Beyond Tradition: Reimagining Culture and Faith for Seven Generations

Redefining Culture and Religion: Moving Beyond Harm Towards Nurture - An Ecosystem, Seven Generation, and Philosophical Approach

In the complex tapestry of human society, culture and religion have long been pillars of identity, community, and meaning. However, a dangerous conflation has emerged – one that equates these fundamental aspects of human experience with behaviors that inflict trauma, remove individual rights, and restrict access to vital resources. This misguided association not only threatens the very essence of what culture and religion should represent but also contributes to global crises ranging from war, destruction of our natural environment, mass migration, widespread poverty and global health emergencies.

As James Baldwin, the renowned American novelist and social critic, eloquently put it:

"I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually."

This sentiment encapsulates the essence of my argument – that true love and respect for one's culture or faith necessitates critical examination and a willingness to evolve beyond harmful practices.

The Ecosystem of Culture and Religion: A Seven Generation and Phenomenological Perspective

To fully understand the impact of harmful practices disguised as cultural or religious norms, we must view these issues through multiple lenses: ecosystem theory, the Seven Generation principle, and phenomenology. This multifaceted approach allows us to comprehend both the interconnected nature of our social systems and the lived experiences of individuals within these systems.

The ecosystem theory teaches us that our social and cultural systems function as interconnected, dynamic and interdependent elements. The Indigenous Seven Generation philosophy guides us to make decisions that result in a sustainable world for seven generations into the future. Phenomenology, a philosophical method that focuses on the study of consciousness and direct human experiences, reminds us to consider the subjective, lived experiences of individuals within these cultural ecosystems.

In this context, harmful behaviors which weaken, justified by culture or religion are not just disruptive forces that destabilize the entire social ecosystem for generations, but also deeply traumatic experiences that shape individual and collective consciousness, health & wellbeing & access to life-sustaining resources.

The Misconception of Cultural Preservation: From "I-It" to "I-Thou" Relationships

For too long, certain factions within societies have justified oppressive, trauma causing behaviors under the guise of preserving culture or upholding religious values. This misguided approach assumes that inflicting trauma, removing consent, and curtailing individual freedoms somehow strengthens cultural bonds or deepens religious fidelity. In reality, these actions achieve the opposite over time – they erode the very foundations they claim to protect, not just for the present generation but for many to come.

Martin Buber's concept of "Ich und Du" (I and Thou) offers a profound perspective on this issue. Buber posits that human existence is defined by two types of relationships: "I-It" relationships, where we treat others as objects to be used or experienced, and "I-Thou" relationships, characterized by mutual respect, openness, and presence, relationship. The harmful practices we've discussed represent an "I-It" approach to culture and religion, treating individuals as means to an end rather than as intrinsically valuable beings.

Bell Hooks echoes this sentiment in her work on love and justice:

"Domination cannot exist in any social situation where a love ethic prevails... When love is present the desire to dominate and exercise power cannot rule the day."

This insight challenges us to reconsider how we express and preserve our cultural and religious values, emphasizing love and mutual respect – an "I-Thou" relationship – over domination and control. From an ecosystem perspective, domination creates imbalances that threaten the health and sustainability of the entire system. When viewed through the Seven Generation lens, these imbalances become even more alarming, as their negative impacts compound over time.

The Phenomenology of Harm in the Social Ecosystem: A Multi-Generational Impact

The consequences of conflating culture and religion with oppressive, harmful, damaging, rights removing behaviors are far-reaching and devastating, extending far beyond our immediate horizon. Mass migration events, revolutions, wars, widespread poverty, health crises, and increased disability rates can often be traced back to these misguided practices.

From a phenomenological standpoint, we must consider the lived experiences of individuals subjected to these harmful practices. When people feel compelled to flee their homes due to cultural or religious persecution, or when basic human rights are denied in the name of tradition, it creates profound trauma that shapes their perception of the world and their place in it. This lived experience of oppression and displacement becomes part of the collective consciousness, passed down through generations and influencing the cultural ecosystem for decades, if not centuries.

These effects demonstrate the interconnectedness of our social ecosystem across time and consciousness. The marginalization or exodus of certain groups due to harmful cultural practices leads to profound social, economic, and political disruptions that persist for generations, altering the phenomenological landscape of entire communities.

Bell Hooks further elucidates this point:

"For me, forgiveness and compassion are always linked: how do we hold people accountable for wrongdoing and yet at the same time remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed?"

This perspective invites us to consider how we can address harmful cultural practices while still maintaining empathy and belief in the potential for positive change. It calls for an "I-Thou" approach to accountability and transformation, recognizing the shared humanity in both the oppressed and the oppressors.

