With the vast array of ills that the world faces in the
coming decades, there is an already well-established – and growing – industry for
secular preachers that travel the international circuit spreading the good word
about all manner of things. From new and innovative ways to reduce ones’
greenhouse gas emissions to case studies from far off lands of how indigenous
cultures managed to stave off the exploitative advances of a foreign owned
mining company from their centuries old ancestral lands. There is no shortage
of such well meaning soothsayers, and, likewise, no shortage of people willing
to pay a hefty price to receive their sermon.
Throughout history there have always been such individuals,
be they missionaries, magicians or witchdoctors that travel from town to town,
selling their wares. Today’s incarnation is generally equipped with the latest
in Apple’s technology, a website with earth-saving resources for sale and a
back catalogue of photos of happy looking workshop attendees from around the
globe.
I have no problem with such practice. Indeed I think these
people are an important part in the puzzle for how we negotiate our way through
the coming years and crises.
My
prediction, however, is that with time, the messages being delivered will become
increasingly more religious in their tone. As the realities of a changing
climate and scarce resources come to bite, there will, I believe, be a
concomitant turn to religion as people seek some form of spiritual refuge in
what will prove to be an increasingly harsh and ruthless world.
