IDEAS FOR A BETTER FUTURE
May, 2006
Vol. 5, Number 5
 
The SNS Press E–Zine presents new perspectives for a better future in society, politics, religion, education, self-awareness and human relations.

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DIPLOMACY
A hopeful approach for the future of international relations.

HELP FOR TEENS
Redirect teen rebellion towards idealism and self improvement.

SCIENCE AND RELIGION
Read excerpts from unpublished book: Science, Religion and the Search for God —Bridging the Gap.

POETRY
Poems of society, the human condition, and spiritual discovery.

TEACHERS' RESOURCES
Our student activities and curriculum materials instill an environmental, cultural, and global perspective, and integrate various academic disciplines.

 

This Month's Article

Human Programming and Conflict: Part II — The Role of Myths

Continued from April: Read Part I— Instincts, Imprints and Filters

What are the sources conditioning human psychology and shaping current events? How may humanity change direction so that we resolve our conflicts and shape a healthy and peaceful future?

We feel that the solutions to world problems are based upon human beings finding common ground and working together cooperatively. There exist many bases for realizing that all people share a common ground for cooperation. For example: the scientific research finding that we are 99.99% the same genetically, the fact that we all inhabit the same planet, share the same air and water, the universality of the moral code of the Golden Rule, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the law of equilibrium that governs a healthy environment, a healthy economy, healthy relationships, a healthy body and is the foundation of a healthy judicial system and healthy scientific pursuits. Why is it so hard to realize our common interests and work together to achieve them?

Observance of these natural and man-made laws will not permit individuals and governments to continue to interfere with their beneficial purpose, immune from the consequences. We now experience an immanent threat to biological and social survival. At the same time a common human destiny is sensed by broader and broader segments of society. History is reaching the tipping point between hope and despair. The solutions to world problems are well known. What is preventing the will to cooperate and solve them?

Human beings need to break with the psychological programming conditioning and perpetuating anti-survival behavior. This programming is made of the secular and religious myths that have served human survival in co-existing but insular societies throughout history. These myths need to be replaced by a consciousness fitting to current and future needs of global well-being. Myths enslave thinking and force people to act against natural laws and be manipulated by symbols and charismatic leaders. They even justify behavior that violates the goodwill inherent in human nature.

Myths become obstacles to progress when they fossilize the human consciousness and prevent adaptation to new realities. Although they may serve to educate the populace about life at a certain time, people are still responsible to apply their knowledge without the constraints of inflexible dogma. Myths are metaphores that need to continue to grow and expand with the growth and expansion of human consciousness.

The predominant myths reflect worldviews underlying national identity and theories of government. They shape human expectations and relationships. They co-exist throughout the planet in various forms, but they also coincide with the historic evolution of civilizations. Worldviews tend to fall into the following categories:

    1. Fear of nature
    2. Child of nature
    3. Chosen people or chosen leader
    4. Survival of the fittest
    5. Government of God via religion
    6. Government of law via reason
    7. Government as guardian of individual rights and interests
    8. Government as guardian of the common good
    9. Government as a mechanism controlled by science and economics

The power of past myths is suppressing the requirements of survival inherent in the very fabric of life. We call people obsessed, addicted or insane when they are a threat to themselves or others, driven by passions of anger, fear, greed, hopelessness, superiority, self-righteousness, and lust. Why do we allow the policies of many of our most powerful leaders to jeopardize life on our planet?

Past myths based on the above worldviews are still the basis of human psychology and government, and determine the methods used to deal with world events. Even when a myth seems reasonable for survival, those who act from the viewpoint of the myth must mature and evolve with the requirements of new global realities. Failure is the greatest indication that natural laws are being violated. Who can deny that humanity is failing in its duties and responsibilities to others and to the planet?

Mythology needs to be replaced by developed spiritual consciousness. Spiritual consciousness is a natural consequence of a developed heart and mind, free from selfish interests and free of manipulation. Spiritual consciousness motivates one to meet the needs of others and serve the common good. This is the urgent need today. Spiritually developed humanity no longer needs myths, doctrines or ideologies in order to do right. Doing right is the inherent quality of being human. What is needed is to peel off the layers of fossilized psychology in order to let the vitality of life do its work.

