Religion in the 21st Century

The fascinating recent issue of The Wilson Quarterly, entitled "Reading the Future" tackles such questions as, "Will English Become the Universal Language?" "Is Peace Possible?" and "Will Religion Still Seem an Illusion?" On the last question, Wilfred M. McClay writes:

As we begin the 21st century, the secularism whose triumph once seemed as inevitable as the arrival of spring now seems a fading flower, while religion, in both traditional and novel forms, is in renewed bloom, and even making a play for full-scale reentry into public life.

An interesting prognosis, particularly in light of the following passage from One Common Faith:

There is every reason for confidence that the period of history now opening will be far more receptive to efforts to spread Bahá'u'lláh's message than was the case in the century just ended. All the signs indicate that a sea change in human consciouness is under way.

And perhaps the following words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá shed light on the animating force behind these changes:

The Call of God when raised, breathed a new life into the body of mankind, and infused a new spirit into the whole creation. It is for this reason that the world hath been moved to its depths, and the hearts and consciences of men been quickened. Erelong the evidences of this regeneration will be revealed, and the fast asleep will be awakened.