OPUS DEI and SECRET SOCIETIES Tielman 12� the Open Society and the Open Mind � Timothy J

Vanter 1994/95 Vol. 15, No.1

Also:

The Culture Wars Intensify ër. Reason and Rationality: The Core Doctrines of Humanism Humanists and Mormons in Dialogue

WINTER 1994/95, VOL. 15, NO. 1 ISSN 0272-0701 C e t Contents Editor: Paul Kurtz Senior Editors: Vern Bullough, Thomas W. Flynn, Gerald Larne, Gordon Stein 3 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Executive Editor: Timothy J. Madigan Managing Editor: Andrea Szalanski 4 NOTES FROM THE EDITOR Paul Kurtz Contributing Editors: Robert S. Alley, Joe E. Barnhart, David Berman, 6 Election '94 Observations Skipp Porteous H. James Birx, Jo Ann Boydston, Bonnie Bullough, Paul Edwards, Albert Ellis, Roy P. Fairfield, Charles 7 On a Wing with No Prayer Ed Golly W. Faulkner, Antony Flew, Levi Fragell, Adolf Grünbaum, Marvin Kohl, Jean Kotkin, Thelma 8 Humanist Potpourri Lavine, Tibor Machan, Ronald A. Lindsay, Michael Warren Allen Smith Martin, Delos B. McKown, Lee Nisbet, John Novak, Skipp Porteous, Howard Radest, Robert Rimmer, 9 NEWS AND COMMENTS Michael Rockier, Svetozar Stojanovic, Thomas Szasz, V. M. Tarkunde, Richard Taylor, Rob 12 OPUS DEI AND SECRET SOCIETIES Tielman 12 The Open Society and the Open Mind Timothy J. Madigan Associate Editors: Molleen Matsumura, Lois Porter 13 Opus Dei, a Threat to Liberty Mario Mendez-Acosta Editorial Associates: 16 The Masked, Dangerous Cult Jesus Puertas Fuertes Doris Doyle, Thomas Franczyk, Roger Greeley, 20 Opus Dei: An Insider's View Klaus James Martin-Diaz, Steven L. Mitchell, Warren Steigleder Allen Smith 25 Joining Opus Dei Tammy DiNicola Cartoonist: Don Addis 26 Eric Hoffer, Philosopher for the People Richard Arnold 28 FI Interview: Peter McWilliams on Gurus Chairman, CODESH, Inc.: Paul Kurtz 29 Positive Steps to Becoming Less Vulnerable to Influence Chief Development Officer: James Kimberly and Authority Sharon Presley Public Relations Director: Norm R. Allen, Jr. 31 And Now, the Solar Temple James A. Haught Executive Director, Secular Organizations for Sobriety: James Christopher DEFENDING PROMETHEUS Chief Data Officer: Richard Seymour 32 The Challenge of Exoevolution H. James Birx Fulfillment Manager: Michael Cione Typesetting: Paul E. Loynes 35 Harold Camping and the Stillborn Apocalypse Edmund D. Cohen Graphic Designer: Jacqueline Cooke Audio Technician: Vance Vigrass 41 Remembering a Giant Richard F. Stratton Staff.• 43 The Humanist Movement in Romania Eugen Dragut Georgeia Locurcio, Anthony Nigro, Ranjit Sandhu FREE INQUIRY (ISSN 0272-0701) is published 44 Religion and Secular Humanism in the quarterly by the Council for Democratic and Secular Slovak Republic Jaroslav Cêlko Humanism (CODESH, Inc.), a nonprofit corpora- tion, 3965 Rensch Road, Amherst, NY 14228-2713. 46 Concern for Human Rights in Europe: Phone (716) 636-7571. Fax (716) 636-1733. Copyright ©1995 by CODESH, Inc. Second-class The Balkanic Context Jean-Claude Pecker postage paid at Amherst, N.Y., and at additional mailing offices. National distribution by Inter- 47 Reason and Rationality: The Core national Periodicals Distributors, Solana Beach, Doctrines of Secular Humanism S. Matthew D'Agostino California. FREE INQUIRY is available from University Microfilms and is indexed in Philosophers' Index. 51 READERS' FORUM Printed in the United States. Subscription rates: $28.50 for one year, $47.50 for More on Ayn Rand two years, $64.50 for three years, $6.95 for single issues. Address subscription orders, changes of address, and advertising to: FREE INQUIRY, Box 664, 55 REVIEWS Amherst, NY 14226-0664. The Humanist/ Mormon Dialogue, Thomas W. Flynn / The New Manuscripts, letters, and editorial inquiries should Wave: French Humanism, Paul Kurtz / The Search for Mary be addressed to: The Editor, FREE INQUIRY, Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664. Editorial submissions Magdalen, Robert Gorham Davis / Why Scientists Should Study should be on disk and accompanied by a double- Philosophy, Gordon Stein / Books in Brief spaced manuscript and a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or publisher. 65 IN THE NAME OF GOD Postmaster: Send address changes to FREE INQUIRY, Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664. Cover art by Bruce Adams. conjecture and speculation than solid science. At the present time it is too early for biologists to make sweeping gener- Letters to the Editor alizations like a "big-lie" occurs inside the brain. Adam's statement that humans are not "conscious in the present" is obviously wrong but it is humorous if it is repeated after watching, Defending the Promethean Spirit I greatly enjoyed FREE INQUIRY'S say, a presidential debate. section on "Defending Prometheus" (FL Max More's "On Becoming Post- In "Rekindling Humanity's Love Affair Fall 1994) but I wish to comment on human" and Bart Kosko's "Heaven in with Science and Technology" (FI, Fall one point in Thomas W. Flynn's opening a Chip" were pseudoscience and more 1994), Thomas W. Flynn discusses some article. I agree with Mr. Flynn that reminiscent of science fiction than of the basis for distrust of science but science is being trashed by a wide- serious speculation. It took 800 million overlooks another, deeply rooted major ranging group of people; however, this years of selective pressure for nature to source of disillusionment. The problem does not mean that the critics of science .produce the human brain, with its is emphasized by the continual usage of are incorrect in everything they say. complex analog dynamical properties. the words science and technology in the The society we live in will always bias The notion that human beings will be same breath. the questions we ask and the conclusions able to "interface" with brain-implanted While science can spawn a vast range we draw, even with scientifically col- computer chips, or upload the human of positive technologies, the relatively lected data. Consider the huge amount mind to a computer, or have heaven on few technologies that are actually of effort in the nineteenth century that a computer chip, in our lifetime, let alone developed do so only because they hold was put into scientifically proving that the next several hundred years, is silly. potential for commercial profit or African Americans and Native Ameri- military gain. The people involved in cans were not human, but little better Randy Gerl bringing these to market (developers than animals. Is this a question that Redmond, Wash. and investors) are not looking at the would be proposed, in that form, today? subtle consequences down the road This does not make science a worth- if the technology becomes widely less pursuit, but it does mean that As a student of philosophy, I must point adopted. Henry Ford was interested in scientists must always consider why they out that Carley's explanation of con- selling as many cars as he could; think their questions are important, and sciousness has two self-contradictions. questions of pollution, accidents, and what their data will be used for once When he tries to convince me that my congestion were not on the table. The it is public. will is a fantasy, he must presuppose I problem is not science but how science am capable of agreeing with him, which is used in our commercially dominated Mara R. Greengrass means he assumes I actually do have a world. Rockville, Md. free will. Carley can disclaim his own Also, I was puzzled by Flynn's taking free will, but he cannot, without a self- exception to the addendum to the contradiction, refute mine. When I try Norway rat exhibit at the Smithsonian. Surely Thomas Flynn meant Daniel to convince myself that my conscious- One thing we should learn from science Dennett instead of Michael Dennett ness is a deception, I must presuppose is that we as a species have no special (page 16, column 3) regarding the study I am capable of affirming this idea, which claims to resources on this planet. of consciousness? means I assume I can think outside of Contrast the following quote from the ruse, which means I assume I actually Stephen Jay Gould in the October 1994 Austin Pratt do have a separate consciousness. Carley Scientific American: "I ... wish to argue Seattle, Wash. can claim that my consciousness is a that our conventional desire to view dupe, but I cannot believe it without a history as progressive, and to see humans Thomas Flynn replies: self-contradiction. as predictably dominant, has grossly As a student of physics, I must point distorted our interpretation of life's Austin Pratt is correct. I guess there must out that Carley's use of the scientific pathway by falsely placing in the center have been a "lapse of consciousness" on method is too self-serving. When he of things a relatively minor phenomenon this end, for which I hope you will accept selects some subjective experiences of that arises only as a side consequence my apology. people with brain injuries and claims that of a physically constrained starting they are explainable only with his model point." of a naturally deluded brain, he has not I found Adam L. Carley's article on presented an objective experiment for Jay Holovacs human consciousness ("What Is Con- South Bound Brook, N.J. sciousness?" FI, Fall 1994) to be more (Continued on p. 63) Winter 1994/95 3

and the Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism will move to the front and center of the barricades. For Notes from the Editor we are the leading secularist critics of organized religion.

ewt Gingrich, the fire-snorting next NSpeaker of the House of Represen, Paul Kurtz tatives, announced that he hopes to enact a school prayer amendment to the The `Culture Wars' Intensify more police, and stiffer penalties in drug- Constitution by July 4, 1995, the purpose related crimes. The conservatives have of which is "reestablishing the Creator he November 1994 American elec- supported subsidies for agriculture. Will at the center of the American polity." tions have revealed a surprising they continue to do so? And will they Incredibly, President Bill Clinton (no political shift to the right, with conser- increase the defense budget at a time doubt intimidated by the Democratic vative Republicans gaining control of when the Cold War has abated? What defeat) has indicated that he would both houses of Congress and thirty will this do to the deficit? support some sort of school prayer governorships. Liberals and moderates Have we finally exhausted the pos- initiative—though what form is still are in a state of shock. sibilities of the New Deal coalition unclear. In a speech delivered to the The Christian Coalition, founded by formed by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, Heritage Foundation just prior to the Pat Robertson, has claimed credit for this and is this the end of the Great Society election, Newt Gingrich affirmed that he victory. "It lays to rest once and for all of Lyndon B. Johnson and even of the has "a vision of an America in which the myth that we are a liability rather welfare state? One can imagine a dooms- belief in the Creator is once again at the than an asset in the Republican Party," day scenario: America remade in the center of defining being an American." Ralph Reed, executive director of the image of God, with pro-ecclesia and pro- "We need the debate over secularism Christian Coalition, was quoted as patria ruling the land, placing our secular versus the right of a spiritual life," he saying. It had mounted a massive voter republic in jeopardy. exclaimed. "Left wing elitists" do not outreach effort, distributing 33 million Perhaps this is too apocalyptic. At the appreciate the word Creator, so "it is voter guides in an estimated 60,000 very least, what seems to be assured is virtually impossible for them to engage churches the Sunday before the elections. that the tempo of the culture wars will in the discussion." According to exit polls, up to 33 percent intensify. In this regard, FREE INQUIRY The conservatives are also calling for

of voters identified themselves as born- again or evangelical Christians. In some states, especially in the South, religious ICATE. YND

conservatives have become the most S

powerful lobby in politics, outstripping SS

organized labor and the senior citizen PRE lobby. A study by People for the American Way indicated that 60 percent RSAL of the 600 candidates for national, state, NIVE f U

and local offices who were supported by o n the religious right won their races. Reed io iss has boasted that forty-four percent of the erm

fifty-two Republican gains in the House p he

of Representatives, seven new Republi- h t it can governors, and eight senators were d w te

elected because they were supported by in r the "pro-life and pro family group." The victorious GOP demands that Rep ws.

government get off the backs of the Ne lo

people, and that there be fewer taxes and ffa

less bureaucratic regulation. Many voters Bu want a more efficient government, one The that is less bloated. Paradoxically, many conservatives demand more government ©1994. S interference in other areas; for example, ...UNTIL voU CAN ACT LIKE I WoNOER WHo II M(AQS A NORMAL AMERICAN:' .~ ~ BY ALMI('Nry. ~] OLE a reinstatement of capital punishment, T

4 FREE INQUIRY new anti-abortion measures. Many would like to crack down on gay lifestyles and censor pornography. And con- The Newt Testament servatives are sure to introduce an educa- "Newt Gingrich affirmed that he has 'a vision of America in which belief in tional voucher system again. Moreover, the National Endowments for the Arts the Creator is once again at the center of defining being an American.' " and the Humanities will no doubt suffer. All of this in the name of "traditional Liberals, on the hand, are often actions of a recently federally funded family [i.e., Christian] values." willing to heavily tax and regulate the panel of educators illustrates the prob- Given the recent prominence of the private economic sector in the name of lem. The National History Standards book The Bell Curve, and its contro- the public interest and the common Project recommended a radical shift in versial theory that the low achievements good, and the principles of equity and the way history is taught in the public of many black people is due to their justice. On the other hand, they usually schools. Their 314-page document, issued inferior IQs and that no compensating oppose measures designed to regulate on the eve of the election, urged that programs will improve intellectual private moral conduct. They are also students between the fifth and twelfth capability, the hatred of minorities is against the Second Amendment, which grades be exposed more to an under- likely to increase. The passage of allows citizens to bear arms and which standing of African, Asian, and Latin Proposition 187 in California (now conservatives fiercely defend. American history—an admirable goal, to stayed by the courts), which prohibits FREE INQUIRY magazine does not be sure, but the panel also sought a mas- non-emergency social services for illegal support political candidates or parties, sive de-emphasis of European and Wes- immigrants, including public school for and we recognize that secular humanists tern civilization. Lynne Cheney, former children, is also indicative of the may have honest differences of opinion head of the National Endowment for the animosity toward minorities. about economic policy. Speaking for Humanities under the Bush administra- The one bright spot in the election myself, I have often felt that economic tion, has complained that the document from the standpoint of humanists is that libertarians are extremists when they call does not mention Julius Caesar, Martin "the right to assisted suicide" for termi- for an end to all government taxation Luther, Sigmund Freud, or Charles nally ill patients was enacted for the first and regulation and wish to depend on Darwin in talking about world history, time by Oregon voters. But the religious the "hidden hand" of the market to set and expunges from American history any lobby will no doubt launch an assault things right. They overlook the fact that mention of Daniel Webster, Robert E. nationwide to prohibit this right. powerful corporations transcend the Lee, and other "dead white males." Secular humanists should be prepared level of the individual decision-makers Albert Shanker, president of the for an all-out attack on secular ethical of Adam Smith's day and the free market American Federation of Teachers, de- values, our belief in tolerance, and the ideal. Granted that excessive governmen- plores the underlying premise that "every- right to privacy. We should be prepared tal interference has a negative impact on thing that is European or American, or for a massive assault on the principle creative initiative, but the corporate that has to do with white people, is evil of separation of church and state and sector in a democratic society at times and oppressive, while Genghis Khan is the rights protected by the First Amend- needs to be regulated by the elected a nice sweet guy just bringing culture to ment. representatives. In my view a mixed other places." Of special interest is the economy, with a preponderant private view of the authors of the document that Two Senses of Freedom sector but some public sector is probably there is no such thing as "objective the best, with the government acting as history" and that the writing of history hat is at issue here is two com- a countervailing force. I am here drawing is indelibly subjective and reflective of Wpeting theories of freedom. Con- on the experience of Western European social and cultural biases. Surely, their servatives say that they are for individual capitalist social democracies, which own post-modernist bias is evident. liberty, and they say they are against though permitting a free market also governmental interference in the eco- endeavor to have a "human face." Is the Pope a Humanist? nomic sphere. They have consistently defended the free market and entrepre- Revising History Texts n amusing exchange on whether neurial enterprise as the basis of a pros- APope John Paul II is a humanist perous society. Many liberals and mod- rr he Democrats must take a good deal occurred in the Wall Street Journal erates now agree with this. But the con- of the blame for their defeat. Extrem- recently. The fracas concerned a review servatives have little compunction about ists in their midst have often helped to of the pope's new book, Crossing the regulating moral freedom, or enacting exasperate independent voters. For Threshold, by the conservative Roman laws against pornography, abortion, example, the disciples of political correct- Catholic author Michael Novak. In the consenting adult sexual behavior, and ness, feminist epistemology, and multi- heavily promoted book, John Paul offers euthanasia, and they are willing at times culturalism have endeavored to water sharp criticisms of the "declining values" to undermine civil liberties in the process. down the integrity of education. The of the secular Western world. Novak, in Winter 1994/95 5 defending the pope, characterized him zling. In a letter to the Journal, Julian and ideals of man; a modern `nontheistic' as a "humanist," saying that "creation W. Buser, a Roman Catholic himself, rationalist movement that holds that and human beings are made in the image takes serious exception to Novak's man is capable of self-fulfilling ethical of God" and that "all creation is always characterization. He claims that al- conduct, etc., without recourse to super- silent at prayer, honoring its creator with though the pope is "humane" he is not naturalism." Mr. Buser says that "to its beauty and its marvelous daily work- a "humanist." He cites among other ascribe to Pope John Paul II a devotion ings." Novak observes that "no one can references Webster's Dictionary, Second to humanism certainly is a gross mis- miss the sheer humanism" of the pope. Edition, which defines "humanism" as conception." How Novak manages to put these two follows: "any system of thought or action To which I wish to add a hearty statements together, I find most puz- based on the nature, dignity, interests "Amen." •

