At the present junction in the history of men and nations we seem to be experiencing a pervasive meaninglessness reflected in both, men and nations, manifesting itself in various ways. Such meaninglessness we are apprised is a characteristic hallmark of a collapsing world order.
Without meaning there can be no purpose. With no purpose there could be no motivation leading ultimately to apathy, a condition of spiritual and psychological death. In the absence of such spiritual motivation, however, physical desires stand ready to fill the void. When one abandons spiritual reality and allows physical desires to become the determining factor of behavior, then do we become less than the animal–that cannot help being an animal.
Of the dictionary’s many definitions of alienation we find: “the state or experience of being isolated–from a group or an activity to which one should belong or in which one should be involved.” I need go no farther as most of us can relate to such alienation whether provoked or self-imposed. In our fast-paced modern society I believe that much alienation is due to fear–more of the known than of the unknown, in the absence of respect, courtesy, appreciation and other lost virtues.
Also in today’s fast-paced society offering innumerable social alternatives, we frequently become “bored” and subsequently alienated from those closest to us while exploring the vast “unknown” internet–leading often to disappointment and even disaster for some–youth in particular. As old-fashioned gatherings around dinner tables at least once a day exist now only on rare holidays–and even then not at home–families have become fractured and alienated at earlier ages. To help fill the void many fraternal, religious and other special youth oriented organizations including the Y’s and special recreation centers in particular, are offering increasing programs to fill the void.
Forming small groups of like interests can also lead to elimination of alienation. A very good example is an Institute for the Healing of Racism formed in Roanoke in 1991 by the local Baia’i community, one of many organized (especially on college campuses throughout the US during the early stages of desegregation. This movement was started by Nathan (Nat) Rustein, a Jewish Baha’i, who has written numerous books on the subject of racism. This small group continued to grow and attract people across many societal and professional divides. Its sole purpose was that of providing a safe, loving and respectful atmosphere for people of diverse races, ages and soci-economic backgrounds to unite on a regular, voluntary basis to share feelings, experiences, perceptions and even our prejudices without fear of verbal or physical attack.
Through its regular weekly meetings over a 10-year+ period, many lasting loving relationships resulted. Even One special uninvited meeting with the Arian Knights of the KKK–ended at least with better understanding.
The need for such a unifying vehicle amid today’s enumerable divides is fast becoming increasingly clear as this world continues to become too small for anything but brotherhood and far too dangerous for anything but peace. (Investigate! 1-800-22unite)
