Is There a Need for

An Exclusive FM'M? Interview with Sir Peter Ustinov Are daydreams, by Warren Allen Smith illusions, and religious beliefs an escape from Remembering reality, or bene- ficial tools for World War II dealing with life? Racial Superiority and `Ethnic Cleansing'

The Wandering Jew by Martin Gardner Editor: Paul Kurtz SUMMER 1995, VOL. 15, NO. 3 ISSN 0272-0701 r- PreS1.re I Contents C Senior Editors: Vern Bullough, Thomas W. Flynn, Gerald Larue, Gordon Stein 3 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Executive Editor: Timothy J. Madigan Managing Editor: Andrea Szalanski 5 An Exclusive Interview with Contributing Editors: Robert S. Alley, Joe E. Barnhart, David Berman, Peter Ustinov Warren Allen Smith H. James Birx, Jo Ann Boydston, Bonnie Bullough, Paul Edwards, Albert Ellis, Roy P. Fairfield, Charles 8 EDITORIALS W. Faulkner, Antony Flew, Levi Fragell, Adolf Grünbaum, Marvin Kohl, Jean Kotkin, Thelma Agenda for the Humanist Movement in the Twenty-First Century, Paul Lavine, Tibor Machan, Ronald A. Lindsay, Michael Martin, Delos B. McKown, Lee Nisbet, John Novak, Kurtz / True Believers and Utter Madness, James A. Naught I Right to Skipp Porteous, Howard Radest, Robert Rimmer, Die: The Battle Is Joined, Ronald A. Lindsay Michael Rockier, Svetozar Stojanovic, Thomas Szasz, V. M. Tarkunde, Richard Taylor, Rob Tielman 15 Humanist Potpourri Warren Allen Smith Associate Editors: Molleen Matsumura, Lois Porter 19 Editorial Associates: REMEMBERING WORLD WAR II Doris Doyle, Thomas Franczyk, Roger Greeley, 19 Racial Superiority and `Ethnic Cleansing' Revisited Paul Kurtz James Martin-Diaz, Steven L. Mitchell, Warren Allen Smith 20 Why I Am Immune to Mysticism Paul A. Pfalzner Cartoonist: Don Addis 22 Doing the Right Thing George and Eva Klein Chairman, CODESH. Inc.: Paul Kurtz 26 Protecting the Children Vera Freud Chief Development Officer: James Kimberly 27 Exiled Reason Kurt Baier Public Relations Director: Norm R. Allen, Jr. 31 The Wandering Jew and the Second Coming Martin Gardner Executive Director, Secular Organizations for Sobriety: James Christopher Chief Data Officer: Richard Seymour 34 IS THERE A NEED FOR FANTASY? Fulfillment Manager: Michael Cione 34 Introduction: Fantasy, Religion, and Typesetting: Paul E. Loynes, Sr. Missing Teeth Timothy J. Madigan Graphic Designer: Jacqueline Cooke 35 To Dream Is Human Molleen Matsumura Audio Technician: Vance Vigrass 37 The Fantastic Power of Fantasy Charles W Faulkner Stuff: Georgeia Locurcio, Anthony Nigro, Ranjit Sandhu 38 The Fantasy Option David Berman Executive Director Emeritus: Jean Millholland 39 Humanism, Science Fiction, and Fairy Tales Kenneth Marsalek FREE INQUIRY (ISSN 0272-0701) is published quarterly 43 The Future of God Bart Kosko by the Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism 45 Vaihinger and the 'As If' (CODESH, Inc.), a nonprofit corporation, 3965 Rensch Rollo Handy Road, Amherst, NY 14228-2713. Phone (716) 636-7571. 46 Transcending Illusions Brian Zamulinski Fax (716) 636-1733. Copyright ©1995 by CODESII, Inc. 49 Secular Humanism in Literature Second-class postage paid at Amherst, N.Y., and at addi- Edythe McGovern tional mailing offices. National distribution by International Periodicals Distributors, Solana Beach, 54 REVIEWS California. FREE INQUIRY is available from University Microfilms and is indexed in Philosophers' Index. An Early Critic of Christianity, Gerald A. Larue / Everything You Printed in the United States. Always Wanted to Tell Fundamentalists ... And More, Farrell Till / A Subscription rates $28.51) for one year, $47.50 for two Thomas Paine Bonanza, Gordon Stein I A Call for Common Decency, years, $64.50 for three years, $6.95 for single issues. Address subscription orders, changes of address, and Greg Erwin / Books in Brief advertising to FREE INQUIRY, P.O. Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664. 59 VIEWPOINTS Manuscripts, letters, and editorial inquiries should be Catholic Priests and Adult-Child Sexual Interaction, Vern L. Bullough I addressed to The Editor, FREE INQUIRY, P.O. Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664. Editorial submissions must Pat Robertson's Fantasy, Skipp Porteous I Religion and Sexual be on disk (PC: 3-1/2" or 5-1/4"; Mac: 3-1/2" only) and Orientation, Richard J. Goss accompanied by a double-spaced hardcopy and a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Acceptable file for- mats include any PC or Mac word processor, RTF, and 66 IN THE NAME OF GOD ASCII. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or publisher. Postmaster: Send address changes to FREE INQUIRY, P.O. Box 664, Cover art by Bruce Adams. Amherst, NY 14226-0664. Cover photo of Peter Ustinov courtesy of Michael O'Mara Books, Ltd. herself comes on as very much his peer in Letters to the Editor all of those respects. Arthur Heusinkveld Cedar Rapids, Ia.

The Many Faces of Feminism feminism where the anti-feminists get more pages than the feminists. Since it Many of Camille Paglia's comments I think it highly appropriate for FREE would take a letter as long as the magazine made me sad, but none more so than her INQUIRY to focus an issue on feminism issue to respond to each and every mis- enthusiasm for controlled violence. No ("The Many Faces of Feminism," FI, take, lie, and uncalled-for attack, I'll make doubt there once were people who Spring 1995). I am sorry, however, that this simple: (1) Women who name the vio- enjoyed the controlled violence of the rit- even the writers who agree that equality lence against us as male violence are not ual sacrifice of human beings. for women is a worthy goal are so disso- reveling in victimhood, we are placing the nant in their approach. It is disappointing blame where it lies; (2) Women do not Helen P. Sheffield and troubling to read the vitriol emanating control academia, and it is the people who Kaysville, Ut. from the pen of Barry Smith ("On make such absolutely ridiculous state- Feminist Nomadism") against Rosi ments that are the true purveyors of politi- Braidotti ("Feminism and Modernity"). cal correctness. Robert Sheaffer's "Feminism, the Noble His characterization of Braidotti's essay Kate Greene Lie" made a number of telling points, but as amounting to "nothing more than non- Hattiesburg, Miss. a few of his assertions were questionable; sense on stilts" is mean-spirited and for instance, the "pre-surgical female-to- below the belt. It appears that where his male transsexual" taking male hormones argument failed he felt it necessary to I nearly let my subscription lapse because who "reported that her energy level sud- belittle. Men who really believe in equal- you have become too dogmatic in my denly increased dramatically, as did her ity for women can help most by simply view. What saved you was your coura- sex drive." While males are physically closed-mouth-making-it-happen. geous feature on the flaws in the feminist stronger than females, there is, to my movement. knowledge, no data showing that they Walter S. Boone Conrad Jess have a higher energy level. The same may Terrell, N.C. Fairborn, Ohio well be true of sex drive. As to this trans- sexual's inability to cry as much, a con- siderable number of us very masculine Rosi Braidotti's response will be pub- "I hate dogma in any form," Camille types cry fairly often, and it is as least lished in the next FREE INQUIRY.—EDS. Paglia declares in the interview with Tim arguable that the proclivity of tears is Madigan. The way she then expatriates at strongly related to the sort of socialization length in classic dogmatism begs for a one undergoes. It's not that I want to stifle free speech, or revision of the thought: she hates all free inquiry, but surely your magazine dogma but her own. And some of that John George should not be publishing anti-woman, comes off the wall. Professor of Political Sciences anti-feminist pieces under the general In scorning baseball as a "very pas- and Sociology guise of presenting "The Many Faces of sive" sport compared to football's far University of Central Oklahoma Feminism." Anti-feminism is no more one superior content of strategy and rule- Edmund, Okla. of the "faces" of feminism than religious bounded violence, Paglia betrays com- fundamentalism is one of the "faces" of plete insensitivity to baseball's subtle flow secular humanism. of batter-vs.-pitcher/catcher strategies I kept thinking I had the wrong magazine. with every pitch. Not to mention base- Surely the article by Robert Sheaffer must Anne White ball's endless tactical maneuvering with be something written by James Dobson, Rainbow Lake, N.Y. runners on collision-scarred sacks. Pat Robertson, or Rush Limbaugh. Equally far-out is the Paglian praise of We don't need to answer with ad Rush Limbaugh as one of America's "few hominem insults as Mr. Sheaffer stated we I subscribed to your magazine thinking freethinkers"—a "principled speaker and would. All we need to do is give the facts, you were actually open-minded and thinker" with "his own independent point "just the facts, Ma'am, eh, Sir, just the believed the statement of principles you of view." Those must be the traits that facts." publish so prominently each issue, but I make him such a darling of the rigidly He states that feminists' claim of being have been exposed in every issue to a clear doctrinaire right. Ostensibly, Limbaugh is victimized belies their claim to a belief in antagonism toward feminism. Then you a self-important, dogma-hustling, scorn- strict equality. Does he also believe this publish an issue with several articles on habituated, know-it-all buffoon. Paglia about blacks, that, because they claim Summer 1995 3 equality yet recognize they were victims ment funds, thus practicing gender dis- exactly what feminism is and what femi- of two hundred years of oppression, this crimination at the taxpayers' expense. nists believe in before offering Paglia's, somehow belies their stand? As for voting rights, Carole Gray's his- Sheaffer's, and Kennedy Taylor's essays He states that feminism's "emphasis on tory ("Nineteenth Century Women of on what they believe feminism isn't. group rights and group offenses is funda- Freethought") shows the perilous state of Smeal has many more facts at her finger- mentally illiberal." Would he say the same women's rights, not just the inability to tips about the real value of this nearly about blacks or labor unions? How else is vote, in the nineteenth century. It is worth thirty-year-old wave of feminism than all any group who is being oppressed by noting that free black males who met of these "experts" combined. those more powerful than themselves property requirements could vote until going to turn the tide and find any justice state laws disenfranchised them (in the Linda Mastellone unless they seek it through groups? early 1700s in Virginia, in 1838 in Kenova, W. Va. If motherhood and raising the children Pennsylvania). No woman could vote in is the important job as it is espoused by the United States until Wyoming passed a Mr. Sheaffer why isn't it appreciated more woman suffrage measure in 1889. Sherven and Sniechowski's denunciation economically? I worked as a professional On the male/female-head-of-house- of feminist "victim-think" move me to registered nurse; my husband worked in a hold net worth issue, further reading in wonder about experience, intent, and factory. My job paid less, and I worked Warren Farrell's The Myth of Male Power underlying dynamics. Seemingly oppo- part time so I could be home more to raise reveals that net worth includes alimony site ends of a philosophical continuum the children. His Social Security is $800, and child support payments. Farrell him- display a similar tendency to invalidate mine is $500. The biggest difference is self notes that "male heads of households what for some has been real experience. pensions: his is $1,000, mine will be $180 have higher gross incomes and assets" (p. While it may be the case that prolonged when I finally get it. So women live seven 33). Given the incontrovertible fact that focus on experiences of unasked-for and years longer than men. What kind of life female-headed households are much more uncalled-for abuse may become self- is it when they have to decide which they likely to live in poverty, does Sheaffer defeating, to invalidate the experience is can afford, medicine or food but not both? really begrudge them their child support simply arrogant (and ignorant). How his- One thousand four hundred women are and alimony? tory does repeat itself, in the dynamic of killed every year by a husband or those who have not had the experience boyfriend. No way could wives assault Douglas Gray blaming the victim ... insisting that those husbands more frequently than the reverse Arlington, Va. who, through force of circumstance as he states. Just count the cases from any (often complex) have been treated newspaper in any part of the country for a unfairly, are "whining" when they dare to period of a few months. I suppose you thought you were contribut- speak out. As for what Sheaffer tells us we femi- ing to the debate of feminism's strengths Empowering people by showing them nists believe, they are not what this femi- and weaknesses. However, you were only what is possible might have more salutary nist nor "the largest organization for adding to the negative, conservative criti- effect than polarizing and demeaning oth- women" to which I belong believes. I cism of a valid, useful movement. Not that ers (which blame tends to do) in whose don't believe "that there was once a matri- I mind a little criticism. However, the only moccasins one has not walked. archal society," I don't believe the use of people who divide feminism into cate- "repressed memories" to find forgotten gories—difference feminists, individual- J. Weller incest is ethical. I don't believe that erotic istic feminists, gender feminists—are San Francisco, Calif. material should be censored unless it those who condemn the very idea of fem- involves children or shows violence inism as a valid philosophy. In the femi- toward either sex. nist community, there are no two people Public Money and Public Use who believe the exact same things. We do, Marie Micheletti though, believe in this: that the patriarchy I wonder if the reader (FI, Letters to the Tremont, Ill. has subjugated those less powerful— Editor, Spring 1995) who couldn't find a women, minorities, children, and other difference between taxation and theft animal species, and the Earth itself. would, if he were made 100 percent tax Joan Kennedy Taylor ("Feminism and Feminism seeks to level the playing field exempt, refrain from: (1) driving on pub- Public Policy") and Judith Sherven and by taking away some of the patriarchy's lic roads; (2) using the public library; (3) James Snichechowski ("Radical Femi- power and redistributing it. The patriarchy calling the police in the event of a crime nism's Mistake") have dealt ably with the are those powerful few who make deci- committed against him; (4) calling the fire conceptual excesses of Robert Sheaffer. It sions that benefit themselves and harm the department in the event of his property remains only to correct some factual mat- subjugated. Not every white man is a going up in smoke; (5) sending his chil- ters. The objection to Virginia Military member, as Sheaffer assumes. dren to public schools; (6) using the U.S. Institute and The Citadel is not that they Shame on you for not using the inter- are all male. It is that they receive govern- view with Eleanor Smeal to outline (Continued on p. 63) 4 FREE INQUIRY An Exclusive Interview with Sir Peter Ustinov

Warren Allen Smith

pon first meeting Sir Peter Ustinov, the Goodwill is that virtue predates religion by a long way and that Socrates Ambassador-at-Large for UNICEF and president of the was a godly man and he didn't need a god to be that. The ancient World Federalist Movement, one hears the voice of Peter gods were free from inhibition and free from guilt and free from and the Wolf. One feels the presence of Beethoven (from his all feeling of Original Sin, which came in with monotheism. stage performance in Beethoven's Tenth); of Carabosse (from In a certain sense the ancients are much more up-to-date than the play, The Love of Four Colonels); of the General (from the the theistic churches, simply because they have affected and still film and play, Romanoff and Juliet); and of Nero (from his film affect psychiatry and psychoanalysis, which are very modern role in Quo Vadis). studies. Oedipus may have left us long ago, but he has left behind Surprisingly, Ustinov, who amusingly responds "Your his complex. Achilles has left his heel. Aphrodite has left Excellency" when addressed as "Sir Peter," comes across as aphrodesiacs. Lethe has left weapons, the weapons of oblivion. friendly, witty, ready to imitate the facial expressions of Francois And there is the Platonic relationship. Mitterand, eloquent when discussing the world's children, and Moreover, the Greeks have much more to teach us than offi- sincere when lamenting intolerance, bigotry, flag-waving, self- cial religions, if we bother to study them. Witch-burnings and the importance, idleness, and superstition. He is not intimidating, Inquisition contrast with the Greeks' much more frivolous and yet this is the man who has worked with Jack Paar, Steve Allen, pleasant approach, one which goes much further into the dark- Pavarotti, Herbert von Karajan, André Kostelanetz, David ness of the human spirit. They delighted in life. Their dramas Niven, Yvonne de Carlo, Maggie Smith, Helen Hayes, Bette were followed then much as people today follow soap operas. Davis, Nick Nolte, and John Gielgud. And the man who, in 199O, When the Romans tolerated religion, they didn't, as in the fic- was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. tions that are put out now, authorize Christian religion and Ustinov was in New York City in April to promote his new become Christians themselves. In a much longer process, they book, Ustinov Still At Large (Prometheus Books, 1995), on decided to authorize all the religions, along with them the national television and at bookstores. The London-born Christian religion. And it so happened that the Christian religion Ustinov agreed to an interview while his Parisian-born wife, outlasted the others for a variety of reasons. But at least some of Hélène du Lau d'Allemans, served champagne to their inter- the Christian churches are relics of other temples. viewer. FI: You observed a Mithraic temple that was buried under- First off, Ustinov had kind words for Paul Kurtz, editor of neath two layers of Christian churches? FREE INQUIRY, and for Prometheus Books. Although he has never UsTINov: Yes. Mithras was a deity akin to Apollo. Mithraism been "a joiner," he is a member of the Council for Democratic is quite interesting because it has the equivalents of the and Secular Humanism's Academy of Humanism and an hon- Crucifixion, Ascension, and Last Supper and all the stuff of orary associate of Britain's Rationalist Press Association. Christianity, but just not the themes that go into Cecil B. DeMille's magic box. It's very extraordinary that all these myths REE INQUIRY: Your telecast "Inside the Vatican" got wide seem to have a common base—even paganism, which has been Fcoverage here. borrowed from freely by the church, along with all the mess USTINOV: Yes. It was not uncritical, but was tactful. about the Dead Sea Scrolls. FI: Do I understand that McGreevy Productions is working FI: Your father was a liberal Lutheran and a journalist. Would on a similar telecast? he have been closer to Greek or Judeo-Christian thinking? USTINOV: We've just now done a history of the Greek gods, USTINOV: Oh, the Greeks! He was absolutely unpracticing in "Paths of Gods." It will show it's quite wrong to consider the his belief. In point of fact, it was his father who was so religious. Greek gods as being dead. One thing that ancient history proves His mother, and I remember her vividly because she was half Ethiopian, held religion very close, and for her the Crucifixion happened yesterday. I sat on her knee in my pajamas and had to Warren Allen Smith is a FREE INQUIRY editorial associate and a listen to the history of the Crucifixion as though it had been regular contributor brought in from Pittsburgh, and she used to cry copiously and my pajama tops were wet from her tears.

Summer 1995 5

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[He added that he fancies he got rheumatism at a young age FI: Your new book, Ustinov Still at Large, is a compilation of because of that humidity, laughing that of course this is just his articles you have written for The European. imagination. Ustinov, because of arthritis, now uses a regal-look- USTINOV: The paper was owned by Robert Maxwell. He gen- ing cane.] erously offered me six weeks of holiday each year but for four FI: Before being knighted, you were a Commander of the years I have never taken that vacation. In his obituary, I wrote: British Empire. Another CBE, Arthur C. Clarke, holds that "it "There's absolutely no law against a crook having a good idea." may be that our role on this planet is not to worship God ... but FI: Do you use a computer? to create him." USTINOV: No, I still use a pencil and write in long hand. I USTINOV: Well, I agree that it is inherent in human nature. phone the copy in from such remote spots as Central Siberia, And I have always said that I have much more faith in an agnos- Northern Thailand—and New York City. [Laughter.] My first tic or an atheist who helps an old lady across the road than the columns were published as Ustinov at Large. The present vol- man who is racing to church and pretends not to see her. [He ume is Ustinov Still at Large. Eventually, there'll be an Ustinov laughs.] Still at Large Again.

6 FREE INQUIRY FI: Have you ever put a label on your personal philosophy? neglected. And what is life then, something that is lived in third USTINOV: No, deliberately not. Because I have never gear or only in first gear? Our responsibility should be with chil- belonged to anything. But I believe in my book about God and dren, not merely with embryos. the Devil, The Old Man and Mr. Smith, there comes a moment FI: As UNICEF's Goodwill Ambassador you visit children all when the Devil reflects near the end that it's really terrible to over the world? think about how many people have been tortured and killed USTINOV: Yes, and children are the one strata of life who have because of their beliefs. Relatively few were killed for what they absolutely no prejudice. None of us, and this is a message of did, probably because those who did bad things were in a posi- hope, are born with prejudice. You often see children playing tion to do them, like Hitler and Mussolini. Then God says some- with someone who is hideously deformed by some caprice of thing to the effect that, "Well, really, to My mind prayer is the nature, and the only people appalled are the adults who are won- only thing that's important. And when a man is praying you don't dering whether the children should be allowed to play together. know from the outside what he is praying to. That's what makes Unfortunately, prejudice comes from education and family people so jealous to know what they believe. But in point of fact life and all the things that are praised by religious orthodoxy. it doesn't really matter whether it's Me or a volcano or a tree. Every good bottle of wine has to have some residue. Similarly, The fact is that that puts man into a relationship with the size of life comes with prejudice, and there's little one can do. I am still the universe, which is quite salutary because he doesn't unlearning what I learned in my first school, for example. Why believe—otherwise, he could go mad. And, really, once every- do I think that? I ask myself, and then trace it back to some idi- thing is Me, what's the difference between all these things? otic history book or patriotic idea. What's the difference between Me and the god with the clay FI: Who in history would you have liked to spend an hour feet? I'm everything according to the conventional belief, and, if with? Jacqueline Onassis responded to such a question by that is so, then there is no heresy possible." answering Sergei Diaghilev. On your mother's side, don't you My point is that I have no proof of anything; therefore, I have a connection with that Russian ballet impressario and art believe in what I see and what I feel. But of course I'm ready to critic? be surprised at any moment. The world [laughs] should not be in USTINOV: Yes, my Great-Uncle Alexander Benois was one of that position. Diaghilev's artistic mentors. When I first went on stage, he wrote FI: FREE INQUIRY is well-named then? We freely search for me a charming letter saying that for more than two centuries the truths, not Truth, even if this involves changing our viewpoint. family had been prowling around theaters, building and design- USTINOV: Oh, I think that it's an honorable thing to change ing them, composing and conducting in them, and now at last your mind occasionally. I don't think it's a sign of weakness or one had had the nerve to get up on the stage itself. lack of integrity. I believe men are united by their doubts and FI: And who would you have spent an hour with? separated by their convictions. Therefore, it's a very good thing USTINOV: [Hesitates.] Well, Dostoevsky fascinates me to have doubts. Doubts are the greatest spur to activity that I because even in Russia's turmoil today you find the same cast know of. and characters. Then there's Bolivar. And Beethoven—I wrote a FI: Skeptical Inquirer, the journal that investigates claims of play about him and portrayed him in German in Berlin. Also the paranormal, contains many articles about such doubts. For Gogol. I am fond of the Russians—my plays have been better example, there are stories concerning crying statues, UFOs, Big performed there than anywhere else and always without benefit Foot marks in the snow, etc. of my advice, which is a little irritating. USTINOV: Oh, those Big Foot marks I know about. They're Yeltsin's, trying to find the bathroom at night. [Laughter.] %fie hour went by all too quickly. Sir Peter needed to write his FI: In the 1930s, we humanists were alarmed about the 1 weekly newspaper column and prepare for his one-man show growth in the world's population. Then there were 2 billion in Toronto and ceremonies at which he was to receive the humans. In 1970 there were 3.7 billion. Now there are almost 6 Norman Cousins award from the World Federalists and a billion. Rudolph Valentino award. Ah, the joys of deadlines, spotlights, USTINOV: Yes, when you see conditions in India, for instance, ceremonies! Had life always been so happy? No, he confided; he you simply can't believe as the pope does. If the critics bothered once had had a nightmare. Robed men had come into his bed- to travel in those parts of the world they'd have no two opinions room while he was sleeping. They announced that he had been about this. Those who attack the Draconian methods employed elected, and he looked through a window and saw smoke rising by the Chinese to limit their births have to admit that, up to a from a chimney. He was asked what name he would pick now that point, the measures paid off. They may seem like an imposition he had been chosen. Realizing that there was no escape, he on personal liberties, but with a country of that size of popula- thought for a moment, then declared with conviction, "Pope Not tion, which nobody else has, they have to do something. I think Guilty!" that a sense of responsibility should not be interpreted as a curb Few of us have had the good luck to spend an hour with a real on human liberty. Sometimes it is absolutely essential to say this live knight. If you have a chance to catch Sir Peter's one-man can't go on any further. In my recent newspaper columns, I show or read his newspaper column or books, by all means do express my depression that there is such an outcry about anti- so. You'll find no knight on a white horse. He is, however, a con- abortion methods and the idea of abortion as being a betrayal of noisseur of automobiles. Someday you might glimpse him behind life. I'm depressed that once children are born they're so often the wheel of his white 1927 Mercedes Benz. •

Summer 1995 7

Editorials

Agenda for the Humanist Movement in the Twenty-First Century

Overall, however, technological develop- Paul Kurtz ments have led to an exponential increase in consumer goods, food, and services— he present moment in human history bondage to the soil. This is happening bread and rice, clothing and shelter, auto- Tprovides the greatest challenge and everywhere, from France and the United mobiles and refrigerators, transistor opportunity for the growth of the human- States to India and China. In some parts of radios and television sets. ist outlook. Whether humanists have the the world, such as Africa, this has not • Many parts of the globe are now foresight and wisdom to respond to the occurred, and populations exhaust becoming postindustrial information and challenge is the great issue. Often human- resources. service societies such as Western Europe, ist leaders are so concerned with respond- • Impressive advances in medical North America, and countries on the ing to day-to-day problems that they over- research have enabled humankind to erad- Pacific rim. Here the main commodity is look the need for a broader perspective. icate many formerly incurable diseases knowledge and the main resource is the In the contemporary world the pace of and to reduce pain and suffering. New sur- ability to instantaneously transmit inter- social change is enormous. This, I submit, gical techniques, antibiotics, and other communication on a global scale through provides unparalleled opportunities for medical discoveries have extended life- cyberspace. Computer technology has also humanism but also great dangers. These spans significantly. Better nutritional stan- contributed to continued improvements in rapid changes are manyfold, interacting dards and health measures have thus con- productivity, with the consequent down- on many levels. tributed to the well-being of billions of sizing of many industries. Where new First, there are exciting new scientific people on the planet. This is not to deny industries are not created, or workers discoveries, and these have far-reaching that there are setbacks and that new retrained with new skills, underemploy- technological consequences, not only in plagues, such as AIDS, need to be com- ment has festered as a difficult problem. affluent societies but throughout the batted. Moreover, the beneficent lowering The information revolution has led to the world: they are transforming our plane- of the death rate has meant an even larger proliferation of mass media, spouting forth tary habitat. increase in population, which has its own vulgar and banal values, spiritual and para- • The green revolution has made it pos- dangers. normal nonsense. The humanist point of sible to increase food production and • Modern methods of industrial pro- view is not sufficiently represented. eliminate hunger and famine throughout duction have enabled humankind to The pace of technological invention the world. Improved methods of produc- reduce drudgery; increased productivity and application is increasing at a breath- tion and fertilization have meant that has shortened the work week and taking rate. New industries and opportuni- smaller work forces are required in rural enhanced the conditions of labor in the ties are on the horizons: nanotechnology, areas; peasants are thus liberated from workplace. As a result, consumer goods biogenetic-technology, space travel and are produced more cheaply and made colonization, robotics, etc. Although it is Paul Kurtz is former president of the available at lower prices to ordinary peo- difficult to predict what will be discov- International Humanist Ethical Union, ple, particularly in the affluent societies, ered, one thing seems highly probable: Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the but also everywhere on the globe. What technology will continue to expand and State University of New York at Buffalo, were formerly considered the luxuries of transform our powers over nature and pro- and editor of FREE INQUIRY. This article the wealthy are now available in super- vide new exciting and awesome options is adapted from "An Open Letter to markets and chain stores and are within for the human species. Humanist Colleages and Friends in the the reach of almost everyone. The results Is there a humanist position on the International Humanist and Ethical of increased productivity and technology growth of science and technology? Surely Union (IHEU)," written upon his retire- have led to a lessening of the need for humanists have been in the forefront of ment from the co presidency of the IHEU. unskilled labor, and in many regions this those who have wished to liberate the has led to growth in unemployment. human mind from superstition and

8 FREE INQUIRY dogma, and they have opposed any obsta- free markets have replaced bureaucratic ogy? Some have said that it was intrinsi- cles to freedom of inquiry. For a long time structures. The crux of the debate has con- cally tied to liberalism, i.e., the principles ecclesiastical and political leaders have cerned libertarian or market versus of individual freedom. Some have inter- feared scientific inquiry. And there were authoritarian or totalitarian methods of preted liberalism, however, as a commit- efforts to censor it. Thus humanism stands decision-making. This is not to deny that ment to social reform as distinct from in principle for freedom of research. The many economies are mixed and that along conservatism. Others have related liberal- significance of science is not only in its with a market economy there is a public ism to the labor movement and/or the wel- practical application, but in the fact that it sector—especially in Western European fare state. Still others have argued that has extended our range of understanding democratic societies—though even here humanism is fulfilled only in the context of the universe. The Copernican, the demand for more privatization is mak- of socialism and that the government has Darwinian, and behavioral revolutions ing headway. The key issue is whether a vital role to play in ensuring a just soci- have pushed the frontiers of knowledge there is some freedom for entrepreneurial ety. Must one be a liberal or laborite to be based on tested theories. There are many innovation in the investment of capital and a humanist? Can one be a political or eco- antiscience forces in the world today the establishment of new industries. Much nomic conservative and a humanist? opposing scientific inquiry and replacing socialist thinking earlier in the century Many defenders of libertarianism defend it with paranormal or subjectivistic out- concerned the industrial mode of produc- free-market economics and are opposed to looks. Humanists have wished to extend tion, whereas in an information economy, big government, yet they maintain they the methods of science to understand labor consciousness has given way before are humanists. Perhaps humanism should human nature and to use reason to solve highly skilled, educated, and mobile work be viewed as politically neutral, for it the problems of humankind. forces. Many societies do not wish to varies its platform in the light of different In general, humanists have heralded abandon concern for the satisfaction of social, economic, and political conditions. the wise application of technology to basic human needs, security for the aged, It is, therefore, difficult to connect nature and society. And technology on the universal access to health services, educa- humanism to specific economic doc- whole has benefited humankind. It places tion, and cultural enrichment for every- trines or political platforms or candi- the power to solve human problems and to one. Where the free market is unable to dates—other than in its defense of the redress human ills in our hands, rather provide these services, the broader public democratic process itself. Virtually all than leaving it to some absent deity or interest will use government to do so. modern-day humanists have defended providence. Technology, thus, as a tribute Another major trend today is the glob- democracy as essential to the humanist to human intelligence and reason, repre- alization of the economy. No one country outlook. And they are pleased by the dra- sents Prometheus unbound rather than an or region can exist in isolation; all need to matic political changes that are occurring emphasis on human impotence and draw upon others in adapting to techno- today. dependence. logical innovation. Competition is severe; Third, of special interest to humanists This does not mean that all applica- no region can hope to maintain its is the fact that the democratic revolution tions should be accepted without dissent. supremacy unchallenged. Thus, for exam- is now truly global, with no region Unfortunately, military, industrial, and ple, heavy industry has abandoned many immune to the appeal of democracy. The political leaders have decided what tech- sections of North America and Europe for defeat of fascist regimes in the Second nology to use and how to apply it. And Asia. Even light industrial production, World War and its aftermath, and of most there are often abuses. The ecology move- such as in the manufacturing of clothing, (but not all) totalitarian communist ment today has illustrated the need to has been transported to the developing regimes since, has led to an end of the wisely use the fruits of science and tech- third world, from Manchester or Chicago Cold War. Of great significance is the nology so as not to endanger the environ- to Brazil or China. steady growth of multiparty pluralistic ment. The quest of industry is for lower costs, democratic ideals. Democratic systems Second, these far-reaching technologi- especially in labor, and this means that are being restored everywhere, from cal breakthroughs have led to concomitant many national economies are in constant Spain and Portugal in Western Europe to economic changes everywhere. Perhaps crisis, as corporations relocate factories. the former communist countries of the most dramatic is the sudden decline of The same is true of the quest for new mar- Eastern Europe, to the new democratic communist societies and their replace- kets. To reduce the per unit cost, manu- governments of Latin America, Africa, ment by market-oriented economies. facturers of goods and distributors of and Asia. Even where authoritarian "Command" economies were unable to information seek to sell their products regimes remain strong, the moral and provide the consumer goods and services throughout the world. All of this is made practical appeal of democracy is recog- that their citizens demanded. The wide- possible by rapid travel and transport and nized. By this is meant, first and foremost, spread conviction at the turn of the centu- by instant communication of information "political democracy," i.e., majority rule ry that capitalist economies were wasteful and financial services. London, Paris, and the use of the electoral mandate to and unjust and that socialist methods of New York, Tokyo, and Shanghai all par- select the political leaders and to deter- production and distribution would be ticipate in the global information comput- mine the main policies of government; the more rational and efficient did not work er network. legal right of opposition; the right of dis- out in practice, and almost everywhere Does humanism imply a specific ideol- sent; the rule of law; and civil liberties,

Summer 1995 9 including freedom of speech, press, and reflective choice. An open, democratic technological, economic, political, and voluntary association. Increasingly it is society will permit freedom of choice, but moral change on a global scale, is the per- recognized, however, that a political also encourage personal responsibility. sistence of ancient religious systems: democracy is merely formal unless the Society may, of course, restrict an individ- Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, methods of democratic participation are ual's liberty by democratic law, but such etc. These systems provide belief in a extended to other institutions of society. limits should be in accordance with supernatural deity or deities and also in A positive factor in the contemporary demonstrated social need. The humanist the idea of human salvation and obedience world is the vast expansion of educational defends tolerance as a basic moral princi- to divine commandments. Humanism is opportunities. In democratic societies in ple, but this does not mean that "anything nontheistic, and it rejects these supernat- particular, it is recognized that all chil- goes"; for the humanist affirms the exis- ural doctrines and provides a naturalistic dren, no matter what their ethnic or class tence of objective standards of morality humanist alternative. The central issue background or gender, should have equal based on rational inquiry. concerns the meaning of life and the role access to educational and cultural enrich- What is emerging today is a new of the human person on this planet. The ment. As a result there has been an humanistic morality, and a new planetary humanist outlook is based upon the sci- increase in literacy, and people at all lev- society with concomitant duties and ences; that is, upon the best theories that els are exposed to new ideas and values. have been developed and have been Concomitant with this democratic rev- "There is a vast potential for the experimentally verified. Humanism draws olution it is recognized that basic human upon the physical, biological, social, and rights are universal and ought to be growth of humanism worldwide. behavioral sciences in order to explain respected by every civilized community. There is a large reservoir of tal- how nature operates and why human Humanistic dissenters such as Andrei ent in humanist ranks. We need beings behave the way they do. And we Sakharov in the former Soviet Union and to tap these energies. We need a wish to use reason to resolve our prob- Taslima Nasreen in Bangladesh have more militant outreach. We need lems, not placate a nonexistent God for heroically defended freedom of con- to overcome lethargy and in- succor. What we are confronted with are science and the right to dissent as vital ancient metaphysical and supernatural human rights. action." systems, which seek to explain the uni- Fourth, this is part of a moral revolu- verse and attempt to derive moral and in tion that is making some headway obligations. This concerns not only the many cases even political injunctions throughout the world, though not without self-determination of individuals and from their religious faith. Basically, reli- strong opposition. In a real sense, what is some multicultural freedom for different gious belief systems go unchallenged; in distinctive to humanism is its commitment cultural groups, but an appreciation for many or even most societies individuals to a set of ethical values. For the humanist humanity as a whole; that is, the recogni- never hear the rationalist critique of reve- the central value is the achievement of the tion that we all have a humanitarian con- lation of the Bible, the Koran, the Vedas, good life here, now, and for each and cern for all parts of the human family. or other sacred books. every person. This means self-realization, Over and beyond the right to self-determi- In many societies, there has been an creative fulfillment, and joyful exuber- nation for individuals and cultural tradi- outburst of new irrational cults, occult ance. In a just society every person is tions is the recognition that there are uni- superstitions, psychic and paranormal in equal in dignity and value. This means versal ethical values and rights that tran- character. each individual (whether the ruler or the scend the limits of ethnicity, nationality, Side by side with these systems of ordinary citizen) is equal before the law or cultural identity. Thus humanism pro- belief the nontheistic, rationalistic, and and should not be deprived of the oppor- vides a set of ethical standards for the scientific outlook continues to make tunity to participate in society and achieve global community, and it is this that needs gains, but it is constantly threatened by the good life. It also means that no person to be emphasized over and over again, dogmatic otherworldly and spiritualistic should be denied equal access because of especially in view of ethnic conflicts that outlooks. In Muslim countries fundamen- race, creed, ethnic, or national origin, gen- we now encounter on a planetary scale. talists seek to suppress any dissent, mod- der or sexual orientation. The right to self- What we are confronted with today, how- ernism, or secularism. In Europe the determination is thus basic. Individuals ever, in large sectors of the globe are dog- Vatican attempts to re-Christianize the ought to be given the freedom to select matic moral systems, handed down by tra- world. In North and South America evan- their own values, careers, partners, or dition and custom. Many of these are root- gelic Protestant fundamentalists have con- lifestyles so long as they do not deny the ed in ancient religious belief systems, siderable influence and economic and same right to others. This entails the right which were spawned in agricultural political power. And in India, Hinduism to privacy, but along with this is the need nomadic societies, or rigid bureaucratic has had a resurgence. The world is today to develop moral education and moral patriarchal systems. This engenders ethnic split by warring religious factions. These growth. This is essential in educating chauvinism, tribal loyalty, and nationalis- groups resist strenuously the growth of young children to develop self-respect, to tic hatred. secular and humanist ideas, which they respect the rights of others, and to develop Fifth, what is especially surprising believe threaten their hegemony. The bat- the capacity for critical thinking and today, given the rapidity of scientific, tle for the minds and souls of human