Election '94 Observations One of the most engaging disclosures to come out of the recent election was a bizarre "hit list" of Democratic Skipp Porteous candidates. The Capitol Hill Prayer Alert, a Washington D.C.-based organ- round mid-morning on Election but the nation as well. ization with a relationship with the ADay, November 8, 1994, an Atlanta Of course, in the closely watched Christian Coalition, urged its members woman called me at my Massachusetts Virginia Senate race, religious right to petition God to bring evil upon a office. Having just returned from voting, favorite Oliver North failed in his bid. published list of twenty-five Democratic she reported that virtually everyone in Unable to put Iran-Contra behind him, incumbents. The so-called Philistine List the line in front of her at the polls held North lost because of Oliver North. included two governors, seven senators, in their hand a Christian Coalition voter North's high profile Senate campaign and sixteen members of the House. guide. was a premature one for the Christian The list, according to Harry Valen- The "non-partisan" voter guides were Coalition, which is not yet set up to run tine, one of the group's founders, "is a handed out on the previous Sunday, two candidates at that level. list of particularly objectionable candi- days before the election. Nationally, Pat This may be the last chance for the dates, mostly incumbents who have Robertson's Christian Coalition distrib- right-wing fringe in the GOP to push demonstrated themselves to be enemies uted 33 million voter guides through its agenda and bring the party further of Christianity and Biblical morality." churches and Christian-owned busi- to the right. Georgia Congressman Newt "Don't hesitate to pray imprecatory nesses. According to Market Research Gingrich, the new Speaker of the House, Psalms over them," wrote Valentine in Institute, of the 75 million voters who warned against attempts to block his the group's newsletter. Imprecatory turned up at the polls, as many as 33 radical agenda. If Republicans fail to means to "call down evil upon." Impre- percent identified themselves as born- embrace his program, Gingrich pre- catory Psalms include: "Let his days be again Christians. Within that group of dicted that voters "will move toward a few; and let another take his office. Let over 24 million, almost 70 percent— third party in a massive way." his children be fatherless, and his wife approximately 17 million—voted While exulting in the Republican a widow" (Psalm 109:8, 9). "Let death Republican. landside in November, the religious right seize upon them, and let them go down Surveys showed that many voters is worried about "big tent Republican- quick to hell: for wickedness is in their crossed party lines in selecting their ism," i.e., fiscal conservatives with liberal dwellings, and among them" (Psalm candidates of choice. Because many social agendas. Moderates will certainly 55:15). And, "The righteous shall rejoice Democrats voted for the Republican resist extremism from the religious right. when he seeth the vengeance: he shall candidate, it is clear that voters generally Too much pressure from the hard right wash his own feet in the blood of the chose the conservative candidate over the within the Republican Party might stall wicked" (Psalm 58:10). liberal candidate, regardless of party. So, the ultra-conservative agenda; unsatis- The Capitol Hill Prayer Alert meets unwittingly, some Democrats and mod- factory progress may indeed drive right- in a town house across the street from erate Republicans helped the religious wing GOP members to a third party. the back door of the U.S. Supreme right take another major step toward not Waiting in the wings is Howard Court. Justice Clarence Thomas has only controlling the Republican Party, Phillips's U.S. Taxpayers Party. This reportedly visited the ministry on more ultra-conservative party's platform was than one occasion. Skipp Porteous, author and lecturer, largely written by Christian Reconstruc- For years, anti-abortionists have comments on the activities of the reli- tionist Rus Walton, and is strongly employed imprecatory prayers against gious right regularly for FREE INQUIRY. backed by Operation Rescue's Randall doctors who perform abortions. Terry. Coupled with "wanted" posters of

6 FREE INQUIRY doctors, this kind of activity has taken ence at the Washington Hilton last darling Senator Phil Gramm of Texas its toll—three dead and three wounded. September. During that conference, the to run for the presidency; Ralph Reed To unbalanced members of prayer Reverend Pierre Bynum, another leader to outgrow the Christian Coalition and groups, repeated imprecatory prayer is of the Prayer Alert, told me that he possibly run for John Warner's Senate auto-suggestive. After continual rein- believed that abortion is a capital offense seat in Virginia; and more rumblings forcement it doesn't take much for a and that doctors who perform abortions about a third party. religious fanatic to "hear the voice of should be executed. He also called Finally, while it is alarming that as God," and then go out and shoot some- homosexuality a capital offense. many as 17 million white evangelical one. What can we expect in the months born-again voters fell into lock-step with The Capitol Hill Prayer Alert oper- ahead? My crystal ball says: turmoil Pat Robertson, it is reassuring that 7 ated a booth at "Road to Victory," the within the GOP; an end to the National million born-againers did not that one- Christian Coalition's national confer- Endowment for the Arts; religious right third disagreed with Pat Robertson. •

Regrettably, the landing site was too soft On a Wing with No Prayer to support the wheels, which dug into the earth rather than roll on top of it. Ed Golly Instantly the front wheel anchored into the ground and sheared completely off. ow many times have you seen it? lay an enormous reservoir for the New The view through the front windshield Some disaster survivor, standing York State Niagara Power Project at became nothing but earth and within H seconds the plane flipped over, coming among catastrophic ruin, gives praiseful Lewiston, New York, and dense residen- to a complete standstill upside down. thanks to some god for his or her mirac- tial areas beyond. Back to the west in There wasn't even time for fear. A ulous escape from the clutches of death Canada were farm fields. The instant maneuver I had routinely practiced while we atheists wonder in awe how choice was to attempt to return to St. during twenty years of flying was called it is that he or she fails to hold the same Catharines about six miles distant and, to the test and executed like another drill. god responsible for the disaster itself. failing that, to set down in one of the Practice paid off—we all walked away It all began on the Monday morning open fields. with only minor bruises. following the Council for Democratic Within a few short moments, the connection had completely failed and an and Secular Humanism convention in off-field landing was inevitable. A ven in a rural area, word about an Toronto the weekend of July 7-10, 1994. plowed field had already been selected, 11.Jairplane crash gets out fast and the Along with my parents and Atheists of and there was just time to lower the media was soon present. Florida member Monica Madden, we wheels, flaps, and open the doors. "Where are you from?"

had departed Toronto to visit friends in n. n.

Baltimore in our private plane. The day sy czy

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excellent visibility prevailed. Having had b Bo

all day to make the trip, we decided to by by

visit Niagara Falls for the day, clear to

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to the Falls and back to the airport by

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completely wore through, causing the

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esy esy t Ed Golly is a member of Atheists of r Florida, Inc. Cou The wreck of FI conference participant Ed Golly's plane.

Winter 1994/95 7 "Tampa." "converted." That issue actually became wouldn't he be culpable for four counts "Tampa? What were you doing all the more of a focal point of the story than of manslaughter? way up here?" the crash itself. Both print and television There are an average of six general "We were attending an atheist/ completely dwelled on it. aviation crashes in the United States humanist convention in Toronto." Losing an airplane that one has been every day. Ninety percent are due to pilot "R-e-a-1-1-y!" flying for ten years is like the death of error. We were in that unfortunate 10 I told the whole story to three or four a family pet. But what the heck, they percent of unplanned landings caused by different reporters and what do you make 'em in factories. I've already mechanical failure. Getting up in the think they selected for the four-second replaced it and yes, mum and dad, both morning is a risk, as is nearly anything sound bite? "We were on our way home in their seventies, are ready to go flying we do in life. I may not ever trust an from an atheist convention. I guess you again. Monica copped the inaugural airplane as much as I once did, but I'll know who was my co-pilot." flight. Those stupid remarks about how continue to fly them as long as I enjoy They all loved it. Here is a family of "God was with you" prompt me to them, the places they take me, and that atheists who walked away from an respond that, if God had caused our remarkable view of the world from airplane crash and none of them were plane to crash and us to be killed, beneath the wing of a Cessna. •

Humanist Potpourri Warren Allen Smith

ver since famed economist Henry having inspired the present column, of which he penned, "I've never been so FiHazlitt died in 1993 and his human- which will appear periodically in this insulted!" ism was overlooked despite my submit- journal. ting his obituary to several humanistic publications, I've felt the need for a * * * The Reverend Kenneth Scott of Ontario, column in FREE INQUIRY, a potpourri Canada, has come up with the following of trivia mixed with facts of particular Arthur C. 2001 Clarke has called the version of the Lord's Prayer for medie- interest to and about secular humanists, pope the most dangerous man alive, valists in what is a bold attempt to help freethinkers, and other varieties of non- citing Vatican stands on abortion and them stay current: believers. Hazlitt succeeded H. L. condoms. Words like that can get a Mencken in 1933 as editor of the fellow in trouble, as Salman Rushdie in Message to Our Universal Chair- American Mercury and wrote about India and Taslima Nasreen in Bangla- person in Outer Space: economics for the New York Times desh have found out. However, Clarke's and Newsweek. When he was a New name still was placed in nomination for Your identity enjoys the highest rating on a prioritised selectivity scale. May Canaan, Connecticut, neighbor of mine, the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize by National your sphere of influence take on reality he wrote me that he was neither a theist Space Society Vice President Glenn parameters; may your mindset be nor an atheist and that "if you must stick Reynolds, a professor of law at the implemented on this planet as in outer me in somewhere for the sake of University of Tennessee. space. schematic neatness, I suggest that I Clarke, who is a citizen of Sri Lanka, Allot to us, at this point in time and on a per diem basis, a sufficient would probably fit with the least dis- learned that the U.S. Federal Bureau of and balanced dietary food intake, and comfort into the category of naturalistic Investigation keeps files on suspicious rationalise a disclaimer against our humanism." characters (such as Leonard Bernstein, negative feedback as we rationalise a Henry, you did not believe in the Josephine Baker, John Lennon, E. B. disclaimer against the negative feed- hereafter, so there's no need to say I'm White, Alexander Calder, George back of others. And deprogram our negative sorry we humanists overlooked your O'Keefe, and Bill Mauldin). Mindful of potentialities, but desensitise the passing. But thanks are in order for the Freedom of Information Privacy impact of the counter-productive Act, he demanded to see his file. In April, force. For yours is the dominant the FBI responded. They had searched sphere of influence, the ultimate capability, and the highest qualitative Warren Allen Smith is an editorial their records but found no Arthur C. analysis rating, at this point in time, associate of FREE INQUIRY. Clarke file. Clarke sent friends a photo- and extending beyond a limited time- copy of the form letter, at the bottom frame.

8 FREE INQUIRY phone calls the group was surprised to see how they were listed in the phone book: "Washington Area Circular News and Comments Humanities." Not surprisingly, no one called. They managed to get the name right for the next year's listing, but the street delivery address was incorrectly Humanist Parenting Network Society and Its Enemies, is most listed—which members found out when impressive for its pragmatism and delivery was attempted for a package. humanity. It is a powerful call for The Summer 1994 issue of FREE The address turned out to be the location democracy and a severe indictment of INQUIRY focused on the theme "Do those who are so sure of their pres- of Georgetown Visitation, a Catholic Children Need Religion?" Because of the criptions that they are prepared to school for girls. The nuns were not large response we received, we are slaughter millions in their pursuit. amused, but they didn't even know what starting a network for humanist parents. ... A remarkable and most memor- was in the package: a copy of Paul It will address such topics as coping with able personality is gone, but a life Kurtz's book Living Without Religion. wholly filled with intellectual labors theistic social pressure, developing is made permanent by his many books. critical thinking skills for children, and sharing techniques for raising children First Lady of Soul without religion. Molleen Matsumura, Voltaire (1694-1778) FREE INQUIRY associate editor, will be Hillary Clinton, in an exclusive interview overseeing the network. If you would like with Newsweek magazine, described her to get involved, please write to us at P.O. deep commitment to the Methodist faith, Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226. including her belief in intercessory prayer. "And not only do I believe in it," she says, "I think there is increasing Humanists on the evidence of it. There is an interesting Electronic Highway study in which patients of comparable medical condition were prayed for and FREE INQUIRY has started an electronic prayers were, apparently, the only bulletin board, where subscribers can difference that could be discovered discuss issues of interest to humanism. between how the patients were treated." If you would like to be involved, send (See Gary Posner's critique of the an e-mail message to timmadigan "Power of Prayer" study in the Summer @aol.com. 1994 FREE INQUIRY.) She goes on to say that "The secular press doesn't know how to talk about religion except in Karl Popper and Andre Lwoff stereotypes. I think they've done a great disservice to many people who are in Two members of the prestigious This year marks the 300th anniversary what is loosely called the religious right." Academy of Humanism have died: of the birth of one of the greatest Andre Lwoff and Sir Karl Popper, both freethinkers in history. We commemo- aged ninety-two. Lwoff, a molecular rate the birthday of this brilliant French Business Costs Force biologist at the Pasteur Institute, was essayist, François-Marie Arouet de FREE INQUIRY Price Rise awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine Voltaire, who was born in Paris on and Physiology in 1965 and wrote November 21, 1694. He was a trenchant A 14 percent increase in postal rates plus extensively about the ethical issues of critic of religion and a defender of the additional expenses for paper and medical research. Popper was one of the philosophy of reason and humanity. printing is forcing FREE INQUIRY to raise twentieth century's greatest philos- its single issue and subscription prices. ophers. His fellow Humanist Laureate Effective with the Winter 1994/ 95 issue, Sir Hermann Bondi wrote a tribute to What's in a Name? single copies, including back issues, will him in the October 6, 1994, issue of be $6.95. A subscription for one year Nature: The Washington Area Secular Human- will cost $28.50; for two years, $47.50; ists, or WASH—members of our and for three years, $64.50. His demolition of the scientific pre- Alliance of Secular Humanist Socie- We regret the extra expense to our tensions of psychoanalysis and of readers. We hope you will agree that Marxism was brilliant and effective. ties—have had some interesting dilem- Indeed Popper's political philosophy, mas caused by their name. After hiring money to support the voice of secular especially as displayed in his The Open a voice mail company to handle their humanism is well spent. Winter 1994/95 9 HEADQUARTERS CAMPUS FOR CODESH AND FREE INQUIRY

Construction is well underway at the Center for Located adjacent to the State University of New Inquiry, Phase II. This is the long-awaited completion York at Buffalo's Amherst Campus—the largest of the Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism's campus of the nation's largest state university headquarters campus, consolidating FREE INQUIRY's system—the Center for Inquiry will provide the Western New York administrative, editorial, produc- permanent, multi-purpose home base that the secular tion, and warehousing activities in one efficient humanist movement has long required. facility. Numerous opportunities still exist for naming Following a spring 1994 groundbreaking, we plan rooms and structures after friends or loved ones. for occupancy in 1995.

Preliminary architect's model of the Phase Il building. Sculpted windows mark location of library.

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y.35p h.a Preliminary floor plan of the new building, to be completed in early 1995. Construction Well Underway! • New building: two floors, expandable for the future. • Eye-catching new contemporary design.

