Debate

I have had some contact with the more academic and intellectual practitioners of Humanism. That is with a capital "H". Readers of my blog may notice that I refer to humanism, with a small "h". The value of the academic realm is its provision of a forum for discussion and debate. The down side is commonly summed up by the saying, "Those who cannot do teach."

Practice isn't debatable. It is not simply an intellectual exercise. Practice is a daily process of getting up and trying again to live up to my own values as a humanist. Practice is looking at my own failings and trying harder. Practice is not carrying a banner or wearing a T-shirt for some abstract ideal. Practice is living my own ideals, based in generous mindfulness and compassion, on the ground with the people in my environment.

There are longstanding religious traditions of discussion and debate. Their point seems to be, "What will we all believe?" My humanist practice has no relevance to religion. It is my humanist practice. It is my process of self-development and interfacing with my environment every day. It is my life, my responsibility. 

A community of people who practice implementing their values individually is inevitably diverse and somewhat disorganized. It cannot be formed into a religion. Those who understand the value of personal practice understand that religion stifles personal development by imposing group-think dogma. Debating the fine points of prescribed dogma is a form of self-assuring masturbation. It is, in my opinion, a waste of time.

The world is a vast plain of suffering and need, overpopulated by human beings without medical care, education, proper shelter, proper nutrition. Humanists who are well-fed, well-housed, and well-educated cannot say they practice their humanism if they simply attend seminars and write checks. Humanism demands a certain responsible application of humanist values (peace, equality, environmentalism, etc) in everyday life. Unlike religion, it is not group-think or just group-action in line with dogma.