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Welcome! At Signs and Wonders we sift through the World Wide Web looking for evidence of emerging religious futures. Our mission is to provide our readers -- religious futurists, ministers, and just plain spiritual people -- with a guided tour of the web, stopping wherever we see the future of faith unfolding before our eyes. We update this site every three days or so, so come back again and join us on our next trip. If you want to comment on anything you read here or discuss religious futures in general, come over to our forum. |
June 01, 2000 [feature] -- How will religion react to news of extraterrestrial life? by Cody Clark at 3:31 PM (EST)  A Master's Project from one of my classmates at the UHCL Futures Program provides twelve scenarios that examine how Islamic, Christian, and Hindu clergy might react to three different types of extraterrestrial messages. In PDF format with some excellent analysis of current religious trends. A must read. editor -- Richard Braastad, newly graduated futurist. Someone out there hire this guy. :) [economic] -- A futurist's take on enlightened economics by Cody Clark at 3:25 PM (EST) An interview with futurist Hazel Henderson: "To create the best possible future, we need to acknowledge and correct some very large mistakes that have occurred-in world trade, in the use of the Gross National Product (GNP) as an economic yardstick, in our highly networked financial markets, and in our very approach to work." editor -- There's a lot of commonality between what she says and what Social Justice activists advocate. This is the best potential area of cooperation between futurists and organized religion. Where personal (read: sexual) morality issues divide religious and progressive secularists, economic justice and the elimination of poverty is an issue which can unite people of diverse beliefs. So, what are we waiting for? [technological] -- How will genome research affect literature? by Cody Clark at 3:14 PM (EST) An amusing essay about how genomic research may affect a writer's ability to tell stories. While the tone is tongue-in-cheek, the author does make some interesting obervations -- what will happen to human mystery and hope for the human future if our genes tell us what will happen? editor -- A humorous example of some insightful consideration of the impacts of genetic technology on the essence of humanity. [social] -- Media tunes into Religion by Cody Clark at 3:06 PM (EST) The Christian Science Monitor features the trend of increasing coverage of religion in the media. A good analysis that goes beyond last month's joint study by the Center for Media and Public Affairs and the Ethics and Public Policy Center. [social] -- Clean your laundry along with your soul? by Cody Clark at 3:01 PM (EST) A Lutheran Church in Minneapolis has opened a Laundromat for use by those without easy access to laundering facilities. Patrons must stay for the Bible Study though. editor -- Innovative, but the social justice part of me wishes they didn't make the laundry contingent on the Bible Study. Still, an interesting way to minister to people where they live. Is this an emerging trend, mixing worship with the mundane details of living? How about a religious department store that offers cut-rate coupons for attending prayer meetings? Maybe a pray-for-day-care facility? [social] -- Jews win modifications to famous passion play. by Cody Clark at 3:16 PM (EST) The world's most famous passion play in Oberammergau, Germany has been modifed to remove anti-semitic elements, particularly those parts that imply Jewish guilt for the crucifixion. editor -- More welcome support for the ecumenical trend. Let's hear it for healing religious divisiveness. [social] -- National Council of Churches disbands to make way for new ecumenical dialogue by Cody Clark at 12:43 (EST) The NCC will shut down only to reappear in an expanded form that includes Catholics and evangelicals. A good review of the recent history of the ecumenical movement. "Clearly, the ecumenical environment has shifted so dramatically over 50 years that a new model for dialogue is needed, many agree. And if that is to happen, perhaps it's time for the NCC to step aside." editor -- This shut-down will be a needed pruning to help the ecumenical movement to grow. [feature] -- Science and Spirituality conference to be held in San Jose by Cody Clark at 6:04 PM (EST) Science and the Spiritual Quest, a program of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences, will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2000. The conference will explore critical questions at the intersections of computer science and information technology with spiritual, aesthetic, and social concerns: editor - More dialogue between science and religion. I will not be able to get to San Jose, but intend to get access to the proceedings afterward if possible. This Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences is a new source for me and I'll add their site to my regular scan source list. |
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