• Will house the James Hervey Johnson Freethought and Humanist Library—the world's largest humanist and freethought library—computerized catalogue accessible via modem from anywhere in the world. • Conference and seminar facilities, with full audio-visual support. • Dedicated audio-video-TV produc- tion and duplication facility—for larger productions, multimedia conference room converts to 3- camera television studio. • Additional, efficient office space to provide for CODESH's future growth. Phase II will be connected to existing structures by a glazed walkway. Construction Cash Is Still Short We will realize important savings struction and endowment goals. To maintain our by starting construction now, al- momentum, additional cash gifts for construction are though our "Price of Reason" Cap- urgently needed. ital Fund Drive is still in progress. Please support the "Price of Reason" Capital Fund Under Co-Chair Steve Allen this Drive today. For more information, use the postpaid campaign has reached more than Steve Allen, CODESH response card in this issue to contact CODESH today 87 percent of our combined Con- Campaign Chairman call 716-636-7571. Opus Dei and Secret Societies

The Open Society and the Open Mind

Timothy J. Madigan

Enlightenment is the emancipation of documentary films of Frederick Wise- the viewer quickly surmises that the man from a state of self-imposed man also expore this topic. Wiseman film's jolly title will have little corres- tutelage. This state is due to his inca- seems indebted to Goffman, in that his pondence to the events that follow. pacity to use his own intelligence without films deal with many of the social Scenes of brutalization, ineptness, and external guidance ... Sapere aude! Dare institutions Goffman had studied: bureaucratic unconcern are the norm. to use your own intelligence! This is the schools, army training camps, monaster- One catatonic patient is force-fed while battle-cry of the Enlightenment. ies, hospitals, prisons, and insane a doctor nonchalantly smokes a cigarette asylums. directly over the feeding tube. In one —Immanuel Kant, Perhaps Wiseman's most controver- Kafka-esque sequence, an inmate argues "What Is Enlightenment?" sial film is the first one he directed, with the staff psychiatrist that he should (1785) Titicut Follies (1967), which only be released from the institution and sent recently was allowed to be shown to the back to prison, where he had more he recent death of Sir Karl Popper, freedom. The doctor tells him that, if famed philosopher and Humanist he is released, he will just end up right Laureate, was a loss to all lovers of "Humanists in particular should be back in the asylum in a short time. When freedom. In his classic work The Open critical of organizations—be they the inmate remonstrates, the doctor Society and Its Enemies, Popper detailed religious or secular—that deny their replies that if he is mistaken, "You can the close connection between democratic members access to information, spit in my face." The patient sensibly pluralistic societies and the need for open encourage blind obedience, or asks, "Why should I do that?" and the debate and free inquiry into all areas. viewer wonders if the two roles haven't harass those who wish to leave." While Popper focused his attention somehow been reversed. on totalitarian governmental bodies that What is amazing is that the overseers attempt to regulate the lives of all citizens general public. It was not until 1991 that of Bridgewater did not notice the (he was one of the first to point out that a court injunction was lifted. Before that nightmarish quality of the film when they fascism and communism are for the most time, the only people allowed to view initially viewed it. It was only after the part functionally equivalent, regardless the film were health professionals, film was near release, and after they of their ideological differences), his educators, counselors, and others with received feedback from horrified viewpoints are also valid when it comes to a demonstrated expertise in the field of ers, that a formal protest was filed, and membership in smaller closed societies. mental health. Titicut Follies is a a court case began that lasted for years. The October massacre of over fifty documentary detailing a few typical days It is ironic that the film, rather than the members of the Order of the Solar at the Bridgewater, Massachusetts, events it depicted, became the focus of Temple, led by the mysterious Luc Hospital for the Criminally Insane. legal proceedings. Jouret, a forty-six-year-old Belgian "Titicut" is the Indian name for the area, homeopath, demonstrates yet again the and the follies were an annual event put iseman and Goffman each show dangers inherent in becoming involved on jointly by the staff and inmates to the ways in which institutions in such secretive organizations. boost morale. Wiseman was allowed free encroach on individual identity. Goff- How do such groups operate? The access to the facility. Indeed, the state man in particular was interested in what sociologist Erving Goffman (1922-1982), officials, who put no restrictions on him, he called "total institutions," which are in such works as Asylums and The felt that the film would help to get shut off from the outside world and Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, increased funding from state and federal attempt to completely reshape the examined the ways in which people tend authorities. personalities of those within. Even the to adapt themselves to institutional From its opening scene, in which a best intentioned organizations are prone demands, often sacrificing their own dispirited assembly of patients sing an to hush up their errors, and people often individual moral sense in so doing. The off-key version of "Strike Up the Band," fall into patterns of behavior that are

12 FREE INQUIRY accepted by those in the organization but of the Enlightenment, is in itself a which would be appalling to those powerful enemy of fanaticism; for it "The twentieth century has been outside of it. This becomes especially makes us try hard to detach ourselves evident in groups that are apocalyptic rife with dangerous closed from our own ideas (in order to look societies, both on the macro and at them critically) instead of identi- in nature or feel that all critics are fying ourselves with them.... In the naturally enemies, out to destroy the micro level." interests of the quest for truth and of organization. our liberation from errors we have to Open societies welcome scrutiny and train ourselves to view our own film Monty Python's Life of Brian finds encourage discussion and debate. This favorite ideas just as critically as those out. After giving this very advice to a is why one of the central tenets of we oppose. ["Emancipation Through crowd of would-be followers, he is Knowledge," in Challenges to the humanism is the freedom to inquire— stunned when they yell out in unison: Enlightenment, Prometheus Books, which entails the freedom to change 1994, p. 71] "Yes, we should think for ourselves. Tell one's opinion. Most secular humanists us more!" were raised as members of a religious The twentieth century has been rife The following articles describe the organization, which for one reason or with dangerous closed societies, both on techniques used by closed societies to another they chose to leave. It is little the macro and micro level. Karl Popper control their adherents' lives and noted, but nonetheless important to was one of the foremost defenders of thoughts (focusing specifically on the remember, how remarkable it is that the need for open discussion and free powerful Catholic organization Opus people today can change denominations Dei) debate of ideas. His words remain a and various positive ways to avoid or become unchurched. This is an option falling into such traps. that was not available previously, when powerful antidote to these totalitarian one's religious denomination essentially tendencies: determined one's place in society. Timothy J. Madigan is executive editor Humanists in particular should be The idea of self-emancipation through knowledge, which was the basic idea of FREE INQUIRY. critical of organizations—be they religious or secular—that deny their members access to information, encourage blind obedience, or harass those who wish to leave. In its article on the Solar Temple massacre, Time magazine re- Opus Dei, a Threat to Liberty ports that

Unlike the followers of Jim Jones and David Koresh, Jouret's faithful did Mario Mendez-Acosta not live in tightly organized com- munes. For the most part they kept he Catholic church, like many other their day jobs and lived at their own Tsocial organizations, owes its con- addresses, often hiding their member- tinued survival to the role it plays in the ship even from close friends. "We went along our daily lives, but we didn't prevailing world order. Its function has belong to this world," said a former been to serve as an effective and member who spoke anonymously on enthusiastic aid for those with political Swiss television. "Jouret made us feel and economic power in nations where we were a chosen and privileged congregation." [Time, October 17, its presence has significant weight. It is 1994, p. 60] within this framework that the activities of Opus Dei as an autonomous cult or One should therefore expand Goffman's manipulative sect inside the church may notion of total institutions to encompass be better understood. The works of many people who function seemingly well in journalists and social researchers from the external world, but remain enthralled different countries shed light on the by closed systems of thinking. organization and its activities. To some extent or another, we are David Yallop, a British journalist, all prone to seek out gurus, enlightened authored In the Name of God, an leaders, and know-it-alls who can tell us examination of the possibility that Pope exactly how to live our lives—to become, John Paul I was murdered. He noted small size (sixty to eighty thousand in Eric Hoffer's famous phrase, "true the international scope of the extremely members), this secret society of mostly believers." Kant's challenge of Sapere conservative Opus Dei, founded by the lay people exercises considerable influ- aude—"think for yourself'—is still a Spanish priest Jose Maria Escrivá de ence as a result of the high proportion difficult one, as the lead character in the Balaguer in 1928. In spite of its relatively of noted professionals among its Winter 1994/95 13 "Escrivá meant to seize power in Spain in order to revive Catholicism and counter the forces of Freemasonry and Marxism. He intended to accomplish this secretly, through the infiltration of the country's elite."

members. One such person is Dr. John Roche, an Oxford professor and former member of Opus Dei. He has characterized the society, with its practices of self-mortification, as "sinister, secret, and Orwellian." Opus Dei's efforts to gain power have been reinforced by varying degrees of Vatican support. Pope John Paul I com- mended the organization's basic spiritual tenets, though he remained silent on such issues as self-mortification and the group's fascistic philosophy. Under Pope John Paul II, Opus Dei has flourished. One of this pope's first actions after his election was to pray at the grave of the society's founder. Later he bestowed on the organization the status of "Personal Prelature," making Opus Dei responsible directly to Rome. Other influential individuals who have belonged to Opus Dei include three members of Francisco Franco's cabinet in the 1960s. Jose Mateos, head of the Spanish industrial trust Rumasa, also belonged. The richest man in Spain, he channeled millions of dollars into Opus Dei. (His close association with Roberto Calvi, treasurer of the notorious Italian criminal lodge Propaganda 2, sub- sequently led to the Banco Ambrosiano financial scandal, charges of corruption, and Calvi's arrest.) The group also claims members who work at more than six Jose Maria Escrivá de Balaguer (1902-1975), founder of Opus Dei. hundred newspapers and magazines and more than fifty radio and television through the infiltration of the country's bid affiliates information concerning stations around the world. elite. According to Marlene Tuiniga, their membership or other facts about Alain Woodrow, religious chronicler Opus Dei has succeeded in this. Mem- their activities. Article 193 prohibits of Le Monde, characterizes Opus Dei bers hold prominent positions in bank- publication of the constitution or its as an organization bent on the unbridled ing, industry, government, academies, translation from Latin without explicit conquest of power in his book The New advertising, and cinema. authorization. Sects. From the beginning, Escrivá The organization's secrecy, man- In light of Opus Dei's quest for power meant to seize power in Spain in order dated by its constitution, helps to conceal and the clandestine nature of its activ- to revive Catholicism and counter the the extent of its success. Articles 189 ities, Pope John Paul II's decision to forces of Freemasonry and Marxism. He through 191 explicitly state that the speed the beatification of its founder is intended to accomplish this secretly, society tries to remain hidden, and for- revealing. He undoubtedly intended to

