New resolutions
As the historian Stephen Henry Roberts (1901-71) once said: "I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”
.
It is apt that I start this year with the same quote that I leave at the end of last years journal. Apt, not only in that this year flows on from last with barely a murmur to mark the passing, but also in that my last real entry was a rant on my Father’s continued sexist and homophobic remarks and my frustration that I have always bitten my tongue in regards to my views on his religion while he parades his self-righteous, irrational ‘faith’, yet he can ignorantly generalise about women and homosexuals - despite my obvious views.
Even more relevantly on the coming year is the fact that this recent run in with my families’ view, while surprising and hurtful, have been the catalyst in my decision (indeed my NY resolution if you like) that I will no longer edit my comments purely in an effort not to offend.
I used to be quite reticent when sharing my views, yet as my understanding of my self and the subject matters grew so has my confidence in partaking in debate. Over the last five years I have become more and more out-spoken about my political, social, scientific, economic and philosophical views, and it would appear that I have gradually lost my reticence on most subjects. Luckily for me I am in good company as I have chosen my friends largely on how well they can discuss ideas; on how they can give me a wider perspective on life; on their compassion and thoughtfulness; on their intelligence; on their uniqueness and ability to be themselves; on the fact that they are proud of who they are and will speak their views with intelligence, wit, credibility and an open mind. I respect my friends points of view because I know that their point is thought through and will be well articulated and I also know that when I give my point of view it will be likewise respected and questioned in a genuine learning and teaching.
Despite my outspoken manner, there is one subject where I am still reticent: Belief in a god or ‘higher creator’. Despite my views that no ‘higher being’ of any kind exists I have never quite come out and said this to anyone whom I know has an opposing view. I have long had a theory that every one has the right to their own ‘belief monument’ (or preferably a ‘theory structure’ considering my theory on belief and monuments) as long as it brings them peace and a way of living life to the fullest, with the minimal consciously negative effect on other organisms. Partly due to this theory, and partly as a reaction of loosing a religious friend when I came out, I have distorted the notion of respect and told my self that I was avoiding the subject in order to avoid offence - yet, I now think it was more a reluctance to alienate someone over something that I consider a very personal choice and none of my business.
Now, again, I am lucky in my choice of friends in that I am sure most know my personal choice and we have a silent agreement not to talk directly, or too deeply, about it. I am more then willing to continue this tradition, just as I am now willing to discuss any subject with honesty and sensitivity. Yet for those in my life that feel it necessary to parade their belief; to convert; to quote the bible in every situation; to use their god as an excuse to be bigoted; to stop questioning their theories, etc. To these people I will no longer edit my replies, nor stay silent while I am unknowingly insulted.
So my new decision may not be largely visible. As a NY resolution it is unusual. But it means I can now come out from behind my masks, be true to my cynical, questioning self and be completely honest to any who ask. This means that I will no longer edit my reaction to biblical bombardment and more - it means I will no longer edit my self expression when it comes to my site and my writing.
One major cornerstone of my own ‘theory structure’ is the symbiotic benefit of diversity.
This has shaped many of my theories and views in regard to how I live my life and how I relate to people. I am, by all accounts, hard to ‘manage’ as a friend yet I am loyal and I try to be supportive. I value different views and experiences, different lives and different perspectives.
Perhaps it is cliché now, but: I live to learn.
.
It is apt that I start this year with the same quote that I leave at the end of last years journal. Apt, not only in that this year flows on from last with barely a murmur to mark the passing, but also in that my last real entry was a rant on my Father’s continued sexist and homophobic remarks and my frustration that I have always bitten my tongue in regards to my views on his religion while he parades his self-righteous, irrational ‘faith’, yet he can ignorantly generalise about women and homosexuals - despite my obvious views.
Even more relevantly on the coming year is the fact that this recent run in with my families’ view, while surprising and hurtful, have been the catalyst in my decision (indeed my NY resolution if you like) that I will no longer edit my comments purely in an effort not to offend.
I used to be quite reticent when sharing my views, yet as my understanding of my self and the subject matters grew so has my confidence in partaking in debate. Over the last five years I have become more and more out-spoken about my political, social, scientific, economic and philosophical views, and it would appear that I have gradually lost my reticence on most subjects. Luckily for me I am in good company as I have chosen my friends largely on how well they can discuss ideas; on how they can give me a wider perspective on life; on their compassion and thoughtfulness; on their intelligence; on their uniqueness and ability to be themselves; on the fact that they are proud of who they are and will speak their views with intelligence, wit, credibility and an open mind. I respect my friends points of view because I know that their point is thought through and will be well articulated and I also know that when I give my point of view it will be likewise respected and questioned in a genuine learning and teaching.
Despite my outspoken manner, there is one subject where I am still reticent: Belief in a god or ‘higher creator’. Despite my views that no ‘higher being’ of any kind exists I have never quite come out and said this to anyone whom I know has an opposing view. I have long had a theory that every one has the right to their own ‘belief monument’ (or preferably a ‘theory structure’ considering my theory on belief and monuments) as long as it brings them peace and a way of living life to the fullest, with the minimal consciously negative effect on other organisms. Partly due to this theory, and partly as a reaction of loosing a religious friend when I came out, I have distorted the notion of respect and told my self that I was avoiding the subject in order to avoid offence - yet, I now think it was more a reluctance to alienate someone over something that I consider a very personal choice and none of my business.
Now, again, I am lucky in my choice of friends in that I am sure most know my personal choice and we have a silent agreement not to talk directly, or too deeply, about it. I am more then willing to continue this tradition, just as I am now willing to discuss any subject with honesty and sensitivity. Yet for those in my life that feel it necessary to parade their belief; to convert; to quote the bible in every situation; to use their god as an excuse to be bigoted; to stop questioning their theories, etc. To these people I will no longer edit my replies, nor stay silent while I am unknowingly insulted.
So my new decision may not be largely visible. As a NY resolution it is unusual. But it means I can now come out from behind my masks, be true to my cynical, questioning self and be completely honest to any who ask. This means that I will no longer edit my reaction to biblical bombardment and more - it means I will no longer edit my self expression when it comes to my site and my writing.
One major cornerstone of my own ‘theory structure’ is the symbiotic benefit of diversity.
This has shaped many of my theories and views in regard to how I live my life and how I relate to people. I am, by all accounts, hard to ‘manage’ as a friend yet I am loyal and I try to be supportive. I value different views and experiences, different lives and different perspectives.
Perhaps it is cliché now, but: I live to learn.