Posted on 12/21/2010 5:07:59 PM PST by unspun
Presented in a speech from Santa Cruz, CA:
Read this International Document yourself The Earth Charter Initiative:
Preamble
We stand at a critical moment in Earth's history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace.Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations.
Earth, Our Home
Humanity is part of a vast evolving universe. Earth, our home, is alive with a unique community of life. The forces of nature make existence a demanding and uncertain adventure, but Earth has provided the conditions essential to life's evolution. The resilience of the community of life and the well-being of humanity depend upon preserving a healthy biosphere with all its ecological systems, a rich variety of plants and animals, fertile soils, pure waters, and clean air. The global environment with its finite resources is a common concern of all peoples. The protection of Earth's vitality, diversity, and beauty is a sacred trust.
continuesMissionThe mission of the Earth Charter Initiative is to promote the transition to sustainable ways of living and a global society founded on a shared ethical framework that includes respect and care for the community of life, ecological integrity, universal human rights, respect for diversity, economic justice, democracy, and a culture of peace.
The most troubling aspect of this information is that the creators and promulgators of this doctrine consider this to be "soft law" presenting it as the pattern of future laws, calling it "a new global ethic."
"In the light of this legitimacy, an increasing number of international lawyers recognize that the Earth Charter is acquiring the status of a soft law document. Soft law documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are considered to be morally, but not legally, binding on state governments that agree to endorse and adopt them, and they often form the basis for the development of hard law."
If you have been listening for a while you will see many buzzwords in this high sounding document. If I may point a few out and give the intended definitions:
Read for yourself from this interview at the Ikeda Center, from the Chairman of the Earth Charter Initiative, Steven Rockerfeller, in his own words (emphasis, Gulag Bound's).
It is worthy to note that the Earth Charter also intends to create a New World Spirituality as well as a global governance. This found at the International Humanist and Ethical Union (emaphasis, Gulag Bound).Ethics and the Earth Charter: A Conversation with Steven Rockefeller
Steven C. Rockefeller is professor emeritus of religion at Middlebury College, Vermont. He received his Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City and his Ph.D. in the Philosophy of Religion from Columbia University. Professor Rockefeller is the author of John Dewey: Religious Faith and Democratic Humanism (Columbia, 1991) and co-editor of The Christ and the Bodhisattva (SUNY, 1987) and Spirit and Nature: Why the Environment is a Religious Issue (Beacon, 1992). From 1997 to 2000 he chaired the international Earth Charter drafting committee. He serves as a member of the Earth Charter Commission. Active in the field of philanthropy, Dr. Rockefeller is chairman of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, a trustee of the Asian Cultural Council, and a member of the Council of the UN University for Peace in Costa Rica. He was interviewed in 2001 by the Center's Patti Marxsen.***
PM: What is the Earth Charter and how is it different from existing laws and treaties?
SR: The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global community. It is a people's treaty created by civil society under the oversight of an Earth Charter Commission. In the language of the lawyers, it can be described as a soft law document a statement of widely shared values and aspirations as opposed to an international treaty or hard law document that is legally binding on the nations that adopt it. Soft law documents often do, however, exercise a strong influence on the development of international law.
The Earth Charter can be adopted and used by governments as well as by civil society, organizations, and businesses. The document is being circulated to all these groups. A growing number of NGOs have endorsed the document, as have many local governments. For example, the Sierra Club, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and the U.S. Conference of Mayors have endorsed the Earth Charter. We hope that the UN General Assembly will endorse or in some way recognize the Earth Charter at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in 2002.
It is also important to recognize that the Earth Charter contains a more inclusive vision than most international treaties, which tend to focus on a particular issue, such as human rights, biodiversity, or peace. Even though the Earth Charter is centrally concerned about the environment, it was recognized early on in the drafting process that if the document was to gain wide support in both the North and the South, it would have to address issues of human rights and development as well as environmental protection. The Earth Charter affirms the interdependence of the environmental, economic, social, and cultural challenges facing humanity. In this regard it provides a broad integrated vision of sustainable living and sustainable development.
