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.
Thinking is always dangerous to the status quo. [...] The moment you start thinking, you'll want to change something.
We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace. We can make these changes - and we must.
Rather, to change a habit, you must keep the old cue, and deliver the old reward, but insert a new routine.
Some people say that I should study to become a climate scientist so that I can 'solve the climate crisis.' But the climate crisis has already been solved. We already have all the facts and solutions. All we have to do is to wake up and change.
Change your conception of yourself and you will automatically change the world in which you live. Do not try to change people; they are only messengers telling you who you are. Revalue yourself and they will confirm the change.
But it did not all happen in a day, this giving over of himself, body and soul, to the man-animals. He could not immediately forego his wild heritage and his memories of the Wild. There were days when he crept to the edge of the forest and stood and listened to something calling him far and away.
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