Some Questions Answered and Some Answers Questioned

by Goldwin Emerson (March, 2005)

1. What are the main goals that we as a small group of humanists in London and Area can achieve?

Because we are a small group scattered throughout Canada we will not be able to effect large plans for charitable work or protection of the environment etc. There are however, upwards of 20% of Canadians and of Londoners who may be attracted to humanist ideas.  We can provide a safe environment where like-minded people who are conscientious but not oriented to traditional religious dogma may come together to share their thinking. If we can achieve this one goal this may be the most important thing that we can accomplish.

2. What do you say when non-humanists ask if you believe in God ?

I am reminded of an NBC interview with Stephen Hawkin. To this same question Hawkin replied that he used to answer the question about belief in God but was often misunderstood. If Hawkin answered that he believed in God the questioner thought that he meant he believed in the same idea of God as the questioner and that was usually not  correct. If Hawkin said that he didn’t believe in God the questioner assumed that he didn’t believe in any moral values and that was also not correct. So he often asked the questioner to explain what he/she meant by God and then said that when you tell me that I’ll tell you whether or not I believe in the God that you believe in.

3. What does the term spiritual mean to you?

Spiritual is a rather nebulous and ethereal term which I could comfortably do without. However, to religious people, the term has taken on powerful moral and emotional connotations and to refuse to use it at all tends to unnecessarily  separate humanists from religious people. So I end up trying to show religious people that I too believe in the wonder of the world and the excitement and joy of living and that I cherish a spiritual sense of being at one with the universe.

4. Do you sometimes envy people who have a simple trusting religious faith?  Why or why not?

I don't envy them but I don’t try to destroy their faith either. However, if I can put even one thought in their head that might lead them to re-think some of their religious ideas resulting in a more rational approach I will feel a sense of achievement.

5. Are the methods of science and of religion compatible?

Of course religious people tend to pick and choose those bits of science which fit into their religion and to ignore or even to oppose those that don’t. Basically the methods of religion which are faith- based and those of science which are evidence- based are incompatible but occasionally the two are compatible more by accident than by design.

6. When or why were you first attracted to Humanist ideas and what appeals to you most about the philosophy of humanists?

I think that when I was about 18 years old I had a curiosity about life that led me to question and explore. The thought that humans are mainly responsible for both the problems of the world and the solutions was a thrilling idea. I came to notice that as a young Presbyterian that when I prayed about matters which were of importance to me that God tended to maintain his customary silence. I think that for me this brought about the onslaught of humanist ideas.

7. On balance, organized religions are more beneficial than they are harmful. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

I agree that for many people who feel powerless, alone, and without hope, that religion may be more necessary than beneficial. While  religion may help to hide our problems in the short haul, it probably does more harm than good in helping us to find rational solutions.

8. Do you think that the growing tide of right wing political ideas and of fundamentalist religion will subside and western society will return to a time of more liberal ideas?

Yes, I think that eventually it will become clear to most people that right wing policies are not working well except for the wealthy and the powerful. But in the mean time many will be hurt by such policies before major changes occur.

9. In the recent tsunami disasters there were many religious people who stated, with sincerity, that their faith in God helped them get through such a tragedy. What do you think of such statements?

In a time when many people literally did not have anything to hang onto they had fears and feelings of complete loss and devastation. Likely their faith in an all powerful God did give them comfort. Undoubtedly they wanted to be on God’s side and to have faith that God was on their side too.

10. The journal, The Humanist in Canada, has a new look and a new approach to presenting humanist ideas. Do you regard these new approaches as an improvement over the previous format and style of The Humanist in Canada?

No, the new format is not an improvement but it may attract a slightly different readership. I tend to agree with the criticisms of Dr. Ernest Poser as found on page 4 of the Winter 2004/2005 edition.