A ray of light in a dark place

Every once in a while one comes across something that gives hope in a troubled world. Here is one that I have found. You may be interested in some of the powerful short videos in www.syriankids.ca .

Modern Gnosticism

There is in the Western religious world, a school of thought called the Course in Miracles (CiM). This teaching stresses inner peace and comfort, to the disdain of outer events and circumstances. This religious philosophy has various variations, such as for example, Christian Science.

Versions of this inner mysticism have arisen in other cultures and religions. The main characteristics are the seeking of inner peace to the exclusion of external circumstances, which are de-emphasized. It is the spiritualizing of everything. It is not so much anti-science but the going beyond science by neglecting the reality of the material world in seeking to fathom the deeper meaning of existence. However, this trend of thought can lead to religious fantasy. It can lead into an uncertain future. Neglecting clear warnings about the degradation of the physical world is the ultimate flaw of extreme inner mysticism.

See below some of my thoughts on this recurring religious tendency.

The genius of Isabel Allende

Isabel Allende is a creative, elusive genius who scans the decades of human history. She takes historical event which she knows intimately and then spins a human story upon it. She understands the fears and desires of both the rich and the poor.

Grandpa is worried about the future

Take a look at this. Then you will see why grandpa is so worried about the fate of his grandkids, and why we must act NOW!

Sir David Attenborough Presents: Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet - Documentary Preview, Apr 23, 2021

The Troubled Ones

Listen to the troubled ones.

During the Syrian civil war, some Canadian groups welcomed Syrian families to Canada. A friend of mine who had many troubles of her own said, “What about the millions of refugees stuck on the Syrian border, what can we do to help them?”. And then she proceeded to try to do just that.

We may have already passed the tipping point

See below an important news item that may have slipped below the radar with all the other news occurring, i.e.  the G7 meetings, Israeli/Palestine tensions, etc.

Global warming may have already passed irreversible tipping point [Al Jazeera]

However the above item may be the most important of all. This report is from a very reputable group of scientists. If true, we are all like passengers on the Titanic. Being warned that we are heading towards an iceberg, it would be inappropriate to say, “Do not bother us now, we are having such an enjoyable trip”.

If we all make radical changes, our fate could be altered, but can we make the massive, global and rapid changes required?

Response to "Why free countries must support Israel" (Ottawa Citizen, May 27, 2021)

The recent article entitled “Why free countries must support Israel” (Ottawa Citizen, May 27, 2021) misses the main point. The root of the problem with Israel and Palestine is that Israel is occupying Palestinian land and is mistreating Palestinians.