old hippie here-getting late for me and just thought to leave you all with a question?

I think it depends on how you define "growing up." In some ways, yes. In others, no. Things like the internet have made it easier for "positive energy" groups to expand in purpose and energy...but at the same time, the 'net has made it easier for "workers of darkness" to do the same.

Are "old souls" coming back to continue learning and teaching? Are "young souls" listening? Or are they doing what typical human young'uns do and going off on rebellious sprees?

I don't think we're going to get far with anything until we all learn and practice true tolerance--and that includes the religious zealots and martyrs. Lennon had it right when he urged us to live and let live.

If I don't understand Christ's path, or Buddha's path, or any other "higher power's" path, then let me (and help me, if I ask) learn about that path and let me choose for myself whether (and how) or not to follow. When we help each other with this purpose, then maybe we'll begin to grow up.

Then again, do we really WANT to grow up? There's a lot to be said for the carefree lives of the young vs. the responsibilities of adulthood. If there was a way for us to hold on to that carefree-ness while gaining the wisdom that comes only with age...wouldn't that be wonderful?

Peace to you, old hippie, and to all who are here

I really, really want to, but I don't see any evidence for it. We've made some progress with a lot of the -isms (racism, sexism, etc), but there's a long way to go. And it still blows my mind how intolerant of homosexuals people still are, that one's not going away.

We're committing our technology to finding more efficient ways to kill each other. Internationally, there's a whole lot of hating going on.

I'm not going to an extreme and longing for the "good old days", because things weren't any better back then, but I don't see a whole lot of improvement either.

Perhaps there is "nothing new under the sun".

No. As every species continues to evolve, we must face the possibility that we will never grow up. We as individuals might mature, but as a species, we are in a constant state of change. Maybe some things never grow-up.

I think we are on the way toward growing up, but as with any journey there are always steps backward and we are currently in a step backward. But we are certainly further along than ever before. What was life expectancy and literacy just a 100 years ago compared to today.

No, I think that technology has brought more people into contact with main stream thinking. People as a whole are no more moral or intelligent than they were thousands of years ago. It's just that there are fewer and fewer pockets of isolation where extreme viewpoints can flourish uninterrupted.

No, the more we are a self-focused society, the more we become 2 to 4 year olds in adult bodies.

Yes, are you familiar with the writings and movie by Frank Bloom on this subject?

We are nowhere near growing up because when you least expect it there is always someone out there to undermine your intentions.

How does that song go? Teach your children well....

No. Some of us may be, while most seem lost and confused. Even those that think they know where they're headed. Everyone seems caught up in 'self.'

I think to grow one needs Jesus. We are created as mind, body and spirit. Man eats to fill his body, and he learns life's lessons to fill his mind, but he needs to read Gods word, and accept Jesus into his spirit to fill his spirit. As he prays, reads the word of God and meditates on the things of God , he grows spiritually. Good night.