A video featuring an Arab cleric has been making rounds on social media. In this video, the cleric asserts that a verse from Surah An-Naba (Chapter 78) in the Quran provides a detailed description of the physical attributes of the celestial maidens. He goes so far as to claim that even the size of their breasts has been precisely outlined.

Imam Hussein ibn Ali's martyrdom at the Battle of Karbala has left a profound impact on history, standing as a symbol of resistance against tyranny and oppression. While the annual commemoration of Ashura honors his sacrifice, the complexities behind his choices remain intriguing. Delving into historical narratives, Hussein's stand emerges as a testament to the struggle between the forces of death and life. The original Islamic movement centered around preserving collective life, promoting justice, and caring for all beings, but it faced internal threats with the rise of the Umayyad empire. Hussein's unwavering commitment to protecting life and upholding Islamic principles was not about seeking power, but rather ensuring a just and inclusive society. Today, humanity faces a global ecological crisis, but there is a lack of decisive action against its root causes, akin to Hamlet's hesitation. Embracing the legacy of Hussein's sacrifice and the belief in a purposeful universe can inspire individuals to overcome their lethal hesitation and work collectively for environmental justice, safeguarding life for future generations.

The concept of life as a purposeful creation of the universe or a higher power instills a profound appreciation for its inherent value and interconnectedness. This perspective motivates individuals to engage in selfless struggles and compassionate actions, contributing to the greater purpose of life's endurance and flourishing for all. To evaluate the certainty of such a worldview, comparing its consequences with the opposite belief is essential. Holding the conviction of a conscientious universe leads to a sense of purpose, compassion, and optimism, not necessarily dependent on blind faith. However, the experience of divinity goes beyond logical analysis, involving a profound and intuitive connection with all existence. This spiritual encounter can transform worldviews, guiding individuals towards responsibility, interconnectedness, and contribution to collective well-being. The dialectical relationship between pragmatic choices and spiritual experiences emphasizes the need for non-hierarchical collective actions for emancipation, fostering authentic encounters with the sacredness of life. By embracing such a conscientious worldview and engaging in emancipatory efforts, individuals can experience personal growth and contribute to a just and compassionate world.

In our materialistic, capital-centric, and market-oriented world, morality has become a precious rarity, overlooked by the very principles that govern our socio-ecological relationships. If only morality were given its rightful place, the essence of more-than-human goodness would command an exorbitant price unattainable even to the richest of the rich. However, in its relentless pursuit of profit, capital ensures that everything of exchange value is extracted except our inherent morality – the most valuable treasure of all.

Across our planet, cascades of ecological crises unfold – droughts haunting many regions, temperatures rising, oceans swelling, glaciers succumbing to the warmth, and lakes, and rivers withering away. These intertwined phenomena composing the Earth’s climate crisis, are the undeniable consequence of human activities driven by the growth of industrial civilization, heavily reliant on fossil fuels and minerals, and the unchecked release of greenhouse gases and pollutants. These disastrous outcomes are rooted in the unethical economic and political practices embedded in the patriarchal, racist, colonialist capital.

There is no denying that the current afflictions of droughts and unnatural disasters plaguing us and the rest of living beings, trace their roots back to the dominance of unjust, oppressive, and corrupt political and economic systems worldwide. Regardless of the region or ideology, various capitalist systems converge on one shared trait: prioritizing profit over ethical responsibility.

While those responsible for transforming our planet into a living hell downplay the consequences of their unethical actions on the environment, they simultaneously invest heavily to safeguard their own interests against the perils of global warming. Exorbitant costs are incurred to distance themselves from the very fire they have stoked. Moreover, the most cunning among them embrace the reality of global warming, seizing opportunities to profit from the unfolding catastrophe, all under the deceptive guise of a “green economy.”

The (corporate) managers and business owners, who transform workplaces into hells of exploitation; the high officials, who fan the flames of uncertainty among their populaces; and the financial institutions, which drain dignifying life out of billions of debtors, are indeed the architects of a burning planet. The raging fires that consume forests and bushes are mere incarnations of the deeper flames of destruction that capital has inflicted upon humanity.

These entities, driven by insatiable greed and an insidious thirst for power, exacerbate inequality and despair. They prioritize profit over people, pushing their own agendas at the expense of the planet and its inhabitants. The infernos that engulf nature are not isolated incidents but reflections of the moral bankruptcy inherent in the pursuit of a fetish called capital.

The time has indeed long come for humanity to awaken to the irreplaceable yet belittled “value of life,” which forms the bedrock of our deeply damaged sense of human conscience and is intricately woven into the fabric of our existence. The fate of our planet and the well-being of future generations hinge on a DEEPLY transformative shift away from the relentless dominance of capital, toward a systematized embrace of life.

How ‘Critically Open-minded’ are we? An Australian Perspective, through the World Values Survey (2005-2012)

Dr S A Hamed Hosseini

Professor Lawrence J. Saha

Abstract

Background:

In terms of theoretical background, the notion of ‘open-mindedness’ has been widely discussed in philosophy, and educational, organizational, and social psychological studies (as an aspect of individuals’ personality influenced by their social environment). However, it has not been a popular concept in sociology and anthropology. Despite growing attention to the issue of ‘open-mindedness’ outside the realm of sociology and the popularity of many subjects of sociological investigation that are directly related to this issue, no efforts have been made to develop a uniquely sociological definition or a social theory of open-mindedness.

In terms of social context, Australian society is known for its strong and colorful admiration of multiculturalism. As a modern society historically formed by immigration, Australia has formally adopted multiculturalism as its core value in making cultural and immigration policies. Despite all these historical and political moves towards a more culturally inclusive reorganization of social relations, racism, and negative attitudes towards refugees and ethnic minorities, not only persist but also continue to challenge the social cohesion in this country. The Australian economy has also taken significant steps towards corporate globalization by adopting economic rationalization policies and involving in regional and inter-regional trade agreements. Economic globalization, the escalation of population movements into Australia in recent decades as well as the proliferation of new communication technologies are at least in theory, widely expected to enhance people’s cultural openness and cosmopolitanism. Despite all these advancements, a number of studies and polls have observed that many Australians convey mixed feelings and uncertain, if not fully apprehensive, views about non-Western cultures and their ability to adopt and accommodate Australian/Western values like a liberal democracy.