10 FREE INQUIRY beings is ongoing; and no one can predict humanistic concerns. Thus the question is ical organizations in a number of coun- with certainty which ideological-theologi- raised: Is there anything distinctive about tries. It was incorporated in New York cal forces will emerge victorious in this humanism per se? State where the United Nations is located; contest. In general, humanists defend reason but its international headquarters was broadly conceived, meaning an appeal to established in Utrecht, Holland, largely Theoretical Recommendations experiential confirmation and rational because of the interest of Jaap van Praag coherence. They also defend the ideals of of the Dutch Humanist League. After the hat then should be the program or free inquiry and the free mind. And they retirement of van Praag as president of Wplatform that humanism stands on? believe in maximizing human freedom IHEU the board decided to initiate a troi- What is distinctive in the humanist mes- and happiness and mitigating human suf- ka of three co-presidents, a system that sage? What policies ought we to adopt? fering. They have defended democratic has now prevailed for over twenty years. Let me say, first, that I think that the and open societies; and they wish to The IHEU has been predominantly a best way to view humanism is as a extend this ideal to all parts of the human Northern and Western European/North method of inquiry; that is, it will seek to community. Many liberal persons may American organization. For the first thirty use the methods of rational inquiry and share our humanist concerns in these and years of existence, there were very few science to understand nature and to other causes, and we should undoubtedly non-European or non-American organiza- resolve human problems. Our picture of work with them; but we also have, it tions as members. It has only been in the reality is derived from what the empirical seems to me, a unique and significant past decade that organizations in Eastern sciences tell us at any one time in history; position that others do not represent, and Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia and we should be prepared to revise our this has to be made clear. What is espe- have increased their numbers dramatically. ideas in the light of these. Clearly there cially distinctive is that humanists do not The IHEU has had some success in its are enduring values and principles dis- believe in a divine reality, nor in the view brief history. It has formed an internation- tinctive to the humanist outlook, but how that human salvation depends on God; al community of like-minded humanists, these work out in practice will depend we wish to use our own resources, reason, secularists, atheists, rationalists, and free- upon concrete social conditions. At any and courage to solve our problems. In thinkers. It has provided a basis for coop- one time the need for different tactics and short, no deity will save us, we must save erative projects, a forum where we can strategies by humanists to forward the ourselves. The central concern is the learn from each other. humanist viewpoint will depend upon dif- meaning of life. Humanists hold that the The IHEU has had three broad pur- ferent socio-political contexts. meaning of life is what we give to it indi- poses: to stimulate and coordinate the Humanists in various countries have vidually and in cooperation with others. activities and policies of existing member often been on the cutting edge of social The meaning of our lives is found in our organizations; to stimulate and support reform, defending unpopular causes. They plans and projects. Human life is full of the growth of new organizations in coun- have advocated important social and polit- meaning; but the meaning of life is not tries and regions of the world where they ical principles and programs. They have derived from some divine Being indepen- do not exist; and to participate in inter- argued, for example, for the separation of dent of us. We are presented in life with national bodies in order to defend and church and state against theocracies. They manyfold opportunities and challenges. advance humanist concerns. It does so by have advanced critical thinking and The meanings of our lives is related to participation in international conferences moral, scientific, and sexual education. our responses to these. We hold that and congresses and by publishing a They have defended the right to abortion ethics is relative to human needs and newsletter. and euthanasia. They have supported interests and it is not to be derived from It has held fruitful dialogues with those women's rights and gay liberation. They absolutistic theological premises. We with whom it disagrees. For example, in its have opposed anti-Semitism and racism. need to enunciate the affirmations of brief history it has held Marxist/non- They have resisted censorship in the arts humanism. We need to espouse clearly Marxist humanist dialogues and Vatican/ and literature. They have pleaded for tol- that humanist ethics is viable and whole- humanist dialogues. It has grown in the erance and an end to the use of force, and some and it can provide a basis for the past decade from thirty-five organizations have urged compromise and negotiation good life. It is this ethical stance that we in twenty-one countries to more than nine- of differences. They have opposed slav- need to dramatize as essential to the ty in thirty countries. I have been involved ery, circumcision, and absolute, restrictive humanist alternative. in planning and taking part in each of the values of all types. The list of humanist dialogues and also in founding the causes is very long. Most humanists have Concrete Recommendations: * Committee on Growth and Development, struggled for world government, the A Ten-Point Program of Action which has worked aggressively to bring in building of transnational institutions, aid new groups in various countries of the to the third world, and an end to poverty he International Humanist and world. We have been very pleased by its and deprivation. Humanists have defend- TEthical Union (IHEU) was founded success. New groups have formed or are ed the integrity of the ecological system in 1952 as a coalition of humanist and eth- forming in Poland, Hungary, Russia, and opposed pollution. Many other well- *These proposals have been somewhat modified Spain, Ireland, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, meaning persons and groups hold similar from their original version. Uganda, Mexico, China, Costa Rica,

Summer 1995 11 Argentina, Peru, Brazil. There is also the regions of the world will depend on the very few atheist, agnostic, or skeptical new Ibero-American Commission. situation. Programs and activities thus voices critical of religion. This is especial- The IHEU has enormous potential to need to be adapted to local or regional ly the case today with the virtual collapse make the humanist position better known needs. of the freethought movement allied to and to develop a global ethical outreach, I would recommend, however, that Marxism. Therefore, I submit that human- to defend freedom of conscience, and to each national organization develop a ist organizations and individuals should show that there is a genuine alternative to humanist publication (most now do so), encourage the publication of ideas critical theistic religions. and that wherever possible funds be made of religious claims. But we should not be Unfortunately our resources have been available to stimulate the creation of such simply negative; we must always present slende and we have a totally insufficient magazines in new organizations. the positive humanist alternative. budget. I have ten recommendations that Many organizations in the IHEU are (b) I also recommend that humanist if adopted would allow the IHEU to help democratic, voluntary associations run by organizations both encourage and provide humanism flourish worldwide. elected boards. This is well and good. secular (nonreligious) ceremonies— 1. The IHEU should decentralize and Often such organizations, however, have funeral, naming, wedding, etc.—as an relocate some of its activities and secre- floundered because they lack professional alternative to traditional ceremonies. tariats in other countries besides The staffs. There is thus an urgent need to 10. In the past decade there have been Netherlands. Although we owe a great develop a professional cadre of humanist strenuous efforts by relatively few in our debt of gratitude to our Dutch colleagues leaders, educators, and mentors. In order midst to contribute to the growth of human- for hosting the IHEU, I believe that relo- to do so we need training programs, ist organizations. We have made strides, cating our secretariats to other countries schools, institutes, colleges, and universi- but we have a long way to go. Since there can enhance growth. Although the ties. These are already being formed in now nearly 200 countries on the planet, we United Nations is headquartered in New several countries. need to extend our efforts. We need to help York it also has significant offices in 5. As far as practical, national organiza- spread humanism further. We need to Paris and Geneva. We have reached the tions need to buy or build permanent head- emphasize our program of humanist limits of support in The Netherlands. In quarters buildings. This is happening in ambassadors, to send funds to encourage fact, I think it might be healthy to peri- many countries where building programs new groups. We need to send humanists in odically change our headquarters, or are now underway, such as Norway, India, the field to try to establish new humanist parts of it, emphasizing that we are a Britain, Germany, the United States, publications and organizations. Our next world organization. Belgium, and The Netherlands. goal for the year 2000 should be a 50 per- 2.(a) There is a basic structural finan- 6. Every effort must be made to be cent increase in membership; that is, 150 cial deficit in the IHEU. Unfortunately, heard in the mass media and to transmit organizations in 60 countries of the world. organizations in three countries pay the humanist ideas on radio, television, and This can be done, I am convinced, but not lion's share of the annual dues: Norway, the print media. This should be primarily without vigorous efforts by the national the United States and The Netherlands. on the national level, but also on the inter- organizations and by international head- (b) Moreover, many organizations, national level. quarters. Unfortunately, we have been though assessed, are remiss in paying 7. We need to use the arts, drama, woefully remiss in this regard. Our funds their dues. It is imperative that other coun- music more than we have to appeal to the are inadequate. If one compares the efforts tries in the world, especially Germany, the whole person. Till now our primarily of the humanist movement in the develop- United Kingdom, India, etc., be assessed emphasis has been upon intellectual ing world with those of the Vatican, Islam, higher fees and be asked to assume more issues, but we need also to appeal to the or Evangelical Protestantism, the resources of the burden of the IHEU. heart and emotion, and every effort should that humanists expend are very small (c) It is urgent that an intensive effort to be made in our programs and conferences indeed. raise a substantial endowment fund should to include such appeals. In conclusion, there is a vast potential have high priority. 8. We critically need programs in for the growth of humanism worldwide. 3. I think that we should consider moral education for children, education in There is a large reservoir of talent in shortening the name of the International science, and critical thinking in which the humanist ranks. We need to tap these Humanist and Ethical Union. When the humanist point of view and the humanist energies. We need a more militant out- IHEU was founded, the Ethical Union critique of religion is presented. We also reach. We need to overcome lethargy and was more prominent in many countries need adult programs of education explain- inaction. I strongly urge my colleagues to than now. There are many secular/ ing the humanist point of view. take these recommendations seriously. freethought/atheist groups in the IHEU, 9. (a) We have been critics of tradition- I have appreciated the opportunity I yet their names are not in the title. al religion, yet in many countries human- have had over the years to work to build Therefore, there is some rationale to ists, out of fear or timidity, wish to mute international humanism, and these shorten the title to simply the Inter- this. This, of course, is their choice. recommendations are offered to human- national Humanist Union, IHU. Humanism is under attack everywhere. I ists throughout the world in the hope 4. The strategy of development of see no reason why we should be hesitant that they will enhance the humanist humanism in various countries and or deny our position. Actually there are movement still further. •

12 FREE INQUIRY Identity" adherents—all calling them- selves patriots. Fundamentalist preachers and gun dealers rank among their leaders. True Believers and In the past, these would-be Storm Troopers seemed more goofy than deadly. Utter Madness Now, they've spawned what Harvard psy- chiatrist Robert Coles calls "the craziness of hate." James A. Haught Apparently, the Oklahoma horror was committed by True Believers at the far ost of us live with uncertain beliefs; menace of the 1990s. A dozen car bomb- edge of the "militia" movement, a para- Mwe are never totally sure what's ings have killed about 300 unsuspecting military fringe of the right-to-bear-arms right or wrong, true or false. We can't victims around the world in the past two forces in America. Reportedly, the fathom people who feel so absolutely years. Some of the assaults were suicide bombers come from a clique of home- "right" that they'll blow up a government missions by volunteer martyrs. The poi- grown militants who think the U.S. gov- building with a day-care center full of son gas attack in Tokyo's subway added a ernment is conspiring with the United children. new dimension to the danger. Nations to disarm them and impose a Or kill doctors and receptionists at It's perplexing that some of the fanatics "New World Order." They think the tragic abortion clinics. are intelligent and possess high technical 1993 siege in Waco was part of a sinister Or plant nerve gas in a subway full of skills. Many adherents to Japan's federal plan to take away private citizens' defenseless commuters. Supreme Truth cult, suspected in the sub- guns—a plan that had to be resisted and Or offer a $1 million reward for the way gassing, are college graduates. Yet Waco avenged. assassination of a "blaspheming" author. they kissed their guru's big toe and paid Like all cults, this gaggle spreads Or hole up with automatic weapons in $2,000 each for a sip of his bathwater and bizarre talk. One spokesman, janitor Mark a Waco doomsday cult, ready to fight the $10,000 for a drink of his blood. What's Koernke of Michigan, says Los Angeles outside world. going on here? street gangs are being recruited into a Or shoot high-school girls in the face What's the pathology behind killing secret police force to disarm Americans. in Algeria because they aren't wearing innocent strangers to make a statement? He ends his shortwave radio broadcasts: veils. In his classic book, The True Believer, "God bless the Republic. Death to the Or machine-gun Hindu weddings in Eric Hoffer said such zealots undergo a New World Order. We shall prevail." Punjab to gain a Sikh theocracy, the Land psychological process of renouncing their The first suspect charged in the of the Pure. individuality and finding identity in a vio- Oklahoma tragedy, Timothy McVeigh, is Or bomb the World Trade Center as a lent cause. Hoffer wrote: an ex-soldier who adores guns and hates symbolic strike against "the Great Satan." The fanatic is perpetually incomplete government. Acquaintances say he thinks The April 19, 1995, horror in Okla- and insecure. He cannot generate self- the Army planted a computer chip in his homa City was the latest and largest assurance out of his individual rump after Operation Desert Storm. They reminder that True Believers are a very resources—out of his rejected self—but say he always carried a pistol, fired wild finds it only by clinging passionately to real peril, even if normal people can't whatever support he happens to salvos from automatic weapons, and made understand them. The bombers think that embrace. This passionate attachment is a pilgrimage to the scene of the Waco their cause is more important than the the essence of his blind devotion and siege. The horrendous fuel-and-fertilizer lives of pre-school tots and office work- religiosity, and he sees in it the source of bomb in Oklahoma City was detonated on ers. To them, mass murder is justified to all virtue and strength.... He easily the second anniversary of the Waco sees himself as the supporter and deliver their vengeful message. To the rest defender of the holy cause to which he tragedy, a symbolic date for retribution of us, it's madness that anyone would clings. And he is ready to sacrifice his against the government. make elaborate secret plans to massacre life.... McVeigh's colleagues, brothers James children as a public demonstration. and Terry Nichols, renounced U.S. citi- Now that the Cold War is over, this This explanation may be helpful to zenship, returned their Social Security kind of danger has taken the spotlight as a psychiatrists, but it can't placate the shat- cards, and spurned driver's licenses and tered families of Oklahoma City. vehicle plates. Religion is entwined in much murder McVeigh was caught because he didn't James A. Haught, editor of the Charleston by fanatics, but the Oklahoma tragedy have a license tag on his car—perhaps (West Virginia) Gazette, is author of Holy seems to involve cultism tied more to guns another act of rejection of government. He Hatred: Religious Conflicts of the '90s than to scriptures. America has a variety had a large-caliber German pistol in his and Holy Horrors: An Illustrated History of oddball, far-right, armed, covert belt and plenty of cash in his pockets. If of Religious Murder and Madness (both groups—neo-Nazis, tax-haters, "skin- he was an unemployed security guard, by Prometheus Books). heads," white-supremacists, the Church of where did the money come from? the Aryan Nations, survivalists, "Christian Political scientist John George, an

Summer 1995 13 author of Nazis, Communists, Klansmen who blasted the World Trade Center. He Oklahoma tragedy might be repeated and Others on the Fringe: Political says hundreds of them are in America, in many times in many U.S. cities. America Extremism in America (Prometheus secret cells and networks. He wrote: is a wide-open democracy, where all peo- Books), says of the militia movement: ple are free to travel. Explosives, poisons, "This kind of group is going to attract the The Islamist terrorists KNOW that their and ingredients for fuel-and-fertilizer right-wing Christian nationalist, like the objective will ultimately be realized bombs are accessible. through Allah's Will. The belief in this Arayan Nation or Aryan Resistance types, inevitability can be compared to the The only final ingredient required is the intense white racial nationalists." belief in miracles. It is a profound com- the fanatic heart, which sees a massacre of Meanwhile, right-to-bear-arms nuts mitment of the individual that is not children as an act of bravery. Federal aren't the only True Believers ready to kill affected by one's own temporary set- agents will do their utmost to detect such and die in the United States. In "Target backs or the logic of others. secret murderers in our midst, but the task America: Terrorism in the U.S. Today," will be nearly impossible. Yossef Bodandsky, director of the House The logic of others certainly didn't Americans can't comprehend True Task Force on Terrorism and Uncon- deter the Oklahoma City plotters. They Believers, and it's increasingly clear that ventional Warfare, focuses on foreign- followed their own demented logic. we can't escape the nightmares they trained Muslim extremists, such as those It's horrifying to realize that the cause. •

Oregon law been passed than opponents went to court to obtain a preliminary Right to Die: injunction to prevent the law from going into effect. As of now, the Oregon Death The Battle Is Joined with Dignity Act is in legal limbo, and it probably will not go into effect, if at all, for at least another year, pending a final Ronald A. Lindsay court ruling at the appellate level. Proponents of legal reform have also turned to the courts, but so far with only he last few months have witnessed suicide law for terminally ill patients, mixed results. In 1994, Compassion in Tseveral significant developments in which was approved through a voter ref- Dying, a group in Washington State favor- the continuing struggle to secure the right erendum in November 1994, appears to ing legal reform, brought suit in federal of competent persons to control the cir- have given some impetus to the first alter- district court seeking a ruling that laws cumstances of their own death. The even- native. Many proponents of the right to against assisted suicide deprive terminally tual outcome of this struggle remains die believe that this method of legal ill patients of a liberty interest protected uncertain, but what is clear is that there reform is actually preferable to any court- by the Fourteenth Amendment to the will be a definitive outcome by the end of imposed solution. First, obtaining United States Constitution. (That amend- the decade. Furthermore, that outcome approval of reform by a majority of legis- ment, adopted after the Civil War, pro- will be one of the following three alterna- lators or voters ensures that there is broad vides that no state shall "deprive any per- tives: (1) A few states will, through legis- enough popular support to make the nec- son of life, liberty, or property, without lation or voter initiative, liberalize their essary changes in legal and medical prac- due process of law.") The district court laws to allow for assisted suicide or vol- tice with minimum disruption. Moreover, accepted the plaintiffs' argument and untary euthanasia; (2) The courts will having a few states adopt right-to-die laws declared laws prohibiting assisted suicide decide that there is a constitutional right on a piecemeal basis should help to lay to of terminally ill patients to be unconstitu- to assisted suicide, leading to at least a rest one of the traditional arguments tional. The district court reasoned that a limited right to die on a national level; or against legal reform. The most common decision to end one's life is a choice "cen- (3) The proponents of state control will non-religious argument against assisted tral to personal dignity and autonomy" triumph, effectively blocking any mean- suicide or voluntary euthanasia is that and, therefore, a person possesses a fun- ingful reform for the foreseeable future. making such practices legal will damental liberty interest in determining, Oregon's recent adoption of an assisted inevitably lead to involuntary euthanasia. to the extent possible, the time and man- Seeing how assisted suicide measures ner of his or her own death. Ronald A. Lindsay is an attorney in pri- operate in a few states over a period of This victory was short-lived, however. vate practice in Washington, D.C. He is several years should provide confirming In March of this year, the U.S. Court of also a doctoral candidate in philosophy evidence that medical and legal practition- Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overruled at Georgetown University, where he is ers can and will distinguish between vol- the district court decision by a vote of 2-1. completing a dissertation on assisted sui- untary requests for assistance in dying and The majority opinion, written by Reagan- cide and euthanasia. killing persons against their will. appointee John Noonan, criticized the dis- Unfortunately, no sooner had the trict court for ignoring the state's interests

14 FREE INQUIRY in preventing assisted suicide. A reading of interspersed with thinly veiled invective. cussed above, as the majority opinion relied the court's opinion reveals that these (In its opening pages, those who favor heavily on the report, characterizing the alleged "interests" are largely dependent abortion or euthanasia are equated with report as "the most comprehensive study of on the standard, unsupported assumption proponents of genocide and slavery.) [assisted suicide] by a government body." that horrible consequences will follow the However, the encyclical underscores the The Task Force report is fundamental- legalization of assisted suicide or volun- implacable opposition of the Roman ly flawed. Their concern over the poten- tary euthanasia. Thus, the court of appeals Catholic church to personal freedom in tial consequences of legislation ignores— observed that the state has an interest in the area of critical life decisions such as as do most arguments of this type— "not subjecting the elderly ... and infirm birth, marriage, and death, and it is a use- the actual consequences of forcing per- to psychological pressure to consent to ful reminder of the dogmatic opposition sons to remain alive against their will. their own deaths," an interest in "protect- that legal reformers face. Incredibly, the Task Force tries to turn ing the poor and minorities from exploita- More disturbing, because superficially against the proponents of assisted suicide tion," and an interest in protecting "all of more objective, is the report of the New the fact that the pain of many patients is the handicapped from suicidal indifference York State Task Force on Life and the not properly controlled, viewing this as a and antipathy." Law, issued at the end of last year, entitled theoretically avoidable circumstance. In It is unclear at this time whether the "When Death Is Sought: Assisted Suicide essence, it abandons these patients to their plaintiffs will appeal to the Supreme and Euthanasia in the Medical Context." suffering, with the pious hope that physi- Court and, if so, whether the Supreme The Task Force, appointed by former cians will spare no effort to control their Court will agree to hear the case. Governor Mario Cuomo, recommended pain. These are the same physicians that Typically, the Supreme Court waits until a that there be no change in New York law the Task Force maintains are so uncaring few federal appellate courts have to permit assisted suicide. Although some that they cannot be trusted to refrain from addressed a particular legal issue before members of the Task Force concluded that involuntary euthanasia! Furthermore, the intervening to resolve the dispute. Given assisted suicide is morally permissible, Task Force concedes that even with the the current composition of the Supreme the Task Force as a whole concluded that best of care more than 10 percent of can- Court, it is likely that the majority's deci- legalizing assisted suicide "poses severe cer patients will suffer intractable pain. sion would be against voluntary euthana- risks to large numbers of patients, espe- sia if a case were presented at this time. cially those who are most disadvantaged." he continuing debate over assisted Two other recent developments are The Task Force also expressed concern Tsuicide is obviously reaching a criti- more political and intellectual in signifi- that many patients do not have access to cal point. One can only hope that in the cance than legal. This spring, Pope John proper pain management and psychiatric final analysis recognition of the right of a Paul II issued an encyclical, Evangelium counseling and, therefore, will request person to control his or her own destiny Vitae (The Gospel of Life), which roundly assisted suicide when under other circum- and to put an end to an existence he or she condemned both abortion and euthanasia. stances they actually would prefer to live. finds unbearable will prevail over those Except for true believers, the document The importance of the Task Force's report is who insist, because of dogma or specula- itself contains nothing of interest, consist- shown by the Ninth Circuit's decision in tive fears, that we must compel the suffer- ing principally of biblical commentary Compassion in Dying v. Washington, dis- ing to live. • Humanist Potpourri Warren Allen Smith

number of distinguished humanists Freudian psychoanalysis. Nobel Prize years Djilas was pleased at the defeat of Adied recently, including three winner André Lwoff (ninety-two), an communism but was dismayed at the eth- Humanist Laureates of the Academy of opponent of capital punishment, was a nic violence that followed. Corliss Humanism. Sir Karl Popper (ninety- lover of painting, music, sculpture, and Lamont (ninety-three), the naturalistic two), unlike the logical positivists, "those things that awaken the spirit." humanist who wrote The Philosophy of believed that knowing is not limited to Milovan Djilas (eighty-three), the commu- Humanism and a number of works about verifiable statements and rejected as nist revolutionary who in 1957 denounced civil liberties, battled Senator Joseph R. "myths" what he termed the pseudo-sci- his former comrades and led Yugoslavia McCarthy and instead of invoking the ences such as astrology, psychology, away from Stalinism, was a hero of inter- Fifth Amendment successfully had all metaphysics, Marxist history, and national dissidents. When arrested for charges dismissed by a Circuit Court in being against the monarchy, Djilas learned 1955. Lamont had opposed the Vietnam Warren Allen Smith is an editorial associ- Russian. When arrested for "slandering War and had campaigned for Soviet- ate of FREE INQUIRY. Yugoslavia," he studied English and trans- American friendship. His memoirs, Yes To lated Milton's "Paradise Lost." In his last Life, were published in 1981. He was a

Summer 1995 15 major figure in the development of the know, saw a picture of it in the paper" and immediately attacked the film as being American Humanist Association. Linus requested Assistant Secretary of the Navy "viciously anti-Catholic," "ludicrous," Pauling (ninety-three), noted for his Henry Roosevelt to remove it. The offi- and like "scrawling on the walls of men's championing of Vitamin C, remained to cial, who was President Roosevelt's rooms." The Cardinal had not seen the the end irreverent, iconoclastic, outspo- nephew, personally took the painting to movie, however, a point not overlooked ken, and a Unitarian. Albert P. Blaustein his own home, where it stayed for fifty by other critics. His Eminence's review (seventy-two), co-editor of a twenty-two years, coming out of the closet in 1992. resulted in huge lines of people trying to volume Constitution of the Countries of The present show includes Cadmus's buy tickets. Roache is neither gay the World (1971), contributed large parts Model and Artist, which features a nude (according to his present girlfriend for six of the constitutions of Zimbabwe, model, and fellow artist Jared French, years) nor Catholic. To a reporter, he con- Bangladesh, and Peru. He also had a hand which depicts French in bed, naked to his fessed: "I don't believe in God as a thing in the drafting of about forty others, waist, and reading a copy of James or an object or an entity. I sort of go on the including those of Nicaragua, Romania, Joyce's Ulysses. Cadmus is a member of idea that, if God is the fabric of the uni- and post-Soviet Russia. the Secular Humanist Society of New verse, then we are that very fabric our- York. selves. What this film says is that forgive- * * * Anne Rowland, a West Redding, ness and tolerance are human qualities. Connecticut, artist and freethinker, is cited They are things that we have to be respon- Alex Cox has been chosen to head a in Michigan Quarterly Review (Winter sible for. It's not up to God. It's not up to Spanish-speaking Ethical Humanist 1994) for her 1992 series of paintings enti- a priest. It's up to us." Association, which will host an All- tled Dictu Sanctificare. Building on Alexandre Dumas fils was, according Americas July 1995 conference in San Voltaire's quip, "If God did not exist, it to Joseph McCabe, a deist, all of whose José, Costa Rica. Individuals are expected would be necessary to invent him," works were placed on the Vatican's Index to attend from Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Rowland painted the God people have Prohibitorum. He was the bastard son of a Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, invented: a wise, old, masculine, bearded father, the author of La Reine Margot Mexico, and elsewhere in North, Central, being. But if we assign a gender to God, (1845), upon which the movie Queen and South America. The honorary chair- must we not also accept the deity as a sex- Margot (Miramax, 1994) is based. The man is José Delgado, the Spanish neuro- ual being? Ergo, Rowland has painted father's work inspired Patrice Cherneau to psychiatrist who is a Humanist Laureate vivid works with titles such as God's make the movie, winner of the 1994 in the Council for Democratic and Secular Penis, God's Skin, God's Skeleton, An Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize and one Humanism's Academy of Humanism. Angel's Wing, Jesus When He Was Just An that adeptly portrays the Catholic (For information contact: Alex Cox Embryo, Jesus's Penis, etc. Rowland gives Marguerite of Valois and her forced mar- Alvarado, Asociación Iberoamericana an entirely original meaning to "religious riage to Protestant Henri III, King of Etico Humanista, Apdo. 374-2050, San member": God's is flaccid; Jesus', erect. France from 1574 to 1589. The marriage Pedro, Costa Rica. E-mail: acox@cari Steve Allen, has starred in a New York led to the 1572 St. Bartholomew's Day ari.ucr.ac.cr) City production of "The Mikado," playing massacre, beautifully photographed but Edmond H. Fischer, winner of the the title role. Interviewed in January, after guaranteed to offend Senator Jesse Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine being given certain artistic license, Allen Helms's crowd because of its partial and in 1992, when asked about humanism in responded, "Even the Bible must be total nudity, gore, violence, and frankness December 1994, responded, "I am defi- revised, and Shakespeare, too, so Gilbert about religionists' hypocrisy. If only you nitely a non-theist. I do not believe in a and Sullivan must be treated the same would convert, the two Christian groups Supreme Being, and I do not believe in the way. Terms don't mean what they once complain to each other, we would not existence of any God." Dr. Fischer was did. I have put in some funny lines for my have to kill you! As the Catholics kill the born in Shanghai, studied in Europe, and character, `Mickey' Mikado." One such Protestants and the Protestants kill the is a distinguished biochemist at the line was a barb aimed at a Grinch called Catholics, those of us who are disinterest- University of Washington in Seattle. Newt. This triggered a suggestion from a ed are reluctant to choose sides. Dumas Paul Cadmus, now ninety-one, has Manhattan secular humanist: "Steve, why pére died a Catholic. Dumas fils, a non- had another successful show of still lifes, not come up with a new Broadway musi- Christian, once wrote, "If God were sud- portraits, and tableaux at the Midtown cal, a comedy based upon that wholly denly condemned to live the life which He Payson Gallery in New York City. A dis- [sic] humorless work, the Bible? Anyone has inflicted on men, He would kill tinguished member of the American who could write 5,130 songs and still not Himself." The film, in French, is ideal for Academy of Arts and Letters, Cadmus read music is surely capable of perform- showing today's religious fundamentalists created a scandal in 1934. His The Fleet's ing such a miracle!" where their fervor might well lead. In! had depicted a group of sailors party- Linus Roache, who made his However, in light of past history, the ing with prostitutes while on shore leave. American debut as a gay priest in Priest, movie might spur them to new, even more "And then," Cadmus has been quoted, "A appears with bare butt in the English but egregious massacres. retired admiral, so I read in the paper, or a not in the American version of the movie. Arthur C. Clarke, the pioneer who in rear admiral or a front admiral, I don't New York's Cardinal John O'Connor 1945 put forward the concept of a corn-

16 FREE INQUIRY munications satellite, is working with Steven Spielberg on a movie version of "Hammer of God," which was first pub- lished in Time (only the second work of CODESH fiction that magazine has published). The film is guaranteed to upset religious fun- Announces Two Exciting Conferences damentalists, as did his story, "The Star," the opening line of which describes the conflicting scientific and religious sys- tems of belief: "It is three thousand light AUGUST 18-20, 1995 years to the Vatican." Religionists, in fact, are still smarting from his declaration, "It "Robert Ingersoll and the Civil War" may be that our role on this planet is not to worship God . .. but to create him." In at the Ingersoll Birthplace Museum 1992 Clarke was asked by London Times reporter Mark Nuttal about a spate of Dresden, New York The Mind of God, which books, such as Sponsored by the Robert G. Ingersoll Memorial Committee. The link science and an ultimate creator. "I remain an aggressive agnostic," the author conference will emphasize Ingersoll's role in the historic conflict and of 2OO1 responded. Clarke is a member of as a spokesperson for the Grand Army of the Republic. It will also New York City's secular humanist group, probe the impact of the war on the Finger Lakes region of New York although he lives in and is a citizen of Sri State, where Ingersoll was born. Local Civil War re-enactors will set Lanka. up an encampment at the museum during the conference. Bruce Wright, who in 1982 became a New York State Supreme Court Justice, Speakers include FREE INQUIRY editors Tom Flynn, Tim Madigan retired in January after being on the bench and Gordon Stein. twenty-five years. Called "Turn 'em Loose Bruce" by critics of his bail poli- cies, Justice Wright retorted, "I have never changed my mind about the Eighth Amendment," citing the Constitution's OCTOBER 6-8, 1995 prohibition of excessive bail. The black son of a West Indian (Montserrat) agnos- "A Baptist/Humanist Dialogue" tic father and an Irish Catholic mother, Wright has been no stranger to contro- at the University of Richmond versy. He has called Cardinal Spellman "a Richmond, Virginia lousy poet," said religion and superstition are one, and once demanded (as a lawyer) Speakers include: Paul Kurtz, Editor, FREE INQUIRY; George evidence for the existence of a Holy Ghost Smith, President, Signature Books; Robert Alley, Professor or God (finding none). He humorously Emeritus of Humanities, UniVersity of Richmond; Gerald Larue, advised potential altar boys to be careful because "you know what happens when Professor Emeritus of Biblical Archaeology, University of Southern you renounce sex and take to whiskey and California; and Vern Bullough, Professor of History, California things like that: chasing lads." Wright State University at Northridge. lamented that white judges seem unable to treat black defendants fairly, adding that Topics to be discussed: Humanists and Baptists on Freedom of what white judges know about African Conscience; Academic Freedom; Secular vs. Religious Inter- Americans "is what they get from novels, pretations of Scripture; and Humanist and Baptist Views on the silver screen, or servants in their Feminism. homes." Upon his retirement, Justice Wright spoke of his continuing interest in For details on these conferences, please contact Tim Madigan, radicalism. "There's a lot to be radical about today. If we're going to consider P.O. Box 664, Buffalo, NY 14226-0664. ourselves Americans, we should be able to Or call aspire to anything every other American has. That does not mean keeping your (716) 636-7571 mouth shut."

Summer 1995 17

Headquarters Dedicated

Reader Support Needed to Close Final Construction Cash Gap

Entertainer Steve Allen, Nobel Laureate Herbert Hauptman, FREE INQUIRY Editor Paul Kurtz, Time science editor emeritus Leon Jaroff, and several CODESH Mentors dedicated The Center for Inquiry, Phase II, CODESH's new world headquarters, at ceremonies in Amherst, New York, on Friday, June 9, 1995. The Hon. Stan Lundine, former Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York, dedicated the structure. Leon Jaroff, science editor emeritus of Time magazine, presented a keynote address, "Defending Reason in an Irrational World." Steve Allen, chairman of the CODESH phase of our building fund campaign, present- ed a gala performance at the State University of New York's Center for the Performing Arts. CODESH Mentors and members of FREE INQUIRY'S Editorial Board presented a workshop on the role and future of secular humanism. Also in attendance were representatives of humanist groups from India and Mexico. The Center for Inquiry is a 20,000 square foot educational and administrative center located adjacent to the State University of New York at Buffalo's Amherst Campus, the largest campus of the nation's largest state university system. The building will house all of CODESH's editorial, administrative, and warehouse opera- tions on a single compact and efficient campus. More important, the world humanist movement will benefit from an impressive headquarters institution that includes a 50,000-volume capacity library complex, meet- ing and seminar rooms for up to 200 people, audio and video production spaces, and a other vitally need- ed capabilities.

The $3.9 million "Price of Reason" Capital Fund Drive was the most ambitious fundraising project in the history of the humanist movement. By one measure it significantly exceeded its goal.

YOUR GIFT IS STILL NEEDED TO CLOSE CONSTRUCTION CASH GAP A higher-than-expected proportion of "Price of Reason" giving took the form of deferred gifts. As a result, even though the drive exceeded its target, it remains $135,000 short of the cash it needs on hand right now to pay for construction and equipment. A line of credit has been established to assure that all debts are met in a timely manner. But bor- rowing means paying interest, consuming funds that might otherwise go to publishing, advocacy, and outreach.

If you have not yet made your commitment to the "Price of Reason" campaign, your gift will never mean more than right now. Please make a three- year pledge, or a gift of securi- ties or cash today. A pledge card is bound into this maga- zine for your convenience.