PM: You have spoken elsewhere of the importance of intergenerational responsibility. How might the Earth Charter bring generations together and offer an ethical vision that cuts across time?
SR: When the World Commission on Environment and Development issued its report, Our Common Future (1987) focusing international attention on the concept of sustainable development, the chair of the Commission, Gro Harlem Brundtland, commented that fundamental to achievement of sustainable development is adoption of an ethic of intergenerational responsibility. Environmental concerns have generated a heightened sense of responsibility with regard to future generations. It is a matter of intergenerational equity. The well-being and rights of future generations provide one compelling reason why sustainable development is essential.
PM: You have also spoken about ethics as a path to the development of the self and the expansion of spiritual life. How does the Earth Charter encourage this?
SR: There are two different ways of looking at ethics. On the one hand, from the point of view of society, ethics provide a set of values and principles that promote cooperation and the common good. On the other hand, one may approach ethics from a psychological point of view and consider ethics in terms of its significance for the development of the self. Commitment to ethical values promotes the growth of the self because it leads to the identification of the self with the larger community or communities to which one belongs. In this regard, some philosophers like to talk about the democratic self, the ecological self, or the universal self. The Earth Charter ethic encourages us to identify ourselves not only with the human communities of which we are members, but also with the larger community of life of which we are a part. This is implied in the concept of universal responsibility.
Under the impact of rapid social and cultural change, there is great moral confusion in the world, and it is very important ecologically, socially, and spiritually that we clarify our moral values. Moral values are the way we define what we choose to be as individuals and as a community. The quality of our lives is shaped by our ethical commitments and decisions. The loss of moral vision and conviction is a very serious matter. The Earth Charter is designed to address this challenge. The decade-long Earth Charter consultation process revealed that people throughout the world are searching for moral direction, and they want to participate in constructing a new moral vision adequate to the challenges of the time.
PM: Does the final draft of the Earth Charter provide that kind of ethical and moral vision?
SR: The Earth Charter is a product of a global dialogue on fundamental values and principles for sustainable living. It reflects the new consensus on shared values that is taking form in the emerging global civil society. It sets forth the kind of integrated ethical vision that is so urgently needed.
However, all of us who worked on the drafting of the Earth Charter recognize that it is not a perfect document and that the global dialogue on common values must continue. The Earth Charter goes far in accomplishing the ethical reorientation necessary, and communities can build on it as they clarify their understanding of sustainable living and implement the vision.
PM: The Earth Charter process has been a story in itself. Looking back, what were some of the turning points?
SR: The first critical turning point came when the governmental effort to draft an Earth Charter failed. This occurred during the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. When the Earth Charter process was started up again in 1994 by Mikhail Gorbachev and Maurice Strong, the secretary general of UNCED, it became a civil society initiative. It did, however, receive some critical financial support at this juncture from Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers and the Dutch government.
The world is divided into diverse ethnic and national communities; each of us has specific moral obligations incumbent on his or her role in these communities. There are, however, basic moral decencies that are commonly recognised as binding in virtually all civilised communities of the world. These ethical principles embody the collective heritage of humankind. They have been tested in the crucible of human experience by their consequences for human good. They include the need to be truthful; to keep our promises; to be sincere, honest, loyal, and dependable; to act with good will; to forbear from injuring other persons and their property; to be beneficent, compassionate, and fair, to show gratitude; to be just, tolerant, and co-operative; and to use peaceful methods to negotiate differences.So, how does this affect you? Well let's let Professor Rockerfeller explain;These ethical principles have all too often been applied selectively only to the members of a cohesive group - whether tribal, ethnic, national, racial or religious. Moreover, competition among groups has often engendered animosity and hatred. It is time that we clearly enunciate these ethical principles so that they may be extended toward all members of the human family living on this planet.