14 FREE INQUIRY strike a blow against the postconciliar practice as unjustifiable on either secular 3. Pat, ready-made answers are church, many of whose characteristics or divine grounds. Rodriguez also offered to questions, and recruits are he deeply deplores, as did Escrivá. But discusses one of the most barbaric and forced to make pre-emptory decisions. in his struggle against the liberal and repulsive aspects of Opus Dei: self- 4. Adulation helps to seduce the progressive wing of the church, he has mortification. Practices include whip- recruit. alienated members of the Catholic main- ping, inflicted individually or in couples, 5. Money and medical care help stream and joined forces with an and use of the cilicio, a tight-fitting band maintain control. authoritarian society that displays the garnished with thorns that is worn 6. Members must surrender uncon- insidious, dangerous features associated around the calf. Rodriguez notes another ditionally to the leader. with cults. feature Opus Dei shares with destructive 7. Isolation techniques, including Miguel Fisac, a former member of cults. It intimidates former members of elimination of all outside information Opus Dei, left the group because of the the group to keep them from speaking and contact with families and friends, increasingly messianic behavior of its out. Careers and lives of those who did are used to help control reasoning founder. "The Father [Escrivá] saw talk have been ruined. As a result, processes. himself as a divine mandatory whose anyone who tries to investigate Opus Dei 8. Withdrawal from the recruit's message and orientation we should encounters a fear of speaking out. previous life is encouraged through a accept without any criticism.... What- Moncada, in The Oral History of subtly planted guilt complex. ever he proposed wasn't really his. It was Opus Dei, discusses another aspect of 9. Methods that alter or disturb God's proposal, and no changes or Escrivá's teachings that has raised consciousness, discourage thinking, shadings were accepted." serious concern. Like all members of the impose a closed logical system, and Other members also left Opus Dei as extreme right in Spain during the period impede usual reflective processes are it became a destructive, fanatical sect. of the Republic and the Civil War, used. Raimundo Panikkar, one of its old Escrivá believed in a Judeo-Masonic- 10. Recruits are always kept busy, in leaders, says Opus Dei "started as a Communist conspiracy to conquer the company, and under constant prompting small group, more or less charis- world and destroy "the throne and the and training activities, to promote a matic, with a pure evangelical ideal Altar." According to Moncada, Escrivá sense of spiritual exaltation and an auto- ... slowly . . . it became what soci- explained to his followers the evil that matic submission that eliminates ologically is known as a sect or cult." resulted from Jewish control of interna- resistance. María del Carmen Tapia, former secre- tional finance. He proposed that Opus 11. Emphasis and adoration concen- tary to Escrivá and author of the book retaliate by adopting tactics he believed trate on the leader, underplaying Jesus' Behind the Threshold: A Life in Opus were used by the Jews, in order to wrest role in favor of that of the cult founder. Dei (A Trip into Fanaticism), shares from them control of the highest posts Ironically, this list matches precisely Panikkar's assessment. For her, Opus in all banking enterprises. the characteristics identified by Pope Dei shows all the features of a cult, Moncada also describes the vanity John Paul II in a 1986 pastoral letter including psychological indoctrina- and boundless personal ambition of warning of sects and the growing threat tion, exaggerated veneration for its Escrivá, who secured himself the title of they pose to the Catholic church. In founder, and complete disregard for the Marquis of Peralta. He was a megalo- beatifying Escrivá and embracing Opus human dignity of its members, which it maniac encouraged by his followers in Dei, Pope John Paul II links the Catholic will use even for illegal activities. For demanding honors, homage, adoration, church to the very cult activities he example, Carmen Tapia describes how and expensive presents. condemns. recruits were used to smuggle foreign The destructive, cultlike qualities of currency from Spain to Rome, where Escrivá's organization and the aberrant References Escrivá had set up the headquarters of behavior of its members are clearly laid Alberto Moncada, Historia Oral del Opus De his society. Alberto Moncada, another out in a Guide for Parents About the (Barcelona: Plaza y James, 1987). former member and author of The Oral Opus Dei. Several circumstances lend Pepe Rodriguez, El Poder de las Sectas (Barce- History of Opus Dei, Ionia: Ediciones B, 1989). "Interview with recounts the same unusual distinction to this work: the María del Carmen Tapia," Revista 16, May story. authors are all practicing Catholics, all 25, 1992. Pepe Rodriguez, a Spanish journalist have children in Opus Dei, and they Enrique Maza, "The Recruiting Methods of 0pus Dei: Sectarian, 0ccult, Manipulative, and who specializes in the investigation of relied on Opus Dei's own booklets and Aggressive," Proceso no. 875, August 9, 1993. destructive Spanish cults, describes the manual in writing this guide. They list practices of Opus Dei that are charac- numerous features the organization teristic of exploitive sects in his book shares with sects: Mario Mendez-Acosta, a well-known The Power of Sects. He points, for 1. There is a subtle process of intro- journalist in Mexico City, is one of the example, to the group's use of what it duction within a general atmosphere of founders of the newly established terms holy coercion to compel its deceit and faked affection. Association Mexicana Etica Ration- members to do what is most convenient 2. Mind-control techniques are alista (Mexican Ethical and Rationalist for the organization, and denounces the employed. Society). Winter 1994/95 15 "family." Members are interested in outsiders The Masked, Dangerous Cult insofar as they are considered "fishes" who may be caught in the nets of Opus Jesus Puertas Fuertes, Spanish teacher and author, was recruited for Opus Dei Dei. In any other case, "to preserve by his closest friend at the age of fifteen. At eighteen he moved to an Opus Dei former friends means to waste time, and residence at the University of Navarra, which has strong ties to the organization. that time does no longer belong to you."' The intolerance, repression, and dogmatism of Opus Dei began to trouble him; Escrivá, the founder, encouraged fidelity after two years he was asked to leave the Opus Dei residence, which led to a painful to Opus Dei above friendship and period of isolation. charity, preaching against saving a "That was the year I lost my faith, or better to say, I gained my common sense friend's soul by risking one's own and freedom of thought," says Puertas. "Curiously, I became an atheist in spite salvation. All my schoolmates who of studying the most strict Catholic theology one can imagine—or perhaps because became members of Opus Dei gave up of that. "—EDs. their private friendship and intimacy with me once they joined. 2. Opus Dei members claim a special knowledge or power, possessed not only Jesus Puertas Fuertes by the founder, but by anyone who holds a leading position in the cult.2 In Opus pus Dei, also known as "The Work Dei homes, living rooms and visiting kl of God" or briefly "The Work," is rooms are decorated with a number of a Catholic organization well known in different shapes and sizes of donkeys, Spain, where it was founded, as well as because—according to Escrivá—he once in some European and Latin American considered himself no better than a countries. It nevertheless goes unnoticed mangy donkey, to which God replied: in other places. To remain hidden is "A donkey was my throne in Jerusa- indeed one of its first aims: activities are lem."3 María Angustias Moreno quotes never said to be sponsored by Opus Dei, Escrivá as saying: "In my life I have nor are schools, clubs, or residences already known several popes, many labeled with the name of the institution. cardinals, a multitude of bishops. But Members are encouraged to conceal on the other hand, there is only one their membership. As it was once said, Founder of Opus Dei."4 María Carmen "They never deny membership ... once Tapia, a former secretary of Escrivá, it has been discovered." Members will tells5 that she was in charge of writing never reveal the name of other members. down everything The Father said (every- In spite of these efforts, we now know thing that could be used to present him much about Opus Dei because a number as a saint, not his outbursts of anger of ex-members have dared to tell and or use of curse words), because it was to write about "the Holy Mafia." From "When parents blame Opus Dei for believed that God's inspiration may be their confessions we can now demon- brainwashing their children, they hidden in the simplest utterance. As a strate that it is undoubtedly a very result, even his tiniest whim was quickly should consider what they have dangerous and destructive cult—"a carried out: for instance, a bed was group that recruits, assimilates, and taught them. Have they taught changed because the mattress was three retains members by utilizing mind- them to think critically, or have they centimeters shorter than Escrivá ex- control techniques without the prior raised them to become faithful pected.6 knowledge or consent of the individual" believers in a religious creed and to His sudden death provided a new (Eric Merrill Budd in "The ABCs of Cult obey their elders without motive for him to be admired because Mind-Control," FI, Fall 1991). Budd according to his followers he did not questioning their commands?" does not mention Opus Dei anywhere suffer a natural death. "He had repeat- in his article, but the nine tendencies he edly offered his life for the Church and lists as characteristic of cults are widely viewing. It discourages its members from the Pope and God accepted his offering," met by it. keeping portraits of their families, pre- it is claimed.' Some questions arise. Why 1. Opus Dei controls external com- serving former friendships, or attending did not God accept his offering some munication of its members with the public activities. Members are even years before? Why would the death of outside world by censoring outgoing and prohibited from attending family events a man benefit the church? In the event incoming mail, forbidding unapproved such as a sibling's wedding. They must that the answer is, as it will surely be, readings, and controlling television entirely devote themselves to their new that God's will is impenetrable, then 16 FREE INQUIRY there will be trouble in explaining how four days during the year they must go Dei. Since property belongs legally to The Father discovered it, and how others to a retreat (spent in total silence), in members, not to the association, they came to know the divine purpose behind addition to summer courses. A weekly must sign three forms that will be used Escrivá's death. walk and a monthly trip are also ordered, in case they withdraw. Some ex- Contrarily, Opus Dei members are for which members may not choose their members have reported they had to file quite convinced about the similarity partners. Even more extreme is their lawsuits to recover their belongings. I between their goals and those of God. meticulous sexual morality. They must had some personal experiences pertain- Criticizing the statements of Escrivá, the avoid being with the opposite gender in ing to Opus Dei's money addiction: institution, or even the spiritual advice a closed room. Dancing or kissing are members borrowed my books, but did of one's director amounts to rejecting forbidden, because they may be occa- not lend theirs; they also asked to borrow God's own will. After Escrivá died, Opus sions of mortal sin. There are no locks my car but would not lend theirs, because Dei began to claim and to publish that on doors nor is sharing rooms allowed— their cars are to be only used for Opus he had performed incredible miracles so great was Escrivá's obsession against Dei aims. such as providing jobs or finding intimacy and same-sex relations. 6. Opus Dei has a black-and-white someone a home, not to mention 4. Continual confession or disclosure world-view. Inside everything is right effecting seemingly extraordinary cures. to a superior is obtained by encouraging and only in it one can find the safe way Michael Walsh narrates an example members to be totally honest in the to save his or her soul, while outside of the members' devotion.8 Members in weekly chat with the director, by con- lie the dangerous temptations of the evil England asked to be dispensed from their fessing with an Opus Dei priest (never one. Inside is the absolute truth, and fast on Good Friday because they an outsider), and by reporting every fault those who do not agree with it are wanted to commemorate the anniversary they may notice in other members. personally criticized. First, it is charged of Escrivá's ordination into the priest- 5. The elitism of Opus Dei is to be that doubters lack the spiritual finesse hood. In their minds, that event took seen in its goal to lead society by to understand Opus Dei; then they will precedence over the commemoration of recruiting the most powerful and influen- be accused of being proud, poorly the death of Jesus Christ, the founder tial people. "Fishes must be caught by formed, eager for a comfortable life, even of Christianity itself. their head" was Escrivá's version of the of being mad or devil possessed. 3. Opus Dei puts extreme demands Latin proverb "curius regio religio," Members who attempt to leave are on perfection and purity. A numerary meaning that those who seize the power forced to visit a member psychiatrist, and must follow a strict schedule from also impose the religion. Considering the to suffer tribulations that border on the morning to night. A typical day includes fact that most Catholic countries are illegal." the following: those that were ruled by the Spanish Traditional Catholics have always • jumping from bed as soon as the crown during the Protestant Reforma- believed that it is impossible to achieve alarm rings and offering the day to God; tion—excluding Ireland and Poland— salvation out of the church. Opus Dei • half an hour of silent prayer (or Escrivá's view is not that far from the goes further, because in its internal view meditation with an Opus Dei priest) both truth. Evidence of Opus Dei ambition (never disclosed to outsiders), only in the morning and in the afternoon; is the power it has gained in Rome, such members have the true way to heaven.12 • going to mass; as the rapidity of Escrivá's canonization Opus Dei has attempted to seize power • performing angelus at noon; process and the rejection of adverse in the Vatican, where, according to the • fifteen minutes of spiritual reading; testimonies, even from sources who were Founder: "The evil comes from within, • rosary and internal prayers and reliable and close to Opus Dei. and from very high up ... it seems as supplications; if the Mystical Body of Christ were a • one or more visits to the chapel; pus Dei's attitude concerning stinking corpse in decomposition."13 It • two hours with the cilicio; Omoney has been widely criticized. has been written how its support of the • examination of one's own con- The organization's houses are located in Polish trade union Solidarity got the science; expensive neighborhoods and are lux- sympathy of Karol Wojtyla. The fact is • night prayers asking for chastity uriously furnished. Moreno reports that that, under his rule, Opus Dei has while sprinkling holy water in bed; in such early times the better part of such achieved the legal status of "Personal • nightly silence until the end of next- houses was accessible to visitors, but now Prelature" (that means it is responsible day mass. this has changed to avoid scandal.9 only to the Vatican, not to local bishops), In addition, members must recite Nevertheless, Opus Dei claims that it and has been successful in the beatifi- jaculatorias (similar to the mantras of only accepts the wealthy as a means of cation of its Founder, a step immediately Buddhist monks) at every moment, and proselytism. Contrary to other religious prior to sainthood. I recall when I was mortify themselves several times during orders, aspirants must be sustained by student at Opus Dei University the joy the day. They must confess weekly, chat their families or else leave Opus Dei. io and happiness that engulfed some Opus with the director, attend to one "circle" When they become full members, they Dei priests the day that Wojtyla was of training, and give circles (or lectures must surrender their goods and real elected. Curiously, nobody else in Spain on catechism). One day each month and estate and sign wills in favor of Opus knew about him.

Winter 1994/95 17

Having said all this, it is not surprising are not happy it is because there is a hundred people who have endured that this thinking, and Opus Dei's barrier between God and you."20 I painful experiences and mind-control. ambition to power, have created ene- wonder how Opus Dei explains why One of the most common complaints is mies. In this article I do not concern Jesus Christ himself was sad before his that Opus Dei takes advantage of myself with the longstanding controversy crucifixion. These teachings are deform- immature teenagers, recruiting them as between the Jesuits and Opus Dei, but ing because they prevent the proper early as fourteen and a half years of age.22 it is worth noting that Escrivá did not understanding of one's own mood and Opus Dei spokesmen have denied this feel enthusiastic about them. In my view feelings and work against the develop- charge. Legally speaking they are right, that attitude stems from two reasons: ment of a mature person. It is even because Opus Dei statutes do not allow Jesuits were more influential in the advised that in case of any psychological anybody to be a full member before Catholic church and he envied this illness a member should go to a con- twenty-one. But in reality I have wit- power; also, Jesuits were more influential fessor, not a psychologist. nessed fifteen-year-old boys being in theology and morality. Walsh relates 8. Opus Dei doctrine does not differ treated and taught exactly the same as that when Father Arrupé, a Jesuit, was greatly from the Catholic doctrine, but full numerary members. The reason why appointed General of the Jesuit Order, it has a loaded language and a special they particularly choose the age of he used to pay visits to the heads of all terminology as far as recruiting and rules fourteen and a half is because at this other religious orders.14 The only reticent for living are concerned: "To whistle" age Escrivá saw a monk walking bare- one was Escrivá, who was never at home is joining Opus; "to fish" is to recruit; foot on the snow and started to believe the five times Arrupé phoned. In a "the task" is the recruitment; "the heroic that God was asking something extraor- similar vein, I experienced how school- minute" is getting out of bed; "to keep dinary of him. mates of mine who were recruited by the sight" is avoiding watching girls (or In addition to considering Opus Dei Opus Dei were immediately removed boys). They even use an internal Latin a cult using the already mentioned cri- from our Jesuit-run school.15 greeting, "Pax," that must be answered, teria, J. J. M. Garvey explains that it 7. The demands for unquestioning "In aeternum." meets the definition and characteristics obedience and total commitment lead to 9. Deceptive and coercive tactics in listed in the Vatican document "Chal- the exigency of dismissal of one's own recruiting are widely reported by all ex- lenge of New Religious Movements will and thoughts, to wish what both the members. This practice has been pro- (Sects or Cults)."23 Furthermore, Walsh director and the father wish, to ask tested by parents, and in the United compares Opus Dei practices with the permission even for the most innocent States two organizations have been set categories enumerated in Bryan Wilson's activity, and to inform one's superiors up to help people affected by Opus Dei The Sociology of Sects and claims that of one's every step. Curiously enough, and to disseminate information about its it fits easily with all eight of them.24 There the Founder always claimed the "holy tactics.21 John Roche, one ex-member, is thus wide agreement among non- freedom of his children," while at the has collected testimonies of fifteen members. same time stating "blind obedience to your superiors, the way of sanctity"16 and "it is so contrary to our spirit to guide ourselves by our own judgment."17 Now CULTS GET STARTE Members must visit those doctors and confessors determined by the directors.18 WHY Do WE 015EY HIM BLINDLY? In order to force individuals into membership, they claim that, when a via,.,. HE SEEMS SO SURE member proposes anyone for mem- of WMSEL,F bership in Opus Dei, it is because God wishes it. "God is not going to send you . e^ an angel to let you know," they assert.19 When I lived in the residence halls of the Opus Dei University in Spain I experienced a funny incident. One day I complained about the policy forbidding television viewing, aside from the occasional soccer match. The subdirec- tor spoke privately with me and bluntly said that the true source of being bothered by television-watching restrictions was that I was in mortal sin. It was not his personal isolated view, it actually lies in Escrivá teachings: "If you 18 FREE INQUIRY have called Opus Dei a "masked" cult be prosecuted in all Western countries. (Madrid). because its members pretend to be The important question here is whether 6. Moreno, p. 153. I 7. Walsh, p. 204. normal, everyday people. But normal it is believable that Father Escrivá-and 8. Walsh. people do not blindly follow a leader's now Father Javier Echevarría-have any 9. Moreno, p. 208. wishes or live isolated from the opposite knowledge of God's will. One could be 10. Moreno, p. 212. 11. Moreno wrote a second book in which she sex; they claim to sanctify their secular led to think that perhaps they can narrated the prosecutions and calumnies she work, but they postpone it whenever it distinguish between God-inspired ideas suffered after her first work. conflicts with their rites or the "fishing" and their own, but they do not want to 12. "If somebody leaves 0pus Dei he goes to the abyss. I do not bet a nickel on his soul." of new members. They also conceal their demonstrate how they distinguish Vid. Moreno, p. 66. "Provided people not in authentic purposes, even from their between them. Why deny us the oppor- contact with The Work live by its rules, they will 25 tunity? When someone talks to God he be saved," Cronica, 111, 1965). closest friends and relatives. 13. Crónica, II, 1972. Undoubtedly, one main reason for this may be a saint, but when God talks the 14. Walsh, p. 195. secrecy can be found in Escrivá's expe- hearer is surely mad. On similar grounds, 15. Walsh relates the report issued by the and being myself so close to the evidence, Rector of the Seminary of "La Rioja" (Spain). riences with the prosecution of priests, He complained about the lack of evangelical spirit monks, and nuns during Spain's Second I could also claim that this article is God- in Opus Dei priesthood students: in their view, Republic and Civil War (1931-1936 and inspired in order to beat the Antichrist said the Rector, "dignity" of priests must prevail who lies behind Opus over "service." 1936-1939, respectively). The concept of Dei. 16. Crónica, VIII, 1963. truth in Opus Dei implies unchangeabil- It is logically defective to refute Opus 17. Crónica, VIII, 1955. Moreno quotes ity, and what was usual in Escrivá's Dei claims from a religious standpoint, Escrivá saying "in 0pus Die there are two ways- to obey or to leave" (p. 30). childhood has been preserved as the since faith relies upon believing in an 18. Moreno, p. 149. eternal way of doing things26 (for instance: inspired someone (the pope, Christ, 19. Moreno, p. 221. mass must be in Latin, the altar must Muhammad, and so on). To instill the 20. Moreno, p. 230. 21. 0pus Dei Awareness Network, Inc. (P.0. be located in front of parishioners, women uncritical acceptance of their creeds in the Box 4333 Pittsfield, MA 01202) and 0ur Lady must wear veils, boys and girls must be early years is the main goal of churches and St. Joseph in Search of the Lost Child. raised separately).27 To avoid any and the main reason for their survival. 22. Moreno, p. 223. 23. J. J. M. Garvey, Parents' Guide to Opus changes, Escrivá banned all translations When parents blame Opus Dei for Dei, (New York: Sicut Dixit Press, 1993). of the statutes from Latin. The internal brainwashing their children, they should 24. Walsh, p. 180. constitutions, as well as the internal news- consider what they have taught them. 25. "University residences, universities, publishing houses ... are these ends? No, and what letter of the male and female sections, have Have they taught them to think critically, is the end? To promote in the world the greatest been kept secret. Opus Dei firmly believes or have they raised them to become possible number of souls dedicated to God in that "nobody out of Opus faithful believers in a religious creed and 0pus Dei" (Crónica, V, 1963). Dei would be 26. "It is our internal law, which by the will able to understand." The cult also has to obey their elders without questioning of God contains everything necessary for our secret prayers and secret songs that are their commands? sanctification . . . it is holy, unchangeable, In the unlikely event that any Opus everlasting . . . not only will The Work never performed at special feasts.28 die, it will never grow old" (Crónica, VIII, 1968). I have called Opus Dei a "dangerous" Dei member is reading this, he or she 27. "The studies in philosophy and theology cult on the following grounds. Identifying will by now be thinking-as it has been are to be carried out ... in line with the method, taught to him or her-that the devil is teaching and principles of the Angelic Doctor [St. their goals with God's goals allows Opus Thomas], and these are to be held as sacred" Dei to achieve control, both over new tempting him or her through my words. (136th paragraph of the 1950 Constitutions, and members and in preserving existing He or she would not dare to see that this 82nd paragraph of the 1982 Constitutions). Both statement constitutes a tautology: if they are available in a translation published by the members. Having a theistic background, Spanish magazine Tiempo. who is enough of an independent thinker agree with me, I am right; if they do not, 28. 0n the contrary, as a student in a high to answer "No" if it is said that God I am also right. Behind this tautology lies school run by Jesuits, I could learn and sing their their fear of being wrong and their hatred hymn, that was accessible to everyone and had himself is calling? Who would be more been published long ago. resolute than those who believe that by of truth. 29. I can assure that you will be faithful, even expanding Opus Dei they are saving their though at times you will have to suffer. Besides, I promise you heaven" (Crónica, I, 1971). own souls, as The Father promised Notes 29 Translated by Etienne Colon-Rios, a staff them? 1. María Angustias Moreno, El Opus Dei, member at the Center for Inquiry. Opus Dei is also dangerous in the sense anexo a una historia (Barcelona: Planeta, 1976), that it might go unnoticed among other p. 161. "0ur life is no longer ours, it no longer belongs to me, it belongs to The Work" (Crónica, Catholic institutions, since it lacks an internal magazine, III, 1965). Jesus Puertas Fuertes teaches philos- original doctrine and accepts most laws 2. "The director possesses, because of being ophy in a secondary school in Spain. and external social rules. As opposed to united with The Father, the gift of infallibility," He is the secretary of the newly created Moreno, p. 61. other cults, most members are respectable 3. Michael Walsh, Opus Dei. An Investiga- Ibero American Commission for the and socially or politically influential. Any tion into the Secret Society Struggling for Power Dissemination of Rationalism, Skepti- group using their same tactics, but within the Roman Catholic Church (San Fran- cism, and Humanism. In the summer of cisco, HarperCollins, 1992), p. 198. professing an exotic creed or having 4. Moreno, p. 18. 1994, he was a visiting scholar at the outlandish practices would undoubtedly 5. María Carmen Tapia, "Tras el Umbral" Center for Inquiry. Winter 1994/95 19 the occasion for a sin against "purity." The auxiliary numeraries are mainly unsophisticated girls or women; in Germany they are most often from Opus Dei: An Insider's View Spain, because few German women are ready to perform such services and follow such a life-style. In 1979, only two of the men's houses in Germany had a complete administration—the houses of Klaus Steigleder studies in Cologne and Bonn. Priests who minister to female pus Dei is divided into male and members or to girls or women who take female divisions. They are admin- part in Opus Dei "formational work" O "Members are urged to aim for istered separately, and their members are may converse with them individually kept strictly apart. Presiding over both influential positions in politics, the only inside the confessional. Outside of is the President General of the associ- economy, and the arts. They are that, a female member may speak with ation, who is called "Father" by all the encouraged to advance to those a priest only if she is accompanied by members. Common to both is a similar positions in their profession that at least one other female member. organizational structure and what's have a multiplier effect and through Elsewhere in Opus Dei the sexes are referred to as "The Spirit of Opus Dei." also strictly segregated. Opus Dei directs which the association could Members of the two divisions know little promotions always to boys or to girls, of each other, and no contact is permit- Christianize society in the Opus to men or women. Nonmembers who ted between them. Members of an Dei manner." participate in such activities of Opus Dei association's male "center" in a particular as work circles, lectures, or meditations town often do not even know the at meals, for example. Longer instruc- are not permitted to bring along their whereabouts of the female "center." tions must be transmitted in writing via boyfriend or girlfriend. Talks, medita- There are two points of contact, the "Commission," which is the central tions, or retreats for married people are however: Opus Dei priests serve both directorate of the country. Names are held separately for husbands and wives. male and female members. Female never used during these telephone Escrivá de Balaguer rationalized this as members of Opus Dei, known as "aux- conversations; only essential informa- follows: iliary numeraries" or "servant numerar- tion is conveyed. No one may say, "Good ies," do the cooking, cleaning, and morning," "Good day," or "Thank you." The challenges and practical expres- washing for the male members. The The people who talk to each other by sions of a husband's love differ in group of women who provide these many respects from those of his wife. telephone do not know each other's By conducting programs that take services to the men of a communal Opus names. Clothing of the occupants of a these facts into account, Opus Dei can Dei house are known as the "adminis- house are marked only by initials or help the husband and wife discover tration." These women are under strict numbers. The men and women do not these concrete challenges in the reality supervision; for example, no auxiliary normally see each other. If the women of their everyday life. When man and numerary may walk the street unaccom- clean a floor of a house, the men have wife are separated like this for a few hours or days, they will become more panied by another member. to vacate it. In the words of the founder united in daily life and develop a There may be no contact of any kind of Opus Dei, the best administration is deeper love that pays close attention between the men of a communal house the one that isn't heard or seen. to the personality of the other. and the women who take care of them. An exception are the so-called study The rooms housing the women of an centers of the association, the general Should a woman, for example, try to administration are reached by a separate headquarters in Rome, and the Com- enter an Opus Dei house for men, she entrance that is not visible from the mission of each country. There the is usually turned away at the door or windows of the rooms occupied by the women of the administration serve the at most led to a reception room near men. The women's quarters may not be men at lunch and dinner. But none of the entrance. Exceptions are afternoons entered by the men and is separated from the men may address the women; only or evenings set aside for parents at youth the rest of the house by a door secured the director may order seconds, etc. The clubs or houses of study and also by two separate locks, each of which can women who serve at tables are dressed Christmas Midnight Mass, to which all be unlocked only from one side. The only uniformly, mostly in black or blue. The the family members are invited and contact is by means of a closed-circuit men also follow a dress code. It would which is followed by a social. telephone that may be used by no one be unthinkable for a man to wear a short- but the director of a house or his sleeved shirt or short pants; even a long- Types of Memberships representative. It is used normally only sleeved shirt must be covered with a once a day at a set time to pass along sweater or jacket. One must never put he three kinds of members of Opus the number of men who will be present others in the way of temptation or offer TDei are numeraries, associates, and

