All too often we hear of the ways in which religion tear people apart – Catholics and Protestants, Shiites and Sunnis, Muslims and Christians.  Unfortunately the history of religion is not a peaceful one.  But last week’s 2015 Parliament of the World’s Religions offered a vision that inspired hope.
 
The 10,000 people in attendance were only a tiny percentage of the world’s population – but they are the cultural workers of their communities. 
 
Here are some highlights that amazed and inspired me
From the Women’s Plenary
Maya Tiwari – Peace is a feminine principle; and,
There are millions of names for Divine Mother Earth. 
Grandmother Mary Lyons –

• I always speak as “we,” in honor of my sisters in front of me to the right of me and to my left of me. We are all equal.  
• Put your hand on your heart, feel your heartbeat.  That is your battery, the spirit your Creator put in your blanket.

Valerie Kaur – Sisters and brothers, your love is revolutionary when you show up for each other!

Our leaders still debate the scientific validity of climate change – which is remarkable given that the scientists agree that climate change is happening. 
 
How is this possible that our leaders do not know?
We can thank Exxon for the “dis-information” that they have provided to our government leaders and the American public.
 
More than 30 years ago, Exxon scientists acknowledged, in internal company memos, that “climate changed could be catastrophic – at least for a substantial fraction of the Earth’s population.”
 
What did they do with this information? Did they choose to act as corporate leaders?  Did they educate politicians?  The public? And, other corporations?  Perhaps they strategized about how to gradually convert to renewable energy sources that would benefit life on our planet, while insuring long term profits for their stakeholders?
 
No!  They chose a path of deception and denial!
They did none of these things and they intentionally created confusion. Exxon helped to create the Global Climate Coalition; which served to question the scientific basis for concern about climate change.  They did this to prevent the United States from signing onto the international Kyoto Protocol to control greenhouse gas emissions.