At press time, the new Center for Inquiry was almost complete except for planting the front lawn. Remembering World War II: Racial Superiority and `Ethnic Cleansing' Revisited

ay 8, 1995, marks the fiftieth those who deny that the Holocaust hap- anniversary of the end of the Second pened—what cruel venom to inflict on the mil- World War in Europe. To commemo- lions of helpless victims of Nazism! rate this occasion, FREE INQUIRY presents Fortunately, since World War II, the German four retrospective articles on a terrible period people have made strenuous efforts to redeem in human history in which tens of millions of the horrors of their Nazi past. They have innocent people on all sides of the conflict lost entered the community of democratic states their lives. and are striving to build a humanistic culture. The authors of the articles, originally from Nevertheless, when we mark the fiftieth Austria, Germany, and Hungary, all endured anniversary of the end of World War II we the Nazis' anti-Semitic racial policies. They should also recall how the Nazis were able to fled their countries of birth, escaped the sub- seize power in Germany, proclaim a virulent sequent Holocaust, and have since created ideology of Aryan superiority, confer racial new lives in Canada, the United States, and inferiority on those they held in disfavor, and Sweden. inflict terrible suffering upon the world as a It is difficult to imagine a time when sheer result. barbarism prevailed on such a scale— Humanism vigorously maintains that all whether at the hands of Hitler or Stalin. Yet it human beings are equal in dignity and value, is well that we remember the depths of human and that it is morally wrong to seek to divest depravity that even cultured and educated any group—whether on racial, ethnic, reli- people can slip into, and the need to be vigi- gious, national, or cultural grounds—of lant against any recurrence of fascist preju- human rights. dice and intolerance. Humanism today advocates the building of The articles we present below are especially a world community and the development of a instructive today, for there are ugly new racist global ethics that transcends ethnic differ- views again being heard; and there are shrill ences and recognizes that all human beings voices calling for new forms of "ethnic are entitled to share in the liberties and cleansing," whipping up nationalistic, reli- opportunities afforded by the democratic gious, and racial hatred. Extremists, whether community. in Europe Yugoslavia, the former Soviet Those who oppose these ethical values are Union, France, etc.—the United States, or the enemies of humankind. Africa have issued frightening appeals to tribal chauvinism. Equally disturbing are —Paul Kurtz

Summer 1995 19 new director, Herr Groiss. The day after the Anschluss ("the join- Why I Am Immune ing," a euphemism for annexation), our greatly admired German teacher, Professor Hans Weber, enters class and joyously to Mysticism rushes to embrace a student in the front row. For weeks, in the wake of Hitler's ultimatum demanding Austrian chancellor Schuschnigg abort his plebiscite on Paul Pfalzner Austria's independence, the pro-Nazi underground had been at work and many ¡‘Cervus, Otto! Servus, Kurt!"— students had worn the banned Swastika "Servus, Paul." At the corner, we pin under their lapels; now it is out in the always shake hands and go home our sep- open. On the streets, the soldiers sing, and arate ways. Servus, our usual greeting, is shouts are heard: "Ein Folk, ein Reich, ein both hello and goodbye among friends— Führer!" or, Whir danken unserm handy! More formally, we would say, Führer!" or, "Sieg Heil!" repeated over "Grüss Gott" or "Guten Tag," and "Auf and over. On billboards, Cardinal Innitzer Wiedersehen"; a man would greet a lady of Vienna appears, saying we should all with "Küss die Hand, gnädie Frau," and welcome the Anschluss with Germany. he would raise her hand to his lips. Did he actually say this, or is it propa- I am in the fifth form of the Badner ganda? A few weeks earlier, he had sup- Realschule, a modern type of Gym- ported Austria's continuing independence. nasium, just three years from Matura, the My grandmother, Frau Berta Hofman, final exam before admission to university. has a house near the Josefsplatz and the Life is peaceful in Baden, the old spa Café Schopf where the gypsy orchestra town of about 22,000, a former Hapsburg plays every afternoon. In grandmother's summer residence. The main streets bear garden, there are small fruit trees—plump names like Kaiser-Franz-Josef Ring, red cherry, a delicious winter pear, quince, Erzherzog-Rainer Ring, Kaiser-Franz "Ideas that cannot be defended by and a walnut tree—we always get stained Ring (confusing to foreigners!), and reason and evidence can lead fingers when breaking open the outer Erzherzog Wilhelm Ring; the hot sulfur- anywhere, and, if there is no green rind—plum and mulberry, red cur- bath hotels are called Johannesbad, warrant for one's belief, there is no rant bushes, and strawberries, and a Karolinenbad, Josefsbad, Franzensbad, telling where it will end." Reine-Claude greengage. At the entrance Herzogsbad. There is the famous to the large garden shed stand life-size Kurpark, on the edge of the Vienna Cremeschnitten and Schaumrollen. busts of Emperor Franz Josef and his Woods, with the Flower Clock, bandstand Baden is a quiet town, usually, and wife, Elisabeth. My sister and I had set up and afternoon concerts for the Kurgäste, more so now in the thirties. The world our own puppet theater there to perform the statues of the two waltz kings Josef economic crisis, as we call the Depres- for friends. The back of the garden ends Lanner and Johann Strauss, the Beethoven sion, coming after the horrendous infla- on the banks of the Schwechat River—my Belvedere, the Ondine mermaid fountain tion of the twenties, has devastated the cousin Xander told me once that the (always somewhat eerie to me), the sum- middle class, and there is massive unem- Romans, who knew Baden as Aquae, a mer theater, the large Trinkhalle where the ployment. Fewer foreign visitors now thermal spa for the garrison, gave this waters are taken (to me, the warm sulfur come for the cure. name—meaning "the stinking"—to the water served in small glasses tastes sick- One day, we no longer say "Servus!" It river thanks to the sulfurous smell in some ening), and the new casino where my is March 1938, the Anschluss. For days, parts of the stream. The Schwechat valley, mother, soon after it first opened, had won starting at six o'clock in the morning, we the Helenental, is our favorite for our by putting her last roulette jetons on num- hear men marching along the streets, many walking excursions; there are rob- ber 18, my birthday! She came home joy- singing martial songs, some quite new, ber castle ruins along the slopes on both fully with some of my favorite pastries, like the Horst-Wessel song, the Nazi sides, country taverns and inns with sweet hymn; the words can't be made out easily fresh butter, cheese, and crusty bread. Paul M. Pfalzner, author of more than fifty because we keep everything shut, but one Twelve kilometers up the valley lies the scientific articles and books, is a research line becomes clear: "Wenn's Judenblut village of Mayerling, where Crown Prince and medical physicist who has worked in vom Messer spritzr" (when Jewish blood Rudolf and Marie Vetsera took their lives Canada, Austria, and for international squirts from the knife). At my school, staff at an imperial hunting lodge. Beethoven agencies. He is a past president of the and students walk along the corridor rais- often walked in the Helenental and fin- Humanist Association of Canada. ing arms stiffly—"Heil Hitler!" We have a ished the Ninth Symphony in Baden.

20 FREE INQUIRY I am at my grandmother's house on low students talk to me. (how to find the fare or a ship?); France Braitnerstrasse one afternoon in March At the end of June, I receive my year- (up to a point); or the United States (with when several men with Swastika armbands end report card and I am, as usual, among a difficult and rigid quota system) are barge in and demand to look in all the the Vorzugsschüler, those having the high- soon swamped by desperate applicants. rooms. I have my left leg in a plaster cast est grades, and this includes the laudatory Canada certainly makes no attempt to from a skiing accident I had in February in remark: "The student is excellently suited open its borders to fleeing refugees. the Styria mountains, and the men leave me for promotion to the next form." But there Traveling across Germany, past alone. But they clear out grandmother's is a note at the end of the report, a stamp Cologne, finally reaching the border, Miss bookcases—demanding bedsheets from us and superimposed large Swastika, signed Hope's little group breathes a sigh of relief. to do so—carrying away Goethe, Schiller, by the new director, saying that I have, The Belgian customs officer looks at me Lenau, Heine, Rilke, Stifter, Hauptmann, fully in accordance with the regulations, and the six girls, and settling on Miss Thomas Mann, Shakespeare, Wilde, declared my de-registration. I cannot con- Hope, asks: "All these are your family?" Bulwer-Lytton, Shaw, Pearl Buck, Jules tinue my schooling anywhere. "Pourquoi vous ne pas coupez la gorge de Verne, Tolstoi, Lagerlof, Ibsen, Defoe, During the summer, life gets worse. cet Hitler?" ("Why don't you cut Hitler's Swift, Mark Twain, Kipling, van Loon, and Many people are arrested or disappear, are throat?") he finally comments after exam- many more. Ever since I could read, I had beaten, their businesses closed, property ining our papers. We are silent—we aren't loved reading many of these books. One of taken. Soon the news media, public sure we are safely out of Germany. the intruders looks at a book title—Briefe offices, universities, social institutions In my new life in England, I take the an Gott—and shakes his head. Perhaps and clubs, arts organizations, large and train every morning, or bicycle on good they are short of books for the public book small businesses—all are brutally days, to Southampton and walk to burnings now going on in town. After they "cleansed" of independent, non-submis- Tauntons' School, at first much handi- leave, grandmother gives her good silver- sive, or non-Aryan persons; everyone who capped by my insufficient English. In the ware for safekeeping to the concierge, Frau remains is cowed by displays of state ter- summer of 1939, Mrs. Stapleton moves to Gruber. Calling the police would have been ror and violence. The Führer's hypnotic South Wales, to a house in the village of useless—my grandmother, one of six chil- rantings are heard on radio as he rouses Reynoldston; I attend co-ed Gowerton dren of Eveline and Leopold Steinhaus, the masses to fever pitch. "Sieg Heil! Sieg Intermediate School, and I am much more chief engineer of the Imperial and Royal Heil!" they chant frenziedly over and comfortable now with my English. My Austrian Railways, is non-Aryan! over. I start taking private English lessons; stay in England, pleasant as it is, will last Soon, everywhere—in newspapers, on I have had four years of French and one less than two years. In the fall of 1939, the radio, on placards—we read and hear year of English at school—my teacher, a war starts in Europe; before a special tri- about the purity of blood, the unsurpassed quiet young man, comes to our house with bunal, a British magistrate pronounces me greatness of the pure Aryan race and the a book called Colloquial English. I try to to be a "friendly alien." Nevertheless, in Herrenrasse, the inferiority of all others— enroll in apprentice programs to learn a June 1940, early one morning, two plain- especially Jews, non-whites, and Slays, trade, but this too is impossible. clothes officers come for me. I am but also the French and Americans—and In December 1938, a few months after interned, and, with several hundred other the horrible crime of mixing races. We are my fifteenth birthday, I leave Vienna by refugees, transported by ship on a ten-day reminded to be forever grateful to our train for London, together with six girls crossing to Canada. Here I stay in intern- great Führer, whom a wise destiny has and Miss Margaret Hope, a British ment camps for another eighteen months. provided to guide the Thousand Year Quaker who had come to Vienna for In early 1942, I am released, through the Reich to ever greater glory. refugee relief work. English friends—the efforts of Senator Cairine Wilson's At school, if your name is not quite Stapletons, whose youngest son had some refugee aid committee, to live with a German, or worse, Jewish, you are looked years before stayed as an exchange stu- Canadian family in Toronto. at askance and can be kicked around. In dent with the family of one of my great I will not see my mother for ten years, my class, we have students named uncles in Vienna—have invited me to live and my grandmother never again—she is Holuba, Blazizek, Toth, Watzka, Ewy, and with them at Swanwick near Southamp- deported in 1942, after she has to give up they are suspect; Fröhlich tells everyone ton. As a student, I am able to get a British her house and move to Vienna. The he is not Jewish. I am not yet a suspect, visa but only if a family there is found International Red Cross later tell us she but my time is coming. who is able to support me and send me to was sent to a death camp in Poland. One day at school, we are told that school. I am lucky. For adults, it is almost every student must provide proof that all impossible to enter England except as a f course, these events leave their four grandparents are Aryan. A week later, domestic servant or farmhand, or if one Omark on my thinking—not immedi- my mother goes to inform our form happens to be well known in the arts or ately, but over time. It's not hard to see teacher, Professor Weber, that I don't sciences. Very few countries are willing to why I am suspicious of mass movements qualify. I have always been one of the top accept refugees from Nazi Germany, and and uninformed and uncritical thinking. students in his German, French, and those that do, like Newfoundland (med- Mass thinking easily turns into mass English classes; now he orders me to sit ical doctors only); Colombia and a few insanity. Groups can too readily be alone in the back row, and few of my fel- other South American countries; China swayed by appeals to irrational beliefs Summer 1995 21 and slogans. So when something becomes anywhere, and, if there is no warrant for gerous and suspect and can never be a sub- highly popular, I keep my distance—usu- one's belief, there is no telling where it will stitute for intelligent thought and reflection. ally it turns out to be nonsense or worse. end. A person has no right to opinions unless At the same time, I insist—because When everybody seems to agree on some the duty is accepted to become informed some may deride this attitude as a plea for public matter, I feel sure something is first, to attempt at least to examine their "pure reason"—that such a stand in no wrong; when all the news media agree, validity. One must resist adopting a view- way derogates from the expression and more often than not, they are wrong. point if there is no reliable evidence for intensity of the normal gamut of emotions I feel very uneasy whenever I come believing it, no matter whose authority has and feelings evoked by all human rela- across any forms of mysticism, or feelings proclaimed it, or how readily it fits one prej- tions and reactions to life, the arts, and the based on nothing more than faith or intu- udices, fears, or dislikes, or, for that matter, terrible yet beautiful world we inhabit. ition, visions or dreams. Ideas that cannot be is soothing, flattering, or comforting. My grandmother would have under- defended by reason and evidence can lead Mysticism in whatever form is always dan- stood.

youngest and most insignificant among Doing the Right Thing the colorful international research staff. Hardly had we arrived in the idyllic coast village of Taarbaek, still exhilarated by the joy of having crossed an interna- George and Eva Klein tional boundary with an ease that seemed almost unbelievable, when we asked n December 1948, we were twenty- moment before the long Stalinist night about the first thing we wanted to see: the Ithree-year-old medical students, still try- descended on our native country. We Frihedsmuseum, which commemorated ing to understand the consequences of some decided to forget the war, including the the Danish resistance. And that is where momentous decisions made during the pre- Holocaust that killed our grandmothers and Dr. Andresen, himself a former member vious year. In the middle of our medical George's paternal and Eva's maternal fam- of the resistance movement, first took us. studies at the University of Budapest, in our ily. Both of us also lost many friends and We could hardly believe our eyes. native city, George was unexpectedly other relatives, but we miraculously sur- How could this have happened? How invited to join a Jewish student group and vived, escaping death camp transports in could non-Jews have behaved toward their prepared to visit universities in war-untorn different ways and muddling through with Jewish population under Nazi pressure the Sweden. Eight days before his departure, false papers. We decided to suppress these way the Danes did? How could they have we met and fell in love. We promised each memories and devote ourselves to our new acted collectively, in spite of the murder- other to reunite in Sweden. life, to the new country, the attractive but to ous threat to themselves and their fami- In Stockholm, George found a haven in us largely unknown jungle of science, and lies? And first and foremost, why were the the Cell Research Department of the the children we were going to have. Danes not anti-Semitic, or at least indif- Karolinska Institute, led by one of the pio- And so it went. We had three children. ferent like the Hungarians? Today, young neers of modern cell chemistry, Torbjörn Only one of our decisions failed to work. people ask the opposite: how could appar- Caspersson. Eva was still in Budapest, We could not suppress the memory of our ently decent, civilized people perform, where the situation was changing from day murdered relatives, nor the two-thirds of participate in, or at least tolerate the mass to day as the Iron Curtain was closed. After our Jewish classmates and friends who killing of their Jewish subpopulation? various adventures that have been never came back from the slave labor Nils gave us some books on the Danish described elsewhere (G. Klein, E. Klein: camps. We were also unable to forget the resistance, which we devoured. But his "How One Thing Has Led to Another," indifference (if not worse) of the non- personal stories were even more impor- Ann Rev Immunol 7:1-33, 1989), George Jewish population—some wonderful tant. He told us about the organization of returned to Budapest. We married in secret, exceptions notwithstanding. the resistance movement and his own cell, and moved to Stockholm at the last the decision-making process, and the oproaching Christmas in 1948, our transmission of orders. At one point, George And Eva Klein are in the Alirst year in Sweden, a Danish/ Nils's cell suspected that a new member Department of Tumor Biology at Karo- English cell biologist couple from the was an infiltrator, working for the linska Institute in Stockholm, which Carlsberg Laboratory in Copenhagen, Germans. They accidentally discovered George has headed for more than three Nils and Cicily Andresen, who were that the man had a protective German cer- decades. Born in prewar Hungary, working as guest researchers in tificate, only given to important agents in George Klein was raised in Budapest in Caspersson's department, invited us to the Nazi system. They reported their an intellectually prominent Jewish family. experience a real Danish Christmas with observations to the leadership of the resis- His books include The Atheist and the them and Nils's parents. We had never tance movement, using the same cell net- Holy City, and Pieta. He is a member of been in Denmark and found the invitation work as for the transmission of messages the Academy of Humanism. exciting, also because we were the and orders. Only one immediate contact

22 FREE INQUIRY was known to the leader of each cell away to be shot, tied together two and two. was not hostile; his tone was almost within the network. (This may seem cum- They were fired on in the cold darkness, friendly. But he would not let George go. bersome in our present world of facsimile and their bodies, dead or still alive, were How could he, as long as he decided to technology, but it worked with great speed pushed into the river. believe what he was told? and efficiency.) Why? Because they were Jews. What The resistance movement had its own reason is that? A prisoner himself, George hy did the Danes refuse to believe court of justice. It examined the evidence tried to discuss the matter on November 3, Wwhat the Germans and their own that had been submitted by Nils's group, 1944, with one of the Arrow Cross guards Nazis were telling them? Because they found it convincing, and condemned the of his own age (nineteen). At this point he used their own judgment? Because of their man to death. had been in a slave labor camp on the east aversion to the Germans, particularly after The sentence had to be executed by the side of the Danube with other youngsters the occupation? But Hungarians were not cell that reported the case. Nils and his and old men for the three preceding particularly fond of Germans either and friends decided by lottery who was to fire the weeks. Most men between eighteen and their country was also occupied. Did the shot. They knew the way the traitor walked sixty had been taken to the murderous mil- Danes resist en masse because they were to work every morning. A few minutes itary slave camps on the Russian front long less influenced by their early education in before he was to pass, two of them entered a before. The night of November 2 they Christianity? Had they not been taught as shop on his route. They pulled their pistols were suddenly taken across the river, young children that the Jews murdered and told the owner and his assistant that they which meant transport to a death camp, if Jesus? Perhaps they did not regard the represented the resistance movement. "No not a death march on foot. George had Jews any differently from other Danes? need to pull your guns, we are on your side," read a secret report on Auschwitz several Nils told us about a Jewish woman who was the answer. When the infiltrator walked months before and had no illusions. After was very famous in Copenhagen because by, the appointed executor fired a fatal shot a forced march all next day, they were kept she was 103 years old. Fru Pedersen was from the inside of his pocket. Seconds later on a heavily guarded football field for a the oldest citizen of the country. She could the shop was closed, and everybody disap- not be taken to Sweden because of her age, peared from the scene, including the passers- but was hidden in Denmark. Every time "We are unanimous in by who immediately understood that they the resistance carried out an act of sabo- condemning the Nazi period and had witnessed an act by the resistance. When tage, the official propaganda always its horrendous crimes, but implicit the German police arrived a few minutes claimed that it was done by hidden Jews. in this condemnation is that we later, they could find no witnesses. The Danes looked at each other and who speak today take it for Listening to Nils, we came to think of smiled. It must have been Fru Pedersen. granted that we would have very different shootings. We remembered Was it the Danes' ability to make jokes behaved differently under the the mass killing of defenseless Jews by the and laugh even in the most abysmal situa- same circumstances." militia of the Arrow Cross, many of whom tions that made them resist the Nazis? Was were teenagers, on the shores of the it their inability to take the whole system, Danube in Budapest in December 1944. while in the evening. At one of the gates including one's own position in it, too seri- With the pounding of Russian artillery was a young Arrow Cross man. He did not ously? Nils showed us some photographs, already clearly audible in a distance, they look particularly fierce, in spite of his taken by members of the resistance. The celebrated their amorphous and aimless machine gun and hand grenades. George Germans were about to start the building of murderous orgies night after night. The started talking to him and he responded. a broad Autobahn that was to run across large icy river served as the silent recepta- "For what crime am I kept here?" Denmark. It was obviously important for cle of their victims. To the once so idyllic George asked. the war traffic, but the official propaganda shores of the Danube, the favorite prome- "How would I know? You must be spoke about it as a major step toward nade of young lovers, they brought all the guilty if you are here," he said. increased Danish-German collaboration Jews they could catch during the day. They "But we are not here because we com- after the war. The Danish puppet govern- pulled them out from their "illegal" hiding mitted a crime. I am here because I am ment was represented at the opening of the places and their legal ghetto dwellings. Jew," George told him. Autobahn work by one of its ministers, who Whenever they could, they also caught "Your people have committed terrible appeared together with high German offi- some of the protected inhabitants of the crimes against the rest of the world," he cers. The minister was about to throw the international ghetto. The Swedish houses responded. first sod in the presence of a large crowd. of Raoul Wallenberg and their neighbors "Are you sure that this is true? And if Members of the resistance made sure that that carried the flags of the Vatican, the other persons committed crimes, is that his spade was sawed off in the middle. It International Red Cross, and some other my responsibility?" broke on the first dig. The photos show him neutral nations inspired by Wallenberg's "Yes it is. Your people have committed looking utterly bewildered with the two example were repeatedly raided. If the terrible crimes. You are all responsible." pieces of the broken spade, one in each protectors were not physically present to There was some uneasiness in the sol- hand. Two German generals stand next to rescue them in time, as Wallenberg often dier's voice. He clung to the slogans he him, one on each side, with stony faces. A was, some Jews were quickly snatched was taught and used them as a shield. He large crowd of Danes surround them—chil- Summer 1995 23 dren, men and women, young and old, November 1944 when the Russian army any yellow star, and hoped to sneak in and laughing, laughing, laughing. had already occupied Eastern and Central out of the house unseen. But as she was This incident could never have hap- Hungary: "The great turning point has about to enter, one of the most infamous pened in Hungary. Many jokes were cir- come at last. I have just heard that our anti-Semites in the neighborhood—a mid- culated, but they were strictly compart- armored train has reentered Miskole. The dle-aged, vulgar lady who was in charge of mentalized. There were jokes among the Russians will start running back in no enforcing Nazi orders in the block, walked victims, among the perpetrators, and time." On Christmas Eve a month later all out of the door. Eva thought that she would within the passive and indifferent major- electricity was cut off because the Russian immediately hand her over to the police or ity. The ruling circles and their puppets armies had surrounded Budapest. No offi- the Arrow Cross for not wearing the yel- played their assigned roles with the servil- cial notice was given on the radio or in the low star and moving illegally. Instead, the ity that has become second nature in a papers. All trams were standing still while lady shouted at her, commanding her to nation that has lived under Turkish, large crowds of pedestrians were moving leave in the most abusive and obscene Austrian, and other foreign rulers for cen- along the main streets. Two men walked terms provided by the rich Hungarian lan- turies. Hungarians have maintained their and wondered about a heavily armed guage. She pretended that Eva was a crim- unique language and their cultural iden- troop of Hungarian soldiers, with helmets inal intruder. Eva walked away dejectedly, tity, remarkably enough, but they have left and full combat equipment, moving only to learn the next day that Arrow Cross heroism to others, at least when it came to toward the eastern suburbs. "Where do men were in the house at the time she the "Jewish question." They paid only lip you think they are going?" one said. The arrived, collecting all the Jews. One step service to mercy and compassion, if at all, other answered, "Surely, they must be through the entrance and into the court- and then only as a formal concession to looking for hidden Jews." yard and she would have run directly into religion. True compassion was only felt They were not joking. This was not the arms of Arrow Cross. toward members of the same ethnic and like the Danish comment about Fru social group, and sometimes only the few days after Christmas, the Soviets immediate family. The relatively few bril- "We must never forget the Aopened up sporadic artillery fire liant exceptions only confirmed the rule. non-conformist martyrs of against Budapest itself piano, piano, A month later, George was moving conscience who maintained their with a very slow crescendo, hardly notice- around in Budapest, wearing the fake uni- stand, whether they were able at first. Forte and fortissimo were still form of a paramilitary organization and scientists, poets, or just ordinary a few weeks ahead. George was walking carrying false papers. He often overheard citizens, and we must keep asking from Buda towards Pest, hoping to cross the conversations of people on the what made all the difference." one of the great bridges. All bridges had tramway or on the street. On one occasion been mined by the Germans, to be blown the tram passed by a group of elderly Jews, Pedersen. After all, everybody knew all up a couple weeks later. Civilians could wearing the yellow star and surrounded by the trouble was due to the Jews. If Jews only pass in groups, under military escort. the machine gun-carrying youngsters of could be deported to the last person, if no While he was standing among the people the Arrow Cross. He heard a passenger traitors would have hidden any of them, waiting for the soldiers, some Russian exclaim: "Will I be happy when the last of all would be well. artillery hit the field near the bridgehead. them is driven out of my country!" The famous Hungarian novelist, The soldiers ordered them to lie down flat But another day, when George was Sándor Márai, wrote in his diary in May in a ditch. One of them, in German uni- standing in front of the synagogue, now 1944 (published under the title Napló form, shouted in heavily accented transformed into the entrance to the 1943-44, Budapest, 1945) the following Hungarian, characteristic for one of the ghetto, wearing the same disguise and (our translation): German-speaking minority groups: "You anxiously surveying the large crowd of old bloody fools, don't you see where the You cannot talk to the people. It is just Jews being herded through the gate to see like discussing with somebody who is wishy-washy policy of Horthy has led whether he could spot his mother and step- dead drunk or crazy. The Hungarian your country? Had he only committed father, a Budapest policeman, who took middle class has gone crazy and got Hungary wholeheartedly to the German him for an idle onlooker, suddenly whis- drunk from the Jewish question. The war effort and gotten rid of all the Jews, pered to him in an angry voice: "Can't you Russians are in Körösmezö, the British the Russians would not be here." Had the and the Americans are above Budapest, get the hell out of here, lad? I would give while this society behaves like foaming man ever taken a look at the map? anything if I were allowed to move away morons and can speak of nothing else At few months later, while Denmark rather than look at this misery." than the Jews. was still under German occupation, the How far can people be driven by indoc- sirens blew the air raid alarm in trination? George remembers the sturdy, Not that anti-Semitic individuals could Copenhagen. Several planes flew over the middle-aged man with a moustache, look- not act occasionally against their doctrine, city at high altitude. Their identity could ing like a country squire with the small if taken up by emotion. Eva had tried to not be discerned from the ground. A large hunter's hat, complete with the appropri- visit her parents in the "yellow star house" number of leaflets fell over the city. Their ate feathers, trying to comfort an appar- the day before they were to be taken to the Danish text pretended to originate from ently anxious neighbor on the tram in late ghetto. She had false papers, did not wear the Allied Forces, preparing to liberate

24 FREE INQUIRY Copenhagen. They warned the population The small third group is the most inter- condone the actions of the perpetrators of that the shortage of military manpower esting. These people chose to persevere Nazi crimes—far from it. But we must made it impossible to send Western sol- and continue to work and speak as scien- continuously remind ourselves and each diers to this particular front. Colored sol- tists, even though they knew that it would other about the fragility of our compassion diers would have to be brought in from the lead to deportation, slave labor, and death. and altruism, the often proudly proclaimed British and French colonies, and Soviet Today the Russian Academy of Sciences "virtues" of our species, particularly under soldiers from Mongolia and other regions is on Vavilov Street, named after the conditions of stress. of the Far East. It was the hope of the greatest among them. Their response to There has always been and will always Allied Forces that the Danish population ideological coercion and persecution can be a small number of courageous people would excuse the rapes, the looting, and be compared to "nightingale fever" of who will follow their own moral principles. other acts of violence that would be, most Mandelstam, Akhmatova, and other great But the majority will conform to the exist- unfortunately, unavoidable under the cir- Russian dissident poets who continued to ing Zeitgeist whose changes can shift the cumstances. write in full knowledge of the fate that behavior of a given population within a rel- The resistance quickly identified the awaited them, like the legendary nightin- atively limited time span. The difference in source of the leaflets. They had been gale that continued to sing while a thorn the behavior of the Japanese towards pris- printed in Denmark, obviously by the pierced her heart. oners of war during the first and second Germans or their Danish puppets. The None of us has the right to assume that world wars may illuminate this point. next day, a surprisingly large number of we would have behaved as heroes in situa- Prisoners were treated well during the first Danish postal service trucks delivered tions we have never experienced, no mat- war. Only a few decades later, this seem- mail addressed to the German Embassy. It ter how high an opinion we entertain about ingly gentle nation, whose polite manners became a great pastime for the citizens of and often deep friendship many Westerners Copenhagen to collect as many of the "We must continuously remind learned to appreciate so much, mishandled leaflets as possible, write tack laanet ourselves and each other about their POWs in the most brutal ways. The ("Thank you for having lent us this") on the fragility of our compassion human experiments conducted in the them and mail them to the German and altruism, the often proudly Manchurian camps are comparable to the Embassy. proclaimed `virtues' of our worst Nazi experiments. This difference species, particularly under between the two wars has been explained ow did the Danes become more conditions of stress. There has by a change in the general attitude (C. G. Himmune to the nonsensical and always been and will always be a Roland, Medical Science Without Com- Hamburg: childish propaganda that found such a fer- small number of courageous passion, Past and Present tile ground among the Hungarians? By people who will follow their own Hamburger Stiftung for Sozialgeschichte 1992, pp. 169-200). more education? Or—not necessarily a moral principles." des 20, Jahrhunderts, correlate of education—by acquiring the At the time of the First World War, Japan habit of making up their own minds on the had only recently emerged from two cen- basis of common sense, observation, and our own moral standards. But we must turies of isolation and was still keen to logic? Or by having more intelligent, never forget the non-conformist martyrs of strengthen its ties with the outside world. more respected, or more honest leaders? conscience who maintained their stand, Two decades later, the military rulers had Education is certainly not the answer whether they were scientists, poets, or just revived parts of the Samurai spirit, includ- alone. Even highly educated people show a ordinary citizens, and we must keep ask- ing the cult of heroism. Within this value whole spectrum of responses under stress. ing what made all the difference. system, it is shameful to be taken prisoner. The response of the Soviet geneticists to We are unanimous in condemning the The Japanese did not expect or wish that the official canonization of Lysenko and Nazi period and its horrendous crimes, but their own soldiers should be treated well his "Mitchurin biology" is relevant in this implicit in this condemnation is that we after they had been taken prisoner. Their respect. When Lysenko's nonsensical theo- who speak today take it for granted that we duty was to commit suicide and not to sur- ries were declared official by the Central would have behaved differently under the render. Therefore, all POWs deserved bad Committee of the Communist Party in same circumstances. In thinking so, we are treatment as unworthy cowards. 1948, it became dangerous for scientists conforming to the spirit of our own time not to comply with it or, as it was called, to and our society, however. What are our cre- t is hard to avoid the conclusion that the persevere with "objectivistic" science. dentials that permit the claim that we Idesire to conform is the heart of the Roughly speaking, there were three types would have acted differently if our position problem. The Institute of Behavioral of reactions. The majority went along and and social status, the respect we enjoy from Studies of Yale University, where the betrayed their science. Some only paid lip our peers and fellow citizens, and perhaps famous "electric chair" experiments of service to the official doctrine and became even the love of those who were most Milgram et al. were conducted, has also essentially inactive while others went out important to us would have been at stake? performed less widely known but equally of their way to "prove" the nonsense. A How much would we have been willing to or perhaps even more important studies on second group left genetics and moved to risk? Our jobs, our freedom, our physical conformism. Volunteers were introduced less dangerous fields. integrity, our lives? I am not saying this to into groups that were said to consist of

Summer 1995 25 other volunteers, but were in reality mem- their own judgment. The choice of most know. But we don't, not really. You don't bers of the laboratory team. A teacher fig- Germans "to remain silent" and to go on until you are there. Then we react, sud- ure posed simple questions that a child with their "business as usual" attitude denly, decisively, enigmatically. Some- could have answered correctly. The dis- should not surprise anyone who has read times the result is better than you would guised members of the lab answered first about these experiments, conducted in a have thought, sometimes worse, but never and gave invariably the wrong answer. democratic society under conditions quite what was expected. Maybe we will Most volunteers regularly "traveled where disagreement with the group would never learn. But meanwhile, let us teach along" with the group, without realizing not have been dangerous. our children to use their own minds. And the manifest absurdity of their answers How would we, you and I, our friends let us remind them of the Danes. They pro- and without any obvious inclination to use and colleagues, behave? We may think we vide a ray of hope that we all badly need.

migrations, unrelenting hardships, and Protecting the Children fears for his life. He even survived nearly three years in Auschwitz, whence he had been deported from southern France. But in the process, he lost the desire to ever Vera Freud consider Germany as his homeland again. As we all know, a child takes every- et me paraphrase Bertrand Russell thing in and carries in him or her as a Land suggest that a freethinking and future adult the potential of many splen- humanist course of action is inspired by dored returns. Herein lies its strength, but love and guided by reason. Conse- also the danger if no possibility is given to quently, we affirm that attitudes based on the child to develop his or her critical hatred, irrationality, and violence, such thinking equally with his or her limbs. as those recently displayed toward Without critical thinking, there is no free refugees and emigrants in many coun- thought, no free choice, and no responsi- tries, are not only contrary to humanism ble self-determination—the necessary but also, from whatever angle viewed, basis for a conscious and freely chosen socially and economically counter- humanistic lifestance. productive. To freethinking humanists, the child I find French comedian Raymond first and foremost has the right to be wel- Devos's description of xenophobia--that comed into the world and raised as a free insane behavior—very funny: he tells us and universal being who is not the prop- that he has "a xenophobic friend; a friend erty of parents, church, political party, or who hates foreigners so much that when state, and, therefore, not born guilty of the he goes to their country he can't stand deeds of any of them. himself." "To freethinking humanists, the This entails a special responsibility for So, however sweet the Allied libera- child first and foremost has the freethinking humanists, especially within tion of Europe felt at the time—to us sur- right to be welcomed into the world the frame of the present new waves of vivors, refugees, and emigrants exiled all and raised as a free and universal emigration, to take care of the physical over the world due to the Nazi regime—I being who is not the property of and mental well-being of children from have not forgotten the frightful sound of parents, church, political party, or either mixed or nonaligned, nonconfes- tramping boots and harsh orders shouted state, and, therefore, not born guilty sional, or nonpartisan parentage. These in a foreign language (whether under- of the deeds of any of them:' children are usually doubly vulnerable stood or not they had to be obeyed on and victimized by established social pain of death). They resound with the same horror in any human heart exposed orders and easily fall between the cracks to similar circumstances. when they are seeking asylum and in need Vera Freud is a retired teacher of modern Although my father was born in the of organized help. Consequently, they are, languages and literature, an Inter- same German city as my mother, he had more than any others, dependent on anti- national Humanist and Ethical Union not only to flee his homeland, on account discriminatory international conventions Permanent Representative to UNESCO of his opinions and lifestance, but also the for protection during strife and armed 1987-1993, and a patron of Child Haven then widespread German slaughterhouse, conflicts. International. Now living in Canada, she because he had been designated by law a Dear friends, this is only a simple call is an active member of the Humanist Jew. to planetary human solidarity and to non- Association of Canada. He survived long decades of constant violent, concrete action.