20 FREE INQUIRY supernumeraries. Supernumeraries are those members August 23, 1982, to "Society of Priests Numeraries must remain single and who are permitted to marry and who of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei." It are, therefore, completely at the disposal are thus less useful to the association. is commonly called "Opus Dei." of Opus Dei. They are almost exclusively They are also under the direction of According to the Founder, Opus Dei persons with university educations who numeraries. Supernumeraries and asso- means "The Work of God"; in other usually pursue professional careers after ciates are as a rule less knowledgeable words, it is something that God has completing their studies. But they may about the organization. created. Thus, the name of this organ- instead be assigned full-time leadership When I left Opus Dei in 1979, the ization, which was founded by Escrivá roles with Opus Dei (usually not per- overwhelming majority of members in de Balaguer at the age of twenty-six, manent). Only individuals in good Germany were numeraries, although the makes it the most pretentious of all the physical and psychological condition are goal was to have a majority of super- societies or religious orders of the made numeraries. They usually live numeraries. Catholic church. together in an Opus Dei house (center). Some numeraries are ordained as The founder and the members of the This house community is considered to priests after they have completed their association regard Opus Dei not as the be a family and one that the members training for a profession or after they work of men but as the work of God. are to deem more important than their have practiced it for a while. These Escrivá said that he founded Opus Dei biological family and to treat with numerary priests are completely under solely in obedience to the will of God greater love. For this and the entire Opus the control of the director of Opus Dei. and contrary to his own conception of Dei "family," each numerary bears a Diocesan priests may join the "Associ- how it should be organized. But from responsibility like that of a "father of ation of Priests of the Holy Cross," which whence came the idea to form such an a poor but child-rich family." What that is an affiliate of Opus Dei. As such they organization? What transpired within or means for each member and what continue to perform their diocesan duties about Escrivá de Balaguer on that consequences it holds will be described under the direction of the bishop, but October 2? Nothing concrete has so far in detail later. The numeraries commit they also take on duties assigned by Opus been revealed even to members; the themselves not only to celibacy but also Dei. Because Opus Dei has a lay focus, founder was not willing to disclose to a life of poverty and obedience. This seminarians and deacons may not as a anything specific during his lifetime. commitment was made until recently by rule join the association. Because this issue was left open and means of a private vow. With the In addition to these three types of unsettled, an aura of the exceptional and transformation of Opus Dei into a members, there are also so-called coop- the extraordinary surrounds the found- Personal Prelature these vows have been erators—many of whom are not ing of the association. replaced by a binding contract that is Catholic—who support the work of In explaining to his "children" why entered into with the Prelature. Opus Dei by their prayers or money. he didn't want to reveal anything more There are gradations of numeraries. specific about the founding of Opus Dei, Some are designated "inscriti" by the The Founding and the Founder Escrivá often declared that the day-to- President General of Opus Dei; these day life of the association was ordinary have to make additional vows. They bear pus Dei was founded on October but that extraordinary things had special responsibilities for the associa- 2, 1928, exclusively for men in transpired in connection with its found- tion, and they are in a special way at accordance with the decision of its ing; everything would eventually be the disposal of the President General. founder, the Reverend Escrivá de revealed to his "sons and daughters." But They may be assigned leading positions Balaguer. He altered this initial decision, it was clear that this would occur only in the administration of the association. however, by organizing a female division after his death. That he reported nothing Some of the inscriti are appointed on February 14, 1930. specific about this event during his "electors" by the President General. They Originally Opus Dei was to be a lay lifetime was ascribed to the exemplary elect the President General. organization. Priests were, however, humility of the priest Escriva', who did Associates (previously known as included in the association after the not want to be viewed as in any way oblates) also bind themselves to a life leadership decided that members of exalted by the extraordinary favors that of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They Opus Dei were receiving false counsel God had bestowed upon him on October normally do not occupy positions of from their father confessors who didn't 2, 1928. This at least is what the "spiritual responsibility in Opus Dei, and they understand "the Spirit of Opus Dei." leaders" of the association repeatedly generally do not live in communal Therefore, Escrivá de Balaguer founded told new members. houses. Associate members are under the the "Society of Priests of the Holy Cross" Did something out of the ordinary direction of numeraries. They are on February 14, 1943. Since then it has actually transpire on that October 2? members who have not acquired an been possible to ordain numeraries after Many members of Opus Dei gradually advanced education or training, or if they they have completed professional train- became convinced of this, and I, too, have they are not considered suitable for ing or after they have followed a held this opinion for a long time. At the position of numerary because of professional career. The name of this times members speculated about this health or psychological considerations. priestly association was changed on during the twice daily membership Winter 1994/ 95 21 meetings that are held at every "center." Escrivá ascribed to God the strictures mediary step to canonization. Sometimes members would hint at their he laid down for Opus Dei. Since the The precepts and strictures that the growing conviction that during the church approved all of them, it declared Founder laid down for his organization creation of the association the "Father" in effect that what he said was true. in the most minute detail are known as had had an encounter with God that Therefore, the members are in no "The Spirit of Opus Dei." In prescribing transcended the ordinary. Sometimes position to critically examine or test these rules, Escrivá acted merely as the they would clearly express their belief these rules; they have no choice but to tool of God, or so believe the members. that he must have had a vision or follow them faithfully, loyally, and Now that the Founder is dead, these something similar. In addition, I was told obediently. strictures are deemed immutable. With a number of times by leaders that they There is much more about the life the death of Escrivá, the first epoch of were convinced that Mary had appeared of Escrivá de Balaguer that has an air Opus Dei—that of its founding—is to the Founder probably once or twice of the unusual and even miraculous. complete. Meanwhile the second and in his life, although he himself never Seriously ill from diabetes, he was final epoch has begun—the one marked specifically said so. These reputed supposed to have been as good as dead by faithfulness and continuity. The miraculous events buttress the claim that at one time in the 1950s. But he recovered "Spirit of the Work" is considered to be Opus Dei is truly the work of God. as if by a miracle and was healed "complete, solid and secure," in the While displaying much humility and completely from his disease, which was words of the Founder. What remains is modesty, the Founder also dropped considered incurable—so went the story to pass it on without alterations. What many hints that were interpreted as within Opus Dei. Escrivá, was according the Founder said, did, and laid down pointing to extraordinary favors bes- to the testimony of his doctors—Opus is believed to express directly the will towed upon him by God. Like all Dei members of the medical faculty of of God; it, therefore, has a quasi- members, Escrivá had a spiritual direc- Opus Dei University in Pamplona, infallible character for the members. tor. It was Alvaro del Portillo, the second Spain—organically completely sound at President General of the association. his death despite his seventy-three years. Organizational Structure [Portillo died on March 23, 1994, and He died not of heart failure, I was told has been succeeded as President General in the meetings, but of a type of heart pus Dei is organized along strictly by Javier Echeverría.—ED.] But before stoppage that cannot be explained Ohierarchical lines. The decisions of he had Alvaro as his spiritual advisor, medically. God had accepted the sacrifice the President General, which are usually the Holy Spirit was said to have served that Escrivá had been offering to him— arrived at in consultation with his in that capacity. Escrivá was believed to his readiness to offer his life for the General Council, are considered by the have enjoyed a rare direct connection church and the pope. This statement was members as expressing for them the will with God that enabled him to know printed on the thousands of "prayer of God. They therefore command strict God's will and communicate it to His cards for private devotion" that were obedience. "sons and daughters." The creation of distributed to advance his beatification. In each country, Opus Dei is headed Opus Dei was, therefore, not the result Mary kissed him symbolically on the by a Consiliarius, who has a group of of a pious notion on his part but the brow and fetched him to her Son. Alvaro functionaries called the Commission to express will of God. Repeatedly he del Portillo, then Secretary General of advise him. Both the President General asserted, "Heaven will not rest until it Opus Dei wrote to all members of the and the Consiliarius have to be priests. is completed." association, who together with him The female division is headed by a While Escrivá rejected the idea that mourned the death of their "Father." central council, which is subordinate to his life should serve as a model to be The members of Opus Dei thought the President General. imitated ("only one should you imitate— of their Founder as a saint even in his Christ"), he considered himself the lifetime. ("As the Father always said, The Inner Side of Opus Dei medium by which the members of Opus there are no saints on earth, but if there Dei would know the will of God. Since were one, then it would be undoubtedly pus Dei tries hard to convince the he and his members believed that he had our Father," was a constant refrain world that its members enjoy a high a direct "line" to God, he could declare within the association.) He was unques- degree of freedom. However, in reality, again and again, with great self- tionably considered a saint after his few join the association as the result of assurance, "That's how God wishes it, death. Immediately upon his demise, free and fully informed consent, nor do and that's it." And since he could clearly everything conceivable was done to they enjoy freedom within the associa- understand the will of God he could induce as many bishops as possible to tion. What is done to recruits may be repeatedly advise the leaders of Opus start the canonization process. Members compared to the "brainwashing" per- Dei, "You must run everything through as well as all who had any connection formed by cults. my head and heart." with Opus Dei were asked to mail in Opus Dei applies systematic pressure The Founder often declared that the postcards. The majority of Catholic on potential members, mainly underage creation of Opus Dei was not the "Work bishops complied. Escrivá de Balaguer youths, to induce them to make a of Escrivá" but "The Work of God." was beatified in May 1992 as an inter- "decision" binding for the rest of their

22 FREE INQUIRY 04, lives—a decision to lead a life of poverty, two things with those who are suscep- eternal salvation, provided, of course, chastity, and obedience. It takes advan- tible. First, there is a gradual isolation one is properly obedient and faithful. tage of young people's developing need from parents and friends. Potential The safe harbor of Opus Dei is con- for ties beyond the family and for a recruits are induced to see their friends, trasted to the dangers that await one's secure locus outside the home. It also at least in the religious realm, as soul outside the organization. Recruits deliberately exploits youthful idealism, immature and in need of instruction. In are persuaded to see God as one who enthusiasm, and self-sacrifice. It tells this area, friends function less and less makes rigorous demands and who seeks these youths that they are mature enough as equal conversational partners, and to possess solely and entirely. He is to make a binding commitment when they become objects of conversion. portrayed as a stone mason who chisels they in fact lack the proper experience Second, the potential member is bound away at a person's hard edges. Under and judgment. It pressures them into more and more to authority figures God's inescapable chisel blows, the making a decision whose consequences within Opus Dei: to the authority of his stubborn individual is reduced to a pile they cannot foresee because of their lack generally older "friend," that of the other of rubble. God is also pictured as the of experience and because certain leaders of Opus Dei, and that of the compassionate Father. important information has been delib- Founder or the current President Opus Dei takes for granted that every erately withheld from them. The truth General. youth with whom it is in contact has is that whoever "decides" to join Opus One of the fixed ideas inculcated in a vocation to the association. He or she Dei doesn't do so in knowledge of the potential recruits is the notion that Opus is told that complete happiness comes true organization; he or she is instead Dei was formed entirely in conformity from devotion to Opus Dei or that attracted to a phantom devised for public to the will of God and that it is singularly eternal happiness can be jeopardized by consumption that differs fundamentally flawless and perfect. This impeccable rejecting the vocation that God has from the real Opus Dei. creation is contrasted to the deficient and ordained. There is pressure to decide here Opus Dei begins to mold potential defective world outside the association, and now. members to its purpose by gradually including the Catholic church. Another The moment someone joins the inculcating them with a certain pattern set idea is that membership in the organization, he or she is subjected to of thinking and feeling. It accomplishes association practically guarantees one's even more intense training and molding.

