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1. Humans threaten ALL life on earth. I don’t believe that humans
can destroy the earth. Humans can destroy other species and surely
annihilate themselves but the earth is here and ‘aint goin’ nowhere
until that great big shining star—the sun, says otherwise. So I
would say that as we use up resources and poison our atmosphere what
we put in jeopardy are human, animal and some plant life and other
species that go unseen. Sure our evolutionary process can end but
the earths will continue with or without us. If humans want to blow
themselves up with a nuclear bomb, we can do that. And after the
dust settles something else will emerge. Unfortunately we are so
arrogant we don’t realize what a blessing life is!
2. Another of the principles implies that the preservation of the
earth is the primary purpose of humans and the edification of the
human life, secondary. Again, I understand where they’re going with
the idea but from my viewpoint, the earth can take care of itself.
Therefore, the first priority of the human being should be to human
beings! Our goal should be to establish positive relationships free
from hatred and violence. The primary function of the human
experience should be developing loving human bonds—creating a world
of peace, justice and goodwill for all people.
3. And then somewhere in the principles it implies that human beings
are a flawed piece of evolution. In the grand scheme we are not
flawed. In the human communal perspective, yes, we are drastically
flawed and must work to cure societal ills. It is obvious that
humans do not share and care enough. But from an earth-view, we are
not flawed rather we are the products of evolution—microorganisms
inside a macro-organism. Our actions are the result of very complex
anthropological and biological predispositions (I just preached that
sermon.) What does the pesky gnat do for our world? What does that
bug you just stepped on—what did it do for the environment? Who
knows. And what about the human being—what do we do that is vital
for this planet’s survival? I don’t know? I cannot grasp the
complexity of the cause and effect self-regulatory regeneration
process of Gaia. But, if you ask me what is a human beings
responsibility to their fellow brother or sister I will tell you
with conviction that it is to make a positive difference on their
lives! And that is because the human self-regulating system of myths
and mores teach us that this is so.
For me, the Gaia principles, even with their flaws, give us a new
vision of God, nature and reality. Essentially, we have the gift of
a “new story to tell to the nations.” And you’ve heard me say this
time and time again, we need a new story for emerging generations; a
new story for a new day. We need to begin transitioning from the old
story of humankind being master of the earth, to a new story where
the earth is our master; a new story where humans understand they
are not the “be all—end all” of creation, but one part in a
multifaceted, complex process. Now, we’re not giving up all of the
elements of the old story. In the old myth, we learned that there
was something bigger than you and I at work in the world—and that is
the point. There IS something bigger than you and I and I cannot
articulate nor fathom what it is. I just know that it is too
marvelous to be named. I just know that it is above the title God; I
just know that I call it, for lack of a better term, the creative,
sustaining force that keeps all things in a beautiful harmonious
flow. I stand and stare and marvel at this creation—for I am it, and
you are too. If we take our eyes off of the God that chooses sides;
if we take our eyes off of the idea that humans have dominion over
nature and place our eyes on the fact that we are a miraculous
creation, then we don’t have time for the pettiness, we don’t have
time to fight religious wars, knowing they could lead to world wars,
which could lead to nuclear wars and human extinction.
If we understand that life is a precious and delicate gift we won’t
have time to hoard resources. But we will have time to stand and
stare at our blessed human lives and then, perhaps, we could find
more time to enjoy this short journey together. This is what Gaia
communicates to me: “For the beauty of the earth, for the splendor
of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us
lies. For the wonder of each hour—of the day and of the night, hill
and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light. For
the joy of human care, sister, brother, parent child, for the
kinship we all share, for all gentle thoughts and mild; SOURCE OF
ALL TO THEE WE RAISE, THIS OUR HYMN OF GRATEFUL PRAISE!”
That is our closing hymn number 21. Sing it with power and
conviction. Thank you for your time this morning. Amen.
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