EARTH SIGNAL
The global media message that can now provide a future for our planet.
STATE OF THE WORLD
Internet has made the world more aware of the wide rage of differences about
most everything. This at a time when information technology provides a
thousand different perspectives of global dangers and opportunities. There
is constantly new data that provides another view.
There is common agreement about some things. It is hard to generalize, but
most scholars will agree that we have an amazing planet. There is raw
material, natural resources and now technology which wisely used could provide a
good life for most everyone.
To move in this direction we need a sense of global community and a common cause
that will unite us in a moral equivalent of war - a grand global effort for the
rejuvenation of Earth and a future of peaceful progress.
This must be done in a way that is fair and that will enable all to participate
- with greater benefit for those who render greater service. No
individual, corporation or government is capable of organizing the whole world
for this task. But a general description of the policies and actions
needed are available. See the "Earth Magna Charta" (www.earthsite.org).
The keystone of the Earth Magna Charta is the Earth Trustee idea: Everyone
has a right to benefit from Earth's natural bounty and an equal responsibility
to help take care of it.
The Earth Magna Charta provides enough information for any group, institution or
government body to initiate an Earth Trustee effort. Often there are
already projects that are pursuing these goals. This Earth Signal program
will increase and spread such efforts.
MEDIA ROLE
We are in part a media made society. People's attitudes and actions are
the result of what they think. Actions good or bad begin in the mind.
Leaders in religion and altruists of all kinds must go all out to publicize what
will heal, build and unite.
Press, radio, TV and web sites can save the world if they will feature Earth
Trustee efforts and results. Focus on this can be aided by a daily EARTH
SIGNAL.
EARTH SIGNAL
This would consist of one ring of the United Nations Peace Bell and would be
heard simultaneously throughout the Earth. It would be programmed as
"A CALL TO PEACE, a moment of silent meditation for planet Earth."
The taped sound of the Peace Bell would be broadcast every day at 1900 GMT (2:00
pm EST-New York), the official time of the signing of the United Nations Charter
in 1945. This would be repeated 12 hours later at 0700 GMT
for maximum effect.
The purpose of the Earth Signal will be to encourage a global approach to our
problems, to reinforce and unite the enlightened people of thought and vision
who find in their own sovereign conscience the best source of ideas and
actions. It will provide a new unity and power to all who believe in
prayer, meditation, and the growing evidence that our thoughts, feelings and
will can affect other minds. The Earth Signal will enable people of faith
to unite in
heart and mind -- at the same time, for the same purpose all over the world.
It will also encourage the new ideas of Earth Rights, Earth Care -- and spread
the new discovery that we are first of all Earth People.
The Earth Signal will require less than five seconds by TV or radio. It
could be included with a station break. We urge all who would support this
idea to write or phone their station. "If those who believe in the
power of mind and Spirit will act now, the Earth Signal will quickly spread
around the world."
MAJOR FOCUS - JERUSALEM
While the Earth Trustee idea can take root anywhere, there is one place where
results would focus attention of the whole world. Jerusalem - the place
called holy by 3 major religions (Christian, Jewish, Moslem) -- has a long
history of discord and conflict. With the support of the Pope and other
religious world leaders, Earth Signal could get attention for action that would
diminish poverty, pollution and injustice all over the world.
A NEW DOCTRINE FOR PEACE
The struggle to solve the Palestine problem has a long history. But now
there is real progress toward peace in Palestine. Many things have been
accomplished that were considered impossible a few years ago. Backed by
thoughtful religious leaders the following Earth Right formula would have a
chance of success and could bring a new era of enlightenment in Jerusalem and
around the world.
The problem was that the Arabs in Palestine believed they were unfairly deprived
of their lands. In their references to peace they always speak of justice
and peace.
On the other hand, the Arab sections that were oil-rich did little to assist
their suffering brethren. Nevertheless, a people with ancient roots and
culture do not easily give up their homeland, and the Arabs were determined to
right the injustice done them and regain their property.
The Jews of Israel maintained that they had prior rights as descendants of the
ancient inhabitants of Israel. [It will be interesting to find out if DNA
confirms this!] If their arguments about prior rights were applied to the
United States, Americans would be placed in Canadian refugee camps and the
country given back to the Indians. Of course most (if not all) legal
claims to lands by both individuals and countries, if carried back far enough,
are found to be illegally obtained - through deception or conquest.
However, because of the unique role of the Jew in the drama of Judeo-Christian
history, and because of world sympathies for this people so long without a
country, who in recent times suffered far more than any other people the ravages
of bigotry and prejudice, the Jews claim on their ancient land has an emotional
appeal regardless of how illegal it may be in the eyes of international
jurisprudence.
