Increasing Disorder in the World

Increasing Disorder in the World

Why is there such an increase in disorder in the world, especially among the youth? Western examples are, on the small scale, escalating violence between girls, and on the large scale the riots in England.

Of course there are many contributing factors, but we need to simplify and look at the major influences, ignoring complications such as the increasing use of technology – since these powerful new tools can always be used for good or bad.

Increasingly, education has been about developing the intellect of children, but not teaching appropriate use of the intellect. That is, our young are lacking in moral and spiritual education. This will be discussed later.

The vacuum left by the weakening of religion, which for all its faults was the greatest means for the pacification and disciplining of humanity, has been effectively filled by the mass media, especially by a bombardment of messages of one’s need to have the latest goods, and of “labelled” goods.

Religion has to an extent been responsible for its own demise, as its descent into superstition, and failure to interpret the scriptures symbolically to accord with evident science, has encouraged many in the western civilisation at least to conclude that all that is worthy of regard is detectable by the senses, and therefore scientific experiment. This is the true definition of materialism, a creed causing great destruction to our civilisation. How often do we hear it said in the media, that man is just an animal, except with an opposable thumb and a larger brain? 

“Should the lamp of religion be obscured, chaos and confusion will ensue, and the lights of fairness and justice, of tranquillity and peace cease to shine.”

            (Baha'u'llah)

Do we instruct our children and youth that the reality of man is his truthfulness, trustworthiness, kindness, dignity and compassion, and all the other qualities which lead to the building of civilisation, and which were originally promoted by each religion?  Without these qualities, we are lower than animals.

We have left our youth adrift, believing that life’s enjoyment is about ownership of things, and personal pleasure seeking a priority. And now, many have no prospect of work, their benefits are being reduced or stopped, and tertiary education intakes of students cut back, so they cannot be educated into the jobs that are available. We are all given the ability to discern true values for ourselves fortunately, but how many more would attain true wealth if living in a supportive culture?