Values

I listen with frustration and shame for my native country as the newscaster explains that the King of Bahrain continues to receive the official support of the U.S. government despite massacre and torture of his citizens to retain unjust power. This is a symptom of U.S. militarism and hypocrisy.

In a recent conversation, in response to a dear friend's observation that he felt  I am "living my values" in a situation, I said, "If I didn't live my values, they wouldn't be values. They would be bullshit." Perhaps nothing better explains what I mean when I call my humanism "practical humanism". If the U.S. practiced its so-called democratic values, the King of Bahrain would be on his way to prison in The Hague for trial in the World Court.

Humanism is worthless, in my opinion, unless it is practiced in daily life, moment by moment. Hot air alone has done nothing for human rights and justice. My humanism is not print on a page. My humanism is moment-by-moment choices to further human peace, justice and joy by living my values.