In considering basic human rights, other factors to be considered are the
unquestioned virility of the new Jewish state and the far greater benefits they
have obtained for the dispossessed individuals and families who have found
shelter in their land. The Arabs, while undergoing an economic revolution
and a revolution in human rights, come far short of the progress shown by
Israel.
While property rights are the basic issue, nevertheless, the Jews have made far
better use of their property. This is due to able leadership and to the
immigrants with progressive education and industrial skills who were attracted
to the new country. This was accompanied by great financial support from
Jewish wealth in the United States and other countries.
The solution of this complicated problem is not easy, but the following is
suggested. It is a broad program which could serve not only the
Arab-Israeli states, but eventually the whole world.
EARTH RIGHTS
What is needed is a totally new doctrine of property rights.
In the new age facing us we should recognize the need for equal human rights
on a global scale. Each person who comes into this world should have a
right to his share of our global unearned inheritance. Providence has
placed on
this planet enough land, water and other natural resources to provide, with
proper development and use, a rich and happy life for every man, woman and child
on earth. Benefits provided by our planet should be enjoyed, not just
by the few, but by everyone.
To pursue this end, a determination should be made of the total value of all the
raw land and natural resources on earth. (apart from improvements or
buildings). The result, divided among all the earth's population, would
give the amount of each person's rightful Planetary Inheritance.
Each person would receive his portion in the form that would contribute most to
his welfare; through provisions for education, training, agricultural
facilities, purchase of a home, or a combination of all these. This would
be each persons stake, his chance, his inheritance.
It is important to note that improvements (houses, factories, etc.) are not
included in the appraisal of the Earth's value. Each person's prosperity
would be the result of the wise and efficient use he makes of his global
inheritance. He does not have a right to what others have produced from their
inheritance.
In principle, nature has provided each man with about two acres of ground, (five
acres of ocean fishing) an allotment of minerals, trees, flowers and in the
tropics, food. Now it is up to each man what he makes of it. Of
course, to be practical we must think in terms of equivalent value and
opportunity. In our complex society, not every man can have a two acre
plot of ground, but he's entitled to a place of his own and an opportunity to
make it a home. Not many would want to mine their share of copper or drill
for their share of oil; but they do want and deserve opportunity for
materials and facilities to render and benefit from some useful service.
They want to enjoy the improvements they provide and pass them on to their
children.
To extend this principle further, nations who have more than their share of
natural resources - oil, minerals, etc., would make available, at cost, the
resources in excess of their share, to those nations who lack their share.
This benefit should be extended to every nation who provides its citizens their
planetary birthright. Further, people in over crowded nations should have
the opportunity to emigrate to lands with more room. Nations with friendly
arrangements to help one another in the full development of their countries,
would bring great prosperity and a new deeper justice in their
relationships. Participation by Israel through educational, vocational and
industrial development assistance to help supply the Planetary Inheritance for
Arab as well as Jew - in Arab countries as well as in Israel, would provide
payment to Arabs in excess of the value of the land obtained by Israel in the
partition of Palestine.
JERUSALEM - THE KEY
In conjunction with this, it is suggested that Jerusalem become a United Nations
Open City where all religions and races can live together in peace.
Jerusalem was to be a separately administered international entity in the
original GA resolution supporting the partitioning of Palestine.
The three principle religions that believe in a personal God are the Jewish,
Christian and Moslem. They each claim Jerusalem is a holy city and revere
the historic Mosque, Church or Temple ruins located there. In this age of
science we should be objective and recognize these three religions have much in
common. For their mutual benefit, let them recognize the major areas in
which they agree and cooperate for equal status in Jerusalem.
This would help the efforts in Jerusalem to place individual planetary rights
above national rights. Earth Rights would diminish nationalism but at the
same time work to the advantage of all states, for their welfare depends
ultimately on the justice and opportunity afforded their citizens. It
would also tend to lessen the danger and the fears of Israeli expansionism and
of Arab revenge, for his new doctrine of property rights would give all a new
sense of justice. Both the Arab states and Israel would then be able to
cooperate in providing an equal Planetary Inheritance for each Jew and Arab.
This will inspire new moral and meaningful relationships between these ancient
brothers, who, in spite of their recent outbreak of hate and violence, deeply
desire conciliation and peace.
The task is not impossible. Let us begin with the global Earth Signal and
the power of the faith that works by love. ("Will move the mountains when
we pray.") Earth Trustee-Earth Rights action can spread through
Internet and we
will see action from the grass roots up. And by the Grace of God some at
the top will act. The important thing is, if you agree, then tell others
and any group you belong to. The New Millennium can be a New Beginning!
John McConnell
May 2000