26 FREE INQUIRY They were generally those more "with it," more industrious, and above all more Exiled Reason affluent than my parents. Healthy anti- Semites limited themselves to being only as anti-Semitic as was absolutely neces- sary—necessary, that is, if Jews were to Kurt Baier be excluded from certain sectors of public life and the social and business worlds. was raised in Austria in a petit-bour- Healthy anti-Semitism was contrasted to Igeois, conservative, and strict Catholic the "excessive" variety, which carried family. Our small house was furnished opposition to Jews beyond this plainly with inherited Biedermeier furniture, necessary minimum. We were all familiar already grown a bit shabby. The walls with indisputable examples of it. There were hung with a few portraits of ladies was, for instance, the numerus clausus and gentlemen—said to be ancestors—in (quota system), which kept Jews out of Biedermeier clothing, copies of Dutch medicine and law: one would not, after masters, and several framed postcards all, want to have one's wife examined by from Johannes Brahms, in which he a Jew. There were also clear examples of promises to come over to play chamber excessive anti-Semitism, for instance, that music. My stepfather—my real father espoused by Schönerer. And there were died when I was quite young—was very borderline cases, such as Lueger, who musical and was particularly proud of might be classified in either way. I knew these postcards, which had been sent to a how to rate these gentlemen before I knew distant relative. He played the cello and what measures they actually proposed. the flute and sang in a Catholic men's Politically naïve as I was, this healthy choir. Although he was not fond of anti-Semitism appeared to me to be self- evening parties, there was usually cham- evidently sound. Of course, we had ber music on Thursday evenings. Jewish friends, but they were obviously Although less musical, my mother played "lt seems right, then, to consider quite different from the typical Jews about the piano on these occasions, having been those Austrians who fled less whom we read so much in the papers. taught by an aunt who was supposedly the admirable than those who stayed You can, then, picture my emotions last pupil of Liszt. But my mother's great to take part in active resistance. upon discovering, when examining the rel- passion was literature. Her favorite author ... We must take into account that evant documents just before the Anschluss, was Thomas Mann, whose voice often most left involuntarily and under that my real father was, by Nazi definitions, came through clearly in her letters. most inauspicious conditions, that most likely a "full" Jew or, at the very least, I mention all this to give you a picture many later joined in the struggle a "half' Jew. Almost nothing, I believe, can of the cultural interests and general out- against Hitler from abroad, and make the concept of injustice clearer to a look of my family. We were apolitical in that many found, in emigrating, person than involuntary membership in a the sense that we knew little about politics not the new life they dreamed group against which the law and public and wanted to know nothing more. Like about, but ruin." opinion practice strict discrimination. It many people of this kind, we were con- then became clear to me in a flash—as was vinced that our outlook and our political as I had a spiritual home, it was the eigh- not clear to many so-called Aryans at that opinions sprang directly from our good teenth-century Enlightenment, while they time and perhaps remains unclear to them sense, which we regarded as nonpartisan probably would have felt most content in even today—that racial laws such as the and morally superior. As I view it now, my the Biedermeier period. And of course I Nuremberg decrees, and also attitudes such own point of view was largely a reaction had a certain affinity for liberalism—in as healthy anti-Semitism, are unjust. This against that of my parents. I was vaguely any case, for that liberalism that wags insight is particularly hard to convey to oth- liberal, because they were conservative; define as the inability to stand up for one's ers when they hold high hopes of personal cosmopolitan, because they were patriotic own cause in a dispute. gain from the so-called Aryanization of and nationalistic; freethinking, because But something characteristically Aus- Jewish businesses. they were religious; and so forth. Insofar trian was added to this pallid form of In March 1938, in this utterly unsettled Enlightenment liberalism. Certain of my and disturbed state of mind, I awaited the Kurt Baier is Professor of Philosophy at many relatives—regular Sunday visitors inevitable. We all heard on the radio the the University of Pittsburgh and a member who occasionally discussed, besides the farewell address of our unbeloved chan- of the Academy of Humanism. He is former usual family gossip, more important mat- cellor, Dr. Schuschnigg, and listened in president of the American Philosophical ters of some general interest—leaned shock as the Austrian national anthem was Association, Eastern Division. toward so-called healthy anti-Semitism. played for the last time. Soon afterward

Summer 1995 27 we saw and heard the thunderous jubila- peddle my hopeless wares. But in June tion with which vast numbers of Austrians 1940, just as this new existence had greeted the arrival of the German troops opened up, I was interned, along with all and the "liberation" of Austria. Anyone other German and Austrian citizens. All who lived through this and witnessed the refugees were included, among them ruthless brutality and unbridled cruelty many who held important positions in the with which the elimination of all political British government, such as the well- opponents and the persecution, abuse, and known author Franz von Borkenau, to humiliation of Jews was carried out, at the mention only one. We were given a choice time of the Anschluss or soon thereafter, between waiting out the war in a concen- must forever harbor doubts about the tration camp on the English Isle of Man or much-sung golden hearts of the Viennese. of emigrating to Canada, where, we And anyone who observed the great and expected, we would find freedom. I, of certainly justified fear felt by many who course, chose Canada. Presumably be- had not been or who, like many of our cause of the chaos resulting from the acquaintances, could not make a cred- evacuation of the British troops after their itable pretense of having been, illegal Adolf Hitler disastrous defeat at Dunkirk, we ended up Nazis, was soon forced to recognize that to report, for fate took me quite unexpect- on a terrible ship for prisoners of war and this understandable fear would move edly to far-flung lands. But I must be brief, refugees, concerning which damning many Austrians to deny their politically for I still owe you an explanation of how I books and television films are still appear- compromised or Jewish friends, who thus arrived at philosophy and how my philo- ing, even after all these years. We soon had little hope of help from the so-called sophical career abroad is connected with learned that this ship, the Dunera, was to other Austria. It thus seemed advisable for the exile of the intelligentsia from Austria. go to Australia, not Canada. But here anyone not prepared to sacrifice his life To avoid misleading you about the life again we had great luck. The Dunera was out of political conviction in a battle of an emigrant, I must emphasize that I pursued by a German submarine and was against this unstoppable avalanche to van- was unusually lucky at critical turning hit by a torpedo which, however, failed to ish as quickly as possible. points. Each new blow that struck me explode. We experienced only a terrifying My worldly wise and affluent uncles and soon proved to be a blessing in disguise. noise, the powerful shock of the impact, aunts did in fact advise me to emigrate In August 1938, after overcoming many and hundreds of shattered plates, which while it was still possible, warning me that difficulties in Vienna, I received permis- were flung off their shelves. the position of Jews and those of mixed race sion to travel to England, where I planned After eight ghastly weeks we finally would probably become worse. They antic- to remain only briefly while awaiting a arrived in Sydney, wretched and starving. ipated the introduction of measures against visa for Brazil, which was, however, Everything we still owned when we "inferior" races, such as those against denied after a few months while I was still embarked had been stolen by the guards. I blacks in South Africa and the United in England. The blow hit me hard, as I had was barefoot, wearing a pair of green States. But the "final solution" was not sus- been quite confident I would eventually pajamas over the only underpants I still pected even by these shrewd realists, go to Brazil, where acquaintances pre- possessed. I owned nothing else. In worldly wise and free of illusion as they pared to help me. In England I could see Sydney we were immediately loaded onto were. In my fear and my revulsion at this no way to make a living. But just a few a long train that took us on an endless brutal regime, I had to concede that they days later I quite unexpectedly received journey through the backwoods of were right. Moreover, emigration aroused an English work permit. Australia. The land had been devastated in me certain romantic fantasies. I saw an My ecstasy was short-lived, for I soon by a terrible bushfire that had been burn- opportunity to flee the restricted conditions discovered that the firm proposing to ing over a year. Everywhere we looked the of this small, narrow-minded country, to employ me was assigning me the task of eucalyptus trees gleamed and flickered. acquaint myself with the wide world of selling something quite unsaleable. As I After almost two days we reached our unlimited possibilities, of rising new coun- was working on commission, I was again destination in the interior, which appeared tries and splendid opportunities, where I close to despair when a new miracle to be an immense desert. Two thousand would develop and use my talents. occurred. World War II, which had broken internees were corralled into a camp built out in 1939, gave my firm a substantial for one thousand. As we watched the mas- hese were, it seems to me, the reasons business opportunity. Our export trade, sive gates slam shut behind us, looked Tfor and causes of my emigration: the which had prospered during World War I through the tangle of barbed wire and saw end of my career in the law, the expecta- because the British fleet had been able to nothing but sand as far as the eye could tion that, as a person of mixed race, my intercept German imports to Indonesia, reach, and entered the primitive wooden position would worsen, and the challenge now revived for the same reason. My firm huts in which we were to await the end of of the unknown. needed someone to carry on business cor- the war, to find only one straw pallet for And now to the question, "How was respondence in German. I obtained this every two prisoners, I believed I must your life as an émigré?" Here I have much position and was relieved of having to indeed abandon all hope.

28 FREE INQUIRY But once again I was lucky. Several The second of the three was Douglas lease permit me to conclude with times we were moved to new camps. The Gasking, who taught me elementary logic, Pthree more general comments, admit- third, far better appointed than the first, philosophy of science, and epistemology, tedly without being able to furnish solid was in the Australian state of Victoria. and he became a lifelong friend. The third evidence for my claims. This state ran an enlightened study pro- was Alexander Cameron (Camo) Jackson, I believe that the influence of the phi- gram for people who lived too far from who revealed to me the mysteries of losophy developed by the Vienna Circle the capital, Melbourne, to attend classes at Wittgenstein's Blue and Brown Books. during the twenties and thirties upon phi- the university there. Such people were His lectures had a profound and lasting losophy throughout the world was greatly allowed to enroll as "external" (non-resi- influence on my philosophical outlook. increased by the emigration of its strongest dent) students. They received books and Within the space of a few years, I passed proponents. After leaving Austria, most of lecture notes, sent their essays to profes- the exams for my bachelor's and master's the Viennese philosophers taught in sors who conscientiously corrected them, degrees in philosophy, was appointed England, in other parts of the British and were eventually allowed to take their Assistant, then Assistant Lecturer in Commonwealth, and in America: examinations in the country as well. Philosophy, and was granted leave to Wittgenstein in Cambridge, Carnap in Through the intercession of a saintly study at Oxford for a doctoral degree, Chicago, Feigl in Minnesota, Neurath in woman, Margaret Holmes, of the which I received in 1952. That same year New York, Waismann in Oxford, and Australian Student Christian Movement, I accepted an invitation to Cornell Bergmann in Iowa. Popper, who was not to whom all internees in Australia owe University in New York State, but returned an actual member of the Vienna Circle, but eternal gratitude, we received permission to Melbourne after a most stimulating was influenced by its philosophy, taught in to enroll at the University of Melbourne as semester in America. In 1956 I was New Zealand during the Second World external first-year students. She got us the appointed Foundation Professor of Phi- War and later became professor in required books and lecture notes, ad- losophy at Canberra University College, London. Alfred Ayer, an Englishman who vanced us money for tuition, and arranged which later became part of the Australian had come to Vienna to study the doctrines for oral and written examinations to be National University. of logical positivism at their source, later administered in our camp. Thus it was In 1962 I was appointed chair of phi- taught in London and Oxford. Through that, while still a prisoner, I completed, losophy at the University of Pittsburgh, their own teaching and that of their numer- with three others, my first-year examina- where my assignment was to transform an ous and gifted students, who gained influ- tions. I had, of course, chosen Philosophy undistinguished philosophy department. ential posts in these English-speaking I, which had no prerequisites and was in Once again I was lucky. Two of my col- countries, they were able to present their any case my first choice. What I could not leagues already there turned out to be views to a wide-ranging, cultivated, and risk in Vienna, where it was hopeless in unusually gifted, ambitious, and enterpris- relatively open-minded public. I have those days for those without independent ing German émigrés. Adolf Grünbaum already mentioned George Paul, who means to embark on a career in philoso- from Cologne, who had studied physics brought Wittgenstein's approach to phy, was here no risk at all. and philosophy at Yale, was a student of Australia, where it quickly took root, not Shortly thereafter Japan attacked Pearl Carl Hempel. Hempel, a member of the only among philosophers, but most partic- Harbor and the United States declared war Berlin Circle and a disciple of ularly in the social sciences. Other mem- on Japan. Douglas MacArthur landed in Reichenbach, the Berlin Circle's great phi- bers of the Circle and their students were Australia, and a new miracle occurred. We losopher of science, had instilled in equally influential in their new university had been told that release in that country Grünbaum a love of philosophy of science environments. Had they remained in was unthinkable and illegal. But now and an admiration for Reichenbach. The Vienna, I doubt if their books and teaching every able-bodied person was needed for other, Nicholas Rescher, an emigrant from would have had the decisive influence in the war effort, and we were permitted to Hanover, studied with Hempel in Prince- the English-speaking world that gave them leave the camp to join the army. ton. Hempel, who as some of you will refuge. The members of the Vienna and After the armistice I concluded my know, had also studied in Vienna and a few Berlin Circles found in these two countries studies in philosophy at the University of years ago returned to Vienna to deliver a a more fertile cultural soil and a substan- Melbourne, where I first became ac- much-admired lecture about the accom- tially larger and more influential university quainted with the teachings of the Vienna plishments of the Vienna Circle, was until following than they could have hoped for Circle. Three of my professors had been recently one of the most respected, influ- in Austria and Germany. students of Wittgenstein at Cambridge. ential, and beloved members of our philos- This raises the question of whether One of them, George Paul, later became a ophy department in Pittsburgh. National Socialism actually wished to Fellow of University College, Oxford. He With the help of Grünbaum and expel the Jews and the intelligentsia who was married to the sister of the famous Rescher, we succeeded in building a large rejected it. I do not believe that racism in mathematician and philosopher F. P. faculty of first-class, world-famous philoso- general or the anti-Semitism that ignites Ramsey. From him I learned about basic phers, including Wilfrid Sellars, Alan hatred of Jews is satisfied with exile. On problems in moral and political philoso- Anderson, and Nuel Belnap. With pride I the contrary, anti-Semites of this stamp phy, and to him I trace my lifelong inter- can report that our department is considered want not only to exclude them from est in ethics. one of the three best in the United States. respected and influential professions and

Summer 1995 29 to prevent their mixing with non-Jews, but they resisted, and fought for political those who can make influential friends in to pin a yellow star on them, to lock them reform, suffered more, and were more their new home, who are young and into isolated ghettos, and to oppress them deserving than those who simply fled to adaptable, and who are blessed with a in various ways. Much of this cannot be make a new and better life elsewhere. I thick skin, a lot of money, and immense achieved if Jews are allowed to move. have much sympathy for this viewpoint. good luck. Many refugees who lacked Moreover, exiles may gain influence and Courage and a willingness to sacrifice these advantages did not survive. Above power abroad, possibly enabling them to oneself are needed to follow this heroic all, bear in mind that it is extremely dif- change things at home to their advantage. path and court the risks it entails. The ficult to gain a foothold in most of those Jew-haters remain anxious and dissatis- choice is even more admirable when made few countries that admit immigrants at fied as long as Jews can be found any- from principled conviction and without all. In their new homes most refugees where. For them, the final solution at least hope of personal gain, let alone when one will at best be regarded as outsiders, but in their own country is the only logical firmly believes that one's cause is hope- more commonly as intruders, as aliens solution. Right after the Anschluss emigra- less. Those who in these situations mus- who somehow lied, cheated, or bribed tion was still relatively easy. There were tered courage and were willing to risk the their way in, as scabs who get scarce jobs still many who, from pity or for money, supreme sacrifice seem to me indeed by underbidding the indigenous worker. were ready to help Jews emigrate. But as a more admirable than those who fled Only rarely will they be seen as equals, committed few gained greater control and abroad to start a new life or those who let alone be treated as fellow citizens or lending aid became increasingly danger- stayed at home to do their so-called duty. countrymen or comrades. Xenophobia, ous, the flood of emigrants narrowed to a Yet to forestall certain misunderstand- mistrust, and professional jealousy will trickle, and finally dried up altogether. ings that might easily arise, I want to accompany them almost everywhere. I think the role of Jews under National emphasize two final points. The first con- Jews can perhaps cope better with all Socialism is not comparable to that of cerns the question of whether one can rea- this, for they are used to it, but non-Jews other suppressed or exploited ethnic sonably demand or even expect such sac- often find it devastating. Even in those groups. Black slaves in America, for rifice from the suppressed, scorned, and rare cases in which they are accepted instance, were not exiled, let alone exter- hated, and particularly from Jews. After without prejudice, few refugees will feel minated, for they were valuable property. all the injustice, the meanness, the brutal- at home. They remain uprooted and They were needed just as the so-called ity, are they still supposed to possess that alienated and will again and again be guest workers in Austria and other loyalty to a state or to people that might smitten with homesickness; worst of all, European countries were needed until give meaning to self-sacrifice? Could after a time they become strangers even recently—for performing the undesirable such loyalty survive or even develop, in their original homeland. work that the master race would not carry when so many Austrians were clearly It seems right, then, to consider those out voluntarily or as cheaply. Jews had enthusiastic Jew-haters or, out of thor- Austrians who fled less admirable than never been dragged into the country, like oughly understandable cowardice, acted those who stayed to take part in active slaves, or invited, like guest workers, and as if they were; when the resistance was resistance. Yet, in making this judgment, they have never been used to do the heavy known to have very few members and, one should not forget that many of the labor of slaves or domestic animals. They therefore, to have little chance of success; emigrants hardly had an opportunity to have been branded as alien, repugnant, when the very best to which Jews could join the resistance, even those who (with useless, greedy, lecherous, rapacious ver- look back and for which they could hope little enough reason) felt sufficiently min, liberation from whom can be was widespread healthy anti-Semitism attached to their motherland for this achieved only through extermination. For that in bad times could always be whipped choice to make sense. We must take into Jews, exile would be much too lenient. up to the excessive variety; when they had account that most left involuntarily and Jewish scientists and artists were not con- to admit to themselves that they would under most inauspicious conditions, that ceptualized as scientists or artists who never be regarded as equal citizens, but at many later joined in the struggle against happened to be Jews, but as Jews who also best as reluctantly tolerated aliens; when a Hitler from abroad, and that many found, insolently and fraudulently claimed to be Jew could hardly expect to be cordially in emigrating, not the new life they scientists or artists, and were, therefore, welcomed into the resistance? dreamed about, but ruin. marked for the final solution, not for exile. My second point concerns the fate of Those Jews who understood this sensed the emigrants. There have always been This is a slightly revised version of an address deliv- their only chance to avoid the worst was emigrants, but in the past most left vol- ered in German in October 1987 by Dr. Baier, trans- lated by Elizabeth Hughes Schneewind; at a sympo- to flee before the ever-tightening net of untarily, in the hope of finding a new and sium "Vertriebene Vernunft" (literally 'Exiled the final solution closed around them. better life. In this century, by contrast, Reason") referring to the emigration from Austria of My third and last observation concerns most emigrants have been refugees. For a significant part of its intelligentsia after the so- called Anschluss, Hitler's invasion and annexation emigration. Some of those who did not them, emigration is often especially hard, of Austria in 1938. The original address was pub- sympathize with the Nazis but remained for they have had no choice; they cannot lished in a book edited by Friedrich Stadler, entitled in Austria believe that the life of the emi- delay while pondering whether they are Vertriebene Vernunft II. Emigration und Exil Osterreichiser Wissenschaft. Internationales Sym- grant was relatively easy, that those who properly equipped for emigration, which, posium 19. Bis 23, Oktober 1987 in Wien Jugend und stayed behind, especially but not only if to be sure, may be very agreeable for Volk, Wien 1988. • 30 FREE INQUIRY

The Wandering Jew and the Second Coming

Martin Gardner

For the son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his her husband founded Seventh-day Adventism, said it this way in angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his her life of Jesus, The Desire of Ages: "The Savior's promise to works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which the disciples was now fulfilled. Upon the mount the future king- shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. dom of glory was represented in miniature...." Hundreds of Adventist sects since the time of Jesus, start- —Matthew 16: 27, 28 ing with the Monanists of the second century, have all inter- preted Jesus' prophetic statements about his return to refer to he statement of Jesus quoted above from Matthew, and their generation. Apocalyptic excitement surged as the year repeated in similar words by Mark (8:38, 9:1) and Luke 1000 approached. Similar excitement is now gathering T(9:26, 27) is for Bible fundamentalists one of the most momentum as the year 2000 draws near. Expectation of the troublesome of all New Testament passages. Second Coming is not confined to Adventist sects. It is possible, of course, that Jesus never spoke those sen- Fundamentalists in mainstream Protestant denominations are tences, but all scholars agree that the first-century Christians increasingly stressing the imminence of Jesus's return. Baptist expected the Second Coming in their lifetimes. In Matthew 24, Billy Graham, for example, regularly warns of the approach- after describing dramatic signs of his imminent return, such as ing battle of Armageddon and the appearance of the Antichrist. the falling of stars and the darkening of the moon and sun, Jesus He likes to emphasize the Bible's assertion that the Second added: "Verily I say unto you. This generation shall not pass until Coming will occur after the gospel is preached to all nations. all these things be fulfilled." This could not take place, Graham insists, until the rise of Until about 1933 Seventh-day Adventists had a clever way of radio and television. rationalizing this prophecy. They argued that a spectacular mete- Preacher Jerry Falwell is so convinced that he will soon be or shower of 1833 was the falling of the stars, and that there was raptured—caught up in the air to meet the return of Jesus—that a mysterious darkening of sun and moon in the United States in he once said he has no plans for a burial plot. Austin Miles, who 1870. Jesus meant that a future generation witnessing these once worked for Pat Robertson, reveals in his book Don't Call celestial events would be the one to experience his Second Me Brother (1989) that Pat once seriously considered plans to Coming. televise the Lord's appearance in the skies! Today's top native For almost a hundred years Adventist preachers and writers of drumbeater for a soon Second Coming is Hal Lindsay. His many books assured the world that Jesus would return within the life- books on the topic, starting with The Late Great Planet Earth, times of some who had seen the great meteor shower of 1833. have sold by the millions. After 1933 passed, the church gradually abandoned this interpre- For the past two thousand years individuals and sects have tation of Jesus' words. Few of today's faithful are even aware that been setting dates for the Second Coming. When the Lord fails their church once trumpeted such a view. Although Adventists to show, there is often no recognition of total failure. Instead, still believe Jesus will return very soon, they no longer set con- errors are found in the calculations and new dates set. In New ditions for an approximate date. Harmony, Indiana, an Adventist sect called the Rappites was How do they explain the statements of Jesus quoted in the epi- established by George Rapp. When he became ill he said that, graph? Following the lead of Saint Augustine and other early were he not absolutely certain the Lord intended him and his Christian commentators, they take the promise to refer to flock to witness the return of Jesus, he would think this was his Christ's Transfiguration. Ellen White, the prophetess who with last hour. So saying, he died. The Catholic church, following Augustine, long ago moved Distinguished science author Martin Gardner is a Fellow of the the Second Coming far into the future at some unspecified date. Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Liberal Protestants have tended to take the Second Coming as lit- Paranormal. His books include The Healing Revelations of tle more than a metaphor for the gradual establishment of peace Mary Baker Eddy (Prometheus Books). and justice on Earth. Julia Ward Howe, a Unitarian minister, had this interpretation in mind when she began her famous "Battle

Summer 1995 31 Hymn of the Republic" with "Mine eyes have seen the glory of spread throughout Europe. It received an enormous boost in the the coming of the Lord...." Protestant fundamentalists, on the early seventeenth century when a pamphlet appeared in other hand, believe that Jesus described actual historical events Germany about a Jewish shoemaker named Ahasuerus who that would precede his literal return to Earth to banish Satan and claimed to be the Wanderer. The pamphlet was endlessly judge the quick and the dead. They also find it unthinkable that reprinted in Germany and translated into other languages. The the Lord could have blundered about the time of his Second result was a mania comparable to today's manias for seeing Coming. UFOs, Abominable Snowmen, and Elvis Presley. Scores of per- The difficulty in interpreting Jesus' statement about some of sons claiming to be the Wandering Jew turned up in cities all his listeners not tasting of death until he returned is that he over England and Europe during the next two centuries. In the described the event in exactly the same phrases he used in United States as late as 1868 a Wandering Jew popped up in Matthew 24. He clearly was not there referring to his trans- Salt Lake City, home of the Mormon Adventist sect. It is figuration, or perhaps (as another "out" has it) to the fact that his impossible now to decide in individual cases whether these kingdom would soon be established by the formation of the early were rumors, hoaxes by impostors, or cases of self-deceived church. Assuming that Jesus meant exactly what he said, and that psychotics. he was not mistaken, how can his promise be unambiguously The Wandering Jew became a favorite topic for hundreds of justified? poems, novels, and plays, especially in Germany where such During the Middle Ages several wonderful legends arose to works continue to proliferate to this day. Even Goethe intended preserve the accuracy of Jesus' prophecies. Some were based on to write an epic about the Wanderer, but he only finished a few John 21. When Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me," Peter noticed fragments. It is not hard to understand how anti-Semites in John walking behind him and asked, "Lord, what shall this man Germany and elsewhere would see the cobbler as representing all do?" The Lord's enigmatic answer was, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" We are told that this led to a rumor that John would not die. "Perhaps Jesus was not referring to John However, the writer of the Fourth Gospel adds: "Yet Jesus when he said he could ask someone to tarry, said not unto him, He shall not die; but if I will that he tarry but to someone else. Someone not mentioned till I come, what is that to thee?" Theologians in the Middle Ages speculated that perhaps John did not die. He was either in the Gospels, alive in Jesus' day, was some- wandering about the Earth, or perhaps he ascended bodily how cursed to remain alive for centuries until into heaven. A more popular legend was that John had been Judgment Day, wandering over the Earth buried in a state of suspended animation, his heart faintly throbbing, to remain in this unknown grave until Jesus and longing for death." returns. of Israel, its people under God's condemnation for having reject- hese speculations about John rapidly faded as a new and ed his Son as their Messiah. Tmore powerful legend slowly took shape. Perhaps Jesus was Gustave Doré produced twelve remarkable woodcuts depict- not referring to John when he said he could ask someone to tarry, ing episodes in the Wanderer's life. They were first published in but to someone else. This would also explain the remarks quoted Paris in 1856 to accompany a poem by Pierre Dupont. English in the epigraph. Someone not mentioned in the Gospels, alive in editions followed with translations of the verse. Jesus' day, was somehow cursed to remain alive for centuries By far the best-known novel about the Wanderer is Eugene until Judgment Day, wandering over the Earth and longing for Sue's French work Le Juif Errant (The Wandering Jew), first death. serialized in Paris in 1844-45 and published in ten volumes. Who was this Wandering Jew? Some said it was Malchus, George Croly's three-volume Salathiel (1927, later retitled Tarry whose ear Peter sliced off. Others thought it might be the impen- Thou Till I Come), was an enormously popular earlier novel. (In itent thief who was crucified beside Jesus. Maybe it was Pilate, Don Juan, Canto 11, Stanza 57, Byron calls the author or one of Pilate's servants. The version that became dominant "Reverend Roley-Poley.") In Lew Wallace's Prince of India identified the Wandering Jew as a shopkeeper—his name var- (1893), the Wanderer is a wealthy Oriental potentate. ied—who watched Jesus go by his doorstep, staggering under George Macdonald's Thomas Wingfold, Curate (1876) intro- the weight of the cross he carried. Seeing how slowly and duces the Wandering Jew as an Anglican minister. Having wit- painfully the Lord walked, the man struck Jesus on the back, urg- nessed the Crucifixion, and in constant agony over his sin, ing him to go faster. "I go," Jesus replied, "but you will tarry until Wingfold is powerless to overcome a strange compulsion. I return." Whenever he passes a roadside cross, or even a cross on top of a As punishment for his rudeness, the shopkeeper's doom is to church, he has an irresistable impulse to climb on the cross, wrap wander the Earth, longing desperately to die but unable to do his arms and legs around it, and cling there until he drops to the so. In some versions of the legend, he stays the same age. In ground unconscious! He falls in love, but, realizing that his others, he repeatedly reaches old age only to be restored over beloved will age and die while he remains young, he tries to kill and over again to his youth. The legend seems to have first been himself by walking into an active volcano. His beloved follows, recorded in England in the thirteenth century before it rapidly but is incinerated by the molten lava. There is a surprisingly

32 FREE INQUIRY happy ending. Jesus appears, forgives the Wanderer, and leads As dread that day, when, borne along him off to paradise to reunite with the woman who died for him. To slaughter by the insulting throng, The novel is not among the best of this Scottish writer's many Infuriate for Deicide, I mocked our Savior, and I cried, admired fantasies. 'Go, go,' `Ah! I will go,' said he, My First Two Thousand Years, by George Sylvester Viereck `Where scenes of endless bliss invite; and Paul Eldridge (1928), purports to be the erotic autobiogra- To the blest regions of the light phy of the Wandering Jew. The same two authors, in 1930, I go, but thou shalt here remain— wrote Salome, the Wandering Jewess, an equally erotic novel Thou diest not till I come again.'— covering her two thousand years of lovemaking. The most recent novel about the Wanderer is by German ex-communist The Wandering Jew is also featured in Shelley's short poem Stefan Heym, a pseudonym for Hellmuth Flieg. In his The "The Wandering Jew's Soliloquy," and in two much longer Wandering Jew, published in West Germany in 1981 and in a works, "Hellas" and "Queen Mab." In "Queen Mab," as a ghost U.S. edition three years later, the Wanderer is a hunchback who whose body casts no shadow, Ahasuerus bitterly denounces God tramps the roads with Lucifer as his companion. The fantasy as an evil tyrant. In a lengthy note about this Shelley quotes ends with the Second Coming, Armageddon, and the from a fragment of a German work "whose title I have vainly Wanderer's forgiveness. endeavored to discover. I picked it up, dirty and torn, some years Sue's famous novel is worth a quick further comment. The ago... Wanderer is Ahasuerus, a cobbler. His sister Herodias, the In this fragment the Wanderer describes his endless efforts to wife of King Herod, becomes the Wandering Jewess. The sib- kill himself. He tries vainly to drown. He leaps into an erupting lings are minor characters in a complex plot. Ahasuerus is Mount Etna where he suffers intense heat for ten months before tall, with a single black eyebrow stretching over both eyes the volcano belches him out. Forest fires fail to consume him. He like a Mark of Cain. Seven nails on the soles of his iron boots tries to get killed in wars but arrows, spears, clubs, swords, bul- produce crosses when he walks across snow. Wherever he lets, mines, and trampling elephants have no effect on him. "The goes an outbreak of cholera follows. Eventually the two sib- executioner's hand could not strangle me ... nor would the hun- lings are pardoned and allowed "the happiness of eternal gry lion in the circus devour me." Snakes and dragons are pow- sleep." Sue was a French socialist. His Wanderer is a symbol erless to harm him. He calls Nero a "bloodhound" to his face, but of exploited labor, Herodias a symbol of exploited women. the tyrant's tortures cannot kill him. Indeed, the novel is an angry blast at Catholicism, capitalism, and greed. Ha! not to to be able to die—not to be able to die—not to be permitted to rest after the toils of life—to be doomed to be The Wandering Jew appears in several recent science fiction imprisoned forever in the clay-formed dungeon—to be forever novels, notably Walter Miller's A Canticle for Leibowitz (1959), clogged with this worthless body, its load of diseases and infir- and Wilson Tucker's The Planet King (1959) where he becomes mities—to be condemned to hold for millenniums that yawning the last man alive on Earth. At least two movies have dealt with monster Sameness, and Time, that hungry hyena, ever bearing the legend, the most recent a 1948 Italian film starring Vittorio children and ever devouring again her offspring! Ha! not to be permitted to die! Awful avenger in heaven, hast thou in thine Gassman. army of wrath a punishment more dreadful? then let it thunder Rafts of poems by British and U.S. authors have retold the upon me; command a hurricane to sweep me down to the foot legend. The American John Saxe, best known for his verse about of Carmel that I there may lie extended; may pant, and writhe, the blind men and the elephant, wrote a seventeen-stanza poem and die! about the Wanderer. British poet Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton's forgettable "Undying One" runs to more than a hundred Scholarly histories of the legend have been published in pages. Oliver Herford, an American writer of light verse, in Germany and elsewhere. In English, Moncure Daniel Conway's "Overheard in a Garden" turns the Wanderer into a traveling The Wandering Jew (1881) has become a basic reference. See salesman peddling a book about himself. "The Wandering Jew" also his article on the Wanderer in The Encyclopaedia (1920) by Edwin Arlington Robinson is surely the best of such Britannica's ninth edition. Another valuable account is given by poems by an American writer. Sabine-Baring Gould in his Curious Myths of the Middle Ages In England, Shelley was the most famous poet to become fas- (second edition, 1867). cinated by the legend. In his lengthy poem "The Wandering Jew," The definitive modern history is George K. Anderson's The written or partly written when he was seventeen, the Wanderer is Legend of the Wandering Jew, published by Brown University called Paulo. He attempts to conceal a fiery cross on his forehead Press in 1965. A professor of English at Brown, Anderson made under a cloth band. In the third Canto, after sixteen centuries of good use of the university's massive collection of literature about wandering, Paulo recounts the origin of his suffering to Rosa, a the Wanderer. His book's 489 pages contain excellent summaries woman he loves. of European poems, plays, and novels not touched upon here, as well as detailed accounts of the many claimants. The book may How can I paint that dreadful day, tell you more than you care to know about this sad attempt of That time of terror and dismay, Christians to avoid admitting that the Galilean carpenter turned When, for our sins, a Saviour died, preacher did indeed believe he would soon return to Earth in And the meek Lamb was crucified! glory, but was mistaken. •

Summer 1995 33 Is There a Need for Fantasy?

Introduction: Fantasy, Religion, and Missing Teeth Timothy J. Madigan

Harry Hope (In the voice of one reiterat- thinking beings. Vaihinger writes: missing tooth in one's mouth. The tongue ing mechanically a hopeless complaint): is endlessly drawn toward this spot, to the When are you going to do something ... the emancipated thought sets itself point of obsession. A false tooth may be about this booze, Hickey? Bejees, we all problems which in themselves are necessary to distract the tongue, and allow senseless, for instance, questions as to know you did something to take the life the origin of the world, the formation of it to fulfill its natural functions. out of it. It's like drinking dishwater! We what we call matter, the beginning of So one might argue that religions pro- can't pass out! And you promised us motion, the meaning of the world and vide fantasies or fictions that stop us from peace. (His group all join in a dull, com- the purpose of life. If thought is regard- thinking much about the afterlife, the nature plaining chorus): "We can't pass out! You ed as a biological function, it is obvious of reality, and the meaning of our own exis- that these are impossible problems for promised us peace!" thought to solve, and quite beyond the tences. This could be why so many reli- natural boundaries which limit thought gious believers seem unconcerned by the —From The Iceman Cometh, as such.' contradictions and absurdities inherent in by Eugene O'Neill their scriptures—consistency and logical This is the birth of metaphysics, the quest argumentation are the furthest things from umanists by and large are apt to see for ultimate answers. An impasse occurs: their minds! Arthur Schopenhauer, one of Hthe teachings of religion as mere fan- the mind cannot achieve the knowledge Vaihinger's favorite philosophers, felt that tasies. Virgin births, talking snakes, resur- that it seeks. According to Vaihinger, false we are doomed to be metaphysical, and in rections, and miracles don't seem to cor- answers are then created in order to end his dialogue entitled "On Religion," the respond very well with our everyday this ceaseless pursuit. atheistic character Demopheles tells his fel- experiences. Yet somehow, even in an age low nonbeliever Philalethes: of mass communication, technological In this light many thought-processes advancement, and higher educational and thought constructs appear to be con- Religion is the metaphysics of masses; sciously false assumptions, which either by all means let them keep it ... for opportunities, such ancient beliefs persist. contradict reality or are even contradic- mankind absolutely needs an interpreta- Why is it that religious fantasies continue tory in themselves, but which are inten- tion of life; and this, again, must be suit- to be held by untold millions of people? tionally thus formed in order to over- ed to popular comprehension. Conse- One interesting answer was postulated come difficulties of thought by this arti- quently, this interpretation is always an by the philosopher Hans Vaihinger (see ficial deviation and reach the goal of allegorical investiture of the truth... . thought by roundabout ways and by Don't take offense at its unkempt, Rollo Handy's article on page 45 for details paths.... The "As If' world, which is grotesque and apparently absurd form: on Vaihinger's life). In his major work, The formed in this manner, the world of the for with your education and learning, Philosophy of 'As If,' he gives an evolu- "unreal" is just as important as the you have no idea of the roundabout tionary explanation for metaphysics. world of the so-called real or actual .. . ways by which people in their crude Human consciousness, he argues, grew indeed it is far more important for state have to receive their knowledge of ethics and aesthetics? deep truths.' organically as the means by which our species adapted to its environment. But at The purpose of religion is to provide An ethical issue arises: if Vaihinger some point in this evolution, thought broke answers for unanswerable questions, to in a and Schopenhauer are correct, it would free from its original aim and became an sense stop us from thinking unproductive- seem to be cruel to attempt to disabuse end in itself, which is to say humans ly. Religious answers are thus nonsensical people of their superstitions, illusions, became self-conscious, aware not only of but, nonetheless, important. Without them, and false beliefs. They need these to their environment but of themselves as our minds would dwell endlessly on futile keep them from confronting the utter issues, and not get to the business at hand, meaninglessness of existence—to de- Timothy J. Madigan is executive editor of which is survival of the species. I compare mythologize life is to destroy it. This FREE INQUIRY. this view of religion to that of having a point is brilliantly dealt with in Eugene

34 FREE INQUIRY O'Neill's harrowing play, The Iceman pals. being who we are, one of the things we Cometh. Theodore Hickman (Hickey), a Might the humanist project to shatter deem precious is the truth. Our love of truth is surely a central element in the traveling salesman and longtime habitué superstitions be unethical? Is it akin to meaning we find in our lives. In any of Harry Hope's rundown gin mill in stealing a person's false teeth, and then case, the idea that we might preserve downtown Manhattan, arrives one day giving them corn-on-the-cob to eat? I'm meaning by kidding ourselves is a more with a grand plan: newly sober himself, not convinced of this. While Vaihinger's pessimistic, more nihilistic idea than I he decides to assist all of his longtime speculation is intriguing, it too is a cre- for one can stomach. If that were the best that could be done, I would con- friends in shattering what he calls their ative fiction. He felt that such fictions, clude that nothing matters after all.` "pipe dreams," the fantasy lives that are while useful constructs, should give way keeping them from advancing them- to real knowledge when it can be arrived Seeing fantasy as fantasy, and pursuing selves in the world. "I know now," he at. And he would see it as a step forward the truth for its own sake, is the humanist tells them, "from my experience, they're in human development if the species as a approach, and it alone has teeth. the things that are really poison and ruin whole became aware that religious a guy's life and keep him from finding answers were fictitious. This view is I would like to thank Gordon Stein, Ph.D., for find- any peace.... And the cure for them is expressed by the philosopher Daniel ing for me a rare copy of Vaihinger's masterpiece. so damned simple, once you have the Dennett in his new book, Darwin's Dangerous Idea, in which he forcefully nerve. Just the old dope of honesty is the Notes best policy—honesty with yourself argues that we must confront all the impli- about tomorrows.. cations of evolution, especially its 1.Hans Vaihinger, The Philosophy of 'As If,' Needless to say, his grand plan causes destruction of age-old stories that once translated by C. K. Ogden (New York: Harcourt, explained the origin of both the universe Brace and Company, Inc., 1925), p. xliii. havoc, and by the end of the play the for- 2. Ibid., p. xlvi-xlvii. mer barroom cronies would gladly kill and of humans. "There is no future in a 3. Arthur Schopenhauer, Essays and Aphorisms each other if they weren't too dispirited to sacred myth," Dennett writes. (London: Penguin Books, 1970), p. 96. 4. Eugene O'Neill, The Iceman Cometh (New do anything at all (sort of the anti- Why not? Because of our curiosity... . York: Vintage Books, 1967), p. 81. "Cheers"). Hickey, for all his desire to do Whatever we hold precious, we cannot 5. Daniel C. Dennett, Darwin's Dangerous Idea good, is nearly an angel of death to his old protect it from our curiosity, because (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995), p. 22.

between him and insanity. "God" I added, "is the name he gives to his effort to main- To Dream Is Human tain some feeling that order and justice can be found in the universe." While I don't accept his solution, my heart goes Molleen Matsumura out to him, and I admit that I share many of his needs. I don't have faith that mean- ne night during a rather ordinary din- ing and joy abide in some transcendent Oner, a lighthearted family conversa- realm, but I continue to hope that we can tion suddenly slipped into the depths. My make them a common experience. daughter and I found ourselves talking about God and nihilism, the Holocaust and ope, imagination, and even fantasy the Book of Job, and the cruelty of hope. Hare crucial to a viable humanism yet She told me that a classmate's grandfather, are too often denied in response to exter- a Holocaust survivor, had visited her nal pressures. In a time when the worst school and told an assembly that his expe- features of traditional religion are resur- rience had strengthened his faith in God. gent, and it seems as though much of the He described the day he was in a group world is bent on setting back the hands of of prisoners undergoing "selection." Those civilization's clock, it is difficult not to selected to live were sent to line up on the define ourselves reactively. We call our- right, and those to die were sent to the left. selves non-Christians, non-Muslims, athe- Suddenly he felt himself shoved to the ists, unbelievers, and in sardonically right; he hadn't seen anyone behind him, humorous moments, infidels. Even free- and he was sure his life had been saved by how he could believe in God when he had thinker, historically, referred to persons God's intervention. One student asked him seen so much misery. He could only reply free from traditional authority. The best by repeating his anecdote. summary of this approach I ever heard Molleen Matsumura is a senior editor at Close to tears, I explained to my was a joke Paul Krassner told at a FREE Alin Foundation Press and a FREE daughter that this man was beyond argu- INQUIRY conference. After asking the INQUIRY associate editor. ment, that his faith was the only barrier audience what an atheist says in the

