The 21st century witnessed one of the most perilous and unethical alliances of mankind’s biggest foes: greed and capitalism. A system where the will or self interest emerges as a master of all human actions in the economic sphere.

There has been a change in the way organisations do businesses and there has been a change in the way businesses are being managed. With the passage of time, businesses have become more isolated from the basic idea of self-interest and more fascinated with profits, expanding their wealth based on what they see as most lucrative rather then on ethical foundations.

There is contamination of capitalism in every corner of the imagination, through the unscrupulous pursuit of profits, selfishness, and through an incorrect comprehension of the idea of economic freedom.

It is true that a farmer in the fertile English midland produces potatoes not to make consumers happy, but for his self-interest and survival. But it may also be true that if the farmer regularly exceeds his need, greed might lead to consumer concerns elsewhere, such as unjustified price movements or supply barriers.

Many illustrations, mathematically and not, can demonstrate how this system becomes contaminated. When capitalism was introduced it was hailed has a unique path to prosperity, opportunity, and more importantly, an end to inequality.

Over the years the urge to make money has killed morality. Now we are trapped in a net which was earlier believed to be a liberator from material discomfort. Greed became epidemic at all levels of commercial existence in the world.

We are living in a society where wealth commands, and those who posses wealth command the world — often in a way that only benefits themselves. The ideals of capitalism to provide opportunities that benefit everybody are contaminated by self interest, and this transition from self-interest to greed in recent years proved fatal. If the bottom line of business is profits, then it is cultivating greed and no benefit at all.

The outburst of protests across the world primarily addressed income inequality and unethical behaviour on part of entrepreneurs. Over the years, the divide between rich and poor deepened in the US, according to the Congressional budget office. Between 1979 and 2007 the incomes of the top 1% grew by a whoping 275% average, and during the same time 60% of the American middle class income grew by just 40%.

Economist and Noble Laureate Paul Krugman wrote in the New York Times that the ‘we’re the 99%’ slogan correctly defines the issue as “being the middle class versus the elite.” He also noted that the movement debunked the wrong notion that rising inequality is “mainly about the well-educated doing better than the less educated.” True enough, economic injustice is not just about education, but to fully comprehend the deep-rooted cause requires organizes and collective study.

Under an Islamic economic system we will not find any of these character-based problems or growing inequality. The Islamic economic system is primarily based on Islamic laws and principles, while capitalism is constructed upon morality. Ideally, if something is based on religion there is no danger of greed and malice, because no religion has ever preached greed. The Islamic economic system considers greed as a grave sin, so if the system tried to bring in something which is based on faith, people might refrain from evil deeds. But unfortunately Islamic economic system is hardly prevalent.

What we need is to find ways to resolve inefficiencies of the system through religious methodologies rather than criticism of capitalism.

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Twenty years before the Occupy movement began, author, musician, activist, visionary, spiritual leader, and co-founder of one of the world’s largest EcoVillages, Gabriel of Urantia, started teaching civil disobedience against evil and injustice, encouraging people to quit “wrong jobs” with companies based on greed – particularly working for banks, nuclear plants, and weapons factories – to find like-minded individuals, form communities, grow your food, have a good water source, and trust the Creator to provide a job in service to humanity or a career within the community you joined or founded.

In 1996 Gabriel of Urantia developed his concept of  ”Spiritualution (SM) – Justice to the People,” a spiritual revolution for and by the earth’s citizens – not the raising of arms but the raising of consciousness and each individual’s commitment and willingness to change, to quit “wrong jobs” or go on strike.

To Gabriel, true spirituality involves action and being your brother’s/sister’s keeper – not necessarily belonging to a church but actively fighting evil, wherever it exists. His teachings on unity without uniformity challenge dogmatic, antiquated religious thinking and concepts.

Many who follow Gabriel of Urantia’s teachings believe they’re the inspiration for the Occupy/99% movement sweeping the world. “Gabriel of Urantia’s wisdom and fidelity to teaching truth have placed him into a distinct position as a leader among people hungry for change,” said Zarath Giannangelo, a protester at New York’s Occupy Wall Street in Zucotti Park, one of thousands taking part in the Spiritualution.

“I have great respect for him because his activism is not tokenism; he lives and breathes it. His actions are clear indications of his lifelong struggle to bring positive and lasting global change.”

Susan Sarandon, actress, activist, and participant in the Occupy Wall Street movement, when asked her thoughts on Gabriel of Urantia’s Spiritualution message and the need for radical unity among people, said, “There’s not much choice other than looking at it that way, and if we can’t start to blend in a positive way, the earth will get rid of us just like a little pus ball and regenerate itself in a better way. ‘Radical unity,’ that’s good!”

Chris Hedges, journalist for truthdig.com and also a participant in the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations, when interviewed in New York by Amadon DellErba of Global Change Television, said this about Spiritualution, “When you stand up against injustice, and you are willing to put your life on the line to see that justice is done, that for me embodies true spirituality.”

