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February 11, 2023
I grew up in a church that said you had to speak in tongues to get saved and go to heaven. I often prayed fervently starting at the age of 5 for the experience in the prayer room at church, where people would cry and wail, and roll on the floor. One 80-year old lady would sometimes get happy in the spirit and run laps around the church during church services. That was always entertaining.
About my sophomore year in college, I became transformed by the protest of the Vietnam War, the anti-nuclear movement, Eastern philosophy, the study of psychology, smoking reefer, and democratic socialism, which I started believing could save the world. However, the Covid crises that began in March 2020 caused me to become disillusioned with the Left, so now I would say I am more an anarchist or a libertarian, but I don't support corporate or crony capitalism. Many libertarians think it is perfectly fine to aspire to be a millionaire or billionaire, but I think incomes above certain amounts should be taxed at much higher rates. Libertarian capitalists, like socialists, are against imperialism, and I will always resonate with that.
Here is a definition of anarchy that I have always liked: Anarchy: a self-governed society in which people organize themselves from the bottom-up on an egalitarian basis; decisions made by those affected by them; direct democratic control of our workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, towns and bio-regions with coordination between differing groups as needed. A world where women and men are free and equal and all of us have power over our own lives, bodies and sexuality; where we cherish and live in balance with the earth and value diversity of cultures, races, and sexual orientations, where we work and live together cooperatively.
Two times in my twenties and thirties, I had brief periods where I went back to being a Christian fundamentalist or an evangelical Christian. Later going to a liberal seminary, where I studied the New Testament like a scientist, caused me to doubt believing in the virgin birth, the trinity, and the literal resurrection of Jesus in the way that evangelical Christians believe. Now I believe that Jesus could have been a highly evolved yogi to achieve the various things he allegedly achieved.
Growing up in an anti-intellectual home, I had the most trouble with high school courses like U.S. history, which seemed like a boring subject that was a waste of time. Later in my life, European history would become an important and fascinating subject. Lately I have been interested in studying the history of Christianity again using the excellent textbook I read in seminary.
Fascinated with yoga and meditation, I starting reading many of the books written by Swami Rama. When I later met him in person and was initiated and given a mantra (which I never did repeat over and over as suggested), I remember that being in his presence was the most powerful spiritual experience I have ever had in my life: I felt rapturous love and indescribable bliss. So I became convinced that meditation and spiritual disciplines can transform a person. My ex-wife, by the way, thought there was nothing special about Swami Rama.
In my mid 50s, I started advocating the integration of the Perennial Philosophy (that's the term Aldous Huxley used; it is also referred to as Ageless Wisdom, describing the nondual, mystical experience) with a democratic form of socialism as a way to save individuals and the world. I created a website called www.NowSaveTheWorld.com because the website name "SaveTheWorld.com" had already been taken by somebody else. I created this website in 2010 right before I retired at age 60 from teaching. I was a high school special education teacher of Algebra, English, and Social Studies, but during the last 6 years of my career I taught general elementary, mostly third grade. In March 2020, I changed the name of my website to WorldWithoutEmpire.com.
SHARE Tuesday, September 4, 2018 Eliminate 9 Social Sins To Make The Whole World Happy
1) Imperialism 2) Racism 3) Capitalism 4) Nationalism 5) Materialism 6) Patriarchalism 7) Ecological suicide 8)Speciesism (species-ism) and 9) Discrimination against the LGBTQ community: These 9 Social Sins must be eliminated so that the citizens of our nation and the people of the world can be happy.
SHARE Friday, August 24, 2018 What Should the Radical Democratic Left Be For and Against?
The Seven Social ISMS and the Seven Social SINS are what the Radical Democratic Left should be united against. Mindfulness meditation can reduce the vast individual suffering. Socialism can reduce the vast social suffering. Veganism can be supported for environmental, ethical, and health reasons. We need not just political democracy, but workplace democracy, and Cannabis is the most versatile plant on earth for many reasons.
(8 comments) SHARE Thursday, August 23, 2018 The Seven Social ISMS and the Seven Social SINS that Prevent Socialism
The Seven Social ISMS that prevent Socialism are imperialism, racism, capitalism, nationalism, materialism, patriarchalism, and speciesism (species-ism).
The Seven Social SINS that prevent democratic social progress are imperialism, racism, capitalism, nationalism, materialism, patriarchalism, and the discrimination against the LGBTQ community.
(1 comments) SHARE Tuesday, August 21, 2018 Let's Make the Whole World Happy For the First Time
The Seven Social Sins--Imperialism, Racism, Capitalism, Nationalism, Patriarchalism, Materialism, and the Discrimination against the LGBTQ community--are the primary reasons our modern civilization is screwed-up and always has been.
SHARE Saturday, August 18, 2018 "Hippie Commie Fags" and "Commie Pinko Fags"
In the Judeo-Christian mindset--being a communist or a homosexual or smoking marijuana are totally unacceptable. Our culture will make more social progress when it stops discriminating against such things. Moreover, we must create a new U.S. Constitution to remove all forms of imperialism, racism, capitalism, nationalism, materialism, patriarchalism, and the discrimination against the LGBTQ community.
(11 comments) SHARE Thursday, August 16, 2018 Those that Fear the Green Movement, Democracy, and World Government
The Constitutional Convention to establish the new U.S. Constitution could be based on proportional representation from the 7 largest national political parties. We could even give national political parties that capture one percent of the vote a voice at the Constitutional Convention and later in the national legislature. A new U.S. Constitution must be subservient to the Earth Constitution.