Winter 1994/95 23 The aim is essentially to block out the cutting them off from experience and what God wants done in every concrete novice's cognizance of broad areas of life perception in the areas where they are situation. and to subordinate his or her mind to bound to obedience. It controls them by In its effort to garner new members, the authority of the leaders. Under this inculcating them with certain patterns of the association engages in a cynical unabated pressure, he or she is soon thinking and feeling and by overloading "traffic in souls," where people are turned into a conforming member. them with tasks and duties that permit degraded to objects of conversion and The President General and the other little rest and no chance for reflection. where almost any means is considered leaders alone articulate the will of God Members of Opus Dei are led to justified. Once they have become for the members. The Founder and his believe that their leaders can concretely members, they are subjected to isolation. successors know what God wants thanks articulate the will of God for each and To a great extent Opus Dei prevents its to the "grace of their state," their "special every one of them. They are thought to members from forming friendships if grace," or the "grace of the Council." know exactly what God wants. Thus, they follow the rules laid down for them. The first President General is thought Opus Dei lays claim not only to its own The association also brings about to have enjoyed more than all others a Ecclesiastical Teaching Office but to one estrangement between members and rare direct connection to God. Every- that is far more competent than that of their parents by rigorously limiting their thing that the Founder has laid down the church itself. contact. As a result, the individual as "The Spirit of Opus Dei" is considered numerary is often completely isolated; as coming from God, and this has been "Escrivá ascribed to God the this makes it easier for the leaders to confirmed by the church. Because the bind him or her to their control. strictures he laid down for Opus leaders of the organization are so Opus Dei also attempts to exert its cognizant of the will of God, the mem- Dei. Since the church approved all influence on society at large. Members bers are obligated to obey them and of them, it declared in effect that are told in the training sessions that in above all the President General uncon- what he said was true. Therefore, Germany, for example, most of the chief ditionally and blindly. the members are in no position to positions in society are unfortunately Candidates are given no tests or critically examine or test these occupied by non-Catholics. Members examinations to determine if they are are urged to aim for influential positions rules; they have no choice but to suited for the life of Opus Dei; it is in politics, the economy, and the arts. assumed. Minors are pressured to make follow them faithfully, loyally, They are encouraged to advance to those a decision for life, even though their and obediently." positions in their profession that have personalities are far from mature and a multiplier effect and through which the they are not really able to understand Opus Dei brushes off criticism by association could Christianize society in the consequences of their commitment. cloaking itself in the authority of God. the Opus Dei manner. Then they are made to think that their Rational criticism of the association is Although there are many parallels in decision is irrevocable. They are not dismissed on the ground that man's logic the practices of cults and of Opus Dei, allowed to explore the new life-style and is not that of God. At the same time, one difference is that everyone in the test it thoroughly for an extended period, it purports to be able to fully explain association acts with the best of inten- but they are forced to commit themselves the logic of God. Whoever criticizes tions. Unlike many cults, the top leaders in a hurry. As a result, they never get Opus Dei is accused of lacking "super- of Opus Dei never abuse the goodwill the chance to critically examine and natural insight," something that is of members by enriching themselves judge life in Opus Dei. Instead, the new indispensable for understanding the from their labor. However, the leaders members are sworn to blind obedience. association. Members are taught to think and members of Opus Dei follow prac- To impose its authoritarian morality of criticism as part of the opposition the tices—with the utmost exertion and at on new members, the organization cuts good always encounter or as persecution great personal sacrifice—that they hon- them off from outside influence by by evil people, servants of Satan, who estly believe are willed by God but which curtailing their experience of the world. sees in Opus Dei his great enemy. Isn't are actually inhuman and un-Christian. For minors, this means being stuck in it true, they will say, that all the great That is the tragedy of Opus Dei. a premature personality stage. What religious orders of the Catholic church would normally be a passing phase in were subjected to criticism and slander Translated by Gary C. Grass!. the development of their personality thus when they were first founded? Opus Dei becomes fixated, and the growth of their welcomes criticism and opposition as personality is arrested. In the case of signs of divine approval and as under- Klaus Steigleder was born in Cologne those who join the association at an older pinning of its authority. in 1959. He entered Opus Dei as a age, their more developed personality is Opus Dei, which deems itself beyond sixteen-year-old student and remained a reduced to that of an earlier, premature all criticism, claims for itself the right member for five years. After leaving the stage. to criticize everything and everyone. It association in 1979, he began to study Opus Dei binds its members to its assumes this right because it thinks that Catholic theology at the University of authority and de-matures them by it has almost unlimited knowledge of Tübingen. 24 FREE INQUIRY March 19 until I was eligible to make "the fidelity," five years after "the oblation." At that point, I would have Joining Opus Dei been a "permanent" member of Opus Dei and would not have to renew my contract again. At the time of "the fidelity," members are strongly encouraged tinder pain of disobedience to sign their wills Tammy DiNicola over to Opus Dei. At fourteen and a half, a child can here has been much controversy to follow the directives of Opus Dei become a "candidate" and begins to live Tover the moment when a person priests and my spiritual directors in living according to "The Spirit of Opus Dei." actually "joins" Opus Dei. When asked "The Spirit of Opus Dei." At sixteen and a half, the minor can the simple question, "When did you join For the next year, I received more "whistle," committing his or her life to Opus Dei?", a numerary (celibate classes on Opus Dei life. These classes Opus Dei. By eighteen years old, the member) could possibly give five differ- dealt with the same topics covered before numerary makes "the oblation," and at ent answers. How the numerary answers "the admission," but in more depth. A twenty-three years old, "the fidelity." Yet, depends on who the recipient of the year and a half after "whistling" a at other times, Opus Dei numeraries will information is and how much the numerary then makes "the oblation." I say that they joined at any of the numerary wants the person to know. By did this on August 17, 1989; I made an following times: when they became practicing this type of deception, a oral contract with Opus Dei to commit "candidates"; when they "whistled"; numerary can effectively distort truth my life to "The spirit of Opus Dei" until when they made "the admission"; at "the without feeling that he/ she has blatantly the following March 19. Numeraries oblation." So when do people join? Opus lied. The numerary is often unaware of often informally hear that to leave Opus Dei spokesmen and individual members the utter frustration this deception can Dei after "the oblation" would be a rarely coincide in their answers. Candi- cause for parents and others who merely "grave matter," a mortal sin if done with dates and those who have just "whistled" seek honest, forthright answers to their full knowledge and consent. After the are treated as full members of Opus Dei questions. For the two and a half years oblation numeraries are eligible to attend by other numeraries. Before reaching that I was a numerary member of Opus the "center of studies," where an intense eighteen years, a child who has Dei, my own parents and family expe- two years is spent studying Opus Dei "whistled" has very likely heard that to rienced the frustration of never receiving life, Latin, church history, Spanish, the leave Opus Dei after the oblation would straightforward answers to questions, history of the Founder. In addition to be "grave matter": how can a child of not only about when I joined, but about their studies, women members learn how such a tender age make a proper life- many aspects of Opus Dei life. to meticulously do laundry, dress, clean altering decision under this kind of On February 17, 1988, I decided to houses, and perform other domestic pressure? commit my life to Opus Dei. I wrote duties. Students at the center of studies Even at the oblation, members do not a letter to the then-Prelate of Opus Dei, normally are full-time university stu- know all aspects of Opus Dei life. Shortly Don Alvaro del Portillo, asking to join dents or work full-time, so the schedule before I left Opus Dei, I learned that as a numerary member. I knew very little can be quite demanding. if my siblings were to marry, I would about Opus Dei life, but vaguely On March 19, 1990, I verbally not be able to attend the receptions. I committed to live "the spirit of Opus "renewed" my contract to live "The Spirit also learned that I could not accept the Dei." The writing of the letter is of Opus Dei." March 19 is the feast of role of godmother if asked, and should commonly called "whistling" by Opus St. Joseph, a big day for Opus Dei not stay overnight at my family's house Dei members and is cause for great members. On March 18, each numerary if possible. I "discovered" other aspects celebration in Opus Dei centers. I was announces two or three names of recruits of Opus Dei life: when I moved into an greeted with exuberant hugs and excite- who might join Opus Dei in one year's Opus Dei center and sat on the bed, I ment by numeraries from all over the time. On this night, the director reads realized that I would be sleeping on a United States who knew that I was the the names from the previous year's "St. board; when I looked through the mail one who had recently "whistled." Joseph list." The numeraries cheer upon and took out my letters, I was told they For the next six months, I received hearing the names of "new" numeraries, had to be given to the director first for one-on-one classes on "The Spirit of and often make comments or updates her perusal. Opus Dei" and what numerary life on the recruits who have not joined. The In my heart, I believed that I had entails. On August 17, 1988, I made what recruits do not know that they are joined Opus Dei for life when I is called "the admission." It consisted of targeted and talked about in this way. "whistled"; yet, when asked by my a short ceremony with an Opus Dei priest I left the organization on June 10, family, I denied that I was a real member, and an Opus Dei lay director. I verbally 1990. If I had stayed, I would have even after I made "the oblation." I did agreed, at the spiritual director's request, verbally renewed my contract every not want my family to know the truth

Winter 1994/95 25 because it reflected badly on me and censorship, and financial obligations. Opus Dei; Opus Dei places its members Despite this, Opus Dei asserts that there Tammy DiNicola entered Opus Dei in in a position where they feel obligated is no secrecy, and that indeed Opus Dei 1988 as a Boston College sophomore. to breach the Eighth Commandment. is "an open book." Those of us who have She left Opus Dei in 1990 and is one When pressed by their families, Opus Dei been wounded and deceived by Opus Dei of the founders of the Opus Dei Aware- members will often lie or practice mental wish only that they would reform their ness Network, Inc., P.O. Box 4333, reservation, not only about when they deceptive practices and allow members Pittsfield, MA 01202. ODAN has a joined, but about other aspects of Opus to join freely without subtle pres- wealth of information on Opus Dei and Dei life such as corporal mortification, sures. its practices.

composing The Organization Man, his Eric Hoffer, formidable and troubled study of that complacent social conformism, which Philosopher for the People Norman Vincent Peale, author of The Power of Positive Thinking, considered a sign of Our Maker's benefaction. Meanwhile, Korea was in flames, the Richard Arnold Cold War was deepening, and Joseph McCarthy set out to rescue an otherwise Fr he son of working-class Alsatian pristine body politic from massive immigrants, Eric Hoffer was born communist infiltration. Hoffer's book in New York City on July 25, 1902. He The True Believer fit no Manichean was orphaned at age five and stricken scheme. This, we might say, taxonomical blind at age seven. He recovered his study of fanaticism made no effort to eyesight when he was fifteen and began weigh the claims of evangelism, fascism, to support himself, having had neither communism, Americanism, conform- family nor schooling, when he was ism, or any "isms" whatsoever. It merely eighteen. During the following twenty- profiled the personality types susceptible three years, Hoffer was what a more to utopian extremism and warned that unkind age would call a bum. He this phenomenon, for better as well as wandered the country picking up what- worse, would be with us as long as ever odd jobs happened along and even dynamic social forces, particularly lived for ten years on Los Angeles' Skid modernization, existed. Row. In 1943 he was accepted into the Already terse and aphoristic in International Longshoreman's and presentation, The True Believer can be Warehouseman's Union and here found further reduced to a handful of his lifelong identity. ("No, I'm a long- arguments: shoreman!" he shouted years later at an 1. Fanaticism is not total commit- interviewer who had addressed him as "[Hoffer] championed the rank- ment to a particular ideology, but a an "intellectual.') and-file, especially the 'misfits' who general frame of mind; to the fanatic, Despite later fame, Hoffer continued he felt were the real agents ideologies are interchangeable. to work regular hours on the San of history." 2. Fanaticism derives from the frus- Francisco waterfront until forced into tration and sense of personal failure retirement at age sixty-five. Writing, individuals experience during periods of lectures, interviews, etc., he simply fitted Plato: rapid social change. into his schedule; he seemed to give lie 3. Fanaticism sometimes serves a to the notion that being an intellectual Plato they say was a great genius, but good end; a nation's creative potential Plato only dealt in half-truths, he constituted a professional calling. shillied and he shallied and he didn't better survives revolution than social Indeed, he was constantly embroiled in accomplish a thing. He was an stagnation. ferocious arguments with many leftist intellectual. Hoffer offers several other arguments "worker-intellectuals" who dominated in support of those above. Notable are union politics. He championed the rank- Hoffer always stood his own ground, the following: and-file, especially the "misfits" who he as was further shown when he made no 4. Successful mass movements foster felt were the real agents of history. concessions to any "spirit of the times." self-sacrifice over self-fulfillment. The "Intellectuals" he dismissed as one with In the early 1950s, William Whyte was latter is assigned to an ever-receding

