" Who is Maitreya ?"

Quote (from SI website Intro):

"At this time of great political, economic, and social crisis, Maitreya will inspire humanity to see itself as one family, and create a civilization based on sharing, economic and social justice, and global cooperation."

Policy Goals:

1. Humanity should see itself as one family

2. Create a civilization based on:
- sharing
- economic justice
- social justice
- global cooperation


Analysis:

Goal #1:
What if humanity saw itself as one family?
The implied answer is that it would solve all the problems of our current "political, economic, and social crisis." It is assumed that everyone would take care of one another like family members do.

Only- not all families do take care of one another. But no matter- because what's assumed is that everyone would take care of one another the way GOOD families do.

So let's assume that happens...

In a good family there are parents and children. Parents set rules and expectations of behavior for their children.

Wait, what? You mean not all parents raise their children this way?

But, of course, we were talking about GOOD parents...

Uh, gee, who gets to define what constitutes a GOOD family, a GOOD parent, or a GOOD child in this "one family" that humanity is to see itself as?

Oh, of course: Maitreya will teach us.

But what if we don't agree with Maitreya's definition of a particluar requirement for GOOD?

Is our rebellious fate to be the same as it is for those who go against God's will- as revealed in the Holy Bible?

The question then becomes: what is the difference between Maitreya's will and the God of Abraham's will?

For now, let's just assume they are the same. Maitreya's "teaching" would be the basis for a correct definition of the GOOD.

In terms of public policy and a form of government, this would mean a theocracy. If not direct rule by Maitreya himself- then by those who know his will/his teaching.

If we are to live in a theocracy, what will it be like?

How can we find out?

We have to know what Maitreya's will is.

If it's the same as God's then those of us who know God's will - know what is expected of us as family members.

What? Wait a minute! You mean there's not a universally shared consensus as to what God's will is?

If we all behave according to Maitreya's teaching- then we won't need to have freedom of religion.

On the other hand, if we had freedom of religion we might have disagreement as to what Maitreya's will was- or we may have disagreement as to whether or not Maitreya even exists- or we may choose to follow someone else's teachings...

That would make consensus for humanity on how to behave as one family very difficult...if not every one followed Maitreya's teachings on how to do so

Will there be any rules in our 'one family'?

Let's see if there's an answer in the second goal:

Goal#2:

Create a civilization based on:
- sharing
- economic justice
- social justice
- global cooperation

Is the sharing and cooperation to be voluntary or mandatory?

If mandatory, then who gets to determine the terms? Representatives elected by citizens? Those who understand Maitreya's will?

Is mandatory sharing really sharing (regardless of who sets the mandate)? Isn't sharing by definition a voluntary act?