(1 comments) SHARE Tuesday, August 14, 2018 Sunday School for Buddhist Socialism
If you can't go to church, go to Sunday School: Sunday School for Buddhist Socialism. This is a meetup.com group for Brandon, FL. Starting a local meetup.com group is a fairly inexpensive way for readers and writers at OpEdNews to share the important ideas that the world needs to hear.
SHARE Saturday, August 11, 2018 A New U.S. Constitution Subservient to the Earth Constitution
It has been said that if everyone in the world maintained the lifestyle of the average American, it would take 4 earths to accommodate them. The earth has a carrying capacity and striving for unlimited growth is no longer ecologically sustainable. To reduce vast individual suffering--mindfulness meditation can help. To reduce vast social suffering-- democratic, compassionate socialism, ultimately communism, is the ideal.
(18 comments) SHARE Tuesday, August 7, 2018 New Nation, New Constitution Now
The worldview and lifestyle of Buddhist Socialism is the best way I can think of to find inner peace and achieve world peace: We can reduce vast individual suffering with Buddhism and vast social suffering through democratic, compassionate socialism.
SHARE Monday, April 2, 2018 The New Article V For This Generation
"The New Article V For This Generation" shows an easier way to Amend the current Constitution and also How to Abolish the current Constitution in a Fair, Safe, and Orderly Way. But this Twenty-Eighth Amendment proposal that Totally Rewrites Article V must be passed. The people must demand that the U.S. Congress and 3/4 of the state legislatures pass this Twenty-Eighth Amendment called "The New Article V For This Generation.
SHARE Saturday, March 31, 2018 Revamping the Green Party's Ten Key Values
This new list of Ten Key Values and Goals provides a new vision for our nation. It provides a radical remedy that could become universally popular, as capitalism and the environment rapidly unravel, as people become desperate for hope. Bernie Sanders and Jill Stein could win the 2020 election on the Green Party ticket, if the Greens can start getting their act together to bring more people into the fold.
(2 comments) SHARE Wednesday, March 28, 2018 The Peace Movement is Coming Back
I thought the Baby Boomers, my generation, were unique, but the Millennials are now giving me more hope with the March For Our Lives events last weekend. I thought the Baby Boomers would ring in peace and love, but though it hasn't happened yet, it can still happen because of the power of love and unity that comes with our awakening--when we understand what is going on and why.
(7 comments) SHARE Friday, March 23, 2018 Integrating the Perennial Philosophy into the Greens' Ten Key Values
It is important that we the people start waking up to discover the vast human or divine potential within us. If the perennial philosophy can be incorporated into the Ten Key Values of the Green Party, it will bring new members into the fold. It is still possible that a Green Party candidate can win the presidential election of 2020 if Green Party members integrate the Perennial Philosophy into their personal lifestyles.
(7 comments) SHARE Wednesday, March 14, 2018 World Peace, Inner Peace
The expression "World Peace, Inner Peace" is meant to have a different meaning than the New Age idea of "Inner Peace to World Peace" or "Inner Peace, World Peace." By putting "world peace" first it implies that we have to now radically change governments and dismantle all nuclear weapons. A new school curriculum and a new political party are needed to teach this philosophy and lifestyle to the world.
(6 comments) SHARE Saturday, January 20, 2018 Improving the World with New Religions or No Religion
We need ecological religions that consider the whole earth sacred and interconnected. Today it is common to hear people say they are spiritual but not religious. But it is unfortunate that people are spiritual but not political. We're not going to transform the CIA, the military-industrial-congressional complex, and the wealthiest one percent merely by generating love in their directions. We have to become political too.
(2 comments) SHARE Friday, January 19, 2018 Improving the World with Maximum Democracy
Rather than just complain about one of the many problems in the world, this article primarily focuses on specific solutions to create an ideal democratic society and world peace.
SHARE Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Improving Self and Society by Transcending the Ego and Renouncing the World
The United States, through its gangster capitalism, imperialism bent on controlling the world, and racism starting with the founding fathers and up to the present--is the greatest threat to world peace and the destruction of the planet. Where is the outrage? Where is the righteous anger? Where is the rebellion? What happened to the nonviolent Peace Movement? We're all living in a Matrix.
(7 comments) SHARE Thursday, September 28, 2017 Who Wants to Abolish the CIA? Leftists and Rightists
This article tells about an ex-CIA member who has revealed in his book and various YouTube videos all the reasons why the CIA should be abolished, and surprisingly both leftists and rightists agree. After doing that, we have to somehow, some way take all money out of politics and empower at least 7 national political parties. Moreover, we can decentralize schools to create town hall democracy and neighborhood togetherness.
(12 comments) SHARE Wednesday, August 30, 2017 International Socialists Seeking the Divine Source Within
In America, especially in the Bible Belt, there is seemingly a church on every other block, where people get their social and spiritual needs met, where deep lasting friendships are formed, and where much of their financial resources are spent. Why aren't Socialist and Communist groups likewise attracting more people into their folds? We each have a longing to be part of a tribe where our deepest common dreams can be shared.
SHARE Monday, August 28, 2017 A Prayer to the Divine Source Within
I have always declined to pray at family meal times. I created this prayer as an alternative to the many prayers I've heard over the years to a personal God, who is separate and distinct from the universe, who allegedly answers prayers for personal needs and the healing of loved ones, if He chooses. Conversely, I believe that meditation can enable us to directly experience the transpersonal Love Source of all creation.