Summer 1995 35 moment of greatest ecstasy, he answered I once spent a full half-hour watching not be too disappointed when an adult himself, in a long moan, "No-o-o God!" two little girls play Snow White. I might leads him or her down an aisle of toy uni- But what are the principles we affirm? not have recognized the story if they corns and superheroes and comments, Secular humanists say an emphatic "Yes" hadn't mentioned it aloud, because they "Look! It's not like television at all; these to the use of reason, and so we should. re-enacted only one scene, over and dolls don't move or talk by themselves." Still, there is more that we need to affirm. over—Snow White's resurrection. They Without challenging the fun of fantasy, The trouble with defining our values reac- had pared away all sorts of things that we help skepticism take root. tively is that it narrows our choices; we worry adults: the wicked stepmother was Wish fulfillment is another type of deal with harsh polarities rather than the nothing like their loving mommies, and fantasy that blends into reality. Children full range of human possibility. We really the prince was nothing like the muddy lit- who pretend to be each others' siblings do have more options than either maintain- tle boys they played with. But, like many often develop lifelong friendships. ing supernatural illusions or adopting a four-year-olds, they had learned about gritty realism that sometimes consists of no death, and their play revealed feelings s adults, we continue to daydream. more than resignation to the worst in life. shared by many adults. A ometimes daydreams are the only A key to giving ourselves more choic- Years later, my daughter and I buried a pleasure we have, and, as long as we aren't es is abandoning the principle of guilt by pet rabbit under our lemon tree, then distracted from taking action that would association. Fifes and drums and skirling noticed how it bore more fruit on that improve our situations, daydreaming is an bagpipes have urged soldiers into battle, side. We acted out the story of Buddha act of psychological resilience and but rather than abandon music because it and the mustard seed and made up our resourcefulness. Yet daydreaming that isn't has been used in war, we can use it for own story about reincarnation. Another institutionalized (think of political fervor love songs and joyous celebrations. family might choose to read stories about and faith-healing) is commonly denigrated Imagination—the ability to conceptualize different views of the afterlife: Valhalla is as being childish. After all, daydreaming is events and experiences that don't exist— a different place from the Christian heav- fun in itself, and the things we dream of are has been pressed into the service of en. Another might choose to tell the story sex, power, wealth, and love—all the wor- oppressive political and religious institu- of Demeter and Persephone, and let a thy human pleasures derided by the most tions and often abused, but rather than child make his or her own comparison, oppressive religious traditions. abandon imagination we can reclaim it as some day, between that tale and the one Reclaiming such simple pleasures is a resource for individuals. about Abraham and Isaac. A useful integral to what has been described, in It is easy to make high-minded state- device when telling these tales is to invent these pages and elsewhere, as a Pro- ments about the blessings that a freely your own "framing story"; for example, methean approach to living. In giving ranging imagination can bring us as the when I tell the Japanese "just-so" story humanity the use of fire, which the gods creative source of art, literature, and prac- explaining why the same word means had arrogated to themselves, Prometheus tical inventions. Such statements are true, both "cloud" and "spider-web," I begin by gave us a tool for directing our own fate, but if that's all we say, we imply that we telling a little story of a child helping his and with it the potential of living respon- must justify the use of imagination. A or her mother in her garden, noticing a sibly. It is wise to mine our mythic her- more courageous and distinctively human- spider web, and asking for an explanation. itage for useful metaphors, so long as we istic approach is to celebrate and nurture at Such activities both encourage the child to keep in mind that they are metaphors. least two uses of fantasy: fantasy as a tool use his or her own imagination and com- Even metaphors need to be complete, children use in coming to terms with the municate that fantasy is a cherished and and we should remember that the same world and fantasy as a source of pleasure universal human activity. At the same mythic cycle tells the tale of Epimetheus, for people of all ages. In keeping with the time, myths and allegories are put into Pandora, and a mysterious vessel that, in humanist orientation to a life that is fulfill- perspective; a child who has played with some renderings of the tale, contains ing in daily, earthy terms, some concrete then outgrown imaginary friends and read blessings lost through man's curiosity, examples are in order. about the spirits of other cultures is not and in other renderings, contains curses One of the greatest joys of childhood is going to be vulnerable to the latest craze let loose on the world through woman's fantasy, and children's fantasies are end- for angels or interplanetary protectors. curiosity. In all versions, the vessel also lessly varied. It's fun to watch our children Many other simple, apparently trivial contains a cure for the miseries of the in this play, and it's important to join in activities can have an equally profound human condition: hope. Hope is radically fearlessly. Humanist parents with religious effect. A child who has playfully looked different from faith. To hope is not to spouses are frightened when their children for animal shapes in clouds and pieces of assume that things will be better, but to be come home from Sunday school repeating popcorn is prepared to understand how sustained by the sense that they can be myths; feminist parents worry that old- people imagine that they see a Madonna better and to act accordingly. In many sit- fashioned fairy tales will make their daugh- in the burned spots on a tortilla or canals uations, when I have seen people hold out ters feel worthless and their sons disre- on Mars. A child who can pick up a stick the hope of improving work or social con- spectful. But if we learn to understand how or a two-pound sack of beans and use it as ditions, I have heard others reply, "You children use fantasy, it can be a gentle and a doll, and whose elders cooperate when think this is bad—it used to be much powerful means of communication. asked to "Hold the baby for a minute" will worse." It is just these moments that call 36 FREE INQUIRY for the humanist's awareness that to be ing, integrating all our human potentials. Undeniably a primary task—perhaps human is not only to adapt to circum- In the words of the Broadway musical the primary task—at hand for humanists stances, but to seek, recognize, and seize South Pacific: is to promote the appreciation and use of reason. But while we insist that wishes the opportunity to alter them. Seeking the You gotta have a dream. opportunity means beginning with an act If you don't have a dream, don't come true by themselves, let's of imagination that can only be fulfilled how you gonna have a dream remember that reason is rudderless with- through determination and rational striv- come true? out them.

pressures of stress. Some people believe The Fantastic Power of Fantasy that they do not fantasize so, in their opin- ion, they lack the capability of benefitting from positive fantasizing. This position reveals the almost deceptive power of fan- Charles W. Faulkner tasizing. The tendency to fantasize, com- monly known as daydreaming, is so pow- lose your eyes and imagine this erful that one slips in and out of it hun- Cscene: you are at the most beautiful dreds of times each day, without being beach in the world. The temperature and aware of it. Worrying, contemplating, cry- weather are just the way you like them. ing, having nightmares, remembering You are lying in the sand, with your head good times, painting a picture, doodling, resting on a soft pillow. Soothing breezes answering questions on a test, evaluating, of cool air caress your face as you listen to critiquing, problem-solving, hating, and the waves of the sea gently splash against falling in love are but a few well-known the shore and flow out again toward the mented to the hopeful. But it was not the examples of fantasizing. Wonderful magnificent sunrise. actual situation that tormented you, it was sequences of mental imagery transfer How do you feel? Pretty good, I'll bet. the mental picture, painted in your imagi- from the physical world to a world of Now close your eyes once again and pic- nation, that influenced your feelings. thoughts and detached perceptions. ture this scene: you are in a strange city, The above scenes were described to Is there a need for fantasizing? It seems late at night. You have lost your way. The make a point: fantasizing is good if it so, as long as the fantasy is realistic, posi- streets are deserted, except for an occa- makes you feel good. It's bad if it makes tive, and consistent with science; given that sional stray cat or dog. It is dark because you feel bad. Whether or not it is neces- fantasy seems to be a natural phenomena. several street lamps have burned out. sary, it is the most common activity that Some of the potential dangers of fantasiz- You're a wee bit anxious. From behind everyone does. It is an inescapable aspect ing, however, are: (1) Fantasizing about comes the thump, thump sound of the of our lives. If a person did not fantasize, future actions or activities that are negative shoes of someone approaching. The sound he or she would not have the mental in nature and are not likely to occur; (2) gets louder, as the mysterious thump gets capacity to communicate it to you. Fantasizing about unscientific phenomena closer ... and closer ... and closer. So you Some perceptionists think that visual- that cannot occur; (3) Overwhelming one- walk faster. The steps become faster and ization, even if only instantaneous, pre- self with repeated mental images of one's closer. Should you run? Suddenly, you feel cedes most, if not all, human behavior. problems and failing to visualize the possi- the tapping of fingers on your shoulder The ability or propensity to fantasize is a ble positive consequences of one's future and you scream, "Help!" The policeman major trait that humanizes. A person can actions; (4) Disconnecting from the objec- who touched you says, "Don't be afraid. consider the results of behavior, even tive world; (5) Fantasizing about long-for- You seemed to be lost and I would like to before acting. Scientific investigation has gotten fears, phobias, and experiences help you find your way home." strongly suggested that one primary cause whose memories are unpleasant; and (6) Wow! These two scenes bounce your of ulcers is the mind. Extreme worrying Distorting reality. Stay within the objective emotions back and forth like a tennis ball. initiates the release of acids into the stom- world in your fantasies and you will be fine. In a very profound way, they reveal the ach that can burn away the lining. The If you would like to experience the ben- powerful impact of the imagination. How opposite also seems to be the case: visual- efits of fantasizing, try this: on your cas- many times has your spouse said, "Stop izations of pleasant activities provide an sette, record in detail the happiest experi- worrying, everything will be alright?" escape from the torment of life and tend to ence of your life. In a quiet room, close This soothing bit of advice was like a life- relax the individual. Thus, many stress- your eyes, listen to the cassette, and visual- preserver, changing you from the tor- management seminars use guided imag- ize the happy moments of your life. Don't ery, directed daydreaming, and controlled wait until you are unhappy or depressed. Charles W. Faulkner has been a national- visualization to lead one into fantasy and Listen to it regularly, regardless of how you ly syndicated columnist and is a member temporarily away from the psycholog- feel. The positive attitude that results will of African Americans for Humanism. ically and physiologically destructive carry over to all your activities.

Summer 1995 37 are really interested in being truthful, shouldn't we be truthful about that? Here The Fantasy Option I am reminded of David Hume, arguably the greatest philosopher of the early mod- ern period, who admitted in his little auto- biography that his desire for literary fame David Berman was his "ruling passion," and that it was that, presumably, which primarily moti- vated him to write philosophy—not the ere's a thought-experiment that may love of truth.' But don't we admire Hume Hhelp us to see how necessary or for being so honest? Certainly I do, even desirable fantasy is for human beings. though it meant that Hume had to call into Imagine a machine that offers the possi- question the overriding importance of bility of a blissful sleep in which all of our truth itself. most desirable fantasies are realized, and Perhaps one thing we can learn from which appears to us—the dreamers—as my thought-experiment is that, in order to indistinguishable frorp waking reality. decide how important fantasy is for us, we Once we are attached }o this virtual reali- must determine how important or neces- ty machine we believó that we are in the sary the truth is. But what kind of an actual world, but really it is a splendid pri- investigation will that be? As I have been vate one in which our most extravagant trying to indicate above, I don't think it is hopes come true— that we are regarded as the sort of thing one can determine being in the same class as Plato, Shake- straightaway—off the top of one's head, speare, Newton; that the most attractive "For wouldn't it be hard for we so to speak. Nor is it the sort of thing that women or men find us irresistible; that we believers in the value of science one should determine by looking to see score the point that wins the world cup, or and truth to admit that, when it what one's neighbor, or fellow worker, or the world series. And we go on from comes down to it, we would fellow philosopher says. That is not the strength to strength, triumph to triumph, prefer a pleasurable fantasy to way to be truthful. Although that isn't to delight to greater delight. The only draw- hard reality?" say that one should not consult one's back is that it isn't real, although once we friends, peers, and even theoretical ene- are in it we forget or do not know this. mies, inquiring as widely and freely in the they are difficult? But maybe that is Now the crucial question is: would we, relevant literature as one can. But at the quixotic and quirky. you and I, be prepared to avail ourselves end of the day, the truthful reader of FREE Even worse, perhaps we are not being of the fantasy machine? From a subjective INQUIRY must look into his or her own honest and truthful. What I mean is, we and hedonistic point of view, we have heart—perhaps admitting, paradoxically, rationalists may be influenced by social everything to gain, it would seem, from a that the fantasy option, living a lie, is pressure, even though we may not be positive decision. The only thing we lose preferable to the truth. is truth and contact with reality. But what, clearly aware of this. For wouldn't it be hard for we believers in the value of sci- it may be asked, has reality ever done for Note ence and truth to admit that, when it us? We don't have to read Schopenhauer 1. Hume, "My 0wn Life," in comes down to it, we would prefer a plea- Essays, Moral, to know how hard, how torturous, the real Political, and Literary, ed. by T. H. Green and T. H. world is; so why not go for the fantasy surable fantasy to hard reality? But if we Grosse (Longmans: London, 1875), vol.. 1, p. 8. option? Well, it might be said, because otherwise we will be living in a fool's par- adise. But remember, once we are in it we won't know that. Nor will we experience any guilt in preferring our wish-fulfill- ment to stark reality. So why prefer it? Doesn't this have something to do with preferring reality and the truth, even if

David Berman teaches philosophy and psychoanalysis at Trinity College, Dublin, and is author of A History of Atheism (199O) and George Berkeley (1994). He has edited Schopenhauer's World as Will and Idea (Everyman, in press).

38 FREE INQUIRY re-establishment of myth based on science rather than the supernatural. From the start, science fiction has been the mythic Humanism, Science Fiction, literature for the rational, scientific, tech- nological, and materialistic culture that and Fairy Tales has arisen since the Renaissance. The transcendent powers of science fiction are scientific rather than magical. It is popu- lated by aliens, androids, and mutants from other planets and dimensions rather Kenneth Marsalek than by spirits and demons from heaven and hell. umanists have adopted a rational, In the seventeenth century, Shake- scientific world-view that has no speare wrote of witches, ghosts, and place for supernatural or magical think- magic and Milton wrote of heaven and ing. What role then does fantasy have in hell. But by the end of the century, the last the lives of humanists? Albert Einstein witch had been executed in England and, considered imagination more important with the growth of scientific rationalism, than knowledge. Psychologist Jerome literature concerning the supernatural Singer calls imagination a vital human became increasingly implausible. Science function. He claims that fantasies and fiction evolved to fill the void. Mary daydreams may be the foundation of Shelley's Frankenstein, published in 1818, serenity and purpose in our lives, playing was one of the earliest attempts to present a basic role in healthy human develop- transcendent power in scientific form. ment. A well-developed fantasy life Science fiction literature coincides seems to be partly responsible for inde- with the technological revolution of the pendence, tranquillity, and realism. nineteenth century as science began serv- Studies indicate that those who are less "Science fiction literature ing as a new foundation for belief. Jules apt to use fantasy to enrich their experi- coincides with the technological Verne, perhaps the father of science fic- ences, to solve problems, or as a substi- revolution of the nineteenth tion, expressed the awe of new scientific tute for aggression are at greater risk for century as science began serving discoveries in the fields of geology, pale- problems such as delinquency, violence, as a new foundation for belief." ontology, and evolutionary biology. H.G. and drug abuse. Perhaps ironically, Wells, a student of Thomas Huxley, was Singer found that children with active ence fiction are justified, he focuses on totally committed to science. The soul and fantasy lives appear to have a stronger only its negative potential. I wish to fur- the spirit had no place in his scientific uni- grasp of reality and facts than those with ther examine his claim that science fiction verse. Wells believed that, in order to sur- undeveloped fantasy lives.' Science fic- flirts with the transcendental, which I vive, we must change our nature, become tion and fairy tales are fantasies that can agree with, and to present the positive scientific, and assume control of our own excite our imagination. case for science fiction. In my opinion, destiny. humanity's transcendental temptation Victorian England was fascinated by Science Fiction owes more to cultural conditioning than to the ancient civilizations discovered by our genetic makeup. Isaac Asimov said science. As magic and legend were au] Kurtz has charged that science fic- that we are so surrounded by tales of the removed from history they were replaced Ption is "forever flirting" with the supernatural, and those attempting to con- in literature by stories of technology. In realm of the transcendental. It nourishes vince us of their truth that we are all sus- H. Rider Haggard's novel entitled She, "quasi-religious probings" of unknown ceptible to its influence' Long ago, I rec- published in 1887, the main character's universes, creating new mythological ognized that I myself satisfy my transcen- seemingly magical powers are revealed beings such as "psychic superstars" and dental temptation through science fiction to be scientific. The character says, ".. . "semi-divine creatures." Finally, he says rather than religion. it is no magic; that is a fiction of igno- that science fiction stimulates belief in the The science fiction history The World rance. There is no such thing as magic, paranormal and pseudoscience, leading to Beyond the Hill—Science Fiction and the though there is such a thing as knowl- a basic confusion between "the ideal and Quest for Transcendence by Alexei and edge of the secrets of Nature."' Science the actual, the possible and the real."' Cory Panshin focuses on the transcenden- fiction examined and addressed the fears While Kurtz's misgivings about sci- tal nature of science fiction. The following of the new world presented by science. It is largely based on this book. According continues to play this same role today Kenneth Marsalek is president of Wash- to the authors, the origin and evolution of and is similar to the role that fairy tales ington Area Secular Humanists, Inc. science fiction can be understood as the play for children.

Summer 1995 39 Edgar Rice Burroughs, a Darwinian, would continue to evolve. Readers of science fiction are exposed to was the first great science fiction innova- Probably the most bizarre case in sci- the dilemmas of new technologies and tor in the twentieth century. In his second ence fiction history was L. Ron Hubbard, revised social norms and their moral Mars story, The Gods of Mars, "... [John] a writer from the Golden Age who later implications long before they become real- Carter exposes the exploitative religion of established the pseudoscience religion of ity. Those who anticipate the inevitable Mars with its false priests, false gods, and Scientology. Hubbard began writing sci- changes that the future will bring will be false hereafter."5 The importance of these ence fiction with no background in either better prepared to meet the challenges. stories should not be dismissed. Although science fiction or science, but with an Science fiction also serves as a warning by today they would more likely be classified interest in the occult and the hidden pow- exposing us to potential horrors, such as as fantasy rather than science fiction, they ers of the mind. Today, some science fic- nuclear and environmental catastrophes. served as the inspiration for Carl Sagan tion writers, such as alien abductor advo- Jules Verne said, "Whatever one man is and many others. cate Whitley Strieber, abuse science fic- capable of imaging, other men will prove Science fiction lost favor when World tion by promoting it as fact. The television themselves capable of realizing." Like- War I destroyed its promise of a utopian series "The X Files" misuses science fic- wise, William Blake said, "What is now future and the rational advance of tion to promote belief in the paranormal proved true was once only imagined." humankind. Americans who recognized and the myth of government cover-ups. This leads to the final benefit of science that science was the only way to transform The program is presented as though the fiction, which is its ability to inspire us to reality became the new leaders of science stories come from the case files of the achieve, not only the technological won- fiction. In the mid-1920s, science fiction Federal Bureau of Investigation. It ders it presents, but the improved social was addressing the nature of humankind's encourages empathy for the believer, conditions portrayed, such as racial and relationship with society and the universe. while the skeptic is portrayed as one who sexual equality and world peace and coop- Those who viewed science fiction . as a has not yet seen the light. eration. Perhaps those of us who do not godless, soulless, materialistic literature view ancient myths as a source of inspira- found it offensive. tion can still be inspired by science fic- Hugo Gernsback rejected the super- "Perhaps those of us who do tion's bold and promising vision of natural and wished to promote both sci- not view ancient myths humanity's future. entists and science. He began publishing as a source of inspiration can still be inspired by science fiction's Amazing Stories in 1926, capitalizing on Fairy Tales the fact that, at the same time that sci- bold and promising vision of ence was dismissing the soul as supersti- humanity's future." ccording to the late Bruno tion, it was preparing to reveal "... an ttelheim, "... the most important awesome new transcendence of its own Recognizing these shortcomings, what and also the most difficult task in raising a [i.e.,] ... the existence of a universe that then are the beneficial aspects of science child is helping him to find meaning in was more immense than man had ever fiction? Perhaps most important is its abil- life."" Humanists have a particular interest previously suspected, and that was possi- ity to broaden our perspective by allowing in how to find meaning in life because we bly more alien than he was prepared to us to view ourselves from the vantage do not resort to the usual supernatural tolerate."6 point of different times and places. We explanations. Bettelheim found fairy tales John Campbell, Isaac Asimov's first learn about humans by studying other pri- useful in this regard. The following dis- editor, was the chief architect of modern mates; likewise, we learn about ourselves cussion is based on Bettelheim's theories science fiction. Campbell saw science as by studying Vulcans and Klingons. The as presented in The Uses of Enchantment the most reliable source of knowledge best science fiction is based on science —The Meaning and Importance of Fairy about the universe. He was the first to rec- and often stimulates an interest in science. Tales (1975). While there is much in this ognize science fiction as modern myth However, it is also beneficial to examine book that I strongly disagree with, it is with the power of myth to change the views from the perspective of fantasy. essential for the rationalist to consider his world. In a 1938 editorial in Astounding Therefore, I enjoy such standard science basic message, i.e., the importance and Science-Fiction, Campbell said, "We pre- fiction fare as warp drive, teleportation, necessity of fantasy. suppose, in these stories, two things: that aliens with telepathic powers, human/ As we saw with science fiction, a cen- there is yet to be learned infinitely more alien hybrids, time travel, and cloned tral theme in many fairy tales is transcen- than is now known, and that Man can dinosaurs. Science fiction does not pur- dence. According to Bettelheim, a child learn it."' Ironically, Campbell maintained port to present reality. For this reason I must believe that a higher state is obtain- a lifelong interest in the paranormal that can accept elements of pseudoscience and able in order to develop and mature prop- began at Yale where he served as a subject the paranormal in science fiction, but I erly. In order to be able to deal with prob- in one of J.B. Rhine's ESP experiments. strongly object to its presence in regular lems, he or she must believe that a positive The promise of science fiction of the fiction. outcome is certain, regardless of its true Golden Age was that, if we continuously Another benefit of science fiction is its chances. Fantasies enable the toleration of change the way we think, we could build role in preparing us for the future. I con- the frustrations of life, providing hope that a meaningful world and humankind sider it future-shock prevention literature. he or she can meet life's hardships. 40 FREE INQUIRY Fairy tales stimulate a child's imagina- through rational reflection but by fantasiz- they are true. Until a child is convinced tion and ability to fantasize. Their most ing about them. A child experiences the that he or she will be protected by those important element is consolation. A world subjectively until he or she learns to around him or her, belief in superior child's "unrealistic fears require the unre- understand abstract concepts. For this rea- beings, such as guardian angels, is alistic hopes" that the fairy tale offers.' son, realistic explanations are generally required. The belief provides security and They provide confidence that he or she incomprehensible and scientific explana- does not prevent later acceptance of ratio- can conquer both real dangers and unreal tions are confusing. While a child may nal explanations. Stories that closely por- dangers that are feared. Fairy tales pro- parrot scientific explanations, he or she tray reality are more confusing to a child. vide a way for a child to express his anxi- will not understand them. For this reason, Childhood is the time to learn to bridge eties and cope with them. Like the fairy he or she finds the myth of the Earth rest- the gap between our inner experiences tale hero, a child may feel outcast and ing on a turtle more satisfying than an and the real world. A child must be abandoned, but obtains help and guidance explanation that it revolves in space. exposed to fantasy to learn the difference when needed, and, therefore, hope that he Bettelheim wrote much about the need between it and reality. "Before a child can or she can succeed. to nurture fantasies during childhood. A come to grips with reality, he must have Fairy tales portray the process involved child finds the "fantastic exaggerations" some frame of reference to evaluate it."" in healthy human development, depicting of fairy tales more acceptable and com- Freud suggested the use of thought the essential steps in growing up and forting than realistic explanations. New experiments to explore possibilities with- relinquishing dependency. They symboli- reasoning abilities are overwhelmed by out the risk involved in actual experi- cally address basic problems, such as anxieties, hopes, and fears. Fantasy fills ments. Jerome Singer concurs that it is dealing with responsibility and ambiva- the gaps in understanding. "The unrealis- sometimes more sensible to think and fan- lent emotions. The child is exposed to tasize about an activity than to actually both the sunny and dark sides of human perform it. Fairy tales provide characters nature. He or she is shown how to live "While I am not advocating that a child can use to project both posi- with the many conflicts of life and warned political correctness, fairy tales tive and negative feelings onto without of some dangers that can be expected and lose their usefulness as a harm. Offering rationality as the primary perhaps avoided. They do not advise what teaching device if they perpetuate means for dealing with his or her feelings the child should do but allow him or her to stereotypes, promote excessive and understanding the world is unneces- find his or her own solution. The convic- violence, or sanction sarily restrictive. Fairy tales serve the tion that problems can be solved provides magical thinking." same purpose for children that dreams and an optimistic view of the future that is daydreams do for adults. Similar themes necessary for developing self-confidence tic nature of these tales (which narrow- include having wishes fulfilled, beating and self-respect. minded rationalists object to) is an impor- competitors, and destroying enemies. Just A child learns many lessons from fairy tant device, because it makes obvious that as a person deprived of dreaming loses tales, such as persevering despite the the fairy tale's concern is not useful infor- touch with reality, the same is true of a many setbacks along the way. They pre- mation about the external world, but the child deprived of fairy tales. According to sent the child with a choice of whether to inner processes taking place in an individ- Bettelheim, children who do not experi- be ruled by reason or emotion. "The Three ual.°70 Fairy tales do not intend to accu- ence fantasy are more likely to evade real- Little Pigs" warns against laziness, sug- rately describe reality, but to serve as sym- ity as adults. gesting that success requires both plan- bols of psychological events or problems. Bettelheim found it desirable that our ning and hard work. Many fairy tales Addressing the concern that exposure lives parallel the evolution of science. demonstrate the tragic consequences of to fairy tales will lead a child to believe in Gods provided early man with a sense of careless wishes and warn that anger and magic, Bettelheim states that all children security. As scientific and technological impatience lead to trouble. Bettelheim believe in magic and most stop doing so progress freed us from the fear of exis- believed that children find the cruel pun- when they grow up. He found children tence, we began to question our images of ishment depicted in fairy tales both fitting exposed to fantasy were more likely to God. In times of stress, we revert to the and reassuring rather than upsetting. learn to cope with reality than children not "childish notion" that we are the center of In a chapter entitled "The Child's Need so exposed. After the age of five, a child the universe. "... [T]he more secure a For Magic," Bettelheim maintained that understands that such stories are not true. person feels within the world, the less he many parents ignore scientific evidence Fairy tales take the child on a wonderful will need to hold on to `infantile' projec- concerning how the minds of preschoolers voyage and reassuringly return him or her tions —mythical explanations or fairy tale work—expecting them to function as to reality. This teaches that temporarily solutions to life's eternal problems—and adults. A child's ideas about the meaning engaging in fantasy is fine. Such fantasies the more he can afford to seek rational of life develop slowly as he or she begins cannot and should not be repressed. explanations."12 The more secure we are to understand conflicting emotions and While we cannot promise children per- with ourself, the more we can accept our gradually learns not to act impulsively on fect happiness, Bettelheim said that par- cosmic insignificance. ". . .[T]he more them. He or she begins to understand con- ents can allow children to obtain hope deeply unhappy and despairing we are, scious and unconscious thoughts not from fairy tales without suggesting that the more we need to be able to engage in

Summer 1995 41 optimistic fantasies.... While the fantasy fetched Freudianism, are bizarre and filled tales provide us with an outside perspec- is unreal, the good feelings it gives us with sexual imagery. His dissection of tive. Reading such stories does not imply about ourselves and our future are real, fairy tales for their messages reminds me that they are literally true anymore than and these ... sustain us."" Bettelheim of the efforts to find deep hidden meaning cartoons imply that animals really talk. appears to say that it is juvenile to retain in the lyrics of the songs of the Beatles, Children and adults alike daydream and supernatural beliefs into adulthood. who acknowledged that they were just engage in fantasy. Fantasizing is part of Although he does not address the nonsense. Neither do I always agree with being human, perhaps part of our coping issue, Bettelheim's views offer interest- Bettelheim's interpretations. For example, mechanism. From the humanist perspec- ing insights if applied to the adult reli- he implies that the fantasy aspects of tive, fantasy becomes a danger when it is gious believer. For example, he says that "Jack and the Beanstalk" are a dream. He presented as fact. Many of us have experi- true stories about the real world are as asserts that Jack obtained his fortune enced the difficulty in rejecting such fan- "alien" to the way a "... child's mind through courage and learned that he could tasies later in life. Some adults never do; functions as the supernatural events of the not rely on magic to solve problems. In rather, they build cathedrals and temples fairy tale are to the way the mature intel- my view, Jack obtained his fortune to house the fantasies they were raised to lect comprehends the world."" He through a combination of magic and theft; believe as true. Our repulsion to magical acknowledges that belief in a guardian his mother's skepticism of magic beans thinking must not lead us to condemn or angel "... can be limiting to the mind if proved to be misplaced. suppress fantasy. Rather, we must distin- clung to for too long."15 Finally, he says Bettelheim maintained a confidence guish between using fantasy as an imagi- that "... in order to be able to deal with in the classic fairy tales that I do not native learning tool and promoting magi- the tasks of living, [the total personality] share. Developed by pre-literate and pre- cal thinking. An active fantasy life, cou- needs to be backed up by a rich fantasy scientific societies, such tales require pled with basic critical thinking skills, are combined with a firm consciousness and revision to remain relevant today. While I essential ingredients for a child's develop- a clear grasp of reality."16 am not advocating political correctness, ment and education. Perhaps this combi- My understanding of Bettelheim is fairy tales lose their usefulness as a teach- nation will enable children to learn where that he was not advocating belief in ing device if they perpetuate stereotypes, to properly draw the line between fantasy magic but exposure to fantasy. In this we promote excessive violence, or sanction and reality. agree. It is in many of the details that I part company with Bettelheim. He "Just as a person deprived of Notes acknowledges that fairy tales originated dreaming loses touch with reality, 1. Jerome L. Singer, Psychology Today, when religion was an important part of the same is true of a child "Fantasy: The Foundation of Serenity," (July, 1976) life, include religious themes, and are pp. 32-37. deprived of fairy tales." similar to Bible stories. While he 2. Paul Kurtz, The Transcendental Temptation (Buffalo: Prometheus Books, 1986) pp. 12 and 358, appeared as comfortable with religious and The New Skepticism: Inquiry and Reliable fairy tales as with others, the lessons magical thinking. Maria Tatar states in Knowledge (Buffalo: Prometheus Books, 1992) p. taught in such tales could easily be made 10. opposition to Bettelheim that no fairy tale 3. Isaac Asimov, I. Asimov-A Memoir (New without resorting to religious mythology. text is sacred-that most tales began as York: Doubleday, 1994) p. 13. For example, I would not use stories ribald oral stories that have been repeat- 4. Alexei and Cory Panshin, The World Beyond about guardian angels to assure my son the Hill-Science Fiction and the Quest for edly revised. She argues that many tales Transcendence (Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Tarcher, that he is secure in the world. Given a perpetuate anachronistic and inappropri- Inc., 1989) p. 99. choice of fantasies, I would prefer that he ate views of what is good, admirable, 5. Panshin, p. 137. fantasize that the Power Rangers will pro- 6. Panshin, p. 194. humorous, or what is proper behavior. 7. Panshin, p. 271. tect him. There is no chance that he will Fairy tales contain appalling violence and 8. Bruno Bettelheim, The Uses of Enchant- continue to believe in Power Ranger pro- punishments, including graphic descrip- ment-The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales tection as an adult while there is a good (New York: Vintage Books, 1975) p. 3. tions of murder, infanticide, cannibalism, 9. Bettelheim, p. 133. chance he may continue to believe in mutilation, and incest." Psychiatrist Allan 10.Bettelheim, p. 25. guardian angels simply because it is Chinen's study of 2,500 fairy tales found 11.Bettelheim, p. 117. socially acceptable to do so. 12.Bettelheim, p. 51. that the only positive adult characters are 13.Bettelheim, p. 126. While I agree that providing detailed usually the good fairy godmother and the 14.Bettelheim, p. 53. scientific explanations to children may be wise old man with supernatural powers." 15.Bettelheim, p. 50. futile, I oppose presenting mythology, 16.Bettelheim, p. 118. A sampling of the pre-Walt Disney sani- 17.Maria Tatar, The Hard Facts of the Grimms' such as the turtle theory about the Earth, tized versions of fairy tales are presented Fairy Tales (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, as fact. Rather, I suggest providing a sci- in What Your First Grader Needs To 1987) and Off With Their Heads!-Fairy Tales and entific explanation tailored to the child's the Culture of Childhood (New Jersey: Princeton Know-Fundamentals of a Good First University Press, 1992). age and reaction. Bettelheim finds many Grade Education.19 In my view, there is 18.Barbara Burtoff, The Washington Post, "The meaningful messages for children in tradi- no merit in perpetuating these archaic Ageless Message of Fairy Tales" (June 2, 1986). tional fairy tales. However, many of his 19.E. D. Hirsch, Jr., ed., What Your 1st Grader versions. Needs To Know-Fundamentals of a Good First interpretations, which are based on a far- Like science fiction, fantasy and fairy Grade Education (New York: Doubleday, 1991). 42 FREE INQUIRY

something like massive computer simula- tions. Their God is not the Mathmaker since math bounds Him. The third 1994 The Future of God novel, Rama Revealed, ends as the alien machine intelligence Saint Michael explains that God wants to learn which universe seeds will grow into harmonious Bart Kosko universes:

he idea of God is one of the great Imagine that this coordinate system I ideas of human culture. It often acts as have drawn is a symbolic, two-dimen- T sional representation of the available the limiting case of some other idea or hypersurface of parameters defining thing. Some have seen God as infinite the creation instant, the moment that power, love, mind, matter, energy. Free- energy is first transformed into matter. thinkers have seen God as a social reflex, Any arrangement or vector represent- opiate, or outright fiction. Almost all have ing a specific set of initial conditions for the universe may be depicted as a seen God as an object of religious or philo- single point in my diagram. What God sophical thought. That helps explain why is, and has been, searching for is a very the idea of God has changed little over the special closed [sic: open] dense set last few centuries. There have been few located on this mathematical hyper- research breakthroughs in religion and surface. This special set He is seeking has the property that any of its ele- philosophy. ments—that is, any arrangement of I want to argue that God has a proper conditions for the instant of creation place in the speculative thought of the chosen from within this set—will pro- future. That place is not in religion or phi- duce a universe that will eventually end losophy. It is in science fiction. in harmony. A science fiction author can push the principles of science beyond the known And Harvard philosopher Robert bounds of fact or of what one can hope to Nozick invokes the science fiction method test. The author might cast God as an to discuss God in his 1989 book, The advanced alien or as an optimizing agent "God has a proper place in the Examined Life: that acts before the Big Bang or after the speculative thought of the future. Big Crunch. Then the author must work That place is not in religion or Simply being the creator is not enough alone to constitute being a God. out how much such a God shapes our web philosophy. It is in Consider the science fiction situation of of cause and effect. The result may be a science fiction." our universe being created by a teenag- new way to view man's place in the cos- er living in another dimension or realm, mos or just the mental delight that comes as the equivalent of a high school sci- of reading a good fresh tale. The result Ellie that they have approximated the irra- ence or art project. might also give the irrational spur that tional number pi (the ratio of the circum- leads some dreamer to put forth a new the- ference of a circle to its diameter) to Nozick is clever here but wrong. Most orem or physical theory. enough decimal places to find a message people would count such a teenager as Consider two recent examples from from God in the string of Os and ls. This God, and doubly so if he could unmake freethinkers. Carl Sagan invokes a math dumbfounds Ellie: our world or us at will. Might would make god in his 1985 novel Contact. The hero- right with the teenage God just as it has 'You're telling me there's a message in ine, Ellie, ends up in the arms of an with the great shepherding Gods of the eleven dimensions hidden deep inside is wrong if and only if God advanced alien who has helped combine the number pi? Someone in the universe past. Action x the mass of many star systems in the communicates by ... mathematics? But will punish you if you do action x. region of Cygnus A as "an experiment in ... help me, I'm really having trouble Much of science rests on raw assump- [cosmic] urban renewal." The alien tells understanding you. Mathematics isn't tion. These points of faith are good places arbitrary. I mean pi has to have the same for a science fiction author to advance a value everywhere. How can you hide a message inside pi? It's built into the causal hypothesis. One deep point of faith Bart Kosko is author of Fuzzy Thinking fabric of the universe." is belief in probability or an undefined (Hyperion), director of the University of "Exactly." "randomness." The belief passes to faith Southern California at Los Angeles' in the face of deterministic Maxwell Signal and Image Processing Institute, Arthur C. Clarke and Gentry Lee wrote equations of the electromagnetic flux and and an associate professor of electrical three Rama novels that end up with God the Schroedinger wave equation of the engineering. running universes from bang to crunch as matter flux and the infinite spaces of

Summer 1995 43 equations that give rise to chaos. All the form, "This lone event is probably so faulty and imperfect, compared to a events happen with some probability. The and so." superior standard; and was only the most likely events happen the most often. Energy also offers the science fiction first rude essay of some infant deity, who afterwards abandoned it, ashamed This soon leads to the belief called the author many paths to God. The world of his lame performance: It is the work principle of "maximum likelihood": seems to reduce to energy. Mass and ener- only of some dependent, inferior, Expect the most probable events to occur. gy convert back and forth through the lin- deity; and ever since his death has run Or pick the values in a theory or in the ear scheme e = mc2. And the energy seems on at adventures from the first impulse roll of the dice that maximize the proba- conserved in the sense that energy has no and active force which it received from him. bility that the theory is true or that the velocity. It does not change in time. The dice roll as observed. frictionless pendulum swings back and In the end such God talk may help Stephen Hawking talks about this in forth forever as it smoothly converts round out of some of the fuzzy edges of his 1988 book, A Brief History of Time. potential to kinetic energy and then con- our pragmatic knowledge schemes. There are infinitely many universe seeds verts it back again. Why is energy con- Harvard philosopher Willard Van Orman or initial conditions from which a universe served? The energy equation in theoretical Quine opened this door in his 1953 book can grow from a Big Bang. The uniform mechanics has zero velocity (or a zero From a Logical Point of View: seed would give one smooth growing bub- time derivative). The zero result falls right ble of mass. There would be perfect sym- out of the math model we use. So our Physical objects are postulated entities metry and no galaxies or stars or creatures energy budget is constant and fixed to the which round out and simplify our to ask where it all came from. But such a last quark. account of experience, just as the intro- uniform seed is a very rare and thus not But why is our universe full of this duction of irrational numbers simplifies very probable. The god of maximum amount of energy rather than some other? our laws of arithmetic.... The concep- tual scheme of physical objects is a con- probability would not tend to pick that Why this number of quarks rather than venient myth, simpler than the literal seed. He would tend to pick a plain seed some other? There are no good answers truth and yet containing that literal truth with irregular or fractal or chaotic initial to this question if there are any at all. Yet as a scattered part. conditions. The evidence is the world all it is a good question. It is a modern ver- around us. sion of the question, why is there some- Creative minds will always weave the The trouble is that the god of minimum thing rather than nothing? And physics fuzzy and extreme conceptions of God probability could just as well have picked students and the principle of sufficient onto the top or bottom of the knowledge our seed from the box of universe seeds. reason demand an answer to it. The webs of the day. That is why Just the luck of the draw. A lone datum answer "God picked our quark budget for science fiction is such a natural home does not confirm or refute any claim of us" opens many a science fiction door. for God. Indeed we can view the God of the form "x will happen with probability The Energy Maker might use our uni- the Old Testament and the gods of p" so long as the probability p is not the verse as one gas tank among many or ancient Greece and India as the science all-or-none case of 100 percent or 0 per- might even have died before He filled fiction of their day. Dr. Jack Miles says cent. One setting sun does not refute the it up. something like this in his 1995 book claim, "There is a 50 percent chance the The philosopher David Hume covered God: A Biography. He views the Jewish sun will not set." The claim needs a long much of this ground in his 1779 deathbed god as the greatest character of Western list of test cases that add up to a stable fre- classic, Dialogues Concerning Natural literature: quency close to p. The event x needs to Religion. The hero Philo doubts that God have occurred in about p percent of the has much to do with man or that man No character on stage, page, or screen has ever had the reception that God has test cases. But we know of at most one knows much of making worlds: had. God is more than a household word world and we can't even be sure we know in the West. He is, welcome or not, a that much. What peculiar privilege has this little virtual member of the Western family. Enter the science fiction author. He agitation of the brain which we call Parents who would have done with him thought that we must thus make it the can put forth new test worlds and com- cannot keep their children from him. model of the whole universe? ... Is For not only has everyone heard of him. pare them to our own world or draw from there any reasonable ground to con- Everyone, even now, can tell you some- them some novel trend or stable frequen- clude that the inhabitants of other thing about him. cy. Or he can set the tale before the Big planets possess thought, intelligence, Bang as a contest among extremizing reason, or anything similar to these faculties in men? ... Have worlds ever The future of God looks both secure forces such as the gods of maximum been formed under your eye? . . . and fruitful. Science fiction has helped entropy or least action or maximum Many worlds might have been botched free God from His old stale prisons of the goodness or irony. Our laws of physics and bungled, throughout an eternity, church and the classroom. And science might hold the same there as they hold on ere this system was struck out. Much fiction will no doubt still use God ideas to this side of the time singularity. The sci- labor lost. Many fruitless trials made. And a slow but continued improve- round out and stretch the belief schemes ence fiction author can give a "maybe" ment carried on during infinite ages in of the future. For God is more than a great answer to our questions and do so with the art of world-making. . . . This character. God is the ultimate plot the same merit we give to any claim of world, for aught we know, is very device.