The great religions of the past have often preached universal brotherhood. Unfortunately, intolerant or divisive faiths have made this moral ideal almost impossible to implement. Narrow parochial doctrines of salvation have made it difficult for those outside particular denominations to be fully entitled moral consideration from those within. Secular political ideologies have likewise asserted the universality of their ideals, yet they have often resorted to force to impose their views on those who differ with them.
PM: Now that the document is written, how do you envision the Earth Charter becoming a living reality?And this interview took place in 2001.SR: First of all, the Earth Charter is increasingly being used in schools, colleges, and universities as an effective teaching tool. The Earth Charter Secretariat is in the process of preparing Earth Charter teaching resource materials to support use of the document in elementary and secondary schools. In Vermont, for example, the Earth Charter has been integrated into classroom activities in over 40 elementary and high schools, and the Earth Charter is being used in many college courses that deal with environmental ethics, global ethics, and related issues.
Pesky "universal implementation" -- it requires "global governance," don'cha know.
It drives Satan nuts-o-rama when we look past his nightmares into the reality of God beyond.
QUITE SO. Would you be willing to share a major experience that taught you such truths most intensely and lastingly?
imho, FREEREPUBLIC.COM HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING ONE OF THE BEST THINK TANKS EVER. It has functioned loosely that way from its inception.
It appears increasingly that we are closer and closer to a very major cliff edge . . . if not a series of major cliff edges. economically, militarily, tyrannically in terms of information dissemination; martial law; war; food distribution; electricity availability etc. etc.
Whether one considers the DESTROYER IN CHIEF in the White House; the globalist elite oligarchy over him; natural disasters purportedly looming; terror attacks purportedly looming; Iran/Israel/NK/So Korea/WWIII purportedly looming; plagues purportedly looming; heavy handed population control purportedly looming--constricting tighter and tighter; etc. etc. or any combination of the above plus whatever else . . .
It seems to me that FREEPERS have a capacity and connections to thoughtfully scope out some of the more likely scenarios, sequences, timings over the next 3-12 months.
It seems likely to me, that efforts to do so amongst FREEPERS COULD be useful--at least as a thought exercise . . . at least as helping us individually and collectively refine our awareness of various important realities we ARE functioning within and highly likely TO BE functioning within on the very near horizon.
It seems to me that we could address one or a few of the following sorts of questions from a diversity of perspectives, disciplines, skill sets, employment experiences and connections:
1. How soon; in what way(s) and resulting in what contingencies or replacement systems will a total utter dollar/economic collapse likely occur?
2. How soon; with what initial steps/initial scenarios will a major military conflict break out that will evolve into WWIII . . . with what most probable triggers and major actors to what initial, intermediate and 12 month results?
3. What other devastatingly impactful events are likely on the near horizon?
4. Which of them are likely to rear their blows soonest in what ways to what ends?
5. Which components of Christendom will most likely most effectively resist the enemy and stand tall in the power of God vs which will most likely submit to the global tyranny? What will 3-12 months down that road look like?
6. In terms of martial law; information distribution; communications . . . what are we most likely to see within 3-12 months with what results and implications?
That's probably more than sufficient to occupy more than a few minds.
I know I've tried for most of 10 years to stir something up in such directions to exactly 0.00000% effective results. Nevertheless, given how much closer we are to such events, I thought I'd try yet again.
If you have a comment or suggestion, please, post away! If you know someone to ping to such questions, please ping away.
We are engaged in a spiritual battle and God will prevail. Our job is to revere God and eschew evil, and having done all you can, to stand. And look up, our salvation is nigh.
Do you know Christ as your Savior?
Spot on Quix! We all need to remind ourselves that trusting Jesus complete sacrifice for our salvation was sufficient. Not what we do. No traditional Church, no rituals, no associations other then a personal relationship directly with Jesus is needed. On our knees in our private prayer closet is our best weapon now.
True true.
Sometimes it’s challenge enough dealing with my own evils within.
Thx.
I know that we will win in the end when our Savior returns. However, I am having a problem wondering what I am here for specifically in these last days. What do I do while I occupy? I have fought all of the battles to help save this country, but it seems that has been in vain. Have I wasted my time?
