Time and again we see leaders and members of religions incite aggression, fanaticism, hate, and xenophobia - even inspire and legitimate violent and bloody conflicts.
Hans KungRead
All historical experience demonstrates the following: Our earth cannot be changed unless in the not too distant future an alteration in the consciousness of individuals is achieved.
Interpretation
Real change in the world requires a shift in individual consciousness.
This quote emphasizes that the transformation of our planet is fundamentally linked to the awakening of human consciousness. It suggests that collective progress is not just about actions and policies, but also deeply rooted in how individuals perceive and understand their roles in the world, urging a personal and societal evolution in thinking to create meaningful change.
In practice
During a speech about climate change, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of personal responsibility.
Time and again we see leaders and members of religions incite aggression, fanaticism, hate, and xenophobia - even inspire and legitimate violent and bloody conflicts.
But I have to add - and this answers your other question - this catholicity in time and in space is only meaningful for me if there is, at the same time, a concentration on the Gospel.
However, if the religions in essence merely repeat statements from the United Nations Human Rights Declaration, such a Declaration becomes superfluous; an ethic is more than rights.
We are conscious that religions cannot solve the economic, political and social problems of this earth.
At the same time we are aware that our various religions and ethical traditions often offer very different bases for what is helpful and what is unhelpful for men and women, what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is evil.
In the last resort, a love of God without love of humanity is no love at all.
The whole fabric of southern society must be changed, and never can it be done if this opportunity is lost. Without this, this government can never be, as it never has been, a true republic.
Let all of us turn from bullets to ballots, from guns to shovels.
What makes a lot of sense is that, while people are incarcerated, give them the tools they need to be able to have a productive, lucrative living when they leave so they can provide for their families and break that cycle of recidivism.
Trump's election could be a blessing in disguise. This is the opportunity for America to correct itself.
That is how you know you've left childhood behind-when you wish for time to go backward.
We need to intentionally invest in health, in home ownership, in entrepreneurship, in access to democracy, in economic empowerment. If we don't do these things, we shouldn't be surprised that racial inequality persists because inequalities compound.
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