For centuries mankind has sought a path to peace throughout the world; an end to war, famine and inequality. Yet the path to such an enlightened society can only be wrought via a threefold process involving the abolition or amalgamation of religion, equal distribution of opportunity and the tempering of ideals.

The world consists of thousands of different cultures, each with their own beliefs in regards to religion, status and goals; most vying for dominance of the local and/or global society. To truly be free and peaceful, these cultures need to recognize, respect, accept and incorporate each other’s differences.

Foremost is the subject of religion. It is estimated that between 68% and 88% of the population of the world believes that a higher power exists in one form or another. We choose to recognize it/him/her as “Diana”, “God”, “Yahweh”, “Allah”, “Vishnu”, “Buddha”, or any of a thousand other synonyms. The name is not important. What is important is the idea that a higher consciousness beyond our comprehension is in some way related to our existence and purpose.

Society needs to learn, realize, understand and accept that each religion contains the same root teachings. Whether you are Pagan, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or any other religion, the core teachings of your religion say that mankind should be tolerant and forgiving of your fellow man.  Treat your peers the same way you wish them to treat you. No man (or woman) is better than another in the eyes of your Divine Spirit. Society as a whole has lost this concept. For thousands of years, blood has been shed in the name of one deity or another, simply due to cultural differences. Jewish Revolts against Rome, Christian Crusades, Muslim Jihads; just to name a few. Ultimately each has/had the same goal…annihilation of all those who oppose their deity and its/his/her followers.

Ultimately, today’s religions are steeped in hypocrisy. Each religion teaches their followers to be tolerant of, or forbearing from harm, their fellow man:

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” (The Christian Bible: Colossians 3:13-15)

“Bear with one another; if anyone has a complaint against someone else, forgive him. Indeed, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. Above all these, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together perfectly; and let the shalom which comes from the Messiah be your heart’s decision-maker, for this is why you were called to be part of a single Body. And be thankful” (The Jewish Bible: Colossians 3:13-15)

“Let not those among you who are endued with grace and amplitude of means resolve by oath against helping their kinsmen, those in want, and those who have left their homes in Allah’s cause: let them forgive and overlook, do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (The Koran: Surah 24:22).

These three passages, taken from three completely different religious texts, all describe their respective views on tolerance and forbearance of our fellow man’s transgressions. Yet countless wars have been fought, countless lives have been taken, and countless amounts of blood have been shed; all because each culture subscribes to a different version of the same belief.

Only when mankind can realize and accept that we all ultimately have the same desires and goals, can we truly be one society. Whether that realization comes in the form of tolerance of each other’s views and beliefs, or a culmination of the combination of the whole, only history will tell.

Once religion is no longer an issue, the next milestone mankind must achieve is an equal distribution of opportunity. In today’s society economic status makes all the difference between being able to secure the education needed to advance into the elite class, or being relegated to the lower subservient ranks. The affluent have many more options available to them than the destitute.

Though Western societies have made great strides in attempting to overcome this obstacle, the problem still remains. Brilliant persons who come from below average income families are routinely rejected for inclusion in higher education institutions in lieu of those with lesser qualifications who come from more opulent backgrounds, purely due to a lack of ability to fund their education. This is just one curse of capitalism on our society.

In a capitalistic society, institutions of higher learning are subjugated to the limits of their own income and expense analysis, and thereby obligated to educate those more likely to provide their institution with a profit over those with more questionable and uncertain financial standing. It’s all a matter of financial risk. This tips the balance in the favor of the opulent.

Only when we are willing and able to divert from this focus of profit over performance, and provide those with talent, drive and desire an equal opportunity to excel, can we as a society achieve our greatest potential for advancement in mankind as a whole.

The final hurdle that must be overcome is the tempering of our ideals. For far too long have the academics been at odds with other aspects of society.  Throughout history intellectuals who routinely question religion have been branded as heretics; those with athletic ability are favored purely for their entertainment value over those with intellectual ability. Society needs to learn to re-evaluate its own priorities. Contests of knowledge should bear equal attention as contests of athleticism.

When we as a society learn to value those with knowledge and ability equally, albeit separately, from those with entertainment value, only then will we truly learn to put our societal priorities in order and begin to spread our collective wings.