While no doubt a fascinating topic of conversation, I am not able to see that this directly relates to Internet research and would like to politely suggest we nip this conversation in the bud immediately. There are more appropriate forums. -Alexis On Mon, 7 Jan 2008, Luis Gutierrez wrote: ::The Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2008 issue of the Solidarity, Sustainability, ::and Non-Violence (SSNV) Research Newsletter has been posted. The theme ::this month is: "Religious Dimension of Sustainable Development." :: ::The link is: http://www.pelicanweb.org/solisustv04n01.html :: ::The summary (abstract) is pasted below. I would be grateful for any ::feedback (positive/negative/in-between). Please let me hear from you. :: ::With best wishes for a good 2008, ::Luis ::----------------------------------------------------------------- ::SUMMARY :: ::The theme of the month is "religious dimension of sustainable ::development." There is a religious dimension to the United Nations' ::"Millennium Development Goals" (MDGs), and there is a religious ::dimension to human nature and everything we do. Religion is both ::indispensable and dangerous. It is indispensable to attain full human ::development beyond the physical, biological, and intellectual levels. It ::is dangerous when it degenerates into fanatical delusions about the ::absolute superiority of any particular religion, and then leads to ::religious intolerance and religious violence. :: ::Many consider religion to be a controversial topic. But, after millennia ::of misconceptions about religion, we now have scientific evidence ::(initially via the Swiss Psychiatrist Carl Jung) that religion is ::essential for human beings to become fully human. This being the case, ::our 2007 analyses of the MDGs is incomplete as long as some insight of ::the religious influences on the implementation of the MDGs is not ::provided. A difficult subject, but it cannot be avoided. :: ::In particular, religion is often an incentive (positive or negative) for ::the transition from patriarchy to solidarity, sustainability, and human ::development. Granted that financial gain (or loss) will probably remain ::as the key incentive for people to change behavior during our lifetime, ::futures research entails considering all conceivable possibilities. For ::instance, Abraham Lincoln once stated: "When I do good, I feel good; ::when I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion." Lincoln's "religion" ::many not qualify as religion in some quarters, but it points to the fact ::that, deep in the human psyche, there is the voice of conscience; the ::voice of God who abides in us but is bigger than us. :: ::After a brief summary of the MDGs (or "MDGs+1" when religious ::development is considered), evidence is presented that a cultural ::transition is needed to support both social justice and environmental ::justice at all levels. This cultural transition will entail changes in ::human behavior that often cannot be accomplished even when there are ::financial incentives. Indeed, it is hard to imagine any such transition ::happening without incentives that are stronger than financial gain ::and/or resources for domination. Since the power of religion as ::incentive for changing human behavior (for good or bad) is pervasive, it ::seems reasonable to research this angle next. This religious dimension ::has not been absent from any of the previous issues of this newsletter, ::but now it will become central. :: ::Incentives from a religious perspective are discussed for overcoming ::patriarchy and fostering social solidarity, environmental ::sustainability, and human development. In considering this material, it ::is essential to distinguish between "religion" and "religious ::institutions." Authentic religion is the expression of our relationship ::with God, and it is "good, good, good." Institutionalized religion can ::be "good, bad, or some mix of good and bad." Some specific religious ::institutions are mentioned. The intent is never to deny the significant ::amount of good done by those institutions. However, nothing human is ::above criticism. Religious institutions often need reformations, just ::like all other human institutions often need reformations. Some ::religious persons may feel uncomfortable. As always, we shall adhere to ::the principle of analysis based on objective evidence. Updates of the ::SSNV-MDG knowledge taxonomy and links database continue as time permits. ::The current version shows the links sorted by mega-disciplines, and ::within each mega-discipline by MDGs. This is "work in progress" but you ::are cordially invited to take a look at this resource and download it ::(free) for your own use (two options: HTML Web Page or EXCEL Spreadsheet). :: ::This month's invited paper is "Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of ::Women and Men," a reflection by the National Spiritual Assembly of the ::Baha'is of the United States, published in 1997. The Baha'i religious ::tradition emerged in Persia (now Iran) in the 18th century. It is the ::first major religious movement that explicitly includes gender equality ::as a core belief. :: :: :: :: :: :: ::_______________________________________________ ::The Air-L@listserv.aoir.org mailing list ::is provided by the Association of Internet Researchers http://aoir.org ::Subscribe, change options or unsubscribe at: http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org :: ::Join the Association of Internet Researchers: ::http://www.aoir.org/ :: + -------- redheadedstepchild.org ------- +