Kirstennet

“No God? . . . No Problem! Be good for goodness’ sake”

kirstennet — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:02:23 +0000

This week, the Washington Post presented this question to contributors to their “On Faith” section. I’m posting my comments to a couple of responses

Q: What do you think of the American Humanist Association’s new “Godless Holiday” campaign? The ads will say: “No God? . . . No Problem! Be good for goodness’ sake. Humanism is the idea that you can be good without a belief in God.

The nonreligious need to celebrate by Greg Epstein, Humanist Chaplain of Harvard University

(excerpt): “If you believe that tens of millions of Americans can’t be good without God, that’s not just ignorance, it’s prejudice. The holiday season is about human problems. We light menorahs and decorate trees with shiny ornaments to counteract the way the increasing dark and cold depresses and saddens us. We give each other presents because when we are cold and lonely, the one truly magical thing we can do for ourselves is go out anyway and make someone else happy. We get together with our loved ones because, though close proximity with our families can often make us feel like we want to kill each other, unless we’re talking about the kind of family that actually does so, it is so much better to see loved ones and squabble a little than to avoid each other and drift apart. ….. “None of these rituals–lights, gifts, family gatherings–requires a belief in any sort of God. It’d be absurd to suggest that only religious people can or should celebrate at this time of year”.

Thanks for broadening the understanding of humanism and giving credence to the fact that “being good” and desiring to be part of a community is not derived from faith-based organizations, but rather from simply being human. The holiday season is important for all of us. These traditions have, for millennia, been adapted from religion to religion and integrated into secular societies throughout the world. They have been tweaked and changed to suit contemporary needs, allowing for the welcome inclusion of interfaith celebration and unfortunately fallen prey to usurping by the commercial world. Still, today we can all be happy that the holidays are more inclusive than ever, endeavoring to show respect to people of all walks of life and with different beliefs. This is as it should be. Being good and feeling the need to celebrate together, and individually or collectively reaching out to help others does not depend on a tie to a religious belief or standard. Being good and being thankful blossoms from the hearts of people who feel the awe of nature, are energized by the bonds of love, sympathize with the plight of those in need, and are moved to action to make the world a better place. The sincerity of these emotions and the virtues they evoke do not depend upon an outside force. They come from within.

Humanist Ads: less Santa more Scrooge by Aseem Shukla co-founder, Hindu American Foundation

(excerpt) “I am sure that the humanist ad campaign is a response, in many ways, to the vitriolic denigration they face from too many Christians and others that view those reposing faith in a non-Abrahamic God, or in secular humanism as amoral, damned and unworthy.” ….. “But I simply take issue with intruding upon the space of Christmas to spread this unique iteration of good cheer. There are 365 days in the year and several weeks not strongly affiliated with any other faith. A Santa hat is not a Christian symbol, but it is strongly identified with the cheer and merriment of Christmas. And having a Santa hat clad woman extol the virtues of Godless goodness provokes as much as it educates”.

If members of the American Humanist Association were using truly Christian symbols, the cross or the Virgin Mary, to make their point, your argument would have stronger merit. However, Santa Hats, pretty packages, and all the bling that hangs on trees are much bigger heresies to “the reason for the season” than a group expressing alternate views. Over the centuries, how we celebrate Christmas has been tweaked and changed to suit contemporary needs, allowing for the welcome inclusion of interfaith celebration and, unfortunately (if not ironically), fallen prey to usurping by the commercial world. People, both religious and nonreligious complain about this; nevertheless, as you point out, these ubiquitous accoutrements to Christmas have become part of the spirit of the season. This ultimate genuflection to commercialism and the almighty dollar seems, to me, to be a greater indignity to the Christian faith than humanism using the same secular and commercial avenues to make their point. To argue that Santa hats should be off limits to humanists; well, that in itself is the bigger insult.

No God? Eat, drink and be merry (Christmas) by Thomas Bohlin, U.S. vicar of the Catholic organization Opus Dei

(excerpt): “Although the humanist admonishes us not to harm others, this principle itself ends up being relative and consequently ineffective. Only when others are seen as God’s creatures made in his image and likeness is there a real basis for the moral imperative to respect them”. …. “Without God, humanism fails to provide existential meaning. While it employs the rhetoric of progress and one’s duty to contribute to it, humanism consistently fails to explain what the goals of that progress would be. Its Godless world-view leaves individuals wandering through a meaningless cosmos”.

