The Global Spiritual Citizenship initiative is the product of a series of gatherings that brought together 18 diverse spiritual leaders and teachers. These members of the Forge Guild shared a frustration with polarized debates contrasting a conservative religious point of view against non-religious secularism -- and by political arguments pitting conservatives against liberals – as if there were only two choices.
Convinced that such polarization left out some of society’s most creative and forward-looking voices, we sought to articulate a universal spiritual perspective with practical implications for our pressing social and political challenges. Our aim was not to address political issues directly, but rather to establish a foundation from which fresh solutions can emerge.
The fruit of this lengthy effort is a multi-pronged initiative with The Call to Global Spiritual Citizenship at its core. This document sets out in simple language a clear, inspiring and attainable vision of a more compassionate and cooperative world, based on sane spiritual principles found in most of the world’s wisdom traditions.
It calls for the kind of ever-deepening spirituality that transforms individual and collective lives and brings our essential unity into focus. Only on the basis of that transformative spirituality can we address our global challenges with fresh eyes, expanded minds and open hearts.
It is our intention for the Call to stimulate discussions about the relationship of religion and spirituality to social issues in a “both-and” way that is absent from the typical debate. We also hope that the Call will provide a spiritual umbrella for good works in different aspects of society – poverty, health, environment, etc. Our Forge Transformation Zones (FTZs) are designed to channel the energy generated by the Call into ongoing, practical projects. We invite you to join us.
The fruit of this lengthy effort is a multi-pronged initiative with The Call to Global Spiritual Citizenship at its core. This document sets out in simple language a clear, inspiring and attainable vision of a more compassionate and cooperative world, based on sane spiritual principles found in most of the world’s wisdom traditions.
It calls for the kind of ever-deepening spirituality that transforms individual and collective lives and brings our essential unity into focus. Only on the basis of that transformative spirituality can we address our global challenges with fresh eyes, expanded minds and open hearts.
It is our intention for the Call to stimulate discussions about the relationship of religion and spirituality to social issues in a “both-and” way that is absent from the typical debate. We also hope that the Call will provide a spiritual umbrella for good works in different aspects of society – poverty, health, environment, etc. Our Forge Transformation Zones (FTZs) are designed to channel the energy generated by the Call into ongoing, practical projects. We invite you to join us.