44 FREE INQUIRY observational tests, he argues that the hypothesis should not be rejected merely because a leaf does not consciously seek, Vaihinger and the 'As If' has not learned the science and mathe- matics necessary to calculate the optimum position, and cannot move from position to position. The hypothesis "does not assert Rollo Handy that leaves do these things but only that their density is the same as if they did."' umanity is "a species of monkey suf- A common line of criticism of fering from megalomania," said the "That we never achieve finality is Vaihinger is expressed by Morris R. young Hans Vaihinger (1852-1933). not a cause for despair, but Cohen: Although much that he later wrote was offers hope that our `knowns' can less caustic, the mature views of this be improved, via a continual . . . contrary to the contention of Vaihinger, none of the so-called fictions German philosopher tended to be contro- interweaving of conjectures and of science involve any contradiction. If versial. He was born in a devout home and observation, thus improving our they did so, they could not be useful, attended the Theological College at the problem-solving capabilities." since no consistent inferences could be University of Tübingen. His early views drawn from them. Even when not com- were theistic, but they developed in a pan- pletely true, they are analogies which offer useful suggestions just to the theistic direction. At Tübingen he became classificatory system and had heuristic extent that they are true. To the extent an agnostic and later an atheist along value for Darwin's later theory. God, that they fail they are subject to the Schopenhauerian lines. However, some- immortality, and the virgin birth are fic- process of correction.' what like Santayana, Vaihinger saw aes- tions helping many people to live better thetic and ethical value in Christian doc- lives. But since Vaihinger's fictions are only trines. Although sympathetic to "theoreti- Vaihinger's emphasis on the known fal- provisional and later dropped, he does cal atheism," he deplored "practical athe- sity of fictions differentiates his view from allow for a "process of correction," and ism," which he viewed as the failure to act others with which he had some sympathy. often in the history of science useful con- in ways making the world better. For Vaihinger took pragmatism as holding that clusions have been drawn from what later Vaihinger, religion should be construed as a statement is true if it is useful, whereas turned out to be overgeneralizations. a way of behaving well rather than as doc- fictions—although useful—are false. He In my opinion, the view developed by trinal belief; so construed it is the highest took skepticism as the doubting of the John Dewey and Arthur F. Bentley in point humanity can reach. truth of an idea, but fictions are known to their Knowing and the Known' incorpo- His major work defended the role of be false rather than merely doubted. As rates many of Vaihinger's useful points fictions in diverse realms of discourse.' noted, Vaihinger found merit in certain while avoiding his celebration of incor- For Vaihinger, fictions are known to be Christian doctrines, but conventional rect generalizations. Dewey and Bentley inconsistent with the facts or to be self- Christians found scant consolation in his see the achieving of "warranted asser- contradictory, but they function as if true. conversion of "eternal truths" into expedi- tions" (rather than "truths") as the objec- Fictions illuminate a complex situation by ent falsehoods that eventually will be tive. Warranted assertions, although the substituting a part of the full range of facts dropped' In general, Vaihinger opposed best obtainable generalizations to date, and causes for that full range. They are any view arguing that a doctrine known to are subject to future correction. Indeed, only provisional and disappear as inquiry be false should be eliminated, for he all aspects of inquiry are subject to progresses. They are expedient in the believed that often we usefully act on what change as inquiry progresses; we neither sense of providing the means to a specific is false. In that sense there is an enormous start nor end with certitudes. As inquiry end. According to Vaihinger, the notion of gulf between Vaihinger's view and W. K. proceeds, a useful solution may generate an atom involves a group of contradictory Clifford's insistence that all beliefs should new problems, additional facts may be concepts, but is useful for dealing with be justified by the evidence' discovered and old facts discarded, and reality. Materialism, although false, sim- In recent years, a position close to eventually even the most venerated plifies our view of the external world and Vaihinger's was advocated by the econo- "laws" may require modification. That lends support to a scientific outlook. mist Milton Friedman. He suggests as a we never achieve finality is not a cause Despite its falsity, Goethe's notion of an hypothesis to account for observed density for despair, but offers hope that our animal archetype of which all known of a tree's leaves that the leaves conscious- "knowns" can be improved, via a contin- species are modifications had consider- ly know the scientific basis for calculating ual interweaving of conjectures and able usefulness, for it suggested a new the amount of sunlight that would be observation, thus improving our problem- received in any position and can freely solving capabilities. Rollo Handy is a philosopher, now move to the position maximizing sunlight. Vaihinger's view have proved stimulat- retired, who specializes in philosophy of After noting important ways in which the ing to workers in diverse fields. For exam- science and value theory. implications of that hypothesis meet ple, the anthropologist Weston La Barre Summer 1995 45 recommends Vaihinger's book as "nourish- biography by Vaihinger, was translated into English economics (New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, ing ... for the general reader."' Vaihinger's as The Philosophy of 'As If' by C. K. 0gden (New 1968) p. 33. The original version is from Friedman's York: Harcourt, Brace, 1924). book, Essays in Positive Economics (Chicago: trenchant criticism of the alleged truth of 2. Vaihinger's "defense" of Christian doctrines University of Chicago, 1953). cherished doctrines can be fascinating to included other items unpalatable to the faithful. 5. Reason and Nature, 2nd ed. (original edition those working their way out of convention- Although he thought the fiction of a world created by 1931) (Glencoe: The Free Press of Glencoe, p. 162, a Higher Spirit was expedient for many, he insisted a 1953). al belief systems, even if they come to further fiction was required in which that order was 6. (Boston: Beacon Press, 1949); reprinted in reject many of his contentions. destroyed by a hostile force. Rollo Handy and E. C. Harwood, Useful Procedures 3. "The Ethics of Belief," a talk originally deliv- of Inquiry (Great Barrington, Mass.: Behavioral ered in 1876. W. K. Clifford. Lectures and Essays, Research Council, 1973) which also discusses in Notes 2nd ed. (London: Macmillan, 1886). more detail many methodological points raised in 4. "The Methodology of Positive Economics," this article. 1. Die Philosophie des Als-Ob was first pub- expanded version printed in William Breit and 7. The Human Animal (Chicago: University of lished in 1911. The sixth edition, containing an auto- Harold M. Hochman, eds., Readings in Micro- Chicago Press, 1954) p. 351.

to what people believe as opposed to what Transcending Illusions they do. We can expect people to want to make positive belief statements even when Brian Zamulinski they don't believe. People have been admonished to think positively for a long time, the implication being that belief is hat smoking is dangerous is a notion necessary to success in many endeavors. 1that people scoffed at once. It has "Although [researchers] We are told that we must have something recently been said that too much rational- may have shown that not all to believe in to live the good life, for our ity is dangerous to one's mental health, illusions are inimical to mental lives to have meaning. Christianity teaches upending the long-held contention that the health, they have not shown that that belief determines our eternal mentally healthy person is the realistic rationality, like smoking, is prospects. These factors will incline peo- one. This has been argued by Taylor and injurious to one's health." ple to want to believe. If they want to Brown in their paper, "Illusion and Well- believe, people are probably going to use being,"' and by Taylor in her book, face value. People are sometimes simply belief statements incantationally. Think of Positive Illusions.' They claim that men- mistaken about what they believe. the people who say, "I know that X is still tally healthy people are characterized by Leaving aside honest mistakes about alive," when it is almost certain that X is illusions that enhance the believer's view what one believes, there is some evidence dead. In these cases, apparent belief state- of himself or herself, illusions of control, that people are not always honest with ments cannot be taken at face value and unrealistic optimism about the future. researchers, even if they are honest with because the people are making belief state- I want to resist this claim. Although themselves. This is the case with children. ments in hopes of inculcating real belief or Taylor and Brown may have shown that Jerome Kagan reports that preventing disbelief in themselves. not all illusions are inimical to mental Another problem is that people have a health, they have not shown that rationali- children's responses to direct questions tendency to look for confirming evidence ty, like smoking, is injurious to one's about their psychological qualities even when their interests or desires are not health. appear to be relatively valid indexes of the child's belief ... when the self-ranks involved.4 For instance, people who are admit to undesirable attributes. But pos- asked whether two things are similar look ou can't always believe what people itive evaluations are more suspect, for at for similarities while people who are 1say. The research often doesn't corre- least one-third of all children who did asked whether two things are dissimilar late mental health with beliefs, illusory or not possess the positive attributes .. . look for dissimilarities. (This cognitive evaluated the self positively. However, not, but with statements of belief. The two bias might explain why the religious man- some of these children acknowledged are not the same. Bigots have been known their undesirable quality on the triads age to miss all the horrors that religions to sincerely assert that they are unpreju- or film.' [Italics added.] produce—they're simply looking for the diced. We could judge people's attitudes good.) People who are asked whether toward, say, their future prospects more The triads and film were methods of their futures are going to be better than accurately by looking at the insurance discovering the children's beliefs indi- average are going to look for things that they've got relative to the amount they can rectly. If the children truly believed that show that their futures are going to be bet- afford than by taking their statements at they were as good as they claimed, the ter than average. Moreover, it is not three methods would not have produced known to whom they are comparing them- Brian Zamulinski is an Overseas Post- divergent results. Adults are not conspicu- selves or in what respects. The same per- graduate Research Scholar at La Trobe ously more honest than children. son could give different answers to the University in Melbourne, Australia. His The tendency to make inaccurate state- question depending on whether he or she research is in the field of ethics. ments is especially strong when it comes compares himself or herself with inhabi-

46 FREE INQUIRY tants of his or her own nation or with good. People who believe that they control that Taylor and Brown concede in their inhabitants of the world at large, includ- a situation, for instance, experience less co-authored paper. In her book, which is ing India, sub-Saharan Africa, and the for- stress than people who know that they do written in a popular style, Taylor does not mer Soviet Union. Finally, there is the not. Numerous studies support the claim. mention it, concentrating solely on the possibility that the belief did not exist But, most of the studies are ones in which believer himself. until the researchers' question prompted people are not under any illusions about Taylor and Brown speculate that other it. People will think about whether their their control but actually have control. beliefs might offset the potentially nega- futures are going to be good or not and People who actually lack control have tive effects of the illusions, but this cannot about whether they are happy or not but higher rates of depression than others.' It is be entirely true. Automobile drivers they do not usually compare spontaneous- not all in the heads of the subjects. regard themselves as better-than-average ly their future well-being or present hap- Of course, just like someone who has drivers even when they have been piness with the average. The beliefs that control, someone who thinks he has con- involved in accidents serious enough to the researchers have purportedly discov- trol but does not would experience less warrant hospitalization.' This false belief ered will be significant only if there is evi- stress (at least as long as the illusion per- makes them less likely to take the bus, less dence of their existence prior to inquiry. sisted). Then, illusions would be good but likely to get additional driving lessons, only because they are parasitic upon real- and, hence, more likely to continue to be here have all the skeptics gone? ity. A major problem with this is that illu- a menace on the road. But no other belief WEveryone in the literature cited by sions of control could get in the way of can offset a bad driver's lack of skill. Taylor and Brown seems to be a believer. someone actually gaining control. Look- Research shows that people need to There are people who believe that they have ing for iron pyrites will get in the way of derogate victims by attributing their fate control and people who believe that they actually finding gold, and iron pyrites are to their behavior or character. Taylor don't. Apparently, no one says that they valued only because it is believed they are explains that such people don't want to don't know or thinks that they have control gold. What people want is actual control, believe that "a random victimization only part of the time. If we are going to be not the illusion of control, just as people could befall the self as well.."" The trouble shown that a certain type of belief is bene- want real gold, not iron pyrites. It's not is that victimization is frequently random, ficial, however, people who have that belief that people want undiscoverable illusions and the belief that it is the victim's fault should be compared with people who lack either. No person wants everyone merely can and often does make things worse for it, not people who have another belief in its to believe that he or she has won a gold the victim, including worsening his or her stead, unless there is independent evidence medal in the Olympics even if no one will mental health. Losing a job, for instance, that only these two possibilities actually ever discover otherwise. One wants to win is bad enough without being blamed and exist. Without such a comparison, we can't a gold medal. Period. Even less do we blaming oneself for losing it. In deciding know whether the positive belief is benefi- want illusions that are liable to exposure. whether illusions promote mental health cial or not. The positive belief might not There is one very interesting study or not, let alone in deciding whether illu- have any effect on mental health while the Taylor describes in which people lacked sions are good, these kinds of effects must negative belief might make it worse. Too control but believed that they had it. In the be taken into account. much sun might cause skin cancer but it study, "perfectly normal people engaged From the moral point of view, the self- isn't necessary to sit in the dark, like a in a wide variety of superstitious and non- enhancing beliefs are worrisome, too. mushroom, to prevent it. sensical behaviors in chance situations, These include the belief that the believer According to Taylor and Brown, 60 when cues suggesting skill had been sub- and his or her family and friends are bet- percent of people say that they are happi- tly introduced" (italics added). Is this evi- ter than average, and many other beliefs er than average. However, 70 to 80 per- dence that the illusion of control is corre- that are hardly innocuous. They could be cent declare themselves moderately to lated with mental health or evidence that used to justify invidious discrimination. In very happy. This means that at least one- mentally healthy people can be hood- fact, this point is not entirely speculative. quarter to one-half of the people who winked and were in fact fooled by the There is some research that supports the think they are below-average in happi- experimenter? Whenever successful contention that "the prejudiced person has ness—at least 10 to 20 percent of all peo- deception is present in an experimental a more consistently favorable impression ple—are nevertheless moderately to very situation, it could be argued that the peo- of himself than does the unprejudiced per- happy. Clearly, the illusion that one is ple who are duped were realistic whereas son"' and that "prejudiced persons have a happier than average is not necessary for people who "see through" the deception good opinion of their parents."1° a substantial amount of happiness, and were not realistic but lucky. realism (or negative illusions) with hat illusions promote mental health respect to this question is not sufficient for entally healthy" is not synonymous Tdoes not entail that eliminating them depression. The same considerations Mwith "good." A belief can influence will be bad for the believer. Taylor and could apply to other illusions. one's actions as well as one's mental state. Brown claim that realism correlates with The same belief can potentially lead to depression but it does not follow that uch of the evidence shows that the harm to others while benefitting the deliberately eliminating illusions will Mreal thing, not the illusion, is what is believer psychologically. This is a point make someone depressed. Drowning peo- Summer 1995 47 ple usually aren't wearing life preservers, projects are more difficult than he or she and reservations of Taylor and Brown will but the lack of a life preserver doesn't anticipates. be lost. No one will remember that they mean that the person will drown. He or These are not the only examples that have not shown, as they themselves con- she might learn to swim instead. show a person can stay happy while rid- cede, that the illusions do not have bad As mentioned, illusions depend for ding himself or herself of illusions. Since effects for others. What we know about their value on reality and can simultane- some illusions have negative effects on cognitive biases enables us to predict that ously prevent the achievement of the real- others, one can buttress one's self-esteem the claim will become distorted into the ity. If removing the illusions makes it pos- by telling oneself that one is becoming a belief that illusions are essential for hap- sible to achieve the reality and the reality better person by surrendering one's illu- piness or the belief that they are good for is achieved, there will be no worsening in sions, by being honest enough to admit us. It will become a kind of legend: mental health. that one is not a very good driver, or by "Scientists have shown...." The value of control must not be accepting that one has a self-favoring bias When this happens, it will be important underestimated. People who act on false that is undesirable in situations where to know the limits to the truth of the beliefs are not in control of themselves or impartiality is required. claim. Statements of belief are not com- their situation. People who pray rather These sorts of gains would be substan- pletely reliable indicators of belief. than taking their children to qualified tial compensation because giving up posi- Skeptics make no appearance in the stud- medical practitioners are not exercising tive illusions does not amount to giving up ies. Illusions are good only because the control over the situation, reality they represent is whatever they may think. good. There are negative If eliminating illusions illusions, too, and the enables a person to existence of illusions increase his or her actual might be making the level of control, then state of the world worse someone may actually overall. Most important, transcend what has been that illusions correlate making him happy with- with mental health does- out becoming unhappy. n't mean that an already Someone who enjoyed healthy person can't using a manual typewriter transcend them and be- doesn't automatically come even healthier and become miserable when happier in the process. he moves up to a word processor. Notes In the sort of case 1. S. E. Taylor and J. Brown, where one illusion coun- "Illusion and well-being: A teracts another, we can social psychological perspec- substitute the truth with tive on mental health," Psychological Bulletin 103 no. no loss. One of the more 2 (1988): pp. 193-210. plausible points made by 2. Shelley E. Taylor, Positive Taylor and Brown is that Illusions: Creative Deceptions and the Healthy Mind (New illusions of ease of suc- York: Basic Books, 1989). cess make it more likely 3. Jerome Kagan, Unstable Ideas (Cambridge, that people will take up projects. One can very much. As Taylor says, "The positive Mass., and London, England: Harvard University imagine a lazy person being more likely Press, 1989) p. 259. distortions of personal attributes, mastery, 4. See Thomas Gilovich, How We Know What to take up a project if he or she thinks that and assessment of the future that one wit- Isn't So: The Fallibility of Reason in Everyday Life it will be easier than it actually turns out nesses in research investigations are quite (New York: The Free Press, 1991). 5. See E. J. Phares, Locus of Control in to be. But this is necessary only because mild."" In addition, of course, there is the Personality (Morristown, N.J.: General Learning the person is under the illusion that hard evidence that people without certain posi- Press, 1976); cited in John McClure, Explanations, work is undesirable. If the illusion that a tive illusions can nonetheless be happy. Accounts, and Illusions: A Critical Analysis project is easy keeps the individual going (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991). That illusions correlate with mental health 6. Taylor, Positive Illusions p. 30. long enough to discover the rewards of in some people doesn't entail that they are 7. See O. Svenson, "Are we all less risky and achievement, it will have served its pur- necessary for mental health. more skillful than our fellow drivers," Acta Psychologica 47 (1981), pp. 143-148; cited in both pose and can be discarded. Continually Taylor and Gilovich. starting and completing new projects he belief that illusions promote men- 8. Taylor, Positive Illusions, p. 165. under the influence of the illusion is prob- tall health will be congenial to many 9. Roger Brown, Social Psychology (New York: The Free Press, 1965), p. 497. ably not likely because a thoroughly lazy people. Since it will be popular, we can 10. Ibid., p. 498. person is soon going to realize that the expect that even the inadequate caveats 11. Taylor, Positive Illusions, p. 239. 48 FREE INQUIRY very familiar to secular humanists. It is a fair assumption that adherents of all faiths tend to revere clerics. Yet, Secular Humanism in Literature Shakespeare's characterizations are quite- unflattering. In Romeo and Juliet, for example, Friar Laurence, who marries the young lovers secretly, is less than forth- Edythe McGovern right with their parents, deals in strange potions, and admits having his own agen- hen secular humanists consider da to end the feud between the Capulets Wwriters and their works, it is com- and Montagues. But all his plans go awry. mon to concentrate attention on philo- Surely the dedicated holy man should sophical authors of non-fictional material. have been successful, but his prayers for a However, there are also a great many writ- good outcome apparently fall on deaf ers whose novels, plays, and poems are ears. forceful statements of secular humanism. Next, there are Anglican clerics shown And these fictional pieces, frequently in a somewhat unflattering light, such as reaching a wider audience than the more when the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the esoteric works, deserve our attention. quasi-historical tragedy, Richard III, is We are talking here of literature in the asked by Buckingham (Richard's ever- strict sense of that term, that is, "fictional ready aide) to bring one of the young material which has lasting value and uni- princes from the Tower of London, where versality." Certainly there may be some he has taken sanctuary against his evil overlap, as in the case of Mark Twain, uncle. At first, the Archbishop demurs, but who created in many genres, or George is quickly persuaded by Buckingham's Bernard Shaw, whose Prefaces and spurious argument that "he has heard of Epilogues are more philosophical treatises sanctuary for men, but not for children." than integral parts of the plays in which Of course, the Archbishop's hope is that, they appear. But even with such writers, "Perhaps because fiction does not once Richard has eliminated all those who their most persuasive secular humanist require strict factual or historical stand between him and the throne and sentiments are expressed in their fictional accuracy, but instead encourages becomes King, he will be rewarded. pieces. the widest range of creativity, the Further along in the same play, the Perhaps because fiction does not writer has the power or present a unscrupulous Richard appears publicly require strict factual or historical accura- point of view with emotion." with a cleric at each side to reassure the cy, but instead encourages the widest citizenry that he is "on his knees at medi- range of creativity, the writer has the ence, but all we can say for certain is that tation ... with two deep divines ... pray- power to present a point of view with he was not a Puritan. We know that by his ing to enrich his watchful soul, a book of emotion. Then through plots, themes, and characterization of Malvolio, who appears prayer in his hand, true ornaments to characters the reader (or viewer in the in Twelfth Night as a genial warning of know a holy man." If we remember the case of drama) is led to draw certain con- what will happen to theaters when the masterful Olivier version of this play, we clusions. The more talented the author, the Puritans come to power.* He could have will also recall that Richard is a murderer, more skillfully he or she leads readers to been a secret Roman Catholic like his a usurper of the throne, a complete villain. accept ideas, some of which we may call mother, Mary Arden, but at least publicly Parenthetically, we might want to note secular humanistic ways of looking at life. he probably subscribed to the Anglican here that Shakespeare altered historical To begin, let's consider an author who church of Queen Elizabeth, upon whom fact in order to make Richard appear so has survived the perils of time, William he and his company were dependent even evil, since he is in the end vanquished by Shakespeare. There has been some con- for their license to perform. How then can Richmond, who in truth became Henry jecture about the Bard's religious prefer- we think of Shakespeare as a proponent of VII, the grandfather of Queen Elizabeth I. secular humanist philosophy? If we Perhaps even more pertinent are some Edythe McGovern is professor of remember that great artists reveal their of the secular humanist statements made Children's Literature at West Los Angeles deepest convictions, sometimes even by Shakespeare's characters. For instance, College and at Valley College. She is the unwittingly, through their creations, we in Julius Caesar, Cassius is trying to per- author of They're Never Too Young for must examine his work for revelation of suade the idealistic Brutus to join in the Books (Prometheus Books, 1994), the his underlying views, some of which are plot to assassinate Caesar, and he tells the founder and secretary-treasurer of reluctant conspirator that "the fault, dear *Under the Puritans (1642-1660) all public theaters Secular Humanists of Los Angeles, and a were closed, along with bear-baiting, taverns, and Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves Secular Humanist Mentor. other "immoral entertainments." that we are underlings." In another quasi-

Summer 1995 49 historical play, King Lear, there is still justice hurtless breaks. more evidence that Shakespeare deplored Arm it in rags, a humankind's tendency to blame all his pigmy's straw doth pierce it.... Get thee faults and transgressions on "the stars" or glass eyes and like a on a supernatural deity, rather than take scurvy politician seem responsibility for one's own behavior or to see the things thou misbehavior. Gloucester, who is the chief dost not.... When we character in the play's subplot, is a father are born, we cry that we are come to this great whose child disappoints him, just as Lear's stage of fools. two daughters, Regan and Goneril, do their father. Gloucester has two sons: one, The once proud Edmund, is what is euphemistically called monarch has became "a natural son"—born out of wedlock. very humanistic in- Edmund, who is freely called "the bas- deed! tard" in the original sense of that word, has The play concludes an interesting soliloquy: quite differently from the original plot as This is the excellent foppery [folly] of this world, that when we are sick in for- written in Holling- tune—oft the surfeit of our own behav- shed's Chronicles, or ior—we make guilty of our disasters the later related in sun the moon, and the stars, as if we Spenser's Faerie were villains by necessity, fools by Queen. In Shake- heavenly compulsion; knaves, thieves, and treachers by spherical predomi- speare's version the nance; drunkards, liars and adulterers "good" daughter, by an enforced obedience of planetary Cordelia, has returned influence, and all that we are evil in, by to England to save her a divine thrusting on an admirable eva- old father, Lear, but William Shakespeare sion of whoremaster [lecherous] man. she is captured and hung. Lear, as he cra- And he continues. dles her dead body, says, "Ah, my poor Later in the same play, in the scenes of fool is hanged! No, no, no life! .. . Thou'lt terrible storm on the moors, where Lear is There is thy gold, worse poison to men's come no more, never, never, never," and souls, doing more murder in this loathe- wandering half mad with grief over filial then he dies. Notice that there is no talk of some world than these poor compounds ingratitude, the proud king becomes this wonderful woman going to any heav- thou mayst not sell. I sell thee poison, aware of common people for the first thou has sold me none. enly reward. time, and chides himself with "Oh, I have Again and again we note Shake- ta'en too little care of this! Take physic, Two of Shakespeare's plays that raise speare's insistence that man is responsible pomp. Expose thyself to feel what wretch- questions are Othello and The Merchant for himself and his actions. And over and es feel, that thou mayst shake the super- of Venice, the first because of the race of over we see that he stresses social justice flux to them." In the famous mock trial its protagonist, the second because of and the inevitable results of social injus- scene, Shakespeare has Lear speak to the Shylock's being a Jew. However, a close tice. For instance, in Romeo and Juliet, now-blind Gloucester, saying, reading of both plays prove that Shake- near the end of the play, Romeo, thinking speare recognized prejudice and deplored Juliet is dead, goes to an apothecary in A man may see how this world goes it, another characteristic of a secular Mantua to buy poison with which he with no eyes. Look with thine ears. See humanist. how yond justice rails about yond sim- intends to commit suicide. The apothecary In Othello much is made of the fact ple thief ... change places and handy- tells him that "Mantua's law is death to that the Moor is black. Although he is val- dandy which is the justice, which is the any he that utters [sell] them," to which thief? Thou has seen a farmer's dog ued as a warrior for Venice, when he mar- Romeo replies, bark at a beggar? And the creature run ries the white woman, Desdemona, her from the cur? There thou mightst behold father, Brabantio, is so outraged that he the great image of authority. A dog's Art thou so bare and full of wretched- obeyed in office. ness, and fear'st to die? Famine is in disowns his daughter, and we learn later thy cheeks; need and oppression that he has died of a "broken heart" over starveth in thy eyes; contempt and beg- her defection. And further along: gary hang upon thy back. The world is Othello is pictured by the dramatist as not thy friend, nor the world's law. The Through tattered clothes small vices do world affords no law to make thee rich; a very honorable man, albeit something of appear. Robes and furred gowns hide all. then be not poor, but break it, and take an inexperienced fool about love, since he Plate sin with gold and the strong lance of this. allows himself to he taken in by the evil

50 FREE INQUIRY lago, who makes him believe Desdemona demn, but `tis not hard to come to terms and so decided to devote all of his short is unfaithful. with Him." life to writing poetry. He died at twenty- Always the consummate dramatist, six, but if he had written nothing except Shakespeare allows Othello the chance to oving to the early nineteenth centu- "Ode on a Grecian Urn" he would have escape the web of lies, by having him Mry in France we can consider given us an important tenet of humanism ruminate aloud when he reasons, after George Sand (Amandine Aurore Lucia in its closing lines, "Beauty is Truth, truth mentioning his blackness and his age, Dupin) as an early feminist and possibly a beauty—that is all ye know on earth and "nor from my own weak merits will I secular humanist. In obvious revolt all ye need to know." draw the smallest fear or doubt of her against her Roman Catholic convent edu- And, of course, this company would be revolt [faithlessness], for she held eyes cation, she not only wrote over eighty incomplete without Percy Bysshe Shelley. and chose me." As we study the play, we novels under her masculine nom de An early advocate of "free love," he was see lago the villain, with his constant plume, but also insisted on living her life involved in trying to stir up the Irish emphasis on God's will, eventually over- with the same freedom that she would against England, and he never stopped his coming Othello's reluctance to believe the have enjoyed as a man of the time. private war against political and religious worst of his wife, until finally he is driven In this same period, we can cite the so- oppression. Before he was twenty, he to murder her, and then, after learning the called Romantic poets in England as sec- wrote "Queen Mab," a denunciation of truth, to kill himself. ular humanists all. Included in this group legal marriage, and "other such hateful Shylock in The Merchant of Venice is would be Lord Byron, an avowed non- institutions as Christianity and the indeed a Jew. However, taken in the con- believer, a satirist, and perhaps most of all church." From this poem we have lines text of the times, he is a far more sympa- a sensationalist whose poetry is largely such as these: thetic character than one might expect to autobiographical. In his poem "Cain" he find. Actually, the man to whom he lends identifies himself with the first rebel, And priests dare babble of a God of peace, even whilst their hands are red money, Antonio, treats Shylock very making God the villain. with guiltless blood, murdering the badly, so it is little wonder that the John Keats, however, took quite a dif- while, uprooting every germ of truth, moneylender wants his "pound of flesh." ferent approach. Having studied medi- exterminating, spoiling all, making the On the credit side Shakespeare gives cine, he knew that he would be a victim of earth a slaughterhouse. Shylock the famous speech that explains tuberculosis, like his mother and brother, his need for revenge on Antonio. He tells Shelley was attacked violently, and the court even twenty years after his death a pub- lisher who included "Queen Mab" in a He hath disgraced me ... laughed at my volume of Shelley's poems was brought losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my into court on the charge that "He did nation ... cooled my friends, heated falsely and maliciously publish a mine enemies. And what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not scandalous, impious, profane, and a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, sens- malicious libel concerning the Half es, affections, passions? Fed with the Scriptures and concerning same food, hurt with the same Almighty God." weapons, subject to the same dis- Shelley's nontraditional eases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same life continued as did his work winter and summer as a Christian with short pieces, such as "To a is? If you prick us, do we not Skylark," "Ode to the West bleed? If you tickle us, do we not Wind," and "Ozymandias," laugh? If you poison us, do we not penned even as he completed die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? "Cinci" and "Prometheus Unbound." These longer works celebrated what are undeniably Another dramatist of a slightly secular humanist themes. When later time merits mention here. It public castigation continued, took great courage for Molière (Jean Shelley wrote the now famous Baptiste Poquelin) to enrage his pro- "Defence of Poetry," in which he tector, King Louis XIV of France, by affirmed that "Poets are the unac- writing and producing his play Tartuffe knowledged legislators of the world," in 1664. In this comedy the title character and in 1821 his elegy for Keats, entitled, is a complete charlatan, supposedly a man "Adonais," personified grief-stricken of the cloth, who, when he is attempting Nature, concluding that intellectual to seduce his benefactor's wife says, Beauty is the ultimate and only permanent "God, it is true, does some delights con- George Sand reality. Summer 1995 51 oing on to the mid-nineteenth centu- representative of the most repressive ele- me, she contains all, nothing is lacking, yet ry, we can cite Emile Zola ments of the society. In Ghosts, for exam- all were lacking if sex were lacking or if (1840-1902) in France whose insistence ple, it is Pastor Manders who insists that the moisture of the right man was lacking," on realism in literature had great influence Helen Alving remain married to Captain and further on, "Now I will dismiss myself on many who followed. An ardent social- Alving even though she realizes early in from impassive women. I will go stay with ist and an implacable enemy of the their marriage that he is a discrete philan- those women that are warm-blooded and Catholic church, many of the families in derer. Her obedience to society's rules, sufficient for me. I see they understand me his novels lead tragic lives, frequently however, results in tragedy for both her and do not deny me." It took another sixty made more unbearable by their contacts and her son, Oswald, who has congenital years and more before D. H. Lawrence with organized religion. syphilis and is begging to die by the end shocked the English speaking public with Spanning the nineteenth and well into of the play. similar views about sexuality. Incidentally, the twentieth century, we must include Two American literary giants of the Whitman was discharged from a position George Bernard Shaw. A really original nineteenth century were both secular as a clerk in the Indian Bureau of the thinker, Shaw never missed an opportunity humanists to the core. The first was Mark Department of the Interior when Secretary to stress in his plays his opposition to Twain, with his subtle undermining of Harlan discovered that he was the author of Christianity in all of its guises. both racism and religion in all of his nov- an "indecent book." For instance, in his playful treatment els, but nowhere more effectively than in Another writer of this period was the of the old tale Androcles and the Lion, Huckleberry Finn. Here he makes the run- Englishman Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), Shaw creates every type of early away slave, "Nigger Jim," the substitute whose novels, such as Tess of the Christian imaginable. All except the naive father figure for Huck by contrasting him D'Urbevilles and Jude the Obscure, Androcles are ridiculed. He alone escapes with Huck's biological father, Pap, a thor- stressed amoral earthiness even in the death when thrown to the lions because oughly despicable character. This eventu- Victorian Age, and whose poetry contin- out of love of animals he had once ally leads to Huck's famous decision ued to disturb the status quo until he died removed a painful thorn from the paw of should he send the note to Jim's owner at nearly ninety years of age. An admirer a lion. In Candida a well-meaning minis- and "do the right thing" in the eyes of of Darwin, Hardy rejected the flattering ter finally realizes that it is his wife who society by betraying Jim, or should he risk concept of man at the center of the uni- does the work of the parish, as he spends eternal damnation by protecting the man verse. He believed that nature was indif- his time composing his sermons and who has loved and protected him during ferent, but Hardy was no pessimist. He basking in the admiration of his parishon- their time together? Huck's decisive "All knew that man's battle against insuperable ers. In Major Barbara the protagonist is right, then, I'll go to hell" are the perfect odds gave him importance and dignity, an officer in the British Salvation Army, words as he destroys the note to Jim's and that the courage to face inevitable whose millionaire father, Andrew owner, Miss Watson. But even more sig- tragedy made man noble. Undershaft, a munitions maker, disproves nificantly, they are Twain's answer to his her faith in the power of religion. His critics as well. ith the rapid growth of industrial- statement that "the greatest of evils and Second, there was Walt Whitman, Wization in the early twentieth centu- worst of crimes is poverty" is pure Fabian author of the unique Leaves of Grass. It is ry, many novelists stressed social injus- socialism, à la Shaw. interesting to note that this book of poetry tice, and we see a group of realistic writ- In Saint Joan the French heroine leads began as a thin, ninety-five-page quarto in ers, frequently called "muck-rakers," her country to victory, but when brought 1855 and grew to its full length through a including such men as Upton Sinclair, before the inquisition, she refuses to recant number of editions until the final version who decried conditions for the common and insists that she derives her authority appeared in 1892. man. The Jungle, a violent attack on the directly from God. Therefore, she is Whitman came from a background of meat-packing industry in Chicago, is a burned at the stake. In an amusing freethinkers and was from the onset a well-known example, but there were also Epilogue, Joan returns twenty-five years reformer and a humanist. At the beginning other novels of this type by Frank Norris, later and finds that the church has reversed his emphasis was on democracy, as he Stephen Crane, and Theodore Dreiser. All its stand. Then the time changes to 1920. believed it could be realized in this new advocated reform; most were socialist; Joan has now been canonized; yet her young country. He sang the praises of and in many of these books secular inquisitors and executioners still maintain every man and every woman who were part humanism, not religion, was earnestly that since heretics (read independent of that, and he saw himself in all of them. recommended. These writers seemed to thinkers) are always a menace to the estab- It was indeed a "Song of Myself," but agree that man as an individual and man lished church, they had acted correctly in "Children of Adam" and "Calamus," as part of a group must not lean on a putting her to death. Shaw's theme, of included in the 1860 edition, were shock- supernatural power to make the world a course, is the evil of organized religion. ing in their treatment of that great better place. Instead, he must have confi- Also coming at the close of the nine- American taboo—sex. The poet's insis- dence in his own ability to effect desirable teenth century, there is Henrik Ibsen with tence on the pleasures of sex for both men change. his socially critical plays, in which he and women was truly avant-garde. For After World War I, a fatuous sense of never fails to characterize churchmen as example, he wrote, "A woman waits for well-being was abroad in our country

