Recently, England has voted to separate from the European Union. Most young voters opted to remain, but the conservative vote leaned towards separation. Personally, I view this as resistance against the new paradigm, where those who resist change uphold the status quo are conservatives. They aim to reintroduce controlling politics for specific groups and actively oppose the idea of belonging to humanity as a whole. Their politics of group dominance and instilling fear of insecurity among ordinary individuals have hindered human progress. I believe all wars are ultimately linked to such politics of control and a lack of belief in humanity as a unified whole.
If you closely examine old philosophies, their purpose was often to create exclusive groups with a strong sense of belonging. Although times have been changing, progress has often been suppressed, as seen in this referendum, by powerful politics that prioritize group allegiance. The demographics of Western countries reflect this reality. These nations are melting pots where diverse people seek refuge due to the promise of equal human rights, which they often lack in their countries of origin. Any society that grants special treatment to some while excluding others can rightly be labeled as racist or prejudiced.
Certain segments of the population will always adhere to conservatism due to its old-style security. Strength in numbers has been the foundation of human politics for thousands of years, regardless of individual security, even within belonging groups. At its core lies the concept of individual self-preservation. While effective, group politics often intervene and divide people, yet individuals still seek security in numbers among like-minded individuals.
Politically, a group can be successful, but internal and external conflicts inevitably lead to further divisions. Human spirituality and a sense of belonging to humanity as a whole are the solutions to our conflicts and divisions. Throughout history, populations and individuals have sought security in numbers, yet this approach has never fully succeeded. Today, all technological and related advancements emphasize the importance of belonging to humanity as a whole. Global warming and threats from infectious diseases underscore the necessity for humanity to unite. The internet and cell phones are gifts that enable humanity to evolve to the next level, promoting a sense of belonging to humanity as a whole with equal human rights—a concept I refer to as the new paradigm.
Conservative populations vehemently oppose these changes, but they are fighting a losing battle because philosophies advocating special treatment fail when it comes to equal human rights. Today, one cannot assert superiority based on religion—be it Christian versus Muslim—or nationality—such as Canadian versus Pakistani. Similarly, one cannot claim superiority based on skin color, gender, or sexuality; those days are over amidst the winds of change. Even supreme courts worldwide are beginning to reject special treatments as they contradict principles of justice.
Whether it’s Malala, Jo Cox, or the victims of the gay club killings, they all suffer due to the extremes of conservatism, which preach and practice racism and prejudice. Politically, these can be labeled as acts of certain terror groups, but extremism exists within all human populations. In times of change, people either fight to maintain the status quo or push for extreme change. As individuals, it’s our duty to understand these shifts, much like a CEO who anticipates future trends, so we can choose to stand for equal human rights for all—a concept I call the new paradigm.
I may not know what you know, and similarly, you may not know what I know. Assuming you know everything I know could be incorrect, especially when you presume your knowledge surpasses mine.
We should all make space for and respect each other’s knowledge so that humanity can advance and progress, rather than demeaning each other or worse, spiritually regressing.
Imagine how far humanity could advance if we all identified first and foremost with humanity as a whole, rather than dividing ourselves by races, genders, packs, gangs, groups, communities, nations, or religions. Ironically, I learned this from a religious preacher named Molaana Ajmal a long time ago. He said (and I quote), “If I give you a newspaper and ask you to put your finger through it without tearing the paper, how would you do it?” Then he explained: “First, use a pin to make several holes, then poke your finger through—it won’t tear the paper.”
Mind you, he was very conservative yet wise at the same time. He may not have used this knowledge in the same context as I am using it, but wisdom is wisdom; you can’t deny its power. When changes come, if we don’t adapt with the times or try to change too quickly, our paper will rip. All our wars and individual killings are linked to our politics of conservatism and liberalism—they have nothing to do with spirituality. The name of God has been liberally invoked in our religious wars, yet they have all been political conflicts.
If changes occur faster than we can cope, they can cause problems instead of being beneficial. Adapting to change requires a rhythm and a suitable pace for each of us. If we individually become CEOs of our own lives, we would understand and adjust to these changes. Otherwise, there will always be passionate people who hijack the commitment to become extremists. They wholeheartedly believe they are following the spiritual teachings of religions, yet without compassion, forgiveness, sacrifice, and love, religion becomes merely a political system.
