RELIGIONS AND CULTURES, RESOURCES TO IMAGINE THE WORLD

Abstract

Asia is characterised as a continent of the young, a continent of the poor, and cradle of the world’s major religions and ancient cultures. The poor, and their cultures and religions can offer the world an alternative vision and model of development. Asia abounds with various cosmologies of sustainability. Yet all over Asia, development has metamorphosed from political engagement and social responsibility to “market” models and is facing a “moral crisis.” With rationalisation and neo-liberal autonomy, society is not only being “de-religionized” but increasingly “de-ethicised” as well. If development is not an end state in
itself but a process, then what needs to be sustainable in development is the integrity of the process itself. This process calls for a conversion of our thinking and living. Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato Sí has rightly pointed to the eco-system that exists and of which humans are part but not the centre. He asserts that “authentic human development has a moral character.” To regain its moral compass, development has to engage in a living triple dialogue with the poor, their cultures and religions. Such a path of development calls forth personal transformation in the actors, as it promotes a spirituality of friendship with the world, with creation, with others, and oneself. It is rooted in the awareness that all life is sacred, inter-related and inter-dependent.