In 1989 Gabriel of Urantia co-founded Global Community Communications Alliance and Avalon Organic Gardens & EcoVillage, currently with 100 international change agents. Gabriel encourages people to come to the Creator and follow His voice over institutionalized churches or religions. Worldwide people need to escape the stronghold religions and corporations have upon them. They can only do this with a faith in the Creator.

For more information: http://spiritualution.org or contact BenDameean Steinhardt, (520) 576-2890,info@spiritualution.org.

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/atomische/

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It’s another day at Occupy Wall Street, as the DA (Direct Action) group tackles the issue of police brutality. One member of the group stated that the Municipal Labor Community, which is a bargaining committee that negotiates all municipal contracts together, was going to raise $25,000 for OWS. However, they were unable to, because it was blocked by the police and firemen’s union.

They did not allow them to raise the money, which called for another breakout session to discuss the matter more in depth. The DA’s direction is about finding your allies and becoming more solidarity. During this breakout session, another member proposed discussing a need for expansion whether it is in physical spaces, open spaces or indoor spaces.

He says it’s a big city and he feels like a lot could be done long term. They will be conducting a 4 hour strategy discussion for expansion on Sunday. Following December 6th’s Occupy foreclosed homes day, which will take place in 50 cities across the country is, Occupy Ports on December 12. The occupations in Oakland and Los Angeles have called for a west coast port shutdown. It does not mean to occupy the actual ports one said jokingly, although he said he would have no objection to it.

He claims that it would be the biggest thing to a west coast general strike. According to the New York Occupy movement, if they don’t seize the opportunity to be in solidarity with the other movements, then New York movement will fall behind. People out in the west have really been pushing forth, shutting things down and causing disruption for the 1%, which is what the message for Occupy Ports is about.

The occupiers are growing tired after their victory that took place on their 2 month anniversary of OWS, but New York occupiers will continue to push themselves in order to shut the 1% down. One man from Chile said to another that, “What we did on November 17 was something we did for 7 years” referring to a struggle against dictatorship in Chile, which was said as encouragement to boost morale.

One New York Occupier also suggested that being more proactive was in order, saying that more is necessary of the DA and that New York rather than just being reactive to just working on projects brought to them, they should establish affinity groups that would create major action, having them take it on piece by piece.

More is expected to come from the 99% as they continue to fight against the 1%. To learn more about what is on their agenda visit http://occupywallst.org/

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/skinnylawyer/

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Rage against the politicians and capitalists who have driven the global financial system into the ground is being aired today from one end of the world to the other in a massive coordination of support protests to the Occupy Wall Street movement. Under the banner #GlobalChange, today has seen people from Sydney to Manila, to Rome and London, take to the streets to claim justice in their financial and political system.

In London, UK, up to 300 people gathered in front of St Paul’s Cathedral for the Occupy the London Stock Exchange. Organizers had garnered support through social media sites and were hoping to occupy Paternoster Square in a tribute to the original Occupy movement which is occupying Zuccotti Park in New York City.

The demonstration walked peacefully to the square where they chanted “We are the 99%,” according to Lisa O’Carroll from The Guardian, who was at the scene. The 99% refers to the so-called percentage of society who had to suffer for the profit of the last 1%. The 1% represents the wealthiest people who benefitted, and still do, from the financial crash and bailout of the banks.

Around 2PM GMT, the mood of the protest, which had been conducted fairly cheerful and calm, changed and The Guardian could report that apparently Julian Assange had joined the proceedings in London. The international day of action, October 15, was marked in other cities through marches and gatherings.

In Manila, the Philippines, demonstrators held up outside the U.S. embassy with banners, denouncing “U.S.-led wars and aggression,” according to the Associated Press and Reuters. Hundreds of people gathered in the main street of Auckland, New Zealand, banging drums and chanting against corporate greed.

Around 2000 protesters gathered outside the central Reserve Bank of Australia in Sydney and a spokesman for OccupyMelbourne.Org told Reuters about the Melbourne event: “I think people want real democracy.” In Tokyo, Japan, the demonstration included anti-nuclear protesters.

Both Greece and Italy also joined in the global rally, with students in Milan opening up early for pandora’s box on Friday, vandalizing Goldman Sachs’ offices and headquarters of the bank UniCredit. In Rome, organizers were expecting the biggest show-up of around 100,000 people.

One participant told Reuters “At the global level, we can’t carry on any more with public debt that wasn’t created by us but by thieving governments, corrupt banks and speculators who don’t give a damn about us.” Back in London, the Metropolitan Police informed the media that they’ve only made one arrest today.

The demonstration failed to occupy Paternoster Square and have moved back to St Paul’s Cathedral. The sudden arrival of the notorious Wikileaks founder brought a bit of grassroots celebrity star power to the event. Mark Townsend of The Guardian said that Assange made his way to the crowd and “began attacking a greedy and corrupt system that had united individuals from Cairo to London.”

He also argued that the movement is about the construction of law and not its destruction. As participants hit the streets in cities around the US, the movement will see the circle completed this October 15. Click here to watch pictures from the events around the world.

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