Spiritual Growth Network Newsletter
(excerpt)


January, 1998                   Volume IX, Number 1
THE HOLY QURAN -- THE WORD OF GOD

      Devout Muslims believe that the words of the Holy Quran are the exact words spoken to the Prophet Muhammad during the last twenty three years of his life. (610-632 AD). The Holy Quran is four fifths the length of the New Testament and is divided into 114 chapters (surahs). This column discusses the meaning and community function of one or more surah(s) or ayah(s) ^verse(s)^ each month.

In the Name of Allah Most Gracious and Most Merciful,
Quran 2:136
      "Say - we have faith in God - and in that which hath been sent down on Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, and Jacob and the tribes, and on that which was given to Moses and Jesus and the prophets by their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them, and to Him we have submitted."
Quran 46:30
      We have revealed this Quran to you with the Truth, confirming what ever Book went before It, and We keep watch over It."


THE NEW ECOLOGICAL AGE ---- John Parks

      The media and the widespread migrations of all the world's peoples are quickly bringing into reality " One World " ; and a world of great multiplicity and cultural diversity. Just a few hundred years ago most human beings were locked into a particular culture, spoke a particular language, worshipped a particular god or prophet. Today most human beings live in cities, each of which is a microcosm of the entire world. We live, work and play with not just white Christians, but with Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and indigenous peoples of all races coming from all continents.
      In response to this growing urban intimacy, human beings are becoming more aware of the details of cultures and religions which differ from their own. With this new awareness is coming a new understanding of what it means to be a human being on Planet Earth; an understanding which points to a new spiritual unity (Tawhid in Islam). The universal spiritual qualities of Peace, Faith, Truth, Communion, and Community come together in this spiritual unity. This unity is the growing edge of The New Ecological Age. There is much " catching-up " remaining to be done by the rest of humanity as it follows the " growing edge ".
      Along the way have emerged many " pathologies of growth ". We have seen these pathologies in the oppressions and deadly wars of this century. The economic, political, and social causes of these oppressions and wars must be understood and action programs then devised to meet these causes. Those analyzing the causes; historians, economists, political scientists, sociologists, anthropologists, and religious scholars as well as those designing action programs; politicians, party leaders, government bureaucrats need among their ranks leaders with a commitment to the growing spiritual edge of the New Ecological Age.
     We must have more Martin Luther Kings, more Gandhis, more Dalai Lamas among our thinkers and leaders. Come forth all believers and practitioners of the New Ecological Age!