52 FREE INQUIRY until blasted by Sinclair Lewis in Winemuller we can see this play- Main Street, published in 1920. wright's attitude about religion. Here Lewis reveals the small- Lillian Hellman's Watch on the mindedness, the racism, the anti- Rhine delineates very clearly her unionism and the rigid notions feelings about living by a moral about morals rampant in America. and ethical code independent of Unexpectedly, this novel and those religion and coming instead from which followed—Babbitt, Arrow- secular humanist principles. smith, and Elmer Gantry—were all The dramatization by Lawrence best sellers, even though their and Lee of the Scopes trial, called author was denounced (as his biog- Inherit the Wind, is a vivid depic- rapher Mark Schorer said) as a tion of the conflict between teach- "villain and a traitor." ing evolution in the public schools Moving into the 1930s—the peri- and teaching "creationism." Unfor- od of the Great Depression—we tunately, after almost seventy must consider John Steinbeck. Even years, this battle is still frequently in some of his short novels, such as enjoined today. Another powerful The Pearl, he makes clear what he example of secular humanist val- thinks of organized religion. For ues onstage is The Deputy by Rolf instance, in this book he makes as Hochhuth, which emphasizes these great a villain of the village priest as values through its vivid castigation he does the doctor and the pearl buy- of the part the Roman Catholic ers—all enemies of the poor pearl church played in the Holocaust divers. At one point Kino, the ill- through their secret "deal" with fated protagonist, remembers the Adolf Hitler. The final scene, yearly sermon preached by the which is a tableau of victims seen priest as follows: through a wire mesh fence, is John Steinbeck unforgettable. Each man and woman is like a soldier sent by God to guard some part of the crisis until finally, as he and young Tom e could go on and on, citing the castle of the undersea. And some are in are being chased by a posse, who are the ramparts and some are far deep in Joad Wworks of many poets, novelists, the darkness of the walls. But each must out to kill the "damned Reds," which they and playwrights, and we could include remain faithful to his post and must not believe all strikers to be, it is Casy who is certain children's writers, such as the go running about, else the castle is in struck down and dies so that Tom can avowed humanist, Leo Lionni, to make danger from the assaults of Hell. escape. the point as well. However, it should be Of course, Steinbeck was called a clear even from the relatively few literary In other words, says the representative of communist and worse, and the last scene artists included here that many creative God, do not aspire to improve your posi- of the novel, which has Rose O'Sharon writers, past and present, have stood tall tion, God wants you to remain ignorant, giving her milk to a starving man—any- against bigotry, formalized religion, and poor, and easily exploited thing but a sexy scene—still provides the notion of a supernatural deity. And In Grapes of Wrath Steinbeck creates some would-be censors with fuel for many have suffered for holding these not only the Joad family as a group pro- denunciation. views. We can say that there is some ten- tagonist, representative of all the dispos- In this time period many playwrights dency for many of these artists to be polit- sessed of the period, but also the character like Clifford Odets and Sidney Kingsley ically and socially "liberals" or even "rad- of Jim Casy. His initials, J.C., are signifi- wrote under the aegis of the WPA Arts ical." And it is clear that most of them cant, since Steinbeck makes no secret of Projects, and included secular humanist have taken positions in favor of individual his comparison to Jesus. Casy insists that ideals in their work. And in the period liberty and respect for different lifestyles. he is no longer a preacher, but he does following World War II, some very tal- Through fiction, they have called on their minister to the Joads and others as a ented writers like Arthur Miller, audiences to think independently and to humanist. As he says, Tennessee Williams, and Lillian take responsibility for their actions. They Hellman carried the torch. If we look at have stressed the commonality of human I gotta see them folks that's gone out on Death of a Salesman, All My Sons, experience and lauded moral excellence the road ... they gonna need help no preachin can give 'em. Hope of heaven Incident at Vichy, and especially The achieved not by following the dictates of when their lives ain't lived? They gotta Crucible it is very easy to appreciate any sect, but through recognition of the live before they can die. Miller's philosophical stand. And if we human potential. By their works, then, reread Summer and Smoke for they have earned the right to be called sec- Throughout the novel Casy helps in each Williams's portrait of the Reverend ular humanists. •

Summer 1995 53 ings attributed to Jesus. He mocks apoca- lyptic claims and finds the Gospels to be "fairy-tales." Some of Jesus' sayings are Reviews "stupid and unclear." He ridicules promises of salvation through poverty and finds the sayings associated with "the Last Supper" abhorrent. How can one An Early Critic of Christianity reconcile the differences in the genealo- gies of Jesus? Is Peter Satan or a rock? Paul comes through as a charlatan. The Gerald A. Larue physical resurrection idea is "silly." The attacks go on and on, and the tone ranges Porphyry's Against the Christians, The been preserved, in part, in the Apocriticus from mildly deprecatory to scathing Literary Remains, by R. Joseph Hoff- of Macarius Magnes (fourth century). In denunciation. mann (Amherst, New York: Prome- the Apocriticus, Macarius critiques the Having presented the reader with the theus Books, 1994) 181 pp., cloth skepticism of an unnamed pagan philoso- words of Porphyry, Hoffmann concludes $32.95. pher whom Hoffmann and others believe the book with an Epilogue, that is, as to be Porphyry. noted above, a model summary of the his- rom Introduction to Epilogue, Hoffmann plunges the reader immedi- tory of the Christian church during the FPorphyry's Against the Christians is ately into Prophyry's arguments, prefac- first few centuries of the Common Era. marked by brilliant scholarship and ing each of the philosopher's attacks with Christian laity should read this book insight. In fact, the Epilogue presents one the biblical references that are under fire. for the simple reason that it will make of the best succinct analyses and discus- At the bottom of each page, Hoffmann them think about a faith that most accept sions of the formation of the Bible and the leads the reader through scholarly argu- uncritically. Clergy should read it because development of the early Christian church ments that clarify important points. they should be required to answer the that I have read. Further, I must urge, even What did Porphyry say that was so logic of Porphyry's arguments without insist, that the book be read and reread for earthshaking? Perhaps nothing in light of resorting to allegory as early Christian information about the way one early critic modern scholarship, but his words were apologists did. Non-Christians should of developing Christianity presented his challenging and troubling for the devel- read it if only to join minds with a free- analysis of the faith. This book presents oping church. Porphyry uses common thinker of another age, but also to grow the work of a mature, wise, expert sense and reason to point out obvious from a different perspective of New Hoffmann at his best. contradictions in the Gospels and in say- Testament criticism. • Who was Porphyry? As Hoffmann tells us, he was a third century C.E. neo- Platonist philosopher, who may have been a Christian but who, after studying under Foster humanist growth for years to come. Plotinus, turned away from Christianity and became a powerful critic of the faith. Provide for FREE INQUIRY in your will. Unfortunately his fifteen books that com- prise Against the Christians are lost to us. Please remember FREE INQUIRY (CODESH, Inc.) when planning your The early church was, in Hoffmann's estate. Your bequest will help to maintain the vitality of humanism in a words, "unusually successful in its efforts society often hostile toward it. to eradicate all traces of Against the We would be happy to work with you and your attorney in the Christians from at least 448" when all development of a will or estate plan that meets your wishes. A variety existing copies were ordered burned. of arrangements are possible, including gifts of a fixed amount or a per- If Porphyry's books were destroyed, centage of your estate; living trusts or gift annuities, which provide you how can Hoffmann claim to be publishing with lifetime income; a contingent bequest that provides for FREE "the literary remains" of Porphyry's writ- ings? Basing much of his research on the INQUIRY only if your primary beneficiaries do not survive you. work of the German historian, Adolf von For more information contact Paul Kurtz, Editor of FREE INQUIRY. Harnack (1851-1930), Hoffmann con- All inquiries will be held in the strictest confidence. tends that Porphyry's arguments have Write to: P.O. Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226. Gerald A. Larue is professor emeritus of Or call 716-636-7571. Biblical Archeology at the University of Southern California at Los Angeles.

54 FREE INQUIRY

As a former fundamentalist preacher, I often found myself thinking, "Oh, I know what they [inerrancy apologists] will say Everything You Always Wanted about this," and sometimes I had to admit that these anticipated responses would be to Tell Fundamentalists .. . legitimate answers to the discrepancies that McKinsey incorrectly alleges at times. An example of this occurs when and More McKinsey challenges 1 Kings 9:26 for saying that Ezion-geber was "on the shore of the Red Sea" (p. 219). McKinsey Farrell Till claims that this is a geographical error, because "Ezion-geber is over a hundred The Encyclopedia of Biblical Errancy, by damentalist position on inerrancy: one miles from the Red Sea and is certainly C. Dennis McKinsey (Amherst, N.Y.: must either accept the Bible as the inerrant not on its shore." Prometheus, 1995) 553 pp., cloth $49.95. word of God in its entirety or else assign it In terms of modern geography, no more importance than any other collec- McKinsey is right, because Ezion-geber flown to most humanists and skeptics tion of literature. By the time McKinsey's was located on what is now called the s the publisher of Biblical Errancy, book is finished, the reader will have seen Gulf of Aqabah. In biblical times, howev- C. Dennis McKinsey has compiled into one more than enough to justify the latter of er, this gulf and also the Gulf of Suez, convenient volume most of the information these choices. which are branches of the Red Sea on the published in the fifteen-year history of his The other chapters contain plenty of eastern and western sides of the Sinai monthly newsletter. The Encyclopedia of information that McKinsey's subscribers Peninsula, and the Red Sea proper were Biblical Errancy will be a useful addition to are accustomed to seeing in Biblical all called the Red Sea. The scriptures that the personal library of those who are weary Errancy: the pitting of scripture against confirm this are too numerous to list, and of born-again friends and relatives who scripture to show inconsistency and often most Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias never tire of yakking about "the perfect har- outright contradiction. There are chapters point out that ancient writers used the mony of the Bible." McKinsey's book that discuss scientific errors, nonexistent name in reference not just to the Red Sea proves that, if there is anything that the and unfulfilled prophecies, New Testa- and its adjoining gulfs but even to the Bible is not, it is certainly not a work of per- ment misquotations of the Old Testament, Indian Ocean too. fect harmony. A few weeks of serious read- numerical and chronological contradic- Despite occasional problems like this, ing in McKinsey's book will give the lay tions, and divine injustice. Altogether The Encyclopedia of Biblical Errancy will skeptic ample information about biblical the book has twenty-five chapters of be a useful reference work for the person discrepancies to frustrate just about any errancy-related materials and a four-page who wants information to use in respond- door-to-door missionary. bibliography of works that have been pub- ing to the outrageous biblical inerrancy The opening chapter encapsulates some lished on both sides of the issue. It has claims of born-again Christians. No easy-to-assimilate information about the two indexes, one for subjects and another inerrancy defender can answer all of history of the Bible: the way the canon was for scriptures, which make it easy to find McKinsey's arguments, because most of selected, the books that were "voted out" issues of special interest. them address long-recognized textual during the selection process, unwarranted My main complaint about the book is inconsistencies and contradictions that assumptions about the authorship of that McKinsey sometimes looks too hard biblical apologists have never satisfac- anonymously written books, variances in to find inconsistency in the biblical text. torily explained. • the different versions, translation prob- lems, and much more. Nothing in this FREE INQUIRY chapter is too complex for readers to mas- Holders Storing your issues of FREE INQUIRY on your bookshelves will be easier with the purchase of a ter well enough to use in their day-to-day vinyl holder. Each holder has gold-colored ornamentation, a slot for labeling, and can accom- discussions with Christian fundamental- modate four years of FREE INQUIRY and the Secular Humanist Bulletin. ists. The chapter also includes a survey of the literature that fundamentalists have $11.95 each, postage and handling Included Total for holder (s) published in support of their belief in bib- lical inerrancy. McKinsey reviews the lit- D Check or money order enclosed Cl Charge my Visa or MasterCard Name

erature to show the correctness of the fun- Street

Exp. Date City/State/Zip Code Farrell Till is a contributing editor of the Secular Humanist Bulletin and a former Signature Daytime phone fundamentalist minister. Mail to Free Inquiry, Box 664, Amherst, N.Y. 14226-0664, or call toll-free 1-800-458-1366

Summer 1995 55 the contents of The Age of Reason is much briefer than Keane's. A Thomas Paine Bonanza Although the statement is often seen that nothing new in the way of source material about Paine's life has been found Gordon Stein in the past fifty years or so, this is clearly not the case when it comes to Keane's Tom Paine: A Political Life, by John that one often sees the statement that the book. He has had the clever idea of look- Keane (New York: Little, Brown, 1995) book was written in prison in various ing at Paine materials in languages other 644 pp., $27.95 cloth. biographies or articles about Paine. So, I than English, and he has found quite a bit always check anything about Paine to see of untapped material. Strangely enough, Thomas Paine: Apostle of Freedom, by how the author treats the composition of there was material in Russian, Polish, Jack Fruchtman, Jr. (New York: Four The Age of Reason. It is a mini-test of the Czech, Hungarian, and Chinese, along Walls Eight Windows, 1994) 557 pp., book or article's accuracy with the obvious French. Although Keane $30.00 cloth. The second test of a biography is its published only about six months after ease of being read, or the grace of the Fruchtman's book, he manages to include he two hundredth anniversary of the author's writing style. Obviously, the bet- the Fruchtman book in his discussion of Tpublication of The Age of Reason in ter written a book is, the more there is to the strengths and weaknesses of previous 1794 has just passed. The thoughts of recommend it to the reader. A third test of biographies (Prologue, p. xix). In his cri- many biographers seem to have turned to a biography is how complete or detailed it tique, Keane says Fruchtman's book ".. . writing about Thomas Paine. The two is. presents no new material, carelessly mud- books above are the two fullest biographi- Both books appear to be the result of dles details and repeats old clichés about cal works issued thus far, the first in twen- extensive scholarship. They are filled with Paine's early commitment to Quakerism ty years. How do the two works compare? footnotes (Jack Fruchtman provides a full and his personal `failures'; proposes that There are a number of ways in which a bibliography), and acknowledge the assis- Paine came to political writing `quite by biography can be judged. One is on its tance of many people and libraries. Both accident' and concludes with a strange accuracy. Does it present what is known in are by professional academics, who have self-contradiction: `Paine was always the a non-distorted way? In order for the read- published before on related topics. democratic, though acerbic, journalist: an er to judge this, he or she must obviously Now, how do the two books treat our apostle of freedom.."' know a great deal about the subject of the little test case about the publication of The Keane says that he has tried to correct biography. In fact, to catch some biogra- Age of Reason? Keane has it exactly right the errors of previous biographers. Perhaps phers in an error, one must sometimes (pp. 401-402) and adds some useful infor- he has succeeded. I feel that his book is the know more about the subject of the biog- mation about why it is unlikely that Paine superior of the two, but there is probably raphy than the author. wrote anything at all of substance while still room for a "definitive" biography. It's There are some tricks, however. One he was in prison, namely that he was seri- too bad that a fire destroyed the building in that I use for Paine is the story of how The ously ill, and almost died. It was only by which Paine stored most of his personal Age of Reason's two parts were composed. means of the intensive care of an impris- papers more than one hundred years ago. For a talk a number of years ago, I did oned physician that Paine survived. Access to those would have enabled a extensive research on the early composi- Fruchtman has most of the facts straight biographer to really do something new tion of this Paine book. The correct story (pp. 314-315), although his treatment of about Thomas Paine. • of its composition is that Paine finished his draft of Part One just before he was arrest- ed in France. He managed to slip the man- uscript to his friend Joel Barlow, with DONATE TO THE instructions to get it published, just as he was being led away to jail, Part Two was Center for Inquiry Library written after Paine's release from jail eleven months later, at the Paris home of The newly opened Center for Inquiry will house the Freethought and James Monroe, then U.S. ambassador to Secular Humanist Collection—books, journals, and reference works in France. So, none of The Age of Reason philosophy (naturalism and pragmatism), the history of freethought, was actually written while Paine was in and biblical criticism. The 3,000-square-foot library will have state-of- jail in Luxembourg Prison, despite the fact the-art computer cataloguing and scanning-and-retrieval equipment and be available to scholars, students, and the lay public. Dr. Stein is senior editor of FREE INQUIRY To support the library with donations of funds or materials call and director of the Center for Inquiry Director Gordon Stein at 716-636-7571, or write P. O. Box 664, Libraries. Amherst, NY 14226.

56 FREE INQUIRY you dozens of good reasons why knock- ing down little old ladies is a good idea: it A Call for Common Decency is more efficient, our competitors are doing it, it will eliminate the little old ladies from the sidewalks, making pedes- trian transportation more cost efficient Greg Erwin and thus benefitting the entire society. Yet, the vast majority of people just "know" Voltaire's Bastards, the Dictatorship of force. The dignity of man is thus an that it is not right to knock down little old Reason in the West, by John Ralston expression of modesty, not of superior ladies and do not do it. preening and vain assertions. Saul (New York: Penguin Books, 1993) Our jury system is another aspect of These simple notions are central to 540 pp., paper $16.00. the Western idea of civilization, they are unreason to be admired. Certainly, a judge clearly opposed to the narrow and and two teams of lawyers may know more The Doubter's Companion, A Dictionary mechanistic certainties of ideology; about the laws of a country while still of Aggressive Common Sense, by John those assertions of certainty intended to remaining incapable of perceiving justice. hide the fear of doubt. Ralston Saul (New York: Viking Pen- In one local Canadian humanist example, guin, 1994) 342 pp., cloth $30.00. Dr. Henry Morgentaler was charged with That's not a bad start, and it is hardly the crime of performing abortions four am sure that many humanists have the ravings of a New Age spiritualist or a times, and four times juries refused to Irefrained from even picking up back-to-that-old-time-religion crank. convict him of it. They had perfect right Voltaire's Bastards, certain that it is In Voltaire's Bastards, John Ralston to do it (under Canadian law). Ideal, another rationality-bashing, spirituality- Saul's main point is to denounce those democratic justice, tempered with mercy, promoting book that attacks reason as "mechanistic certainties of ideology," is not purely rational. sterile, dry, and unproductive and pro- including (to the delight of all atheists) We have made a modern trinity of motes religion as the source of creativity, religious ideologies. The first promise of competition, efficiency, and free markets. joy, art, and emotion. I know that I did at reason, in the time of the Enlightenment, With competition, of course, there is one first. It was a mistake. was in contrast to the irrational supersti- winner and many losers. Many things are The epigram reads: tion of the established churches, which not naturally efficient and should not be were still burning heretics and jailing so. Dictatorships and absolute monarchies Reason is a narrow system blasphemers, and the arbitrary powers that are wonderfully efficient, whereas democ- swollen into an ideology, held the reins of government on behalf of racies are notoriously messy and slow. With time and power it has a hereditary aristocracy, at the whim of Certain infrastructures, like the postal sys- become a dogma, devoid of the monarch and his court. Reason held tem, highways, railways, schools, and direction and disguised as out a promise of a new civilization. hospitals should not be constrained by a disinterested inquiry To a large extent, it has delivered on need to make money. They exist to make that promise. However, one would have to it possible for the activity of society to be Like most religions, reason presents itself as the solution be blind, deaf, and a hermit not to have carried on: they are a modern commons. to the problems it has created. noticed that bad things are going on in the Not everything can be measured in mone- world lately, and that these bad things tary terms. What prompted me to read further was cannot all be blamed on the churches, or Yet, even in monetary terms, the gospel the recommendation of a fellow humanist, religion. of efficiency isn't doing so well. After plus reading the following definition of The problem that we have now in the decades of efficiency and competition, we humanism in The Doubter's Companion: West is that reason has been divorced remain mired and stagnant. Western from ethics, and there is a struggle European states with subsidized railways Humanism: An exaltation of freedom, between rationalism and common sense. are doing much better than the lean, mean but one limited by our need to exercise it Saul does not come out in favor of reli- VIA Rail or Amtrak. Certainly everybody as an integral part of nature and society. gion or any other form of irrationality, else's medical care system is better and We are capable of freedom because we are capable of seeking the balance which may also be divorced from com- incidentally, more cost effective, than the which integrates us into the world. And mon sense and ethics. He is calling for a one in the United States. this equilibrium in society depends on return to the subordination of reason to Like the propounders of a religion, the our acceptance of doubt as a positive what humanists have called "the common exponents of rationalism (and managers in moral decencies." general) have never admitted that they Greg Erwin is president of the Humanist In one small anecdote he points out were ever wrong. We have switched from Association of Ottawa and a member of that it is often easier and quicker to knock one economic trick to another, without the executive council of the Humanist down a little old lady, rather than going ever clearly stating that the previous Association of Canada. around her. Many modern libertarian, method was wrong. Saul makes the point rationalistic, free-trade advocates can give that one of the strengths of a democracy,

Summer 1995 57 and one of the reasons that reason is, well, which problems are identified. The man- was always careful not to offend those in unreasonable to rely on, is that there are no ager distrusts public debate, abhors any authority," writes Saul. absolute answers. Human beings and their admission of doubt, and stifles unpre- Most of the quotes in this review have societies are so complex that problems and dictable behavior." Anybody who works in been from The Doubter's Companion, solutions keep changing. We are better off a large corporation, or worse, for a gov- which is full of delightful nuggets, long learning to live with uncertainty, which ernment, knows the effects of this ideolo- and short. Voltaire's Bastards is the com- was one of the lessons of science that gy. A major reason for the decline in basic plex development of its ideas. humanism was supposed to have absorbed. scientific research (what is it good for?) is If you feel that the democratic part of The best of secular democracy and this management attitude. democratic secular humanism is in danger, humanism is under assault as never He identifies five men as the "Gang of and worth defending, these books should before, not only from the radical Christian Five" who created the modern Western explain the problem, its history, and sug- right, who would avoid the existential state: Machiavelli, Bacon, Loyola, gest some action. The primary step every- messiness of democracy by the immutable Richelieu, and Descartes. Descartes creat- one can take is to become a citizen: answers of revealed religion. There are ed rational methodology. Machiavelli The individual is essentially a citizen. efficiency experts, economists, and reduced morality to effectiveness and This is a reality inherited from Athens. bureaucrats of all types who would like to virtue to strength of will. Loyola invented We have little choice but to accept it eliminate the pillars of democratic the ultimate corps of public servants, since democracy cannot function in any humanism in our societies: juries, elec- bureaucrats or courtiers, the Jesuits. Bacon other way. It is possible to hop along in tions, access to information, debating was an ideologue of modern science who a one-legged manner with citizens vot- ing from time to time but refusing to assemblies at federal, state, and local lev- advocated a dictatorship of technocrats participate, and being denied most of els could all be wiped out with the who seek knowledge and truth, while their obligations. The result is a superfi- answers of competition, efficiency, and keeping these hidden from the citizenry. cial, even dishonest, system and a popu- the marketplace. Richelieu laid out the foundation for the lation constantly dissatisfied with itself. Voltaire's Bastards is a conscious- modern managerial nation state with his If the individual is not first a citizen, then the obligations and privileges raising book. Once you are sensitized to "Rational Reorganization of Government." which go with that status are effectively the problem, you will begin to see it "Four unpleasant, ruthless courtiers and lost and the person ceases to be an in- everywhere. I heard a news item about a one well-meaning, timid philosopher who dividual. refugee stuck at Orly Airport. He had lost his papers certifying his refugee status. He could not leave the airport as the French police will arrest anyone without proper Books in Brief identification. It was against the rules for the European Council to send the papers The Corruption of Reality, John F. aimed at improved coping. from Belgium; it is required that they be Schumaker (Buffalo, N.Y.: Prometheus Schumaker includes a historical and picked up. The man has, as a conse- Books, 1995) 289 pp., cloth $29.95. This cross-cultural analysis showing how reali- quence, had been living at the airport for groundbreaking volume examines our ty reconstruction takes place. He outlines the last six years. sometimes strained grasp of reality and the shortcomings of current psychothera- On another, "higher" level is the eutha- sheds new light on three subject areas that peutic approaches as well as the promis- nasia debate. Questions of life and death continue to fascinate researchers: religion, ing trends toward a spiritualization of psy- really cannot be satisfactorily legislated. hypnosis, and psychopathology. chotherapy. He concludes with a discus- Only the family and the physician with a The Corruption of Reality: A Unified sion of the lack of mental fitness of long acquaintance with the patient, in con- Theory of Religion, Hypnosis, and Psy- Western culture, with special attention to junction with the patient, can make a com- chopathology challenges many of the its severely eroded religious system. He passionate, humanistic decision. The best ideas in all three disciplines and paves the proposes some possible solutions to revi- laws will be those that most nearly make way for an exciting, far-reaching, and uni- talizing our culture including the contro- this possible. fied theory of conscious and unconscious versial prospect of establishing a new reli- Saul says that the rigid attitude behavior. John Schumaker argues that gion that incorporates new knowledge of demanding answers is most exemplified in (despite their apparent differences) reli- our peculiar relationship to ourselves and modern business management, the philos- gion, hypnosis, and psychopathology are the world. ophy of which has taken over as the offi- all expressions of the unique human abili- John F. Schumaker is a Senior Lecturer cial dogma of not only business, but gov- ty to modify and regulate reality in ways in Psychology at the University of ernment and education, as well. Managers that ultimately serve the individual and Newcastle, Australia. He is the author of seek "continuity, stability and delivery of society. In turn, these same behaviors can many books including Wings of Illusion: services and products from existing struc- be traced to the brain's remarkable capac- The Origin, Nature, and Future of tures." This "discourages creativity, imagi- ity to process information along multiple Paranormal Belief (Prometheus Books). nation, non-linear thinking, individualism pathways, thus allowing the person to and speaking out, an insubordinate act by manipulate reality in strategic directions —Jim Cox

58 FREE INQUIRY Priests themselves have emphasized their special calling, their celibacy, their long Viewpoints years in seminary, and their essential iso- lation from ordinary life. This separatism takes a tremendous toll on priests, and it was not until the openness made possible by Vatican II and the massive resignation Catholic Priests and Adult- of priests and religious that occurred later that Americans realized the extent of the Child Sexual Interaction priestly and religious disenchantment. The Servants of the Paraclete, however, had been founded to deal with troubled Vern L. Bullough priests long before this public awakening. For many years, they concentrated on n late 1986, I received an invitation to gained considerable insight into the prob- alcoholism, which has sometimes been Idiscuss the historical aspects of lems that the Catholic church was facing called the priestly disease. A major alco- pedophilia at a conference to be held in in terms of adult-child sexual interaction holic rehabilitation center was established the summer of 1987 in Jemez Springs, among some of its troubled priests, an in St. Louis and perhaps others elsewhere, New Mexico, sponsored by among others, issue that has more recently received con- and these often became permanent homes the Servants of the Paraclete. My initial siderable publicity. There has been a rash for the walking religious wounded. reaction was cautious. Pedophilia was a of accusations, some of which were More important, the Servants of the controversial topic and I wanted to know untrue, against prominent Catholic offi- Paraclete soon realized there were even who else was invited. I also had never cials. There was also the airing of the greater problems than alcoholism among heard of the Servants of the Paraclete and Canadian Broadcasting Company's mini- the priests, and they established a retreat felt that they might be a front group for series "The Boys of St. Vincent." The tele- in Jemez Springs to deal with priests advocates of pedophilia. It turned out that cast, a fictional recreation with names and accused of sexual indiscretions, most Jay R. Feierman, a psychiatrist and orga- often child abuse. Intense sessions for nizer of the conference, had invited each class of thirty or so priests sent there almost all the major researchers in the "Ultimately, the problem is the went on for about five months, twice a social and behavioral sciences who had unrealistic expectations for priests year. The rehabilitation was costly, but the some expertise in the topic, as well as and religious by both the public Catholic hierarchy, suffering from a short- other experts from biology, primatology, and the church as an institution. age of priests and realizing the problems and medicine. The Servants of the Sexual problems are simply sym- of some of those who remained, mounted Paraclete turned out to be a Catholic reli- bolic of this root cause." an earnest attempt. gious order that had been organized in the Unfortunately, some of the very priests United States in the 1930s to deal with sent to New Mexico as part of their path troubled "religious," i.e. priests and places changed, was based on events that toward rehabilitation were sent out to monks. Most of the papers given at the occurred in Mount Cashel in the 1970s, a underserved churches to help out part- conference were ultimately published,' Roman Catholic orphanage in Newfound- time. One result of this is that the but the informal discussions that took land.' The original telecast, blocked out in Archdiocese of Santa Fe is one of those in place between the presenters, other Ontario and most of Quebec in early 1993 most financial trouble, its resources invited guests, and the Servants of the because of legal action, eventually was depleted from defending charges of sexual Paraclete were not. broadcast there in late 1993, and after abuse by priests, most of them sent by the It was through these discussions that I some delay reached an American audi- retreat in Jemez Springs. Archbishop ence earlier this year. Michael Shehan in 1994 estimated that Vern L. Bullough is Professor of History Though church officials probably lawsuits, which then totaled more than at California State University at always knew of cases of sexual abuse of $50 million, could mean bankruptcy for Northridge and a State University of New young boys (and some young girls) by the archdiocese. York Distinguished Professor Emeritus. A priests, they had tried to cover them up. Among other archdioceses and dioce- prolific author, his most recent books are Priests were reprimanded, usually trans- ses in trouble are Chicago; Milwaukee; Science in the Bedroom (Basic, 1994) ferred, and in recent years sent for treat- Lafayette, Louisiana; and Camden, New and, with Bonnie Bullough, Sexual ment, but publicity about such priests was Jersey. This is the the tip of the iceberg. Attitudes: Myths and Realities (Pro- avoided at all costs until the issue Some authorities have estimated that set- metheus Books, 1995). In press (Garland) exploded. tlement costs so far have exceeded half a is Handbook of Medieval Sexuality, an Although the Catholic church always billion dollars.' Figures are difficult to 800 page compendium. recognized that priests are human, come by since settlements are confiden- Catholicism still puts them on a pedestal. tial. Insurance companies are reluctant to

