Approval

There is a vast difference between opinion, support and approval. Opinion is a formulated idea in response to another idea or action. Support is an expression in thought, word or action of agreement with a thought, word or action. Approval implies certification of or authoritative permission for a thought, word or action. Approval implies some form of accountable participation, control or authority.

 

I recently stated my withdrawal of support from the American Humanist Association (AHA), based on a column written in its official journal by one of its directors. The article voiced a nationalism and militarism which I believe has been inconsistent with humanist ideologies since the head of Thomas More was removed from his body by Henry VIII. The director/author is himself a member of the military establishment.

 

I am not in a position to approve or disapprove of the position of the AHA. I hold no position within that organization for a number of reasons which predate the article in question. However, I did support the organization's work in thought and word by reading its materials, mentioning it here and regularly referring those who express an interest in humanist ideals to their site. That is the support I have withdrawn from that organization.

 

This age of readily typed e-pinions has duly the point of personal responsibility in supporting or not supporting organizations and media outlets. Many people seem to feel that simply typing a rant on the comment area of a Web page is enough. It means virtually nothing. It is simply a belching of opinion, often without the courage to self-identify. It is humorous catharsis at its best; public masturbation at its worst.

 

I believe this kind of clarity about words and ideas is necessary to truly live a mindful life. The one psychotherapy I participated in as a patient was based in words. It was called Neuro-Linguistic Programming. It was a hybrid of cognitive therapy and psychoanalysis. Very effective in my experience. It aided me on my path to living more conscientiously and compassionately.