There is much discussion on the air waves these days about the state of civilization and the health of our democracies. Harvard professor, Niall Ferguson, wrote his recent book (2011) to accompany the British TV series Civilization, is the West History?  Another recent book, Future, by Al Gore laments the deterioration of the ideals that inspired our nation’s founders.  Occupy Wall Street (OWS) demonstrators in 2011 were motivated by the fear that we were losing our democracy to the rule of big banks and a new wealthy oligarchy.  Jim Wallis, a progressive Christian (founder of Sojourners), advised OWS to “keep asking what a just economy should look like and whom it should be for. They are noble questions.”

   Are we truly in the state of crisis that our news media so frequently proclaims?  There is a passage where The Urantia Book (UB) confirms our present condition to be one of “crisis”:

   “Institutional religion cannot afford inspiration and provide leadership in this impending world-wide social reconstruction and economic reorganization because it has unfortunately become more or less of an organic part of the social order and the economic system which is destined to undergo reconstruction. Only the real religion of personal spiritual experience can function helpfully and creatively in the present crisis of civilization.” (99:2.1, pg. 1087)

   Many believe the UB has been concerned with this urgent situation since publication (1955). Many times, when studying the UB, I feel that it was sent to prevent “the ultimate collapse of a civilization which has abandoned its sense of moral values and has repudiated its spiritual goal of attainment.”(132:1.3, pg. 1457) Even bearing in mind that Jesus was in Rome when he made this observation to Angamon, we must not be blind to the possibility of such a lapse in our own time, even if improved modern communications make it seem not so likely.

   I have approached this topic from two viewpoints (and written two different papers on it). One: a crisis manifesting as a “crash,” will be needed to bring change and spiritual growth, or Two: we can actually plan ahead, implementing progressive methods to preserve the best of what we’ve evolved. I could say that I am still on the fence about which future is ahead of us.

   Many of us over the years have noted the likelihood that the Fifth Epochal revelation is a Melchizedek emergency mission, “Melchizedek Sons function in emergencies.” (90:0.1, pg. 1014) and they had much to do with directing, sponsoring and presenting the UB to our planet.

   If we are concerned today about the ability of our civilization to remain progressive and maintain its high level of attainment, there are further questions to address.  Do we have the kind of leadership waiting in the wings needed to move forward? Are we choosing (electing) these leaders when we find them and are we supporting their ability to work for progressive goals?

   “Old-fashioned war did select the innately great men for leadership, but modern war no longer does this. To discover leaders society must now turn to the conquests of peace: industry, science, and social achievement.” (70:2.16, pg. 786)

   It is not just in the political arena that we need great leaders. In the corporate world we need companies such as David Brooks described in the New York Times, ones that are “more deeply rooted in local communities rather than just free-floating instruments of capital markets.” For this, CEOs with vision and strong moral values are needed.

   The UB itself refers to previous dark interregnums of culture and often repeats its message that civilizations holding on to their spiritual goals and vision of truth are destined to endure rather than those built on materialistic foundations. Just as we ideally try to learn to do God’s will in our individual lives, so are civilizations expected to cherish the goal of God’s will to bring the “kingdom of God” to Urantia if they are to survive.

   Although it is interesting to study the origin and history of civilizations that collapsed, more importantly, let us take a proactive stance and look at our civilization’s destiny. Maybe we can learn what is needed to build a more progressive one beginning with what has been established. The UB provides some guidelines. The list that follows is by no means complete.

   I have left out other factors mentioned in the UB such as “eugenics,” (51:4.8, pg. 585); “military preparedness” (71:4.5, pg. 804); conserving, restoring and efficiently using our natural resource wealth (72:6.7, pg. 814); and other matters. In this article I will concentrate on the last two items in the 12 point list given in paper 71:4.2, Progressive Civilization. Let’s examine the spiritual needs and idealistic roots of our civilization, and methods for nourishing those roots. Whether we express our democratic voice at the ballot box or in protests on street corners, we should all review what the UB recommends to ensure progress:

1. A vision of a God of love (“Love is … the wellspring of superior civilization,” 102:6.3, p. 1124). The people of a civilization must be liberated from fear so that their energies can be devoted to cultural progress.
2. Citizens attentive to a creative inner life where “the advances of true civilization are all born” (111:4.3, p. 1220). The plans we make as religious teachers and leaders must include ideas about how to enhance the creative inner life of our citizens. “The attainment of a high cultural civilization demands first, the ideal type of citizen,” (99:3.4, pg. 1088).
3. The increased study of philosophy, cosmology and divinity to better understand and realize Diety—Truth, Beauty and goodness (56:10.2, p. 646). How do we make these topics attractive to modern people in the age of the un-churched?
4. True religion, the indispensable source of the higher energy needed to establish a superior civilization based on human brotherhood (79:4.9), “The religion of Jesus fosters the highest type of human civilization in that it creates the highest type of spiritual personality and proclaims the sacredness of that person.” (194:3.7, p. 2063)
5. Spiritual idealism, the energy which really uplifts and advances human culture (81:6.27). We must look for idealism in our leadership and nurture its growth. How do we improve the selection of leaders, the character of torch-bearers, so that idealistic leaders have an opportunity to lead? They are needed in the business world as well.
6. Moral values, augmented moral insight (“mutual understanding and fraternal love are transcendent civilizers,” 52:6.7, p. 598)
7. Augmenting a spiritual goal of attainment or, as Jesus said, face “the ultimate collapse of a civilization which has… repudiated its spiritual goal of attainment.” (132:1.3)

   In our time, if a civilization is to be on the vanguard of planetary progress, it must also acquire an ideal of cosmic citizenship in preparation for our inevitable reunification with the family of planets.  I believe our service work should take all these goals into consideration.

   A peaceful, progressive civilization begins at home and in the heart of the individual, therefore let’s be sure we are keeping our own gardens well-watered, cultivated, and fertile, before we try to restore the drought stricken plain of a collapsing civilization.. Are we developing better habits to control negative emotions and manage our anger; better habits of service? Do you see ways in which you can improve your service techniques?

   If one is moved to join demonstrations in the street, do it with a heart full of love, not with anger, offering protest in the spirit of service to the family of humankind, even if progress is going to require the destruction of the old order.