by D. Kearney Sparano

Created on: April 20, 2009

Based on the current actions of the human animal I would say no. I don't believe that humanity has evolved far enough to attain peace. Humanity is too engrained in petty emotions and vendettas.

What would it take to achieve peace on earth: forgiveness, trust and understanding, humanity it terrible at demonstrating these traits. Historically we hold grudges, are very suspicious and ignorant, so much so that we have killed almost everyone who gas ever attempted to teach us another way of life. If not we pervert their teachings to justify our grudges, suspicions and ignorance.

Humans are terrible at forgiving one another. World peace could not be achieved unless the parties involved in conflicts in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, Africa, Asia, South America and the U.S. decided to put aside differences and let old and new wounds heal. Does anyone see that happening? How easy is it for you to forgive someone you felt wronged you? Would you even be willing to forgive the person who cut you off in traffic? Now think about someone who killed a family member or other loved one. Could you turn the other cheek or do you want to make that person suffer? Remember how Richard Gere got booed at the Concert to Benefit New York in October 2001 when he said we should forgive the Muslim attackers? Somehow I don't see us evolving to that point and still being recognizable as human.

Trust is a trait that goes against evolution. To survive and procreate humanity couldn't be trusting of others, they couldn't be trusting of the world period. Too many things were more then happy to kill a trusting fool. Thus is something that is earned over time.

Human beings love their ideals and beliefs. Every nation and religion preaches that their way is the only way. So certain are we of our beliefs that many never question them. Fantastic examples of a complete lack of understanding are the 3 monotheistic religions. There is more in common with them there are differences. Yet people fixate on their differences and don't even investigate the similarities. Even more ridiculous are the divisions in Christianity which began as far back as 400 C.E. Humanity cares more about who is right than understanding one another. We would rather argue then discuss.

Peace demands selfless, humble people. We are not that people. We are not willing to listen. We are not willing to consider other needs before our own. The only way I see peace occurring is for the human brain to evolve to a point beyond where it is currently. Whether we live long enough to make it to that point is another story. Of course if the human race is extinct then I guess peace would be attainted on Earth.

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