Moral relativism is a poor argument against humanism since you, as the Vicar of Opus Dei, stand on a different side of morality with respect to many other religions and beliefs. To say that your particular god and moral system is superior is simply self-satisfied hubris.

Scandinavian countries are among the least religious in the world, yet are consistently in the top countries of standard of living, with very low crime rates. My Norwegian parents taught me to be the best person I can be, strive to be kind hearted, and to love others. Imparting this equivalent sense of the golden rule to my siblings and me, without the guise of religion, was simply natural to them. My purpose in life, that you imply that I lack for not being Christian, is a goal I share with other humanists – to seek the best in myself and others, and to believe in my own ability to make a positive difference in the world. I seek this because of a personal sense of what is right, not because I live in fear of punishment by a god. Which reason is more pure?

Plato asserted long ago that religion provides mythical clothing and mythical authority to a morality that is there to begin with. Humanists, Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists all have their examples of good and bad people. Thankfully, the majority of the world’s citizens are “good people” and wish to live in a peaceful world that fosters mutual respect for one another.

Humanists and nonbelievers have been marginalized for centuries. Like other religions or philosophies, they have the right to collectively carve out a recognized space in society. It is refreshing to see a unified movement stir that seeks to simply be good for the sake of being good, to bring awareness of the oppressive side of religion, to ask serious questions about widespread beliefs that have no evidentiary basis, and to provide an alternative, supportive community for people to become involved in.

This nascent movement will make its mistakes. Perhaps Santa hats are not the way to go; perhaps some of their more exuberant members will make remarks that are a bit caustic. Please forgive them these trespasses. Remember, your belief system has inflicted much pain on bystanders throughout the centuries. And, hopefully, it does not bring you too much discomfort to realize that they too have unique individual as well as noble collective purposes in life, ones that are not so dissimilar from your own.

Oslo

kirstennet — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:34:45 +0000

Norway, was my home for a year while I studied Norwegian language and history at the University of Oslo. I visit Norway at least every two years and almost always pass through Oslo for a few days during my stay. Here is a list of my favorite sights, sounds, and tastes to be experienced in the capitol city.

At the top of my “must visit” list is Vigeland’s Park - my favorite park in the world, the “happy place” I envision when I have to get blood drawn or am doing a difficult yoga pose.

This incredible sculpture park is the creation of sculptor, Gustav Vigeland. The 200 granite and bronze human figures tell the story of the human condition. Sans clothing, freed from accoutrements of time and class, these larger than life sculptures tell the perennial story of the circle of human life. From birth to death, moments of love, laughter, anger, strife, grief, sadness, and joy are poignantly captured in the faces and bodies of these sculptures. Go for the afternoon and allow at least two hours to walk the grounds. It’s a romantic place at sunset.

Karl Johan’s Street, Oslo’s main walking street provides 2km of great people watching. Beginning at the Main Terminal Train Station, in a somewhat seedy area, but nevertheless teeming with an interesting mix of people, it stretches northward, terminating at the King’s palace.

A plethora of shops, pubs, and eateries line the street. They become more upscale as you get closer to the King’s Palace. The Palace grounds, (unfortunately, it’s perhaps the least impressive royal home in all of Europe), provide a sweeping view of the city.

Along your walk down Karl Johan, especially if it is a beautiful day, stop at one of the garden cafes and enjoy a glass of wine or other libation while soaking up the atmosphere. Lie on the grounds of the impressive Norwegian Parliament Building where all those important policy decisions are being made, and contemplate the differences between a democracy and a socialistic democracy. Just why is it that Norway has consistently ranked at the top of the U.N.’s Human Development report as the best country in the world to live in?

At the southern end of the city lies the Olso Fjord and the bustling marina of Arker Brygge .

Aker Brygge’s mix of shops, residences, bars and pubs along the Olso Fjord is a great place for outside seating, sipping a drink, and enjoying the ocean breeze.

