my part is enough for me (and us).
- It does not need saving = I took 'it' to mean the physical world, i.e. earth. I do not see that as needing saving. It too shall pass, and I think every paradigm I'm familiar with acknowledges this. While not knowing, I believe humanity is good to go on the planet for another thousand years, possibly a million.
- A) I take it as a personal responsibility; B) Just doing my part is enough for me. This is, for me, the spiritual kind of saving. I actually don't see that as truly necessary, but is desired. Essentially a perceptual shift in 'who we are, why are we here, how will this end.' I believe this is known to all, but perception being what it is would have us, me included, show up as 'duh, I have no idea how to answer any of those things.' As it is 'normal' to think no one knows answers to those questions, I then see it being about forgiveness. In which case, I take that as a personal responsibility, and just doing my part is enough for me (and us).
I voted:
I worry
I read books about it
I take it as a personal responsibility
I have given up
Just doing my part is enough for me
I am an activist getting others involved in saving it
I have a mixture of feelings about it, but I do strongly believe that the planet and biosphere is greatly imperiled.
I worry
I read books about it
I take it as a personal responsibility
I have given up
Just doing my part is enough for me
I am an activist getting others involved in saving it
I have a mixture of feelings about it, but I do strongly believe that the planet and biosphere is greatly imperiled.
I don't think about saving the world much. Certainly not doing it personally.
I've had a queer life. No kids. So I've invested the resources and time most people invest in their children in charitable endeavors. From the NAACP, to the local art coop, to the religious food pantry, to RCC efforts in Haiti, to Big Brothers/Big Sisters, to Stop The War, .....
I couldn't list them all.
But I never think about saving the world. I'm not up to that, or even contemplating it. I think that the human race is in self destruct mode. I just do what I can, best as I can, for as long as I can. And that's it.
Tom
ETA ~ I have to do this. Because, as an atheist, I don't believe that there is a God who cares about what we do or what happens to us. If we don't take care of each other it won't happen. There is no divine post humus justice.~
I've had a queer life. No kids. So I've invested the resources and time most people invest in their children in charitable endeavors. From the NAACP, to the local art coop, to the religious food pantry, to RCC efforts in Haiti, to Big Brothers/Big Sisters, to Stop The War, .....
I couldn't list them all.
But I never think about saving the world. I'm not up to that, or even contemplating it. I think that the human race is in self destruct mode. I just do what I can, best as I can, for as long as I can. And that's it.
Tom
ETA ~ I have to do this. Because, as an atheist, I don't believe that there is a God who cares about what we do or what happens to us. If we don't take care of each other it won't happen. There is no divine post humus justice.~