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Where are we going? By this I mean, what is humanity's goal? Is there one? If we don't know where we are going, how will we get there?
In almost every aspect of life humans develop goals, individual or group, and takes steps to achieve those goals. Leadership can be defined as the acts of establishing direction, aligning intent and motivating action in the intended direction. We can see this all around us in our human activities and systems. However I see no evidence of a common goal for humanity, or even much thought or conversation on the matter, yet it may be the most important question of our time. Security and comfort seem to be priorities (with misguided means of attempting to achieve them) but, and perhaps this reflect some limits to human consciousness, no one seems to care much about what the world will look like in 100 years.
I suspect that ethnocentric consciousness and short-term desires have retarded this important conversation, but enough people are now world-centric in awareness that perhaps this conversation can begin.
Where do you want us to end up, and where do we begin?
Closing Statement from Mike Robinson
Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts.... sorry I got distracted trying to debate religion with some of the posters!
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Gu E
I've always understood the goal as ultimately ending with an exodus from Earth, this may sound too science fiction for some, but our planet is not eternal. So, if I were to consider the finite nature of our planet - my conclusion would be a migration. Sort of like Stephen Hawking's statement about if we were to encounter aliens coming to our planet- that we should actually fear them as opposed to welcome them, because if they made the journey (with superior technology) then their goal would most likely be for our resources. What is to say that this scenario could not play out in the reverse? Humanity as the newcomer. However, I do realize that this goal may seem a bit flawed since it simplifies our goal to being one over resources, for a continued existence, legacy.
Anyway, random thought just popped in my mind- what about immortality? Is this a goal? The ultimate challenge being death that needs to be conquered? Interesting question!
Daniel Smith
"not all who SAY Lord Lord shall inherit the kingdom of heaven"; but he that do the will of my Father which is in Heaven" Matthew 7:21
Acceptance of Grace of Christ, baptism and repentance and the works are necessary for salvation. without all three your not going anywhere. However if your acceptance is not genuine your works and repence will show.
"...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth;for man looketh on the outward appearance but the Lord looketh on the heart" 1 Samuel 16:7
"who ever confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whoever shall deny me before men, him will i also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 10:31
Christ Jesus was a man so that he could die for us, but also God that he could forgive. He was our propitiation and took the cup or wrath from his Father so we could be reconciled to the Father and given everlasting life. Will you and others accept this Gift of Grace? Or try to think yourselves from death? You only get one life to choose.
Gu E
(a) spiritual/religious perspective- improving ourselves and the world we currently live in, helping others and finding peace within ourselves as the goal (maybe not worrying about what comes next because of a reward of an afterlife?) and/or
(b) practical- (note: not saying that thinking this way negates being spiritual or religious) understanding that at some point we need to get a handle on how we are destroying our planet, depleting our resources while still growing in number.....including the event in which perhaps an asteroid, or the sun or maybe even some other natural occurrence would render our existence on our planet limited (is there a lifespan for Earth?)
So, whether or not you believe in a particular religion or an afterlife, shouldn't we still be seeking out universal goals for humanity's future? Should we not be preparing ourselves? How should we go about doing that? Personally, I feel that with time a I believe
Mike Robinson
I just read some of Corinthians 1. Obviously it is a section that has some harmonious suggestions for unity (as long as the unity is in Jesus Christ), but you miss my point. I contend that the bible is full of contradictions. Sure there are plenty of good messages but any 7 year old could tell you them. Do unto others. Don't steal or hurt people, etc. I don't need an ancient text to tell me that! We both are stubborn in our convictions. your arrogance is as large as mine in that respect; perhaps larger in that you pretend to know the truth whereas I suggest the truth, or reality, is much more nuanced than you do and less about right and wrong. Also my philosophy doesn't condemn people to eternal damnation.
Lucifer means "Bringer of Light" Basically he is the metaphor for reason and rationality, which clearly show the logical fallacies of blind faith in a metaphysical entity. I deny all gods. You deny all but one god (or three if you count Jesus and the Holy Ghost).
I spent a lot of time crafting an reply to you earlier. Why do you not respond to the questions?
Mike Robinson
Daniel Smith
Gu E
I was a little worried my approach to the question would seem a little too long term in regards to humanity's destiny superseding our time on this planet.
Daniel, I respect your freedom of belief and your opinions.
The only difference I see is that you seem to be less able to entertain alternative perspectives seriously because of your religious belief- which makes discussion and debate virtually impossible.
Mike Robinson