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Cooperation or Separatism? (December 10, 2003)

How can peace be achieved in this world without cooperation?  The obvious answer is it can't be achieved without the cooperation of every nation on earth.  Cooperation is not a one way street.  It can't be demanded by stronger nations.  Nor can it be simply agreed to by a weaker nation at the behest of a greater power.  Cooperation has to be a mutual undertaking by all parties.  There has to be a willingness to cooperate on the highest levels in the first place.  Actions and attitudes that are plainly undertaken for the sole purpose of selfishness and gain do nothing but foster hate and breed resentment, not to mention decrease national security for whatever nation is involved.

Separatism results from lack of cooperation.  For all it's differences humanity is one big family.  One nation can not exist in peace at the expense of the rest of the world, no matter how powerful they might be.  Communication and transportation are such now that we are truly faced with global issues rather than just national or local ones.  Does it matter if children die in other parts of the world from whatever preventable reason?  Of course it matters!  They are members of our family.  And there are millions of people around the world, if given a chance, can help alleviate much of the suffering.  Billions upon billions are spend each year in combative and uncooperative directions.  To what end?  To further national gain and 'security'.  Separatism does not lead to national security.  In this modern world it is virtually impossible to achieve security through isolation and enforcement.  And what a price to pay for individual freedom!  True security can only come through group  cooperation...through goodwill at all levels of life - up to and including national ones.  Think about it - if humanity is one big family, why would there be a need to have passports to visit other countries.  People from every nation should be able to freely travel around the world without question.  But that is not going to happen until cooperation and selflessness become the rule and not the exception.  It appears as though things have gone backwards recently.  And yet there are untold millions of people around the globe tired of international strife, war, power struggles, and uncooperative attitudes among nations.  They are also beginning to realize that there voice is global and powerful.  Through the voice of their united group goodwill the world will have no choice but to change direction and embark on a path of cooperation instead of separatism. 

The United Nations was formed for the purpose of solving global problems through cooperation.  However, manipulation, abuse, and the use of the veto do nothing to resolve international difficulties - it simply creates more of the same.  Although far from a perfect organization, the United Nations needs support and encouragement by people from all nations.  Nations fostering an attitude of cooperation need to actively seek changes in that world body to bring it more in line with global need.  And that need centers around cooperation and not separatism.

An article last week quoted a middle eastern man as saying "We are fighting the Christians".  A hard truth for Christians to realize is that those of other religions don't want to be converted to Christianity - and the attempt to pressure, force, or coerce others of differing customs and belief systems by any other group does nothing but fuel hate, anger and separatism.  Religious groups need to recognize the points upon which they each can agree and meet each other in cooperative efforts of goodwill.  The combined resources of the major religious institutions of the world have incredible power to change the planet for the better - if they can share the best of each belief system, together, through active cooperation and goodwill...imagine the possibilities!  Christ said "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold..." - Christians are not the only custodians or beneficiaries of the love of Christ.

Whatever capacity in which you find yourself - do your part to further goodwill relations.  Make cooperation a goal and commitment in your life.  It takes sacrifice and courage to change attitudes of separatism.  It takes loving action - get involved with goodwill efforts!

Let the following guide us:

The sons of men are one, and I am one with them.
I seek to love, not hate;
I seek to serve and not exact due service;
I seek to heal, not hurt.

Let pain bring due reward of light and love.
Let the soul control the outer form,
And life, and all events,
And bring to light the Love
That underlies the happenings of the time.

Let vision come and insight.
Let the future stand revealed.
Let inner union demonstrate and outer cleavages be gone.
Let love prevail,
Let all men love.

"The characteristics of the man immersed in form life and under the rule of matter are fear, individualism, competition and greed.  These have to give place to spiritual confidence, co-operation, group awareness and selflessness."

- The Labours of Hercules, by Alice A. Bailey