Rant on Humanity

Finally, a comprehensive outline of my stance on...humanity? Philosophy? Something really big...This is a compilation of two posts, in response to others...And it all started with a good ol' John Lennon song. Once again brought to you by the folks at http://www.mindset1.com, on the "What to Live For" thread in the "Mind in Doubt" section.


I'm going on vacation to Pittsburgh (woo, far journey...) with the family for the next four days, but in the mean time I'd like to know what everyone thinks of the following... John Lennon's song "Imagine"

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

[There were a few other responses that I won't stick in here]
on May 11^th, 2004, 3:48pm, bobarian wrote:

Well sirs: As I am not acquainted with you all I will address you in general. First, to the man with the "new" pledge -- that and your song are entirely reminiscent of the French Revolution. They looted churches and proclaimed a new religion: the religion of L'Etre, the Supreme Being, the light of Reason. It was the high-water mark of humanism, of man becoming all the he can, creating a perfect society on earth. Of expelling all the ancient myths of religion. Of changing society according to our expectations. It was also the time of the guillotine. When they denied that Satan was personal and God was real, every man became a god and every neighbor was his satan. Thousands were sent to be executed because they either disagreed with the authorities or were of the wrong social class. Every moral being relative (in a humanistic setting, it is), they were free from the restrictive bounds of God and accountability and were free to purge their new society of the unworthies. I could go on. Before anyone can deny the faith of the Christian, he must first explain what his is. The Christian stands on a firm empirical historical basis of faith, of divine revelation confirmed through miraculous events, from the resurrection to the foretelling of prophecy. It is stamped with the blood of martyrs and sealed with the judgments of God. This is my faith, and this is what I stand on. What is the faith of humanism, and what does it stand on? It did little for the unworthies in the French Revolution.

Well, first of all I'm a woman

Secondly, I'll just explain my stance as far as I understand it, to this point at least. I find John Lennon's words to be a quite pleasing picture, however idealistic. It is the kind of world I would like to see, but I know that it is impossible for humans, as "morally flawed" beings to bring about and exist in such a paradise. However, it is our moral flaws, our differences in opinion on any issue, big or small, which give us our individuality, perhaps the most sacred of human qualities.

I contend that relative morals, relative perspectives, differences in people's views of the world, are the things which make us human; they do not make us wrong. I am my own worst enemy, I can make or break myself, I can believe what I want, no matter how outrageous it may seem to another being.

And yet, I am dependent on a system. A system which can, and will, make me wrong at some point or another. Humans require a system, be it social, governmental, organizational, etc. to flourish. However, if the system makes me wrong far too often, it is not the right system for me.

Society is in a constant evolution. It goes through systems over and over, sometimes trying the same basic structure and failing every time, sometimes functioning and flourishing for centuries. But no system ever lasts forever. No system is perfect. Yet.

I propose that a perfect system must always be that goal which is just out of reach. You can please some of the people all the time, or all of the people some of the time. (Spin-off of a famous Abe Lincoln quote) This why a perfect system is impossible. However, this does not mean that we should not strive to better our condition and that of future generations. To quote Star Trek now, Data to his android "daughter" Lal..."We must strive to be more than we are, Lal, even if we know we will never attain our goal. It is the effort that counts." The effort of past generations shall always benefit those of the future in some way, and society will build and build, and though stifled by the frequent regressions, it will continue to build and get better.

I have faith in history, all of history. I have faith in those who came before us, and those who live now, and those who will live. I have faith that as long as humans (and any other life in this universe) exist, there will be some progression on an eternal, cosmic scale. The universe will move on.

[There were two posts in between...I won't bother putting them here either. This next one is semi-directed toward those, but sort of not...]

Quote:

Joelhaldeman says he is a sinner and is not perfect and bobarian just attacked Lynnet.

One of the major principles of Christianity, from what I was taught, is that we are all sinners and imperfect. This admission only supports his stance as Christian.

I didn't find Bob's post to be attacking in any way. In fact, I found it quite eloquent and interesting, and I applaud him for it. The French Revolution parallel I had never heard of before, and I was intregued by it.

Additionally, I guess I should explain my pledge a bit.

"I pledge allegiance/to the human race" -- In my view, it is much more worthwhile to dedicate oneself to the good of all humankind, as opposed to the agenda of one country among many such divisions.

"To its promise and its potential" -- Looking toward the future of the world, the progress that will continue to be made on to a better way of life.

"And to the ideals/For which it must stand" -- I believe that while so many things are relative, so many moral codes differ from person to person, there basic things which are integral to the successful peaceful existence of humans with other humans.

"One people" -- We are all one people, one species, one human race; this is undeniable.

"Fair and equal" -- History has proven that lack of equality does not please, that discrimination cannot work.

"With liberty and tolerance for all" -- Equality is key, it does not mean complete control, total equality, lack of individuality. And with the liberty of freedom of thought, opinion, etc, people must learn to be tolerent of those with differing views. They must respect the views of others, whether they agree with them or not.

Anywho, that's my piece for the evening...time to sleep on it.


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