The following is strictly my own opinion, formed over several months of wrestling with the concept of "Sophia", and also partly out of Rev. Locey's talk this past Sunday on "The power of powerlessness."
I would like to first start off with a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:
"Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning elsewhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was ratified on Dec. 10, 1948. Among the 9 committee members who drafted them were China, USSR, Lebanon and Chile, and of course the USA, represented by Eleanor Roosevelt. At this point in our history, it is worthwhile reviewing these Articles and asking ourselves: How are we doing? Alas, neither Canada nor the US has the right to consider ourselves better than any other so-called Third World country. It is still an ideal to which each and every country must hold itself.
Past: Philosophy, the love of wisdom (Sophia)
Present: Anthroposophy, the wisdom of mankind
Future: Philanthropy, the care and nurturing of mankind's potential
Alexander Hamilton in the first paragraph of the first Federalist Paper, launched the Founders' argument for ratification of the US Constitution by noting that "It is commonly remarked" that Americans were at a new place in history, in which for the first time they could design their own government, for the betterment of mankind. "This" he said, "adds the inducements of philanthropy to those of patriotism." He was saying that the United States of America was being created as an intentionally philanthropic nation, a gift to mankind.
Philanthropy is what is being called forth out of the past, for the sake of the future of all mankind. This was the destiny intended for North America by our forefathers.
This can only be accomplished when we remind ourselves again and again of Christ's admonition to "love our enemies." How can we possibly consider ourselves to be a Christian nation when we fail to follow the most important and basic tenet of our faith, which is to "love one another"? He did not mean just people who are nice to us, or who have something we want, but even more so, those who hate us. Rather than finding the most efficient methods for mass destruction, we must set ourselves to finding the most efficient methods to provide all the basic needs and rights as set out in the Declaration of Human Rights, which we signed over 60 years ago.
Never before in the history of mankind has there been a greater need faced by so many around the globe. Never before has the spirit of American know-how, and Canadian can-do, been needed.
North America has welcomed, and benefited from, immigrants from all over the world. It is time for us to start giving back, so that we can truly say: We are the World, We are the People.....So let's get busy.
Today is a typical day in Vancouver. Wet, dark and dreary. I have to have my old metal fillings replaced soon. It turns out they are way past their due date, and are probably leaking toxic amounts of mercury. I will have them replaced with something more biologically friendly.