A New Paradigm: Nurturing the Cultural & Religious Ecosystem for Seven Generations Through "I-Thou" Relationships

To build strong, sustainable cultures and foster genuine religious devotion, we must shift our focus from short-term control, dominance, power- over to long-term nurture, from "I-It" to "I-Thou" relationships. This means adopting behaviors that support the health of our entire social ecosystem not just for today, but for seven generations into the future:

1. Protect individual rights while acknowledging our collective responsibility to each other now & to future generations

2. Provide access to life-sustaining resources for all members of society, ensuring their availability for generations to come as a basic value

3. Encourage open dialogue and critical thinking within cultural and religious frameworks, fostering adaptability and resilience over time

4. Prioritize sustainable well-being of individuals and communities over rigid adherence to outdated norms, considering the long-term implications of our practices

5. Recognize the interconnectedness of social, cultural, and environmental systems across multiple generations

6. Cultivate "I-Thou" relationships within and between cultures, fostering mutual respect and genuine dialogue

7. Honor the phenomenological experiences of individuals and communities, allowing these lived experiences to inform our cultural practices and policies

As Baldwin wisely noted:

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."

It's time we face the harmful practices that have been erroneously associated with culture and religion, and work towards meaningful change that benefits our entire social ecosystem for generations to come. This change must be grounded in a phenomenological understanding of the lived experiences of all members of our cultural ecosystems.

Bell Hooks offers a complementary perspective on this transformative process:

"The moment we choose to love we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others."

This choice to love, as Hooks describes it, can be seen as a move towards "I-Thou" relationships, a powerful force in reshaping our cultural and religious practices to be more inclusive and nurturing, creating positive feedback loops throughout our social ecosystem that can benefit seven generations and beyond.

The Role of Governments and Institutions in the Cultural Ecosystem: Seven Generation Stewardship and Phenomenological Awareness

Governments and religious institutions must recognize that their perceived right to inflict trauma, remove access to resources, or shun non-compliant populations is fundamentally at odds with human well-being and societal sustainability - not just for the present, but for future generations. These entities should instead focus on:

1. Protecting individual freedoms and human rights with a long-term perspective

2. Ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities that can be sustained for seven generations

3. Fostering inclusive dialogues that allow for cultural and religious evolution over time

4. Implementing policies that support rather than punish marginalized groups, considering the multi-generational impact

5. Adopting an ecosystem approach to policymaking, considering the wide-ranging impacts of their decisions across multiple generations

6. Embracing the role of stewards, safeguarding cultural and social resources for future generations

7. Cultivating "I-Thou" relationships between institutions and the people they serve

8. Incorporating phenomenological insights into policy-making, ensuring that the lived experiences of diverse populations are considered and respected

Bell Hooks reminds us of the importance of this shift in institutional thinking:

"To be truly visionary we have to root our imagination in our concrete reality while simultaneously imagining possibilities beyond that reality."

This balance between acknowledging our current reality and imagining a better future is crucial for institutions as they work to reform harmful practices and nurture a healthier social ecosystem that can thrive for seven generations and beyond.

Conclusion: Cultivating a Resilient Cultural Ecosystem for Seven Generations Through Genuine Dialogue and Lived Experience

In conclusion, we must learn to support our faiths and cultures by adopting behaviors that nourish and protect, rather than control and harm - not just for today, but for seven generations into the future. This shift requires courage, introspection, and a willingness to challenge long-held beliefs. By viewing our cultural and religious practices through the lenses of ecosystem theory, the Seven Generation principle, "Ich und Du" relationships, and phenomenology, we can better understand the far-reaching impacts of our actions and work towards creating more resilient, adaptive, and nurturing social systems that benefit both present and future generations.

As we navigate this complex terrain, let us be guided by Baldwin's profound wisdom:

"I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain."

By confronting the pain within our cultures and religions, by engaging in genuine "I-Thou" dialogues, and by honoring the lived experiences of all individuals, we open the door to healing, growth, and a more compassionate future for all of humanity - a future that extends far beyond our own lifetimes.

Bell Hooks offers a final, inspiring thought to propel us forward:

"The practice of love offers no place of safety. We risk loss, hurt, pain. We risk being acted upon by forces outside our control."

It is through this process of vulnerable, compassionate engagement - this embrace of "I-Thou" relationships and phenomenological awareness - that we can truly honor the essence of our cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs. By doing so, we create a world where diversity is celebrated, rights are protected, and human dignity is upheld for all - not just for today, but for seven generations to come. By nurturing each part of our social ecosystem with a long-term perspective, grounded in genuine dialogue and lived experience, we can create a more balanced, harmonious, and sustainable future that honors our ancestors and safeguards the well-being of our descendants.