Today's discoveries in Big Science, innovations in technology, along with the globalization of society and empowerment of the individual are bringing about ever-increasing benefits for humanity. Nevertheless, worldwide justice, peace, equality and understanding still elude us. For a more humane society, there is an overarching global imperative that we reconsider and reevaluate the claims of religion, the messages of science and our vision for society. With this new thinking can come a most positive and promising time in world history, a new Axial Age which could offer humankind the opportunity to bring about a truly better world and a more humane society. This goodness will happen only if we open our minds to new ways of thinking and believing. The Global Imperative offers reasons to change, guidance for our changing, and rationale for our success.