Federalism of spirit – or will there have to be another 1000 Mumbai massacres?

I added this post to an earlier piece but I think it is worth posting and developing because it contains an idea that is new to me!  The difference is that I place it here in the discussion concerning the recent massacre in Mumbai.

The suggestion is that the idea of federalism – politically it works well in many countries – could and should be popularized as a key to the peoples of the world relating more successfully at the religious ideological level.  Perhaps this could be termed ‘Federalism of spirit’ – the harmony that cherishes diversity.

How can we prevent massive amplification of hatred?  What would be a starting point forward?    The teaching of the Golden Rule in all schools would be a great step forward – (SEARCH articles on the Golden Rule on this site).  But I’m suggesting that we teach, step-by-step, a Universalist world-view in addition to whatever is the majority religion.   Just as I am British, Chinese or Kenyan I am also first and foremost a human being.  Similarly I am proudly and faithfully a Christian/Moslem/Buddhist, or whatever, but I can also be a Universalist through recognizing;

1) The Golden Rule,

2) the essential Oneness of the mystical core of religions – Perennial Philosophy – and that

3) we are simply all emanations of one Source.

The deal at the moment for many is this – if I have a strong faith I am compelled  because of ‘exclusivity of truth’  to hate all deemed to be ‘other’.  If we all were Universalists as well as being of a particular tradition we could dialogue more profitably instead of killing each other.  Federalism works – even without oceans of blood as precursors.

Of course there are other elements and needs in the mix – the  need for greater political justice, the prevention of plain old crime etc. but shifting the world’s mind-set through teaching the Universal alongside the particular would improve matters enormously.

Eckhart Tolle is probably the most accessible proponent of Perennial Philosophy – the United nations should emply him and Karen Armstrong as Goodwill Ambassadors!