26 FREE INQUIRY future, often evoked from an idealized Of change there was aplenty during ists and social activists rectified by public past. and shortly after the war. The social acclaim, Hoffer withdrew from the 5. As the past and future are fiction- transformations Hoffer witnessed over spotlight in 1970, saying: "Any man can alized, so must be the present. Mass this period led him to observe that even ride a train. Only a wise man knows when leaders must invest their goals with democratic leaders (such as Winston to get off." And further "I don't want drama and make-believe in order to Churchill and Franklin Delano Roose- to be a public person or anybody's exact that degree of self-sacrifice that velt) must master "the art of religiofi- spokesman. I am not the type for it and alone liberates them and their followers cation" in order to mobilize the masses I dislike it." from self-contempt and self-rejection. in support of stupendous yet necessary Actually, Hoffer traced his outlook, 6. Successful mass movements are tasks. At the same time, he gave final derived from dispassionate observation largely effected by negative personality definition to his persona by resolving to rather than internally generated convic- types acting upon their most negative remain an observer and commentator tions, to his view of himself as an impulses (cowardice, for example, may rather than become the fanatical dema- amalgam of charisma and cold- compel belief in fanatical ideology in gogue he felt he might have easily been. heartedness—a potential mass leader. order to rationalize craven behavior). He was in any case convinced that, while He often spoke of overcoming the 7. The hope, pride, and confidence mass political action might rescue the temptation to politics. Perhaps he was enjoyed by the "unified" (politically com- creative potential of a nation, it had the a latter-day St. Anthony. mitted) individual derive from his sense opposite effect upon the individual. In any case, Hoffer devoted his of being "delivered from the meaningless Publication of The True Believer remaining years to writing and, in almost burden of an autonomous existence." brought Hoffer almost instant acclaim. equal part, to the care and education 8. Some sort of faith is indispensable Ever the migrant, he wandered from of his namesake godson, Eric. Asked for most people. Those who discredit one obscurity to fame, then in, in 1966-67, during one of his last interviews about faith create the need for another. to obloquy. At that time, he simultane- the sustaining forces in his own life, he 9. Only the fanatic can effect total ously excoriated Vietnam War protes- commented that, while many believe upheaval. He will not accept reform ters, lauded Lyndon Johnson's presi- without hope all is lost, he could live without hope but not without courage, because the world that has thwarted his dency, and admonished blacks to the then quoted Goethe: "Mut verloren— own (often artistic) aspirations must be effect that their problems stemmed alles verloren! Da Wär es besser nicht torn up root and branch. He alone will chiefly from their prejudice against them- geboren!" ("Courage lost, all is lost; it proceed beyond propaganda to coercion. selves. Once again, Hoffer was decidedly were better not to have been born"). He 10. Slogans to the contrary, the out of step—this time to his detriment. then added: "What a difference, my fanatic has no use for "freedom and Time-style pundits began to snipe at him God!" equality" as commonly understood. To as a "cracker barrel philosopher" who By all accounts, Hoffer died as a man him "freedom" means never having to lent comfort to middle America's apathy who had lived, spoken, and written make a choice and "equality" means and bigotry. He might have thenceforth exactly as he wished, because he never never encountering his betters. faded from the public scene had not allowed fear to influence him. He died It is difficult to say why Hoffer—a another noteworthy observer of the fulfilled. basically apolitical, reclusive man— sociopolitical scene taken up his cause. On September 19, 1967, Eric Sevareid There is much to admire in Hoffer's concerned himself so exclusively with life and work, but perhaps his best legacy mass social phenomena, but perhaps an held an hour-long prime-time television interview with Hoffer. The decision to to us is found in the tribute he pays to answer is suggested by his reaction to "talented" individuals: American involvement in World War II. do so, he admitted, had not been an easy Turned down by the U.S. Armed Forces one: "I may as well confess I had shied away from his books for years because They too are critical of their times. shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl They usually neither plot nor agitate Harbor, Hoffer sought "hard work" Eisenhower had praised one of them." against the prevailing disposition, Audience reaction was overwhelming connected with the war effort. It was thus their discontent colours their work and gives it an undertone of protest. that he became a longshoreman, af- and positive. Again, Sevareid: There is probably nothing more firmed his devotion to American ideals, Hoffer had made millions of confused sublime than discontent transmuted and settled down for once and all. and troubled Americans feel very into a work of art, a scientific discov- much better about their country. He ery, and so on. It is a sublime alchemy. teady work and fixed residence had pulled aside the veils of supposed afforded Hoffer "freedom, exercise, sophistication and, in new ways, Here is the "transcendental tempta- leisure and income." He was now able showed them again the old truths tion" that might as well serve as a secular about America and why they remain humanist mandate. to further develop his long-standing alive and valid. The purpose of notion that "misfits" create history and philosophers, he says, is to show to conclude that only those capable of people what is right under their noses. Richard Arnold is a member of the undergoing a "rebirth" of identity could Humanist Association of Canada and an survive drastic social change. His tarnished image among journal- expert on Russian literature. Winter 1994/95 27 People wonder, how can I be a freethinker and follow a cult? The answer FI Interview is this: when you get hooked, then you are trained to see the leader or the organization as perfect. Peter McWilliams on Gurus MADIGAN: What was it about John- Roger that made people think he had From 1988 to 1994, Peter McWilliams wrote seven books and six audiotapes and all the answers? put guru John-Roger's name on them in in the belief that he faced death if he MCWILLIAMS: He kept saying he did! did not. John-Roger reaped fame, $1 million in profits, and the public support He kept talking about God as if they of people such as Arianna Huffington, wife of defeated senatorial candidate Michael were roommates in college. Huffington. When McWilliams attempted to break away from John-Roger, he was MADIGAN: The most powerful ele- sued. His story is told in Life 102: What to Do When Your Guru Sues You (Prelude ment in your book is the fact that you Press, 1994). The following interview was conducted by Timothy J. Madigan, FREE thought you were dying and only John- INQUIRY executive editor. Roger could keep you alive. MCWILLIAMS: Yes. In 1988, he diagnosed me as having tuberculosis and AIDS. IMOTHY J. MADIGAN: I was frankly MADIGAN: And he told you that you Tsurprised to learn about your in- were going to die in nine months. Did volvement with MSIA (Movement of you go to a doctor to verify this? Spiritual Inner Awareness, pronounced McWILLIAMs: Of course not! God Messiah), having read your previous tells you you're going to die, you don't works such as Ain't Nobody's Business waste your time going to a doctor, If You Do. Several of your books dealt especially if the disease is incurable. with personal development, independ- But, John-Roger said, if I would write ence, and being a freethinker, yet, during books, as I was already doing, and put the time you were writing them, you were his name on them, promote them, and involved in a closed society. give him the money, all would be fine. PETER MCWILLIAMS: Exactly. A cult I'm still proud of what I put in them, doesn't take over your mind as if some except for the parts where I recommend personality came in and you weren't him and his organization. there any more. It's just that, when it I finally broke away from MSIA in comes time to make fundamental deci- March 1994. Without his permission, I sions, they are being made upon beliefs went to a psychiatrist who recommended that aren't logical. Your ground of being I take anti-depressants, which are Peter McWilliams is illogical. In my case it was "John- absolutely forbidden in MSIA. Roger is God," or "John-Roger is more McWiLLIAMs: I think in my case it's MADIGAN: What advice do you have closely connected to God than anyone because, since about the age of three, for other seekers and curmudgeons? else on Earth." That belief was never in- I had an untreated depression. When I McWiLLIAMs: Well, first look at the tellectually challenged. It was the con- was finally successfully treated, the great desire to seek. Second, if your initial text in which everything else was done. gaping feeling of unworthiness that reaction to the leader of a group is not MADIGAN: How might your personal depression often causes closed up. The favorable, that's a very good indicator history have influenced your joining need to seek something outside myself that the group is not right for you. But MSIA? You were raised a Catholic. left. I'm certainly not looking for another if you stick around long enough the MCWILLIAMS: I realized when I was guru. I now find them amusing. programming might take hold. young that Catholicism and pretty much MADIGAN: What was it about John- MADIGAN: What I like about your all organized religion wasn't going to Roger and his MSIA movement in work is your sense of humor. I would satisfy me, but it didn't take away my particular that attracted you? think that another bit of advice to desire for what I'd call "seeking the MCWILLIAMS: When I first saw a anyone is to, as early as possible, start mystery." Now I relish the mystery, but videotape of him speaking, I hated him. reading MAD magazine or The Realist back then I was seeking an answer, a Who was this guy claiming to be God? or watch Monty Python's Life of Brian conclusion. What cheek, what arrogance, what a bad if you're tempted to get into a cult. MADIGAN: I'm still curious how a shirt! But the people in his organization McWILLIAMs: Indeed. Humor is one self-described cynic like yourself also were decent individuals, and in time the of the best ways to cut through the seemed to have a desire for gurus. message wears itself in. sanctimoniousness of cults. •

28 FREE INQUIRY Positive Steps to Becoming Less Vulnerable to Influence and Authority

Sharon Presley

indless obedience to authority has from the community around Yale Uni- Mcontributed to social destructive- versity were asked to participate in an ness of frightening proportions in this experiment ostensibly on the effect of century. The Holocaust, the My Lai punishment on learning. They were massacre, the mass suicides of the Jim willing to continue administering what Jones -cult in Guyana, and the debacle they thought were increasingly higher at- Waco (where both sides were mind- levels of shocks to another subject (actu- less) are only the most obvious exam- ally a confederate) simply because the ples—there are untold millions more. experimenter said to do so. The results, These kind of examples garner public in fact, were so "shocking" that they attention, but others, quiet and almost made Milgram the most famous social invisible (beating down of children's psychologist in the world. Fully 65 per- minds into docile and unquestioning cent of the subjects continued to obey lumps in schools and churches, for the experimenter to the end of the exper- example) are also matters of grave iment even when they thought the victim concern. was getting dangerous levels of electric As humanists, it's easy to agree with shock, and when he asked them to stop. this diagnosis, easy even to be a little Milgram's study elegantly demon- smug about it, to see mindless obedience strated the influence of situational as something "they" do. Those Germans, prescriptions makes us uneasy but we factors by varying one factor at a time those soldiers, those cult members, those don't question. in each different version of the exper- fundamentalist Christians. "I'm not the Psychological research on obedience iment. He found, for example, that the sort who would go along with a guru to authority and social influence, in fact, closer the victim, the lower the rate of or an authoritarian leader," you might shows how readily ordinary, decent obedience; and the more diffuse the re- be saying. "Only pathetic, insecure people can be manipulated into obeying sponsibility for administering the shock, people with low self-esteem get sucked destructive authority or uncritically the higher the rate of obedience. The into mindless obedience." You might be accepting supposed experts. And not study also demonstrated the powerful right; there are individuals who are necessarily because of personal weak- pressure of the authority figure. Nothing highly resistant to the blandishments of ness. One of the biggest mistakes many the victim said or did had as much obviously authoritarian demands. The people make in thinking about the influence as what the experimenter said. mind manipulators, however, don't all reasons for obedience to unjust author- Another example of the power of wear uniforms, armbands, or robes. ity, for example, is to assume that only social factors is the Zimbardo prison There are thousands of little influences "bad" or "weak" people obey. Social simulation study. Ordinary male college that can seduce us all: psychologists call this kind of mistake students, all screened for psychological • The "expert" we believe because we the "fundamental attribution error." In health, were asked to role-play prisoners like her or his ideology so we don't look plain English, it means that people, in and guards in what started out as a two- critically at what's really being said. trying to explain another person's week study conducted in the basement • The television or magazine com- behavior, tend to overestimate the of a building at Stanford University. mentator whose analysis we accept influence of personality factors and Though they were deliberately not told uncritically without looking at other underestimate the influence of social or how to act out their parts, what they points of view. situational factors. did was unconsciously play out scripts • The boss who is doing something A classic example of the power of of bad prison movies. The "guards" were we consider immoral but we fail to speak situational factors is provided by Stanley arbitrary, sometimes mean, treating the up. Milgram's famous study on obedience "prisoners" as if they were less than • The physician whose diagnosis and to authority. Ordinary people solicited human. The prisoners became increas- Winter 1994/95 29 ingly docile and passive, even turning on ments; look at the pros and cons of 12. If you see something inappro- one prisoner who tried to protest the important issues. Build creative argu- priate, troubling or potentially harmful actions of the guards. (Zimbardo had ments and counter-arguments. going on in your workplace, school, or to call the experiment off after only six 4. Read diverse opinions from other social situation, talk about it with days.) Thus, rather than thinking about different kinds of sources. Don't just read someone outside that situation whom what were the most appropriate and what you agree with. Be as well-informed you trust. Seek allies within the group. reasonable behaviors, the subjects all about opinions you disagree with as your 13.Maintain outside interests and unthinkingly fell into social role expec- own. Analyze the pros and cons of these sources of social support. Reject appeals tations they had unconsciously learned opinions. Be open to the possibility of that claim that devotion to the cause in the past. changing your opinions. requires severing relations with others In neither study did personality 5. When watching television news outside the group. Religious converts, factors play a major role in predicting or reading a newspaper, remember to battered wives, and people in institutions the outcome. Instead, most of the ask questions and be critical of what you and prisons are often victims of impov- subjects mindlessly succumbed to situa- see or hear. Be more aware of what the erished connections to outside systems. tional influences or unquestioningly media selectively reports, distorts, and 14. Watch out for attitudes you may went along with comfortable, familiar leaves out. Remember that the media have that reflect negative attitudes or and cliched expectations about how to don't represent "the truth," only certain stereotypes about others who are differ- behave. As in real life, the authorities perspectives. ent from you in race, ethnicity, reli- exerted their influence not through using 6. Teach yourself and your children gion, lifestyle, or politics. Learn more force but by making use of the human or students to watch out for persuasive about the history, culture, traditions, or penchant for unthinking compliance. manipulation and tricks in advertising values of those different from you in Should we despair? No, we are not and news reporting. these respects. Attend cultural, social, or robots. We can change, we can learn to 7. Join with others who are willing other events of these groups. You'll be be mindful, we can protect ourselves to stand up for the values that are less vulnerable to attacks on these groups against the seduction of authority. There important to you. Find allies at work or emotional appeals that see them as are personal factors that predict resist- or school. Join an organization that "the problem" or "evil" if you have seen ance to authority, research that suggests supports your values. them as ordinary people and not just that we need to encourage the cultivation 8. If there's a social or political issue some faceless monolithic group. of willingness to question authority and that's important to you, get active. Join 15. If you have trouble being asser- the development of independent moral a group and work for social change. But tive in the face of authority or are overly judgment based on respect for individ- be careful not to get mired in dogma. timid or passive, find an assertiveness uals. There is social psychology research Remember that people with views dif- training group, a counselor with a that provides suggestions we can use to ferent than your own are not stupid or background in such training, or at least make ourselves less vulnerable to the "evil." read a book on assertiveness training. lures of unjust authority and negative 9. Before joining any religious, In a nonthreatening situation, practice social influence. Here are some of those political, social, or self-help group, check using the techniques you learn so you suggestions. it out. Get outside perspectives and won't feel so awkward or timid when criticisms. Make sure they don't have a you really need to stand up for yourself. Seventeen Suggestions for Becom- reputation for being dogmatic, author- 16. If you lack self-confidence or ing Less Vulnerable to Influence itarian, secretive, elitist, intolerant of have excessively negative attitudes, fears, outside opinions, etc. or anxieties that make you vulnerable I. Cultivate a sense of self-worth. 10. Develop and maintain a sense of to pressures from authority, seek pro- Keep in mind your special talents, the humor. Be willing to laugh at yourself fessional counseling, or at least seek times when others thought you were as well as others. Humor deflates dog- advice from an appropriate book (books special. Nourish a secret "inner core" of matism and pomposity. But nourish a based on cognitive therapy usually offer self that cannot be violated. If you feel sense of humor that pokes good-natured sensible and effective techniques that can good about yourself, you'll not be as fun, not one that is mean-spirited or help you change negative beliefs). vulnerable to manipulation and emo- based on humiliation of others. That 17. Practice going against social rules tional appeals by others. kind of humor encourages seeing others or conventions when no harm will occur 2. Know what your values are. as "bad" instead of merely different. as a result of breaking them. For Develop and maintain a sense of com- 11. Try to encourage independent example, dress differently than you mitment to principles that are important thinking at work, school, or groups you normally do or differently than a social to you. Understand why they are impor- are in. Encourage and support diverse group you participate in, play devil's tant. Have a sense of purpose in your opinion and dissent. Don't make fun of advocate in your social, political, or life. or attack people within these groups religious group. You may find out that 3. Build your critical thinking skills. whose views are different from your own the consequences of being different are Practice analyzing and discussing argu- or who are different from the majority. not as catastrophic as you imagine. Even

30 FREE INQUIRY if you get flak, it's a psychologically is currently executive director of Resour- stretching exercise. Sharon Presley is a social psychologist. ces for Independent Thinking, a non- Her Ph.D. dissertation on political profit organization that provides Some of the above suggestions are based on the resisters to authority, chaired by Stanley educational tools to help people think following sources: "Resisting Mind Control" by Milgram, demonstrated the role of for themselves and increase their critical Susan Anderson and Philip Zimbardo; Influence: critical attitudes toward authority and thinking skills. Its address is 4O67 The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Hardwick #129, Lakewood, CA 90712- Cialdini; and Psychology: An Introduction, highly developed moral judgment as Chapter 18 by Carole Wade and Carol Tavris. factors in resistance to authority. She 2324.