On the hill across the fjord is the imposing Arkershus Fortress, a medieval castlet built in the 1300s. Walk the grounds for great views of the fjord and of Aker Brygge where you just enjoyed that great glass of Ringnes, Norway’s classic pilsner.

Between the Fortress and the Byrgge is the docking area where you can hop on a boat for a short ride to the island across the Oslo fjord. Bygdoy is home to the Viking Ship Museum and the Norwegian Culture Museum.

The Viking Ship Museum

Featuring two of the world’s best-preserved Viking ships, the intricate artistry of these boats, lovingly carved over a thousand years ago, in preparation for a stint of pillaging, is sure to amaze. If you have a couple of additional hours to spare, check out the Norwegian culture museum next door.

There you will find diverse examples of Norwegian architecture from the turn of the last milenium to the turn of the last century.

Beyond Olso

If you have a chance, one of the most memorable things to do in Norway is a fjord excursion. The experience simply cannot be adquately conveyed by words or photos. It will undoubtably be one most transformative encounters with nature that you will ever have. There a couple of three day tours which include a fjord excursion. Try Norway in a Nutshell: www.norwayinanutshell.com

For other interesting things to do in Oslo and the surrounding area, check out this great website:

http://www.visitoslo.com/en/10-suggestions-for-.84691.en.html

A day in Boston’s North End

kirstennet — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 04:31:46 +0000

It was a cloudy day, and I wasn’t looking forward to going to my previously much anticipated initial “Meet Up” with a new group called “The Renaissance Women of Boston”. I got an email notice about the group a couple of weeks ago. It sounded ultra interesting: “We are a group of vibrant women (30 years old & up) in pursuit of creative inspiration, connection, and laughter. Come and share your passion of food, politics, arts & crafts, cinema, music, fashion, literature… All that is required is an open mind and sense of adventure”. I signed up immediately and put myself on the list for the first “Meet & Greet” to pick out a book to read and also signed up for an outing at the Arnold Arboretum.
Then today came, and I was feeling blue. Why? I don’t know. PMS? It’s been raining for six solid days? My house is a mess? Who knows; but, I made myself go. I’ve wanted to meet some more like-minded people in Boston, and this sounded fantastic. We met at a quaint little coffee shop in Boston’s North End. “The Souls of Black Folk” by W.E.B Du Bois was selected for the group read – a classic; but, quite an academic pick. The six women who attended were great. Leiha, the group organizer was enthusiastic and energetic. She has a lot of great events planned. I can’t wait. My mood had lifted. Ah, being with people (Smile), so refreshing. Working from home can really take its toll sometime.

Energy renewed, I decided to check out the nearby Rose Kennedy Parkway. My first home with Dharmesh was in Commercial Wharf, along the Boston harbor, just a stone’s throw from the ongoing “Big Dig” to bury the I-93 highway. What has sprung up in its place over the past six years is beautiful greenery, as promised. I walked through urban meadows of grass and trees, passed gardens of roses and spirited fountains. It’s beautiful. As I was leaving, I heard live music blaring from the North End. I could make out a tiny marching band and decided to see what’s up. What do you know – the Italian Catholics of Saint Leonard’s Parish were celebrating Saint Anthony’s day. It was a small affair, perhaps 30 people in the mix of those holding up a money-laden St. Anthony figure, followed by the band and elderly people who I think have seen larger processions in their day. It was great to watch; but I must say that it felt a little “cultish”. I had to smile when a young boy asked me if I knew what it was about. He immediately commented that he thought it might have been a Christian thing, but he knew it wasn’t Jewish. I told him it was a celebration of Saint Anthony. He looked confused and said “Oh so it’s not Christian or Jewish”. I said “It’s Catholic”. My clarification didn’t seem to help, and his Mother just smiled. They were tourists, but I didn’t detect a Southern accent. I’m sure I would have had the same reaction at a much later age. His reaction didn’t stem from an over-Protestantization phenomen though, he hadn’t been steeped in religion from a tender age. The parade was an interesting cultural experience for us both.

