TREES OF LIFE:FORESTS IN PERIL
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November 25th, 2018

11/25/2018

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                                                                                          ALIENATION            
   
     Intelligent design is the explanation of the story of creation which I believe is the most logical. The next step is to develop a deeper understanding of the detail and complexity of the universe, earth and human communities, and the evolutionary changes we have experienced. The precision of the entire creation story and the evolutionary development of the earth systems are almost beyond comprehension. If the sun was just a few miles closer to earth or further away, life as we know it, would not exist, but it does. We have discovered almost 10 million different species of plants and animals and science suggests we have only scratched the surface, with less than 20% discovered. Amazing, and we think we understand creation! Since the beginning of human-kind, we have been searching for an understanding of the life systems on our planet. For thousands of years, the only explanations that existed were found in our religious beliefs.  
    Modern times have resulted in advanced scientific knowledge which has provided considerable data, allowing for a deeper understanding of Earth systems and human development. Increased knowledge is a positive step forward but, has also resulted in undesirable changes for our society. Increased scientific information has challenged our satisfaction with our spiritual beliefs and caused an alienation from the world of nature. It has been suggested that alienation is the oldest and most universal human experience. Alienation has resulted in exacerbating the difficulty of discovering our personal identity and our place in the universe. Dr. Thomas Berry states,” until recently, few people have realized the extent to which human fulfillment depends on the integral functioning of the Earth in all the grandeur of its natural landscapes- forests, mountains, woodlands, rivers and lakes – and in the wonder of its wildlife, animals, insects, fish, and songbirds”. He goes on to point out, “Alienation, from the world of nature has led us to extravagant expectations concerning the benefits of our modern technologies”. We have been blinded by these expectations to point we do not see the destructive impact proposed solutions will have on our own life systems. We have become a commerce-dependent, consumer society that, in the long run, can not support the demands of our society.
     With enlightenment of the complexity of creation comes the understanding of the significant role diversity plays in all life systems on our planet. We expect the entire universe to respond to our needs and become frustrated when we learn we lack the power to execute. After all, we are the superior species that is to dominate, manipulate and change the world. My studies have convinced me that the most important element in our natural world is diversity. Examination of all of the individual life systems, plant, animal and human, on our planet, function only as a result of diversity. Dr. Berry points out that due to the lack of human-Earth integration, we are killing many of the more elaborate life systems of the Earth. He continues to suggest that science has insisted on measuring the simple modes of explanation which has led to a material universe that came into being by purely random processes, and been unable to identify the human role in these processes. Forestry is an excellent example of our lack of understanding as we continue to see sustainability as “cut a tree-plant a tree”, in plantations that totally destroy diversity. Diversity is even a significant part of the problem we are experiencing with the devastating wildfires which are destroying life, property and forest cover. The vegetation on these areas will regenerate with massive areas of pioneer species, setting the stage for the next round of catastrophic fires. Management principles that work to establish individual forest communities and re-establish diverse vegetative plant cover indigenous to the area, is the only way to reduce the risk of catastrophic events in the future. A recent television news report talked about the need for more logging to reduce the risk of these large destructive fires. Logging is simply one of many tools available to the manager. It is the ability to read the land and develop proper management prescriptions that encourage natural regeneration and individual forest communities, that will reduce the risk. When will we appreciate the importance of Nature’s Way? When will we apply the principles of “Nature’s Way” and develop intensive management strategies to create healthy diverse forest communities as they were originally created?
             

   
     
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November 07th, 2018

11/7/2018

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                                                                               INTELLIGENT DESIGN?
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      The issue of global warming and climate change has once again become a major concern for our country. Science is warning of dire consequences that will result in significant rises in ocean sea levels, increased catastrophic wildfires, warming temperatures and lose of a large number of living species of plants and animals. Should these predictions materialize it will, obviously, have devastating impacts on our human societies and economic systems. Few want to accept these conclusions, particularly the top 2% of our U.S. population that control 90% of our country’s wealth but, our planet has limits. It can only give so much.
     I believe science has excelled in discovering facts about the creation of our universal community however, it has resulted in serious divisions between the sacred and secular bodies of our Western Society. Our search for knowledge about life, Earth and the Universe has been of paramount interest for thousands of years. I would suggest that human’s quest for answers to these questions, were the forces that resulted in the establishment of the various religions of the world. Most every culture and society, that has occupied some part of Earth, has developed a set of religious beliefs, primarily to satisfy their need to understand the mystery of life. One of the first question that arises is, how do we define religion?  There appears to be no easy answer to the question. After reviewing pages of different efforts to define religion, I would define religion as; a set of spiritual beliefs about life, creation, morals and the mysteries of the unknown. Intelligent design requires the acceptance of the involvement of God, the Great Spirit in the process of Creation. Science has been unable to discover the factual link to support intelligent design and, is therefore, unwilling to support the concept. One, obviously, must believe there is a God to accept the concept of intelligent design.
    The more I study, observe and analyze the complexity and detail of the natural world, the more convinced I am that this majestic planet was not an accidental occurrence but is in fact, the product of intelligent design. The intense debate over who is right and who is wrong, is a futile disagreement that is resulting in our inability to recognize and get on with the needed changes in our life styles, that will prolong human existence on planet Earth. Science now warns that if we are unable to make significant changes in our life styles within the next 12 years, it may be too late. Yes, I believe the supporting data for intelligent design is obvious through empirical observation of our natural world. The detail and complexity of this magical planet has been carefully planned, in fact, the deeper I search for an understanding of the life systems and detail of the natural world, the more convinced I become that our observations are proof of intelligent design.  I also believe our reliance upon science and technology today, has resulted in the loss of our spiritual connection to Mother Earth, which existed when we were a rural society. The industrial revolution concentrated good paying jobs in densely populated cities and urban life drew us away from the land and the natural world. Many urban dwellers have been removed from the land so long, they lack knowledge, let alone concern, for the natural world. Where will we find the solutions?    
     I realize the kind of changes we must initiate will be difficult. It is evident however, that our thrust for wealth and fluency is attempting to convince us, life is constantly improving. Certainly, life styles are evolving but, we are on a devastating path of destruction of our life sustaining natural world. We have no choice but to come together and focus on these complex relationships, within our natural surroundings, that support life on Earth.    
     The time for debate is past and the Church, State and Science must assume a joint leadership role to establish a society that respects and cares for Mother Earth! The answers will not be found in new scientific discoveries and theories but, by reaching back to the traditional knowledge of our indigenous people and our ancestors, who lived on the land and understood the dependency we share with that land. What we do to Earth, we do to ourselves!      
   
            


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