Revolutionary change
Unfortunately, the most important use of religion was not discussed in the recent In the name of God issue (NI 370). Each religion provides a teaching and a way to transform people from childish egocentricity to the sage and compassionate embrace of ever greater dimensions of the human spirit.
The raison d’être of each religion is to mature individuals and communities through four evermore inclusive circles of human development from ego-centred body (me) to group-centred mind (us) to humanity-centred soul (all of us) to universal unity-in-diversity spirit (all sentient beings without exception) until there is at-one-ment of all creatures in divine Spirit. Essentially, the purpose of religion is to encourage the gradual change in individuals and communities from blind selfishness to generous selflessness.
Impeding this revolutionary change are powerful forces of smug complacency, proud ignorance and dark regression. Such forces delude most of us, religious and non-religious, individuals and communities. In each religion, open-minded, open-hearted saints tend to be rare; while deluded sinners are many. And that observation also pertains to the religion of humanism.
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Voices from the margins:
Multimedia: video, podcasts, and more.
- Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe
- The House of Hunger poetry slam held in Zimbabwe in 2006, and organised by the Pamberi Trust, showcased young artists performing inspirational work on issues from corporate power to child soldiers. The video features four of the poets.
Published by Pambazuka News.
- Iranian women speak out
- 3 March 2007, London. Women's rights activists marched through the English capital last week to celebrate International Women's Day with a protest against the misogyny of the Islamic regime in Iran and the threat of invasion by the US. Hear the voices of Iranian feminists Azar and Leila Parnian and the sounds of the demonstration as it passed through the heart of the city. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Produced by Heidi Bachram.
- Raised Voices audio:
- Benny from West Papua on Corporate Power
- Vinayan from India on agriculture
New Internationalist (NI) workers' co-operative exists to report on issues of world poverty and inequality; to focus attention on the unjust relationship between the powerful and the powerless worldwide; to debate and campaign for the radical changes necessary to meet the basic needs of all; and to bring to life the people, the ideas and the action in the fight for global justice.
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