Humanity is plagued by social, political, and spiritual issues, which I believe hold us back. In today’s interconnected world, we have the opportunity to overcome our security-related problems. I can only imagine how far we could advance without wars and prejudice. Imagine if, millions of years ago, we had identified primarily with humanity instead of forming exclusive groups—where would we be today? Our group mentality is akin to a gang with a narrow worldview. Group security is unattainable in the face of infectious diseases and global warming. If poverty and starvation kill people in certain regions, they have the right to migrate to places where they can survive. In Islam, it is said that if your neighbor sleeps hungry, your food and sleep are not kosher for you. Look at the oil-producing countries in Africa and others suffering from various problems—same religion, even the same sect, yet significant disparities exist. There’s much preaching but little practical action. The same applies to Donald Trump, who advocates building a wall. Humanity is interconnected, and in the new paradigm, this is an undeniable fact—we must all eventually adapt to it. Global warming will bring a new wave of refugees; how will people like him respond to that? I’m not a socialist, but when it comes to reality, it may be bitter, but it cannot be denied.
Politically, conservatives have been labeling anyone who advocates for others as socialists, thereby politicizing and countering spiritual principles. I find this particularly troubling, considering that many religious individuals align themselves with conservative politics, despite the fact that all religions teach and preach principles of social responsibility. They advocate congregating and assisting the less fortunate. However, the politics of security have undermined our actual security and spirituality, both in this life and beyond.
I believe humans are most valuable to God during their lives on Earth. The essence of spirituality lies in this physical world, not in the afterlife. Therefore, killing in the name of God or advocating for walls is not spiritually acceptable; it goes against the essence of spirituality by destroying a living entity, thereby depriving God and loved ones of their rightful place. Just look at the impact of the removal of the Berlin Wall on Germany. If it had been detrimental, they would not have welcomed so many refugees. I commend their spiritual strength.
Those who believe their group is superior to others, whether based on nationalism, religion, skin color, or sexual orientation, can be considered racist and prejudiced in today’s diverse world. In a melting pot society, distinctions like white and black are no longer as clear-cut. Belief in one’s cause can lead to extremism or prejudice, moving individuals away from moderation
If you are taught superiority, it can often lead to an inferiority complex in the real world, especially with shifting demographics. The world population is evolving, and so too should our belief systems. If a white American believes America is inherently a white nation, thereby making everyone else an immigrant, it requires a deeper examination. Even the native populations migrated across Beringia to reach North America. Genetically, if we delve deep enough, we may find we all have roots in Africa, so distinctions based on race, gender, nationality, or religion must take a back seat to the principle of equal human rights. Understand this: equal human rights represent the new paradigm, almost akin to a universal religion.
People need to grasp the dynamics and needs of society. Change should be approached like starting a workout, beginning with one pound and working up to a hundred, or gently poking a pin through paper to avoid tearing it. If some societies do not meet certain standards, reflect on the history of your own society—it has also progressed over time. The challenge lies in some wanting rapid change while others resist any change at all. Humanity must delve deeply, persevere, and continue to progress to fulfill its true potential as intended by God. We must utilize our intellect to advance rather than stagnate or regress.
When humanity collaborates, remarkable achievements occur, such as space stations and the internet. Yet, the full impact of these advancements has yet to be fully realized. As time progresses, we will understand how our scientific knowledge aligns with spirituality—from connecting as cells of humanity or God to optimizing function, to addressing global challenges like Ebola and climate change, benefiting each individual.
Individual connections among people can profoundly influence group dynamics. Everything can change if individuals look beyond their immediate group affiliations. With personal justice, ethics, and morals, we should all be willing to recognize and speak out against injustices committed by our own groups, be they atrocities or spiritual crimes against humanity.
Propaganda is one thing, but these days, with cell phones in everyone’s hands, real-life police departments all over the world are facing problems as all war crimes are broadcasted. People who commit crimes in the name of security often have distorted views of life, and unfortunately, it’s not their fault. It’s the education they have received from the politics of their belonging groups. As long as these groups use an individual’s sense of belonging and vulnerabilities for political gains, achieving peace will always be problematic, regardless of walls, whether they are for financial security or otherwise.
There are always some problems, akin to a crime rate that cannot be eliminated even with ample resources. If you seek a perfectly flawless life, you may fall victim to mental health issues because such a pursuit guarantees perpetual dissatisfaction. Seeking contentment should be a goal, especially for mortal individuals. Living in an imperfect world with a degree of flexibility can make life’s journey livable, but never stop poking and creating holes to reach a point where you can put your finger through. Evolution is one of the meanings of human life because we strive to achieve the potential that God intended for us. Logically, there are no limits for the human individual—from the creation of new brain neurons to self-repair and regeneration abilities, from building muscle in the human body to emotional intelligence growth, and to the virtues like compassion, forgiveness, sacrifice, and love—all point towards this spiritual potential.
This potential has often been demonized and blocked by religious and political teachings that aim to keep individuals inferior and subservient to their belonging groups. Learn to be the CEO of your life, taking personal responsibilities and establishing a personal justice system that allows you to live a mortal life without fear, guiding you to reach the heights of that potential where you can understand and maintain the right-side-up triangle.