Before leaving the North End, I sought out a little grocery store that Dharmesh and I used to frequent before we figured out where the grocery stores were located in Boston. We lived in the midst of the city and to our surprise discovered there were none to be found; you know the big sprawling mega marts with aisles and aisles of cereal, chips, and toilet paper as far as the eye can see. Nope not a one (we’ve discovered now that they exist in the burbs), so the Golden Goose, a quaint little shop with a small produce section, fresh bread, and a great collection of wines was our mainstay of sustenance for months. I was happy to see it still bustling with locals.
Making my way back to the car, I happened upon a great little Gallery/Cafe called the Flamepoeira. It was so cozy and the artwork stunning. I stepped in and ordered a pomegranate green tea and thought to myself “What a great afternoon”.

Let Them Savor Tweets

kirstennet — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:48:49 +0000

In her New York Times article “Let Them Eat Tweets”, (April 16th, 2009 NYT Magazine; http://snurl.com/g7ppp), Virginia Heffernen identifies with Bruce Sterling’s proposal at the South by Southwest conference that the clearest symbol of poverty is dependence on “connections” like Internet, Skype, and texting. Sterling suggests that “The man of leisure savors solitude, or intimacy with friends, presumably surrounded by books and films and paintings and wines”. Quoting a friend, her article puts forth the idea that “Connectivity is poverty”; “Only the poor – defined broadly as those without better options- are obsessed with their connections”.

I’m sorry Ms. Heffernen, but what era are you living in? Gone are the days of a ruling aristocracy that created an environment in which the upper echelon of society could occupy their time with frequent face-to-face social gatherings and exchange banter the likes of which we hear only in a 1800s British novel. During the pre-democracy periods of aristocracy , the ease of hiring cheap labor (no minimum wage or child working laws in that day) allowed a group of privileged people to follow their dreams of pursuing art, music, travel, and living lives free of the encumbrances of life’s mundane chores. A guest could easily stop by for dinner at a moments notice, as there were always “staff’ available to see to it that hosts and guests every need were met during their visit. The privileged, the rich, honed their language skills, practicing witty statements and wry retorts to regale those with whom they might share a brush of the cheek or a twirl on the dance floor at next week’s gala. Their sentences were as replete with flourishes as ours are bereft of even proper spelling. Whr r u?

Life is messier today, and what Heffernan refers to as “swampy, boggy, inescapable connectivity”, bemoaning the fact that her “middle-class existence has stuck me here”, smacks of either her naivety of what the deeper connections that Twitter and other social media tools offer, or provides us with a painful view of her over-stretched neck looking upward with envy at the contemporary upper class. Today, the super rich represent a much smaller portion of the population; but indeed, their wealth enable them to emulate the lives of 1800 European Aristocracy. The other 95% of us must attend to life’s daily maintenances and hope to squeeze some social time in here and there.. There is no handmaiden ready to assist us in dressing for the evening’s guests, no cooks to brilliantly set the table’s fest, and no 24/7 nanny to tend to the crying babes. Weeks may go by before we actually have the opportunity to have dinner with a friend or family member. Nothing takes the place of personal interaction; but in our modern busy life; social media tools can fill a gap. It is a “second best” conduit (much better than none) to reach out and share our life’s joys and tears with those close to us. It also serves as a powerful medium in which to widen the circle of people with whom we share interests and idiosyncrasies. A shared laugh on twitter, the instantaneous ability to pull a group together at a local hangout with a simple tweet, and sharing newborn pictures on Facebook without spamming anyone simply brings us closer. It is not a sign of impoverishment, but rather an astute use of tools that allow us to be more human, as well as more connected, in a very busy and isolated world.

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“Hey Paul Krugman, where in the hell are you, Man?”

kirstennet — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:32:37 +0000

A young unknown guaitarist was briefly interveiwed on NPR yesterday afternoon. Johnathan Mann has created a viral You Tube video with plea to Paul Krugman, 2008 nobel-prize winning economist, to use his brains to help the administration out of our financial mess. When asked why he wrote the song, he explained that he had begun reading about the economic woes of the country and the more he read, the more scared he got. Then he came across Krugman’s writings and asked himself “Why isn’t this guy in charge of things”? A huge smile crept across my face. I also have only fairly recently discovered Paul Krugman, I had heard his name but never read his column. Once I began seeing him on television and reading is commentary on the finanicial crisis, I too became restless and concerned that this genius, who so readily puts his thoughts out there (and has done so for years with tomatoes flying where ever he treads) is not part of the political machinery that is running this country. We see a lot more of him now, and he still has ditracters; but look at this mess they have made for us. You economic egomaniacs out there, get out of the way! Let Krugman have his say! “Hey Paul Krugman, where in the hell are you, Man?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOYAuk809fY