I am open to hearing from other fellow freepers what they think will be the chain of events. However, is it ours to know?
Oh, yes. I was born again on December 5, 1985. It is the most important day of my life.
Things are going to get very, very bad in the world and we are seeing the beginnings of "sorrows" as God put it, right now. But know that what is happening means that Satan's time of being the "god of this age" is winding down. It means that Satan is rapidly running out of time, and the thousands of years that God has allowed him to be "in charge" so to speak, of this fallen, failed world system is coming to a close.
We know from Scripture that this current evil world is going to "pass away". We know that Christ is going to literally return to this earth, He is going to judge evil and sin, He is going to dispense of those who refuse to turn to Him for salvation and rescue and who refuse to allow Him His rightful lordship over their lives, the people, in other words, who choose death over life, who choose evil over God.
We know from Scripture that God will dispense of everything and everyone that makes up the filth of this current world system and He will then rule and reign on this earth, on the Throne of David in Jerusalem, in perfect justice, with the Genesis curse on the earth lifted and the earth restored to it's pre-sin perfection for 1000 years.
And then, after the thousand years are complete, and after a final rebellion against Christ by Satan and whoever on this earth he can convince to join him - a rebellion that is crushed and the participants of which are destroyed- we go into eternity. Eternity with Christ, forever and ever, with no sin, no death, no sickness, perfect harmony with Jesus Christ forever. Eternity.
So, while what we see going on around us is certainly depressing, and terrible, just know that the events and the season we are in tells us that this old sick, fallen world is in it's death throes and what Christ promised His people is coming around the corner.
And the reason why you were put on this earth is to love God and fellowship with Him and be loved in return - with all that goes along with that love - all that we have eternity to discover and enjoy.
So look up- our redemption is drawing near!
Prayer has always been our most potent weapon.
We just tend to forget that in better times.
I thought it was a lot less than that now.
Is that the latest update?
Does that count all the tribes it is going out in audio MP3’s with the PROCLAMER wind-up players?
No urgent point in translating a written text in tribes where there’s no written language or mostly illiterates.
Honorable deeds out of a good heart motive are NEVER wasted. They at least strengthen the doer in righteous living. They strenthen those watching, too.
I have known for some time that most of the good that I can do MUST BE IN BEHALF OF THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HIS KINGDOM.
The USA will not get better until after Armageddon.
I’ve been banned for saying similar things in the past. Thankfully, more folks seem to be awake now that OThuga is in office destroying what’s left of our Constitution and the rest of our Republic as fast as his evil deeds can manage.
Still, it is shocking to see how relatively few FREEPERS REALLY ARE AWAKE.
I wonder if the recent attack on FR has awakened anyone.
BTW,
I believe that those of us authentic Believers alive in this era have yet to begin our major missions. I believe we will do great exploits as things heat up . . .
in HIS STRENGTH, HIS BLOOD, HIS SPIRIT AT HIS DIRECTION WITH ANGELS ASSISTING.
I don’t know how much He wants us to know ahead of time.
Scripture says He does nothing without telling His prophets first.
THX
My suggestion, for those experiencing depression regarding the looming challenges, is to read
THE FINAL QUEST
by Rick Joyner,
which is available online at
http://99.198.110.36/FQ-Protestant/TFQ-en.html
You may get to the link for the Joyner book, (BTW, it’s a free online version), by going to
and scrolling down past links for Baptized by Blazing Fire, 23 Minutes in Hell, Join the Media Army, and Heaven is So Real, to the next section, THE FINAL QUEST and THE CALL both by Rick Joyner.
I offer this to you because it has served me well as a framework by which I may view the stage Creation is in currently, how believers fit in, and WHAT EACH BELIEVER CAN DO to not only survive but to thrive and to bear good fruit during this season; The Final Quest has been the MOST helpful source for me as I face the gross darkness and the difficulties that are imminent.
Note, at the site, there are also mp3 versions available.
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