 

© 2006 Richard Sidy

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Related Articles:

Hope for the Future
Series on Leadership
Series on Global Consciousness
World Peace in Less Than a Month?
Can Idealism Solve Problems?

I Know I'm Not Alone — the wisdom of Machael Franti

Related Poems:

Making Friends
Take Heart
Battle
March Madness
Blind

 

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Archives 2005
Volumn 4
January: "Standing up for Humanity"
February: "The Wake of Disaster" – a poem
March: "Unity in Diversity
April: "Life is Calling"
May: "Entertainment" – a poem
June: "Thought and Imagination" part 1
July: "Thought and Imagination" part 2
August: "Imagination and Healing"
September: "Malice or Neglect? – Lessons of Katrina"
October: "Protecting Children"
November: "Intelligent Design or Evolution?"
December: "Building with one hand, destroying with the other"
Archives 2006
Volumn 5

January: "Conflict, Harmony, and Integrity"
February: "Satyagraha or Soul-force and Political Change"
March: "I Know I'm Not Alone - Wisdom of Michael Franti"
April: "Human Programming and Conflict Part I"
May: "Human Programming and Conflict Part II"
June: "Soccer Diplomacy"
July: "Sustainable Development is Nature's Way
August: "Parallel Universes"
September: "The News is not New"
October: "Legalizing Torture"
November: "Living Without an Enemy"
December: "Fast Food is really Slow Food"

Archives 2007
Volumn 6

January: "State of Fear"
February: Criminal Justice - "The Powerful Over the Weak"
March: "Culture Shock: The Good Life and Survival"
April: "March Madness"
May: "No Child Left Behind" Leaves Many Teachers Behind
June: "Personal Ecology"
July: Criminal Justice - "The Ethic of Custodianship"
August: "Exploring the Mind - part 1"
September: "Exploring the Mind - part 2: The Poetic Mind
October: "How Much Pain Can We Stand?"
November: "When Languages Disappear"
December: "Is it Enough to be Tolerant?"

Archives 2008
Volumn 7

January: "Beyond Ideology: Politics of the Future "
February: "Beyond the Bush Years"
March: "The Imaginary Economy - Part I
April: "The Imaginary Economy - Part II
May: Questions from Prison
June: "iGods and Connectivity"
July: "Energy Independence"
August: "Tribalism and the 2008 Elections
September: "Guilt, Shame and U.S. Justice"
October: "Have We Been Willing Slaves?"
November: "Are We Ready for the Future?"
December: "Are we done learning from pain?"

Archives 2009
Volumn 8

January: "Awakening"
February: "When Sacrifice is no Sacrifice"
March: "The Good New Days"
April: "The Power of Metaphor"
May: "The Conflict of Mythologies"
June: "The Time is Right"
July: "The New Anarchy"
August: "The Art of Living"
September: "Outrage"
October: "Are Women Becoming More Unhappy?

November: "Effect of the manufacturing culture on the American Psyche"
December: Who are the Real Game Changers?

Archives 2010
Volumn 9

January: The Music of Place
February: Earthquakes and Other Awakenings
March: Sense of Place, Sense of Self, Sense of Humanity
April: Why Do People Serve?
May: Decentralizing Food and Energy
June: Beyond Reading and Writing — Ecological literacy
July: Organization or Organism?
August: Fear and Cynicism = “Inter-fear-ance”
September: Are we afraid of our "Better Angels?"
October: Choosing Our Battles
November: Meeting the Need
December: A Living Canvas

Archives 2002: Vol. 1, Numbers 1-12
Read past articles including:
Hope for the Future
Six Part Series on Science and Religion
First Three Parts of the Series on Leadership
Archives 2003: Vol. 2, Numbers 1-12
Read past articles including:
Series on Leadership continued
Avoiding Dictatorship in a Free Society

Art and Politics
Living the Good Life

Teaching Teens
World Peace in Less Than a Month?
Archives 2004: Vol. 3, Numbers 1-12
Read past articles including:
Seven Part Series on Global Consciousness
Is "Liberal" a Dirty Word?
Can Idealism Solve Problems?
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All
Poetry Diplomacy Science and Religion  Teen Help
Archives 2002 Archives 2003 Archives 2004
   
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