A history lesson forgotten

Andrew,

These are very interesting questions. Is the modernized world entering a spiritual awaking? YES
Is there a progressive deterioration leading to ultimate national disaster? NO

There is a continuing decline in the attendance of traditional or orthodox churches. This is because the boomer generation and even more so the generations following have psychologically evolved beyond the grips of traditional mainstream religious dogma. Common people can now see the exclusive and self condemning nature of conservative belief systems for what they really are. The spiritual awaking is most evident in our young people to where sexism, racism and ridged styles of thinking are no longer common place. Yes, there are many exceptions. The difference being they are no longer imbedded in most Americans but lie on the fringes of society.

The possibility of national disaster depends on how we confront the three or more 800 lb. gorillas in the room. The most threatening is the inflated cost of health care. There is no reason health care should be so expensive. The number of uninsured or uninsurable Americans is continuing to grow at an alarming rate. Majority of Americans believe it is immoral to profit from the declining health of an individual. There are too many other industrialized counties in the world who have resolved this problem so why haven’t we? This tells me that it will not be until we curve the immense power of the special interest lobbing groups in Washington will this problem ever be worked out.

The second problem is the environment. Debate is continuing to rage about the relative merits of a carbon tax or a cap and trade system as the centerpiece of federal legislation to reduce emissions that fuel global warming. Congress has made progress in this area but not nearly enough. The way Americans think about our environment is changing. One just has to visit a city like San Francisco to know Americans are now starting to take this problem very seriously.

The third Gorilla is the economy. The increased regulation in the financial sector will help prevent another crisis like the one just experienced. The devaluation of the dollar will be our greatest obstacle. I believe debilitating inflation is just around the corner and there is not much we can do about what’s coming. With social security headed for the rocks and the potential decreased value of my retirement fund due to the coming inflation has me worried. Most Boomers will work until they drop and I hope that I’m not going to be one of them.

A forth problem is the government’s control of the media. The contrast in the coverage of the Vietnam war the present war should lead one to know that real journalism is dead. Without the internet we would be completely in the dark. How long will it be until the common man looses control of it?

I agree it's not about brick and morter.What is sacred is what peace one finds within the mind. Many people who claim a religion live a life of quiet desperation. It’s not about history or tradition and never has been. It’s not about symbols or statues adorned with jewels or gold. It’s not about cathedrals with gigantic stained class window

The holiest place in all the earth is where an ancient hatred has become a present love.

Sheila,

Honey....I worry about you sometimes.

A belief that leaves no place for doubt is not a belief:it's a superstition.