Summer 1995 59 divulge settlements for fear of encourag- changing conditions encouraged them to among its members. The current pope has ing more claims, and they have forced go public. Even then only a minority did again condemned contraceptive usage, Catholic officials to change their policy so. A membership organization called the and prefers to believe that the problem of on guilty priests or face cancellation of Survivors' Network of those Abused by unwanted pregnancies will go away if the their policies. Clarence Dziak, president Priests estimate that only about 5 percent church emphasizes premarital chastity. A of Associated Insurance Professionals, of its members have sued or intend to sue church that condemns all sexuality except Inc., in Albuquerque, held that the costs the Catholic church, preferring instead to that which leads to procreation and still remains "a big secret," although it is receive apologies from church officials involves only the orifice, the vagina, and known that the Chicago archdiocese spent and an indication that action was being the instrument, the penis, designed for this $2.8 million in 1993 alone on misconduct taken so that the problem will not recur. purpose will remain in trouble. cases dealing with adult-child sexual As the vast numbers of clergy and reli- interactions. o its credit, the Catholic church has gious who have abandoned their vows in Moreover, in spite of church secrecy, Tbegun to deal with part of the prob- recent years would indicate, the Catholic as publicity about priests abuse mounts, lem. The Servants of the Paraclete could church in the United States is facing a the numbers of lawsuits or threatened law- only help those who were sent there, shortage of religious, which will increase suits increase. When the CBC's mini- even if it was not entirely successful. as the officials gain authority to dismiss series first aired in Canada, the Kids' Help Many dioceses did not even bother to the more troubled ones among those who Phone Line in Toronto was deluged with take that step. However, Diocesan offi- remain. Ultimately, the problem is the calls from adult survivors of sexual and cials have now appointed independent unrealistic expectations for priests and physical abuse by priests from all over review boards to handle allegations, and religious by both the public and the Canada, according to its supervisor the priests involved are no longer rou- church as an institution. Sexual problems Shirley Levitz. The telephone number for tinely transferred. The National are simply symbolic of this root cause. the help line was aired at the beginning of Conference of Catholic Bishops have the show and the CBC gave the telephone voted for changes in church law to make Notes counseling service money to put on extra it easier to dismiss abusive clergy from staff. Most calls were from adult males the priesthood. 1. Jay R. Feierman, Pedophilia: Biosocial Dimensions (New York: Springer-Verlag, 1990). who spoke of abuse dating back twenty- The problem, however, runs much 2. The full story was told by Michael Harris, five to thirty years in residential schools, deeper, and at its root is the failure of the Unholy Orders: Tragedy at Mount Cashel (New public schools, and orphanages. These Catholic church to come to terms with York: Viking, 1990). 3. Jason Berry, Lead Us Not Into Temptation individuals who were reporting childhood human sexuality in either its priests, its (1992) estimated the amount at $400 million at that abuse did not claim to be victims of the religious (both men and women), or time and costs have continued to rise. • repressed mem- ory syndrome (as was the accuser of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin of Chicago) but rather individuals who had always known they were abused. They had complained to church officials and often to gov- ernment officials without success. Often their own parents had refused to believe them, and they had contented themselves with nursing their grievances against the priests and living with their shame until 60 FREE INQUIRY Summer 1995 floating onwater,andJoshuacommand- P Amendment Studies.. ing thesuntostandstill.Theyreadabout fantasy, thensomethingofaninnocent fantasy isnotawillingpartner,and, the timewhenGodspokethrough tasyland. InSundayschooltheylearnof about thepersonsubjectedtofantasy? needed. Theyrelishstoriesaboutheads prophets andperformedmiraclesas indeed, actuallybecomesavictimofthat mild sexualbondagewithawillingpart- the personholdingfantasy,butwhat For example,itisperfectlyacceptableifa nature progressesintoacriminalactivity. ner. However,ifthepersonincludedin human psyche.Well,itmaybehealthyfor Massachusetts-based InstituteforFirst person pondersonfantasiesinvolving director oftheGreatBarrington, Skipp Porteous,aformerChristianfun- damentalist minister,isthenational Skipp Porteous Bible-believing Christiansliveinfan- of fantasizingishealthyforthe sychologists tellusthatsomeamount Pat Robertson'sFantasy SuGGEST1ONS?? NC TEN seats ofautomobiles. Age wheneveryonewasmoralandpure. themselves. to findhopeelsewhere—suchaswithin those whoembracethem.Itgivesthem virtually nocrimebackthen,andteenage hope whentheyareunable,orunwilling, boys andgirlsdidnotfornicateintheback include thereturnofsupposedGolden tain futuristicfantasies.Thesefantasies and promisingtoreturnEarth.Still astounds everyonebyrisingfromthedead Christians entertainfantasiesaboutthe ruled. Fromtheirstandpoint,therewas of "wonderbread." of peoplewiththefirstknownappearance opening blindeyes,andfeedingthousands day. waiting forthefulfillmentofthatpromise, tory whenfundamentalChristianvalues Jesus walkingonwater,healinglepers, preacher andfolkheroiskilled,he imagined "GoldenAge"inAmericanhis- Religious fantasiesoffercomfortto Many ofthesesameChristiansenter- Then, whenJesus,theitinerant Many Christiansholdfantasiesofan

les ©1995. Reprinted with permission of Universal Press Syndicate. All rights r cludes hisspeechbysaying that hispre- God willdoit." diction "maysoundlikeafairy tale...but tics. Itembracesaworld runby Robertson's kindofChristians. Hecon- health, business,entertainment, orpoli- non-Christians ineducation,religion, allowed; whenlawsarebroken,criminals Christian Reconstructionistthoughtadvo- or areexecutedforcapitaloffenses,elim- cates avirtualtheocracy,wheretheBible either makerestitutionforminoroffenses rules everyaspectofsociety.Sinisnot inating theneedforprisons. Studies obtainedanaudiotapeofa at RobertTilton'sWordofFaithOutreach and advocatetheestablishmentofbiblical church inDallas1984.Inglowing ers. Yet,whenthemembersofadominant fantasies, theydolittleornoharmtooth- America. terms, Robertsonrelateshismostcher- Reverend PatRobertsonspeechdelivered rule, theharmisfeltbymillionsofunwill- religion pressforwardwiththeirillusion ished fantasy,aprophecyofChristian ing partners. At leastPatRobertson warnedus. of thatstuffonournewsstandsorany society .whenpornographersno Jesus-loving humanbeings.... whatsoever ...wherethereisnomore [Christians] willbetheheadandnot Robertson's fantasyleavesnoroomfor posed toservearehonest,honorable, place else...whenthosewhoaresup- God willbethemosthonoredpeoplein longer haveanyaccesstothepublic to beinthehandsofgodlypeople.... tail ...educationoftheyoungisgoing We're goingtoseeasocietywherepeo- ple arelivinggodlyandmorallives. world. The InstituteforFirstAmendment Imagine atimewhen...thepeopleof a greatbigpoliceforce...workersand Robertson continuesonthetape: virtually empty...thereisnoneedfor of God...thechurchmembershave And aslongthesefantasiesremain taken dominionovertheforcesof managers respecteachotheraschildren more abortions...wheretheprisonsare taught thethingsofGod...thereareno tle childrenprayinschools,andthey read theBibletothemandthey're I wantyoutoimaginealandwherelit- 61 • mitting such families to bear or adopt chil- dren. Instead of devaluing the family, Religion and Sexual Orientation same-sex marriages (an oxymoron accord- ing to one questioner) were viewed as upholding family values in a period when Richard J. Goss these are being redefined. Not surprisingly, many panelists at- hat are the traditional moralities of clergy, of course, claim it does, citing the tempted to define the purpose of sex, since Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant purportedly historically religious roots of this was what all the fuss was about. Some religions regarding homosexuality, and American democracy, as well as the more spoke of its "divine purpose," referring to how should they impact law and public recent paradigm of Martin Luther King's the exclusively procreational role of sex policy? These are the questions theolo- religious campaign for black civil rights within the holy state of matrimony. They gians were asked to address in a climate of legislation. Nowadays, the church feels invoked "natural law," of course, offering "reasoned debate and civil dialogue" at a obliged to use its authority to translate bib- their own arbitrary interpretations of this conference held at Brown University on lical revelation into what it perceives to be slippery concept, as theologians are wont April 7 and 8, 1995, on "Sexual Orien- the public good. The trouble is that with to do. Although such a definition rules out tation and Human Rights in American the exception of Roman Catholicism and homosexuality, autosexuality, and artificial Religious Discourse." Protestant fundamentalism, the Jews and contraception, how it conforms to the Before an audience of 100 or so inter- mainline Protestants are deeply divided on rhythm method, infertility, or post- ested attendees, this confab was prompted this issue—to the point of being in stasis, menopausal intercourse remained obscure. by recent controversies over the rights of according to Episcopalian Deirdre Good. Less dogmatic speakers emphasized the gays and lesbians to serve in the military, As in most debates between the sectarian importance of sexual pleasure and com- to marry, to raise children, and to enjoy and the secular, the former are far from munion in strengthening the bonds of love protection from discrimination in general. unanimous in their positions. Indeed, the so essential to committed relationships. The defeated Colorado Amendment Two, conservative Rabbi David Novak made the Since there is nothing intrinsically wrong for example, would have made it illegal point that, although religions must con- with homosexual behavior per se between even to pass laws protecting these groups form to the secular society in which they consensual adults, religion must accept from discrimination. Further, reactions in reside, the secular society is secondary to blame for branding these victimless activ- the straight community to what is per- the religious. The primacy of the latter, ities as sins, for promoting the homopho- ceived by some to be "in your face" antag- therefore, has the right to dictate morality. bia so pervasive in Judeo-Christian cul- onism by homosexual activists has been One wonders by what rationale the innu- ture, and for vitiating loving sexual articulated by the Ramsey Colloquium, merable brands of sectarian are entitled to relations with outdated theological con- twenty-one prominent conservative impose their ethics on the secular when demnations. Instead, religions should be Jewish and Christian theologians and ethi- they cannot even agree among themselves aiding the victims of homophobia. cists ("The Homosexual Movement," what's right. Transcending the entire conference First Things 41: 15-20). Therein lies the problem. When Holy was the tragic predicament in which sin- There were four main sessions in the Scripture says one thing and common cerely believing theologians find them- conference, focusing on the particular sense another, what is an observant theist selves. Striving to uphold the tenets of perspectives of the Jewish, Roman to do? Some give priority to their theolo- their faith, yet genuinely sympathizing Catholic, mainline Protestant, and gies. For them, when the Bible says, "If a with their gay and lesbian brothers and African-American churches. Each session man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with sisters, they are forced to tap dance featured a conservative and a progressive a woman, both of them have committed an around the fact that homosexuality will speaker, followed by a respondent's com- abomination" (Lev. 20:13), such a pro- not go away. Aware of prevailing injus- ments and questions from the floor. It is scription against homosexuality cannot be tices in a homophobic society, yet unable anticipated that the proceedings will be ignored. Yet, when confronted with the in good conscience to condone what they published in due course by the conference balance of the verse, "they shall be put to perceive to be a sin, the best any of them organizers (Martha Nussbaum and Saul death," these conservatives could only can do is accept homosexuality without Olyan of the Brown faculty) who are to be admit ambivalence. The more religiously advocating it. Clearly, the ambivalence of commended for bringing together such a liberal theologians, willing to practice such a double-standard is terribly trouble- diversity of participants. selective interpretation of doctrine, placed some to those who are irrevocably com- Does organized religion have the right a premium on what they saw as the central mitted to a scriptural authority they are to influence law and public policy? The dogma of their churches, namely, love and unwilling to admit is imperfect. Do they forgiveness. For them, the injunction to ever secretly ask themselves why their Richard J. Goss is in the Division of "hate the sin, love the sinner" was unreal- god in its infinite wisdom created gays Biology and Medicine at Brown istic. They argued in favor of gay and les- and lesbians in the first place? I think after University. bian rights (including homoerotic acts) this conference, many of us will have been legalizing domestic partnerships, and per- prompted to reexamine our attitudes. •

62 FREE INQUIRY (Letters, cont'd. from p. 3) The ancient Greeks understood practi- ing aims—usually from within a nexus of cal reason as a means of discerning the their myths, traditions, and religions— postal service; (7) voting; (8) enjoying a path to human happiness. Unlike mod- that aren't rational. Contemporary Iran public park. Maybe a small uninhabited erns, the Greeks knew reasoning to be would be a case in point. So was Nazi island could be found for him on which he rooted in the study of what it means to be Germany. could seek to enjoy all his modern con- human. In this sense, the Greeks shared When people speak with reverence of veniences and gadgetry. much with the Hebrews, indeed with all our myths, traditions, and religions, I am wise cultures of the globe. Each has rec- never quite sure what they're getting at. If Mark M. Giese ognized the centrality of myth, tradition, they mean things like the Bill of Rights Racine, Wis. and religion in providing insight into what and the U.S. Constitution—things that I defines man. revere—of course, I agree. But those The modern age is unprecedented in documents were products of the Apocalypse for Politicians its hostility toward this worldly knowl- Enlightenment and the Age of Reason, edge. It has raised mere calculation to the and can be traced back to the writings of It might be amusing to press the level of epistemology. With the ascen- identifiable theorists like Locke and Republican candidates on their opinions dance of empiricism has come a world- Montesquieu. If they mean things like the about whether or not the "end-time" will view based on abstractions. The dogma of tragic poem of "Casey at the Bat," and the arrive before 2001. The term of the next rationalism has become such that man failure of the Mudville Nine, I'm person- president will be January 1997—January tries to cram reality to fit the dictates of ally not much interested. If they're hiding 2001! Thus, if a candidate thinks he will rational plans, as in the rapacious modern behind elegant literary devices, and actu- be the last, he won't worry about the "science" of economics and in the disas- ally mean to say "Give me that of time budget deficit, long-term defense needs, trous revolutions of totalistic political religion. . . ," I am most definitely not etc. On the other hand, one that is doing ideologies. The twentieth century marks interested. long-term thinking must be dubious the height of rationalist influence, and yet Mr. Heath should try to remember that about something that a lot of the reli- nowhere in history do we find such scales all of our myths, traditions, and reli- gious right takes as gospel, which would of waste, destruction, and rationalized gions—every single one--were created a not get him any votes from that bunch. brutality. very long time ago by other people. Age, Phil Gramm could be caught in that bind Once we place reason in its rightful mustiness, and their authors' facelessness, and maybe some others, such as Lamar place as but an aid to the project of realiz- however, cannot warrant their beliefs or Alexander. ing human happiness, we will be on the moral prescriptions for us—only the fac- Maybe even Newt Gingrich could be path to make humanism a reasonable tual evidence that exists or that we can "had"—he has to run again in 1996, and endeavor. find should be permitted to do that. Any there are a bunch of "fundies" in his dis- other course of action involves turning trict. They just haven't had to directly Tim Heath our backs on our intellects and constitutes confront the question of why he is so Springfield, Va. one of the deepest and worst forms of indi- uptight about the deficit if he thinks the vidual irresponsibility. end is near! Preachers will be forced either to say that their pet politicians are S. Matthew D 'Agostino responds: wrong, or to back off from all the end- Forkosch Award time talk. The conception of reason and intellect that I sketched in my article is not in any sense Charles M. Selby divorced from normal human experience, The Selma V. Forkosch Award, Christmas Valley, Ore. biology, art, and culture—but is inevitably given for the best article on human- and rightly enmeshed with them. Reason, ism published in FREE INQUIRY in correctly understood, should function as 1994, has been awarded to Adam L. Reason and Rationality their arbiter. I never spoke of or supported Carley, for "What is 'Con- notions of "pure" or "abstract" reason. sciousness'?," which appeared in In "Reason and Rationality: The Core I've never even been sure of what they the Fall 1994 issue. The article has Doctrines of Secular Humanism" (FI, mean. I have noticed that, historically, generated a great deal of reader Winter 1994/95) S. Matthew D'Agostino they have usually been introduced by anti- response, and is the basis of the confuses several meanings of reason in his intellectuals—and then attacked as straw upcoming Fall 1995 FREE INQUIRY, defense of humanism. In particular, he men. which will feature articles by such confuses the practical wisdom that rea- The ills of our century were and con- leading scholars as Daniel Dennett, sonably guided most past cultures with tinue to be caused not by an excess of rea- Patricia Smith Churchland, Jose the mere technological investigation that son and rationality, but their absence. Delgado, and Marvin Minsky. the modern age has uniquely elevated to There's nothing more dangerous than Carley will receive $250. the status of dogma. technologically advanced societies pursu- Summer 1995 63

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Spring 1995, VoL 15, no. 2-The Many Faces of Nigeria; Sexual Archetypes in Transition; Mary Fall 1989, Vol. 9, no. 4-In Defense of Liber- Feminism; Secularism and Enlightenment in Wollstonecraft and Women's Rights. tarianism; Humanism and Socialism; Militant Islamic Countries; Poland Today; The Bicen- Winter 1991/92, Vol. 12, no. 1-The Hospice Atheism; The Pseudo-Problem of Creation in tennial of The Age of Reason. Way of Dying; Crisis in the Southern Baptist Physical Cosmology. 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Goodness of Planned Death (An Interview with Ireland; Separation of Church and State in Western Fall 1994, Vol. 14, no. 4-Defending Prometheus: Dr. Jack Kevorkian); The Critical Need for 0rgan Europe; Abortion or Adoption? 0n Consciousness; Becoming Posthuman; Albert Donations; The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf Spring 1989, Vol. 9, no. 2-Can We Achieve Camus; Secularism in Australia; Religion as a War; Is Santa Claus Corrupting Our Children's Immortality? The Inseparability of Logic and Human Science. Morals? The Continuing Abortion Battle in Ethics; Glossolalia; Abortion in Historical Summer 1994, Vol. 14, no. 3-Do Children Need Canada; What Does the Bible Say About Perspective. Religion? Humanism in Ghana and Mexico; Was Abortion? New Directions in Sex Therapy; Cyrano Winter 1988/89, Vol. 9, no. 1-Active Voluntary Ayn Rand a Humanist? Biblical Contradictions on de Bergerac; Secular Humanism in Turkey. Euthanasia; The Struggle for Abortion Rights in Salvation. Summer 1991, Vol. 11, no. 3-Saint Paul's Canada; AIDS In the Twenty-First Century; Tim Spring 1994, Vol. 14 no. 2-In Defense of Conversion: An Epileptic Hallucination? Bruno Madigan Interviews Steve Allen and Jayne Secularism; Symposium on Overpopulation and Galileo and the Power to Define; The Biological Meadows. Contraception; Waldorf Schools; Medjugorje: A Relationship Between Love and Sex; Should Sex Fall 1988, Vol. 8, no. 4-A Declaration of Critical Inquiry. Have a Different Meaning for Humanists? Love Interdependence: A New Global Ethics; Belief and Winter 1993/94, Vol. 14, no. 1-Faith Healing: and Mate Selection in the 1990s; The Creationist Unbelief; Worldwide Misconceptions About Miracle or Mirage? The End of the Age of Books; Revival; Pandas Attack Science Education; The Secular Humanism; Woody Allen Interviews the State and Church in Modem Germany; Who Was Creationist Theory of Abrupt Appearances; The Reverend Billy Graham. Jesus?; Tai Solarin Interview; John Demjanjuk; Case for a New American Pragmatism; Freedom Summer 1988, Vol. 8, no. 3-Humanism in the Matilda Joslyn Gage. of Thought and Religion in Bangladesh. Ilventy-First Century. Fall 1993 Vol. 13, no 4-More on the 'Incredible Spring 1991, Vol. 11, no. 2-The Unitarian Spring 1988, Vol. 8, no. 2-The First Easter; Is Discovery of Noah's Ark'; Should Secular Universalist Association; Upholding the Wall of Religiosity Pathological? Israel's Orthodox Jews; Humanists Celebrate the Rites of Passage? The Separation; Scientific Humanism and Religion; The Alabama Textbook Case; The Resurrection Causes of Homosexuality; Jane Addams. Christianity: The Cultural Chameleon; Tolerance Debate. Summer 1993, Vol. 13, no. 3-Is Religion a Form of Homosexuality; Was Karl Marx a Social Winter 1987/88, Vol. 8, no. 1-Voices of Dissent of Insanity? Viruses of the Mind, 'The Incredible Scientist? Why I Am Not a Mormon. within the Catholic Church; Eupraxophy; The Discovery of Noah's Ark'-An Archaeological Winter 1990/91 Vol. 11, no. 1-The Bertrand Humanist Identity; God and the Holocaust; Quest? Islamic Intolerance. Russell Case, Europe 92: Secularization and Psychic Astronomy. Spring 1993, Vol. 13 no. 2-Does Humanism Religion in Conflict; The Irish Republic; The Fall 1987, Vol. 7 no. 4-Fundamentalist Christian Encourage Human Chauvinism? 0n Bio- Vatican's Pact with Italy; Religion and Schools; Peter Popoff's Broken Window. diversity-An Exclusive Interview with E. O. Secularization Under Perestroika in the USSR; Summer 1987, Vol. 7, no. 3-Japan and Biblical Wilson; Is the U.S.A. a Christian Nation? Homo- Levi Fragell on Humanism in Norway (interview); Religion: Was the Universe Created? Science- sexuality: Right or Wrong? Who Was John the Why I Am Not a Fundamentalist; The Natural Fantasy Religious Cults; The Relativity of Biblical Baptist? Confucius: The First 'Teacher' of History of Altruism. Ethics; The Case Against Reincarnation (Part 4); Humanism? Fall 1990, Vol. 10, no. 4-Fulfilling Feminist Personal Paths to Humanism. Winter 1992/93, Vol. 13, no. 1-Does the Big Ideals; Freedom and Censorship Today; Neutrality Spring 1987, Vol. 7 no. 2-Personal Paths to Bang Prove the Existence of God? Remembering Between Religion and Irreligion; Why I Am Not a Humanism; Psychology of the Bible-Believer; John Dewey: America's Leading Humanist Philos- Presbyterian; The Fundamentalist Absolute and Biblical Arguments for Slavery; The Case Against opher; Toward a New Enlightenment: A Response Secularization in the Middle East. Reincarnation (Part 3). to Postmodernist Critiques of Humanism; Human- Summer 1990, Vol. 10, no. 3-Dying Without Winter 1986/87, Vol. 7, no. 1-The New ism's Thorn: The Case of the Bright Believers; The Religion; Why I Am Not a Methodist; The Inquisition in the Schools; Naturalistic Humanism; Satanic Scare. Dangerous Folklore of Satanism; Thomas God and Morality Anti-Abortion and Religion; A Fall 1992, Vol. 12, no. 4-Secular Humanism and Aquinas's Complete Guide to Heaven and Hell; Positive Humanist Statement on Sexual Morality; 'Traditional Family Values'; In Defense of Secular Moral Repression m the United States. Unbelief in The Netherlands; Dated Humanism; Humanism; Why I Am Not a Muslim; 'Star Trek': Spring 1990, Vol. 10, no. 2-Rethinking the War Belief and Unbelief in Mexico; The Case Against Humanism of the Future. on Drugs; An African-American Humanist Reincarnation (Part 2). Summer 1992 Vol. 12, no. 3-Will Secularism Declaration; How Much Influence Can Humanism Fall 1986, Vol. 6, no. 4-New Secular Humanist Survive? The Israeli Law of Return; Mormon Have on Blacks? The American Judiciary as a Centers; The Case Against Reincarnation (Part 1); Plural Marriage; Communicating with the Dead: Secular Priesthood; Are Humanists Optimists? Protestantism, Catholicism, and Unbelief in William James and Mrs. Piper (Part 2); Was Reflections on the Democratic Revolutions of Our Present-Day France; More on Faith-Healing. Emmanuel Kant a Humanist? lime. Summer 1986, Vol. 6, no. 3-The Shocking Truth Spring 1992, Vol. 12, no. 2-Communicating Winter 1989/90, Vol. 10 no. 1-Interviews with About Faith-Healing; Belief and Unbelief World- with the Dead: William James and Mrs. Piper (Part Steve Allen and Paul MacCready; Moral wide. 1); The Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watchtower Education; Eupraxophy: The Need to Build Spring 1986, Vol. 6, no. 2-Faith-Healing- Society; An Interview with Sir Hermann Bondi; Secular Humanist Centers; Religion in the Public Miracle or Fraud? The Effect of Intelligence on The Jesus Phenomenon in Korea; Humanism in Schools. U.S. Religious Faith. Winter 1985/86, Vol. 6, no. 1-Is Secular Is the U. S. Humanist Movement in a State of Criticism Research Project; Boswell Confronts Humanism a Religion? An interview with Adolf Collapse? Hume; Humanism and Politics. Grünbaum; Homer Duncan's Crusade Against Spring 1984, Vol. 4, no. 2-Christian Science Summer 1982, Vol. 2, no. 3-A Symposium on Secular Humanism; Should a Humanist Celebrate Practitioners and Legal Protection for Children; Science the Bible and Darwin Ethics and Religion; Christmas? Biblical Views of Sex; A Naturalistic Basis for Science and Religion. Fall 1985, Vol. 5, no. 4-Two Forms of Morality; Humanist Self-Portraits. Spring 1982, Vol. 2, no. 2-Interview with Isaac Humanistic Psychology, Philosophy of Science Winter 1983/84, Vol. 4, no. 1-Interview with Asimov on Science and the Bible; Humanism as and Psychoanalysis; The Death Knell of Psycho- B. F. Skinner; Was George Orwell a Humanist? an American Heritage; The Nativity Legends; analysis; New Testament Scholarship and Chris- Population Control vs. Freedom in China; Norman Podhoretz's Neo Puritanism. tian Belief; The Winter Solstice and the Origins of Academic Freedom at Liberty Baptist College; Winter 1981/82 Vol. 2, no. 1-The Importance of Christmas. Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon; Who Critical Discussion; Freedom and Civilization; Summer 1985, Vol. 5. no. 3-Finding Common Really Killed Goliath? Humanism in Norway. Humanism: The Conscience of Humanity; Secu- Ground Between Believers and Unbelievers; Inter- Fall 1983, Vol. 3, no. 4-The Future of larism in Islam; Humanism in the 1980s; The view with Sidney Hook on China Marxism and Humanism; Humanist Self-Portraits; Interview Effect of Education on Religious Faith. Human Freedom, Evangelical Agnosticism; The with Paul MacCready; A Personal Humanist Fall 1981,Vol. 1 no. 4-Secular Humanists- Legacy of Voltaire (Part 2). Manifesto; The Enduring Humanist Legacy of Threat or Menace? Financing of the Repressive Spring 1985, Vol. 5. no. 2-Update on the Shroud Greece; On the Sesquintennial of Robert Ingersoll; Right; Communism and American Intellectuals; of Turin; The Vatican's View of Sex; An interview The Historicity of Jesus. The Future of Religion; Resurrection Fictions. with E. O. Wilson; Parapsychology; The Legacy of Summer 1983, Vol. 3, no. 3-Religion in Summer 1981, Vol. 1, no. 3-Sex Education; The Voltaire (Part 1); The Origins of Christianity. American Politics; Bibliography for Biblical New Book-Burners; New Evidence on the Shroud Winter 1984/85 Vol. 5. no. 1-Are American Study. of Turin; Agnosticism; Science and Religion; Educational Reforms Doomed? The Apocalyp- Spring 1983, Vol. 3, no. 2-The Founding Fathers Secular Humanism in Israel. ticism of the Jehovah s Witnesses; Animal Rights and Religious Liberty; The Murder of Hypatia of Spring 1981, Vol. 1, no. 2-The Secular Re-evaluated; Elmina Slenker. Alexandria; Hannah Arendt; Was Karl Marx a Humanist Declaration; New England Puritans and Fall 1984, Vol. 4, no. 4-Humanists vs.Christians Humanist? the Moral Majority; On the Way to Mecca; The in Milledgeville; Suppression and Censorship in Winter 1982/83, Vol. 3, no. 1-Academic Blasphemy Laws, Does God Exist? Prophets of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church; Keeping the Freedom Under Assault in California; Interview the Procrustean Collective; The Madrid Con- Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls; Health Super- with Corliss Lamont; Was Jesus a Magician? ference Natural Aristocracy. stition; Humanism in Africa and Illusion. Astronomy and the Star of Bethlehem; The Winter 1980/81, Vol. 1, no. 1-Secular Humanist Summer 1984, Vol 4. no. 3-School Prayer; Strange Case of Paul Feyerabend. Declaration; The Creation/Evolution Controversy; Science vs. Religion in Future Constitutional Fall 1982, Vol. 2, no. 4-An Interview with Moral Education; Morality Without Religion; The Conflicts; Armageddon and Biblical Apocalyptic; Sidney Hook at Eighty; The Religion and Biblical Road to Freedom.

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Women Don't Turn Other Popular Thai Monk inside. The gas was produced by a cedar Cheek in Church Brawl Defrocked Amid Scandal fire built inside the eight-sided domed hut, called a hogan. Prayer ceremonies are East St. Louis, Ill.—About fifteen women Bangkok, Thailand Thousands of abject believed to grant relief to people suffering came to blows at the First Baptist followers packed the streets to bid from illness, uneasiness, or job problems Church during an argument over a for- farewell to one of Thailand's most popu- by bringing them back into harmony with mer pastor. Four were charged with lar religious figures, who was forced to nature. (AP) assault and battery. "They attacked us. surrender his monk's robe in a sex scan- The aunts, the sisters, the mamas. dal. Yantra Ammarobkikkhu was accused Everybody attacked," trustee Shepell of breaking his vow of chastity by having Priest Gets Three Years Adams said. Witnesses said the fight was sex with prostitutes. He denies ever going in Brink's Heist over the Reverend Albert Jones, who to a "temptation place," but he agreed to resigned as pastor. Some church mem- leave the monkhood to stop the brawling Rochester, N.Y.—An Irish priest bowed bers accuse him of misusing more than within his church over his extraordinary his head as he was called a thief and sen- $2OO,OOO of a construction endowment. case. The Supreme Council of Buddhist tenced to four years and three months in Several Jones supporters were accused Monks ignored for more than a year prison for hiding loot from a $7.4 million of making loud, derogatory noises while charges that Yantra had made love to sev- Brink's armored-car robbery. "Based on the Reverend Keith Pittman, a Jones eral followers and even fathered a child. your prior life, you should have known opponent, was speaking from the pulpit. Breaking the oath of celibacy is one of the better," U.S. District Judge David The dispute spilled into a hallway, where gravest offenses a Buddhist monk can Larimer told the Reverend Patrick the fight broke out. The four women commit. (AP) Moloney. Moloney and Samuel Millar, a charged with assault were Jones oppo- rebel from Northern Ireland, were con- nents. (AP) victed of conspiracy to possess stolen Make a Joyful Noise— money. In November 1993, authorities But Not Too Loud found $2 million in a New York City Baptist Church `Accidentally' apartment used by the two men and Baptizes Jewish Boy Greenburg, Pa. Two women whose loud $168,OOO in a safe in the Melkite Catholic praying has drowned out the priest and priest's bedroom. (AP) Colorado Springs, Colo. The Corner- the choir were arrested as they tried to stone Baptist Church is in hot water attend Good Friday services in defiance again, this time for "accidentally" bap- of a court order. Sheriff's deputies took Better Odds Than tizing a Jewish boy. The church is still Joan Sudwoj and Cynthia Balconi into Pascal's Wager facing a lawsuit by three families who say custody at the doors of the Blessed it lured their children to a "carnival" two Sacrament Cathedral. They were charged New York, N.Y.--Daisy Fernandez won years ago and baptized them without with criminal trespass, which carries a $2.8 million in a lottery, and was sued by parental consent. Now a Jewish mother sentence of up to two years in prison. The her son's teenage friend, whom she had says her son was baptized in February women, described in church newsletters asked to pray for her. The friend, even though she forbade it. Audrey as the "shouting ladies," have been Christopher Pando, prayed to his Ausgotharp, who is raising her children accused over the past two years of dis- favorite saint, Eleggua. When his prayer in the Jewish faith, allowed them to rupting worship as well as baptisms and was answered, Christopher claimed half attend a Sunday school class at confessions by shouting the prayers of the of Fernandez's jackpot. The case went Cornerstone to expose them to a different rosary and splashing holy water. (AP) before a panel of five State Supreme religion. Ausgotharp expressly forbade Court judges, who ruled against the boy, Cornerstone officials from baptizing her declaring soberly that, in modern court, children when she signed a permission Three Killed During there was no way to prove the efficacy of slip allowing them to ride the church bus Navajo Healing Ritual prayer. Christopher not only lost, he had to Sunday services. But two church to suffer Judge Edward J. Greenfield's women accompanied her children home Window Rock, Ariz.—A Navajo healing pronouncement that "faith is the antithe- and said that Wayne, age seven, was bap- ceremony turned deadly when carbon sis of proof" That motto might not stand tized "by mistake." (Jefferson City Post- monoxide filled a tightly sealed mud-and- up in a court of lottery players. (New Tribune) wood hut, killing three of six people York Times Magazine)

66 FREE INQUIRY The Center for Inquiry The Center for Inquiry is adjacent to the State University of New York Amherst campus. It includes:

Council for Democratic and Secular Inquiry Media Productions Humanism (CODESH, Inc.) Thomas Flynn, Executive Director Produces radio and television programs presenting skeptical and sec- Paul Kurtz, Chairman ular humanist viewpoints on a variety of topics. The Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism (CODESH) is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt educational organization dedicated to fos- Institute for Inquiry tering the growth of the traditions of democracy and secular human- Vern Bullough, Dean ism and the principles of free inquiry in contemporary society. In Offers courses in humanism and skepticism; sponsors an annual addition to publishing FREE INQUIRY magazine, CODESH sponsors summer session and periodic workshops. many organizations and activities. It is also open to Associate Membership. Members receive the Secular Humanist Bulletin. International Development Committee Paul Kurtz, Chairman Works closely with individuals and groups in various parts of the The Academy of Humanism world, especially in developing countries, and assists them in spread- Timothy J. Madigan, Executive Director ing the humanist point of view. The Academy of Humanism was established to recognize distin- Robert G. Ingersoll Memorial Committee guished humanists and to disseminate humanistic ideals and beliefs. Roger Greeley, Honorary Chairman Dedicated to running the Robert G. Ingersoll birthplace museum in African Americans for Humanism Dresden, N.Y., and to keeping his memory alive. Norm Allen, Jr., Executive Director James Madison Memorial Committee Brings the ideals of humanism to the African-American community. Robert Alley, Chairman Keeps alive James Madison's commitment to the First Amendment and to liberty of thought and conscience. Committee for the Scientific Examination of Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) Religion (CSER) James Christopher, Executive Director Gerald A. Larue, President A secular alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous with more than 1,000 Examines the claims of Eastern and Western religions and of well- local groups throughout North America. Publishes a newsletter avail- established and newer sects and denominations in the light of scien- able by subscription. tific inquiry. The committee is interdisciplinary, including specialists Society of Humanist Philosophers in biblical scholarship, archaeology, linguistics, anthropology, the social sciences, and philosophy who represent differing secular and Timothy J. Madigan, Executive Director religious traditions. Promotes and defends the study of humanist philosophy.

Alliance of Secular Humanist Societies (ASHS) H. James Birx, Executive Director The Alliance of Secular Humanist Societies is a network created for mutual support among local and/or regional societies of secular humanists. If you are interested in starting or joining a group in your area, please contact PO 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664, (716) 636-7571, FAX (716) 636-1733. ARIZONA: Arizona Secular Humanists PO Box 3738, Scottsdale, AZ 85271 (602) 230-5328 / CALIFORNIA: Secular Humanists of the East Bay, PO Box 5313, Berkeley, CA 94705 (415) 486-0553; Secular Humanists of Los Angeles, PO Box 661496, Los Angeles, CA 90066 (213) 310-3354; Atheists and Other Freethinkers, PO Box 15182, Sacramento, CA 95851-0182 (916) 446-0182; San Diego Association of Secular Humanists, PO 927365 San Diego, CA 92122 (619) 272-7719; Humanist Community of San Francisco, PO Box 31172 San Francisco, CA 94131 (415) 342-3999; Secular Humanists of Marin County, PO Box 6022, San Rafael, CA 94903 (415) 892-5243; Siskiyou Humanists, PO Box 223 Weed, CA 96091 (916) 938-2938 / CONNECTICUT: Northeast Atheist Association, PO Box 63, Simsbury, CT 06070 / FLORIDA: Secular Humanists of South Florida, 3067 Harwood E., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 (305) 428- 7861; Atheists of Florida, Inc., PO Box 530102, Miami, FL 33153-0102 (305) 936-0210; Humanists of The Palm Beaches, 860 Lakeside Dr., N. Palm Beach, FL 33408 (407) 626-6556; Freethinkers, Inc., PO Box 724, Winter Park, FL 32790 (407) 628-2729 / HAWAII: Hawaii Rationalists, 46187 Lilipuna Rd., Kaneohe, HI 96744 (808) 235-0206 / ILLINOIS: Peoria Secular Humanists, PO Box 994, Normal, IL 61761 (309) 452-8907; Free Inquiry Network, PO Box 3696, Oak Park, IL 60303 (708) 386-9100 / KENTUCKY: Louisville Assoc. of Secular Humanists, PO Box 91453, Louisville, KY 40291 (502) 899- 7640 / LOUISIANA: New Orleans Secular Humanists, 180 Willow Dr., Gretna, LA 70053 (504) 366-7498; New Orleans, LA 70122 (504) 283-2830; Shreveport Humanists, 9476 Boxwood Dr., Shreveport, LA 71118-4003 (318) 687-8175 / MARYLAND: Baltimore Secular Humanists, PO Box 24115, Baltimore, MD 21227 (410) 467-3225 / MICHIGAN: Secular Humanists of Detroit, P. O. Box 432191, Pontiac, MI 48343-2191 (313) 962-1777 / MIN- NESOTA: Minnesota Atheists, PO Box 6261 Minneapolis, MN 55406 (612) 484-9277; University of Minnesota Atheists and Unbelievers, 300 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 731-1543 / MISSOURI: Kansas City Eupraxophy Center, PO Box 240401, Kansas City, MO 64124 (816) 241- 9162; Rationalist Society of St. Louis, PO Box 2931, St. Louis, MO 63130 (314) 772-5131 / NEW HAMPSHIRE: Secular Humanists of Merrimack Valley, PO Box 368, Londonderry, NH 03053 (603) 434-4195 / NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Humanist Network, PO Box 51, Washington, NJ 07882 (908) 689- 6820 / NEW YORK: Western New York Secular Humanists, PO Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226 (716) 636-7571; Capital District Humanist Society, PO Box 2148, Scotia, NY 12302 (518) 381-6239; Secular Humanist Society of New York, PO Box 7661, New York, NY 10150 (212) 861-6003 / NEVADA: Secular Humanist Society of Las Vegas, 240 N. Jones Blvd, Suite 106, Las Vegas, NV 89107 (702) 594-1125 / OHIO: Free Inquirers of Northeast Ohio, PO Box 2637, Akron, OH 44309-2137 (216) 869-2025; Free Inquiry Group, Inc., PO Box 8128 Cincinnati, OH 45208 (513) 557-3836 / OREGON: Corvallis Secular Society, 126 N.W. 21st St., Corvallis, OR 97330 (503) 754-2557 / PENNSYLVANIA: Pittsburgh Secular Humanists, 405 Nike Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15235 (412) 823-3629 / SOUTH CAROLINA: Secular Humanists of the Low Country, PO Box 32256, Charleston, SC 29417 (803) 577-0637, Secular Humanists of Greenville, Suite 168, Box 3000, Taylors, SC 29687 (803) 244-3708 / TEXAS: Agnostic and Atheist Student Group, M.S., 4237 Philosophy, Texas A & M Univ., College Station, TX 77843; Secular Humanist Association of San Antonio, P0 Box 160881, San Antonio, TX 78280 (512) 696-8537; WASH- INGTON, DC: Washington Area Secular Humanists, PO Box 15319, Washington, DC 20003 (202) 298-0921 / WISCONSIN: Milwaukee Area Unbelievers, 1908 E. Edgewood, Shorewood, WI 53211 (414) 964-5271. The Affirmations of Humanism: A Statement of Principles

• We are committed to the application of reason and science to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems. • We deplore efforts to denigrate human intelligence, to seek to explain the world in supernatural terms, and to look outside nature for salvation. • We believe that scientific discovery and technology can contribute to the betterment of human life. • We believe in an open and pluralistic society and that democracy is the best guarantee of protecting human rights from authoritarian elites and repressive majorities. • We are committed to the principle of the separation of church and state. • We cultivate the arts of negotiation and compromise as a means of resolving differences and achieving mutual understanding. • We are concerned with securing justice and fairness in society and with eliminating discrimination and intolerance. • We believe in supporting the disadvantaged and the handicapped so that they will be able to help them- selves. • We attempt to transcend divisive parochial loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, and strive to work together for the common good of humanity. • We want to protect and enhance the earth, to preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting needless suffering on other species. • We believe in enjoying life here and now and in developing our creative talents to their fullest. • We believe in the cultivation of moral excellence. • We respect the right to privacy. Mature adults should be allowed to fulfill their aspirations, to express their sexual preferences, to exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to comprehensive and informed health-care, and to die with dignity. • We believe in the common moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility. Humanist ethics is amenable to critical, rational guidance. There are normative standards that we discover together. Moral principles are tested by their consequences. • We are deeply concerned with the moral education of our children. We want to nourish reason and com- passion. • We are engaged by the arts no less than by the sciences. • We are citizens of the universe and are excited by discoveries still to be made in the cosmos. • We are skeptical of untested claims to knowledge, and we are open to novel ideas and seek new departures in our thinking. • We affirm humanism as a realistic alternative to theologies of despair and ideologies of violence and as a source of rich person- al significance and gen- uine satisfaction in the ser- vice to others.

• We believe in optimism rather than pessimism, hope rather than despair, learning in the place of dogma, truth instead of ignorance, joy rather than guilt or sin, tolerance in the place of fear, love instead of hatred, com- passion over selfishness, beauty instead of ugliness, and reason rather than blind faith or irrationality. • We believe in the fullest realization of the best and noblest that we are capable of as human beings.

For a parchment copy of this page, suitable for framing, please send $4.95 to FREE INQUIRY, P.O. Box 664, Amherst, New York 14226-0664.