God-Less ‘Congregations’ Planned for Humanists

kirstennet — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:28:26 +0000

Greg Epstein, the humanist chaplain at Harvard University, has gotten a lot of press today. The New York Times, Huffington Post, Associated Press, Boston Herald, even Fox News (and many more) covered a story on his successful efforts to exand Harvard’s (gasp!) “god-less” humanist congregation. During the past two years, Epstein has greatly raised awareness, both locally and nationally, that not everyone in this country has a religious leaning, or relies upon religion as a moral compass. He is currently writing a book “Good Without God” due to be published by HarperCollins later this year.

Growing up in the South, I am deeply aware of the prejudice held against those who disavow the need for being part of a religious organization or a belief in God. This type of prejudice seems to simply be accepted in society. However, to criticize religion is a major taboo, and not just in the South. Even in Boston, it is a sensitive subject, though, thankfully, it is a topic that can be broached without the heavy dose of ostracism experienced in the Dixie beltway .

It is time that we recognize the diversity of the people of faith within our nation, not just cater to the myriad Christian philosphies, but recognize that Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and many other, lesser known faiths, make up the fabric of society. Along with these religions are those that do not fall into any religious category. Obama’s inclusion of “nonbelievers” in his inaugural speech was a welcome acknowledgment; however, I think the use of the moniker “nonbeliever” to describe those who do not have a religious leaning is inappropriate. It is a bit like saying a person not interested in poetry is a “nonpoet”. No, we are simply human beings that tend to base our beliefs in rationality and find it hard to accept doctrines that have no evidentiary basis.

Richard Lints, a professor of philosophical theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, is skeptical that a humanist congregation is viable. In the article that covered Epstein’s “godless” chaplaincy, Lint states that: “If humanism becomes concerned with the “greater good,” and a sort of natural moral order that implies, it starts to resemble religion and humanists will back away” . He predicates this on a statement that “community is not a natural part of humanism, where the individual is the ultimate source of meaning”.

The individualism Lints speaks of, I believe, is more aptly associated with Western culture, Capitalism, and even Protestantism, than with humanism. Humans, by nature, are social beings, and have for millennia worked together to gather food, raise families, and build communities. There are innumerable examples of people coming together for the “greater good” (i.e. writers’ guilds, breast cancer awareness, parenting groups, …) in which religion is not involved. The American Religious Identification Survey 2008 ( http://snurl.com/e4cgo ) reports that 15% of Americans have no religious affiliation. We are are a diverse group of people with morals as strong as any found within religious organizations. And we, like other human beings, have the need to meet and interact, and to celebrate life as much as the next person. A Humanist congregation provides a common forum (in a similar way that religions or other organizations do) for liked minded individuals to come together to learn from one another and share their beliefs, as well as creates an institutionalized platform for celebrating lifes’ events (births, marriages, etc). Congratulations and much gratitude for Greg Epstein and the Harvard Chaplaincy for fostering this congregation and beginning to fill a gap long lacking in society. May this forum spread from coast to coast and around the world.

Visit:

http://www.harvardhumanist.org/about-us/chaplain

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/03/18/us/AP-REL-Religion-Today.html?_r=5

http://humanisteducation.com/demo.html

Sorry, I haven’t been designed to discuss human. How can I help you?

kirstennet — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:15:35 +0000

Paypal sends in agent Sarah to help me sort out my ebay problem. Here is the dialogue. I must admit that I did not initially read the first sentence explaining that she was not human. So, my first entry overwhelmed her. Although, simplifying did not make it any better. To add insult to my frustration, when I did speak to a real person, she was laughing with a coworker about this diaglogue and said that Sarah should be a blonde and not a brunette.

