On 21st Century preachers

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.