Here it is, both sad and hilarious. Thanks PayPal:

Sarah – PayPal :
Hello, I’m Sarah and I’m here to answer your questions about PayPal. Even though I’d like to be a real person, I’m not. I’m programmed to answer your questions. How can I help you?
You :
I am an active ebay buyer. I usually choose to pay for items over $100 with AMEX; however, after reading PayPal’s security guarantee with each transaction, and having to press Yes to Change, when presented with the ubiquitous “Are you sure you want to use a different payment method?”, I’ve relented and relied on direct withdrawal from my bank account. – the obviously preferred method by PayPal. Now I am experiencing a potential problem with a seller (they sent the wrong item). Paypal’s resolution center says that refunds are handled outside of Paypal. If I had charged the item to Amex, I could ask for a hold or refund. Please explain to me how Paypal protects me when I pay with direct withdrawal?
Sarah – PayPal :
Sorry, but your phrase is too long and I will not be able to perform a full analysis. I would be very grateful if you could try to make it a bit shorter and more concise.
You :
So Sarah, you are computerized and not a real person?
Sarah – PayPal :
I’m listening. How can I help you?
You :
Please explain to me how Paypal protects me when I pay with direct withdrawal and do not receive the right item from the seller?
Sarah – PayPal :
Sorry, but your phrase is too long and I will not be able to perform a full analysis. I would be very grateful if you could try to make it a bit shorter and more concise.
You :
Please give me a phone number so I can talk to a live person.
Sarah – PayPal :
If I can’t answer your question, you can visit the Help Center, or contact us by email or telephone. The customer service number will vary, depending on which account type you have.

To find the phone number:
1. Click here for the Contact Us page.
2. If you haven’t already done so, log in to your PayPal account.
3. The PayPal Customer Service phone number for your account is listed.

To contact us by email:
1. Click here for the Email us page.
2. Log in to your PayPal account.
3. Provide the requested information, and then click Continue.

Before we continue, was this helpful?
You :
No
Sarah – PayPal :
I’ve just opened the right page for you.
Sarah – PayPal :
Anything else I can do to help you
You :
If you were a live person, perhaps. But your lack of analytical abilities is not helpful.
Sarah – PayPal :
I’m sorry but I’m unavailable right now. Please try again in a few minutes.
You :
Circuit overload?
Sarah – PayPal :
I’m not sure I’ve understood. Could you please rephrase your question?
You :
Thanks for great blog fodder
Sarah – PayPal :
You’re welcome. If you think of anything else I can help you with, I’d be happy to assist you.
You :
Tip, be sure to turn yourself off before you take a bath
Sarah – PayPal :
I apologize if you can’t find the information you seek by speaking with me. Please enter a new question, visit the Help Center, or Contact Us.
You :
Hopeless
Sarah – PayPal :
Really, that frustrates me… Because I do my best to improve every day. If you think of anything else I can help you with, I’d be happy to assist you.
You :
Bring a human in to assist you.
Sarah – PayPal :
Sorry, I haven’t been designed to discuss human. How can I help you?

Government to the Rescue, AIG Bailout

kirstennet — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:42:58 +0000

Government to the rescue

Published in The Boston Globe editoral page, A14 September 19, 2008

If business at insurer American International Group were booming, no one would say that we, as taxpayers, should be able to share a piece of the pie. Now that AIG is in trouble, the government steps in, and taxpayers ultimately bear the burden of the bailout. This is the epitome of short-sighted “big government” involvement.

Doing nothing may risk a broader downward spiral in the financial markets. But, for all those who trumpet “deregulation” or less government regulation, we should remember that appropriate constraints -checks and balances against institutions behaving irresponsibly – are designed to prevent the type of “Big Government” involvement we’re seeing now. When regulations and accountability are missing, and the burden of rescue is subsequently is placed on everyone, the ensuing policy becomes tantamount to a kind emergency socialism. Certainly, neither these troubled institutions nor conservative financial pundits would dare endorse such regulatory policies without the current unfortunate hindsight.

Losses, as well as profits, should be dealt with by those who played by the rules of the game. If taxpayers continue to be the unavoidable “fall guy” for institutional bad behavior, the rules of the game need to be changed.