The Canadian group had been stockpil- And Now, the Solar Temple ing weapons to prepare for the end of the world. The cult leader had pleaded guilty to weapons conspiracy in 1993 and had gone to Switzerland. One of his disciples was charged with trying to buy James A. Haught guns with silencers—instruments with no purpose except covert murder. he Reverend Jim Jones led nine Good Lord! What possesses some Thundred fervent believers into mass people, to make them believe crackpot murder-suicide at Jonestown in 1977. gurus so intensely that they're willing to Many swallowed cyanide and gave it to kill rivals, strangers, their own children, their children. and themselves? This recruiting pattern Ohio cult leader Jeffrey Lundgren defies comprehension. made a human sacrifice of a family of There may be as many as two five in 1989. Then he and his followers thousand religious groups in North wandered through West Virginia, Mis- America that can be classified as cults, souri, and California before being caught according to Connecticut analyst Kevin and convicted of murder. Garvey. (A cult differs from other David Koresh led eighty-five adher- churches in that it is usually controlled ents to fiery deaths last year at his Bible by a single charismatic leader, and the prophecy compound at Waco, Texas. members isolate themselves from the Yahweh ben Yahweh, founder of the world.) If only 1 percent of those two black Temple of Love in Florida, thousand resort to killing, that's still a ordered his aides to kill "white devils" serious threat. and backsliders. Victims' ears were How can society be protected from brought to Yahweh. Seven sect leaders potentially dangerous "fringies"—and were convicted in 1992 of fourteen and the Rose, died in a mass murder- what can be done to rescue naive, murders. suicide. vulnerable people who are drawn into At the Hare Krishna "golden temple" Many of the victims were found in such groups? The only method we can near Moundsville, West Virginia, a secret underground chapel lined with see is constant warnings. murders were plotted, and two swamis mirrors. Bodies in ceremonial robes were America has watchdog groups such were convicted. in a circle, feet together, heads outward, as the Cult Awareness Network that Ervil LeBaron, leader of the Church most with plastic bags tied over their issue information about irrational of the First Born of the Lamb of God, heads, which bore bullet wounds. Other cliques. These warnings should be ordered his thirteen wives, fifty-four victims were in three ski chalets. Several disseminated as widely as possible. children, and various lieutenants to kill dead children were lying together. The Maybe they will dissuade some trusting "false prophets" and dissenters in the tragedy was found by officers rushing souls from joining secretive sects that end U.S. southwest. Since LeBaron died in to fight fires that had been ignited by up as horror stories. prison in 1982, more than a dozen of remote-control devices. Farewell letters his disciples have been shot to death in said the believers were "leaving this sect rivalry. earth" to escape "hypocrisies and James A. Haught is editor of the Now the dilemma of deadly cults has oppression in this world." Charleston (West Virginia) Gazette and risen again. In western Switzerland, Simultaneously, in Quebec, fire author of the new book Holy Hatred: forty-eight members of a sect known as ignited by a timer killed four people at Religious Conflicts of the '90s (Prome- the Solar Temple, and also as the Cross a different branch of the Solar Temple. theus Books).

Winter 1994/95 31 Defending Prometheus

The Fall 1994 FREE INQUIRY saw the publication of a special section entitled "`Defending Prometheus, "which celebrated the spirit of discovery and progress embodied by the Greek story of how humankind obtained fire. Below we present the thoughts of another author on the future of present-day scientific research and technology.—EDs.

The Challenge of Exoevolution

H. James Birx

How great would be the desire in every admirer of nature to behold, if such were possible, the scenery of another planet!

—Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle (1839), Chapter XXI

o life-forms exist on other worlds? DAre there intelligent beings living among the galaxies? Have advanced civilizations emerged elsewhere in this universe? These questions were asked by philosophers in antiquity and are now being asked by scientists today., Their answers have a direct bearing on the place our species occupies within dynamic nature. Over the centuries, several explanations have been offered for the origin of life on this planet. In Western history, the traditional religious belief maintains that this universe, along with everything "Exobiology and exoevolution directly challenge geocentrism, zoocentrism, in it, was divinely created by a personal and anthropocentrism.... Giving priority to science and reason, secular God in six days about ten thousand years ago. For some Christian religions, this humanists will accept the true place of our species in evolving nature with theistic interpretation has been modified courage and humility." to accommodate the scientific theory of organic evolution. Consequently, they pervades the otherwise inert matter of A third explanation maintains that speak of theistic evolution to account for nature. Referred to as vitalism, this meta- outer space is filled with cosmic seeds the origin and history of life on Earth. physical position argues that there is a or spores that are capable of creating However, a divine creation is not crucial distinction between matter and life-forms wherever they germinate on acceptable to a strictly scientific and life.2 It results in a dualistic interpretation planets throughout this universe. As a rational search for answers to questions of nature. Vitalists maintain that this life- result, this panspermia hypothesis argues concerning the origin of this universe and force causes matter to take on organic that life reached the Earth from deep life in terms of empirical evidence and properties resulting in the evolution of space and, once these seeds took root, logical arguments. life throughout Earth history. Unfortu- more and more advanced plants and A few scientists and philosophers nately, this dualistic position gives animals emerged on our planet. How- have maintained that plants and animals priority to a metaphysical principle ever, the panspermia hypothesis does not exist because of a creative life-force that rather than science and reason. give an explanation for the origin of life

32 FREE INQUIRY but merely places its existence through- Bruno (1548-1600) argued for an eternal, millions of solar systems with planets out this universe. infinite, endlessly changing, and inhab- similar to our Earth. No doubt, some Before the writings of naturalist ited universe.? Anticipating both Leibniz of these planets would resemble our Charles Darwin, it was maintained by and Kant, Bruno even held that intel- Earth in terms of size, chemistry, tem- most biologists that simple and even ligent beings superior to our own species perature, and atmosphere. Thus, zones complex life-forms suddenly appeared exist elsewhere in dynamic reality. Of with the necessary conditions for the from inorganic matter.3 The spon- course, this Brunian framework chal- origin of life probably exist elsewhere taneous generation hypothesis main- lenged the Earth-bound and human- so that living forms need not be restricted tained that rats suddenly emerged from centered world-view entrenched in to our planet. Of course, organisms else- rotting wheat, mice suddenly appeared Western intellectual thought. where need not be similar to those plants from decaying rags, and amphibians In this century, although an evolu- and animals that have inhabited our were suddenly formed from mud and tionist, the geopaleontologist and Jesuit Earth. slime. Today, there is no empirical priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881- Actually, the origin of life on this evidence to support any claims made by 1955)8 failed to take seriously the far- planet was more or less swift from the the spontaneous generation hypothesis. reaching implications of life-forms and geological perspective. Surely, if the In philosophy, some thinkers have intelligent beings elsewhere. Instead, he origin of life happened once, then it can argued that the entire universe is alive, focused on the Earth and our species. happen again elsewhere. Logic does not making no sharp distinction between Actually, his cosmology is only a dictate that this planet or life on Earth matter and life itself. Referred to as planetology. For Teilhard, the end-goal or our own species must be unique in hylozoism, this view of life is so general of converging evolution is a mystical all reality. as to be meaningless. On the other hand, synthesis of human spirit with a personal Prebiotic chemistry for life as we some thinkers have been so bold as to God at the future omega point. It is not know it pervades this universe. Concern- maintain that life actually preceded surprising that his world-view satisfied ing the organic evolution of life-forms matter, with matter being merely the neither the biblical fundamentalists or on other worlds, what else is possible? residue of life itself. so-called scientific creationists nor If planetary systems are common, then Charles Darwin (1809-1882)4 thought traditional believers, much less the do Earthlike worlds elsewhere harbor that science would not be able to explain secular humanists. biological activity needing carbon and the origin of life. However, at the end Among scientists, Carl Sagan9 and liquid water? Habited planets may orbit of the last century, the evolutionary Francis Crick'0 take the emerging science stars in this galaxy and others. And we materialist Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919) of exobiology seriously. Today, modern may find fossils and artifacts on other argued that life and intelligence are likely science and technology make the search worlds. to exist among the stars.5 for life elsewhere possible (particularly As if organic evolution on Earth Since the writings of Darwin and in terms of space probes and radio tele- is not difficult enough for many to Haeckel, modern biologists maintain scopes). accept, especially fundamental creation- that organic evolution explains the origin ists, the discovery of exoevolution would and diversity of life on Earth as well as onsidering the age and size of this challenge all thinkers to reassess the its extinction throughout planetary Cexpanding universe, there is all the place humankind occupies in dynamic history.6 In short, physico-chemical time and space in the world for life to reality. development paved the way for the have emerged more than once in reality. The Nietzschean overman may have emergence of organic evolution. There- Furthermore, the uniformity of physical emerged elsewhere in the cosmos. Such fore, the human animal is merely one laws and chemical elements throughout aliens with superior intelligence could be species among those countless millions nature increases the probability that life wise, benign, and compassionate. No of life-forms that have appeared has emerged on other worlds. In fact, doubt, their achievements in science and throughout organic evolution. It is a very carbon and water are plentiful in this technology would certainly be beyond sobering fact, indeed, that the extinction universe and organic molecules exist in our wildest imagination. of species is the rule rather than the comets, meteors, cosmic gas/ dust Unfortunately, there is no empirical exception throughout Earth history. clouds, and planetary atmospheres. As evidence to support exobiology at this If life emerged from matter on our such, the conditions for life as we know time. Because of cosmic distances, we planet, then couldn't life have appeared it do exist elsewhere in this universe. And may in fact never discover the existence elsewhere in this universe? From ancient the discovery of the DNA or RNA of life elsewhere in this universe. Or, speculations to modern hypotheses, molecule in the sidereal depths of intelligent beings on other worlds may some of the greatest minds have grap- celestial space would give exobiology an not be interested in us: if they are pled with this idea of exobiology. In empirical foundation and scientific intelligent enough to discover us, then antiquity, Anaxagoras and Lucretius impetus for ongoing investigation. they may be wise enough to stay away. maintained that life does exist beyond Since there are billions of galaxies, Furthermore, it is possible that other uni- the Earth. During the Italian Renais- each with billions of stars, it seems verses with life-forms have existed before sance, the bold cosmologist Giordano reasonable to assume that there are this one, are coexisting with our own, Winter 1994/95 33 or will exist after this particular cosmic universe that gives our own species a Life (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1992) epoch has ended. In fact, the questions central position in material nature. and Peter Ward, The End of Evolution: On Mass Extinctions and the Preservation of Biodiversity raised by exobiologists may never be The history of life on this planet has (New York: Bantam Books, 1994). answered in the affirmative even if life been a long, complex, unpredictable, and 7. See J. Lewis McIntyre, Giordano Bruno: does exist elsewhere in reality. inefficient process. Our species is a Mystic Martyr (1903) (New York: Macmillan), esp. pp. 203-222. The only process of organic evolu- product of, dependent upon, and totally 8. For an introduction to the life and thought tion that is now known to science is the within organic evolution.12 Yet at least of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, see H. James Birx, one taking place on Earth.l 1 Surely, how- once, with the emergence of Homo Interpreting Evolution: Darwin & Teilhard de Chardin (Buffalo: Prometheus Books, 1991), esp. ever, exobiology infers exoevolution. As sapiens, this evolving universe became pp. 178-222. Also see Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, on this planet, life-forms elsewhere aware of itself. In the future, a conver- The Phenomenon of Man (1938-1940) (New would have evolved to meet the chal- gence of nanotechnology and genetic York: Harper Torchbooks, 2nd ed., 1965) and Frank J. Tipler, The Physics of Immortality: lenges of their dynamic habitats. We can engineering holds awesome promises for Modern Cosmology, God and the Resurrection only speculate on what directions the ongoing evolution of humankind. of the Dead (New York: Doubleday, 1994). adaptive radiation and organic evolution Of course, extinction and evolution 9. Refer to Carl Sagan, and I. S. Shklovskii, Intelligent Life in the Universe (San Francisco: have taken on other worlds. If life-forms are two sides of the coin of life. A comet Holden-Day, Inc., 1966). Also see Carl Sagan, are found elsewhere, then scientists and strike or global plague or nuclear war The Cosmic Connection: An Extraterrestrial Per- philosophers would participate in the could wipe out the human animal. Or spective (New York: Anchor Books, 1980) and Carl Sagan, "The Search for Extraterrestrial Life" critical study of cosmic selection and perhaps the survival and fulfillment of in Scientific American, 271(4): 92-99, October comparative exoevolution. Or if human our species will require that it work in 1994. beings send life-forms into outer space, consort with sentient life-forms still to 10. See Francis H. C. Crick, Life Itself: Its Origin and Nature (New York: Simon and then these plants and animals will evolve be encountered in this universe. Schuster, 1982). in strange new habitats making the study 11. For an introduction to those issues that of exoevolution possible. In fact, our Notes surround the fact of evolution, refer to Evolution Extended: Biological Debates on the Meaning of own species may evolve into a new form I. For early thoughts on exobiology, see Life, ed. Connie Barlow (Cambridge: MIT Press, of life among the stars. Steven J. Dick, Plurality of Worlds: The Origins 1994). Also see Stephen Hawking, A Brief History Exobiology and exoevolution directly of the Extraterrestrial Life Debate from Demo- of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes (New critus to Kant (New York: Cambridge University York: Bantam Books, 1988). Also see Eric challenge geocentrism, zoocentrism, and Press, 1982). Chaisson, The Life Era: Cosmic Selection and anthropocentrism. The discovery of life 2. Refer to Henri Bergson, Creative Evolution Conscious Evolution (New York: The Atlantic and evolution beyond the Earth will (1907) (New York: The Modern Library, 1944). Monthly Press, 1987) and Gene Bylinsky, Life 3. See John Farley, The Spontaneous Gen- in Darwin's Universe: Evolution and the Cosmos make this planet and our species even eration Controversy from Descartes to Oparin (Garden City: Doubleday, 1981). less significant from the cosmic per- (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 12. See Donald Johanson, Lenora Johanson, spective. If intelligent beings are dis- 1977). Also refer to Leslie E. 0rgel, "The 0rigin and Blake Edgar, Ancestors: In Search of Human of Life on the Earth," in Scientific American, Origins (New York: Villard Books, 1994) and covered elsewhere, then the human 271(4): 76-83, 0ctober 1994. Richard Leakey, The Origin of Humankind (New animal will no longer be something 4. For an introduction to the life and thought York: BasicBooks/ HarperCollins, 1994). special in this universe. Giving priority of Charles Darwin, see H. James Birx, Interpret- ing Evolution: Darwin & Teilhard de Chardin to science and reason, secular humanists (Buffalo: Prometheus Books, 1991), esp. pp. 112- H. James Birx, professor of anthro- will accept the true place of our species 165. Also see Charles Darwin, On the Origin of pology at Canisius College, is the author in evolving nature with courage and Species (Buffalo: Prometheus Books, 1992). of Interpreting Evolution (Prometheus 5. Refer to Ernst Haeckel, The Riddle of the humility. Universe (1899) (Buffalo: Prometheus Books, Books, 1991) and executive director of Are we utterly alone in this material 1992), esp. pp. 370-372. the Alliance of Secular Humanist universe, or do life and intelligence exist 6. See Edward O. Wilson, The Diversity of Societies. elsewhere? No doubt, contact with intelligent aliens would be the most Prometheus Books presents momentous event in human history. And there is no reason why secular humanists Living Without Religion: Eupraxophy wouldn't welcome the challenge of by PAUL KURTZ exoevolution. (please add $3.95 for postage and handling) This immense universe is independent $9,95 NOW IN PAPERBACK of and indifferent to emerging humankind. And our species plays no special An introduction to humanism and an outline for its vast potential growth. role in the existence of reality. There was Order from: Prometheus Books cosmic time before the appearance of the 59 John Glenn Dr., Amherst, NY 14228-2197 human animal, and material nature will endure beyond the extinction of life and In U.S. use Visa or MasterCard to order and call toll-free consciousness on this planet. In short, (800) 421-0351 there is no evidence of a pre-established Or FAX credit card information to (716) 691-0137. direction or pervasive purpose in the

34 FREE INQUIRY Harold Camping and the Stillborn Apocalypse

Radio evangelist Harold Camping predicted that the Second Coming would occur in September 1994.

Edmund D. Cohen

schatology—the study of the last events before the end several such predictions placing the end in 1988, because that of the world—is a time-honored requirement in any year came the symbolic number of forty years after the EChristian theology curriculum. The drastic biblical end- founding of the State of Israel.s When Pat Robertson's time scenario culminating in the fiery destruction of the present prediction of the end in 1982—based on a purported direct Earth, and its replacement by new heavens and a new Earth revelation by a voice—failed to come true, he felt exercised exclusively for Christians with new, glorified superbodies,' to redeem the world himself by becoming president of the has often inspired commotion, especially toward the ends of United States.6 the millennia. The recent, widely reported prediction by radio evangelist In the United States, historically the most influential form Harold Camping?—that the Second Coming would occur in of eschatology has been premillennialism, which filled in gaps September 1994—on its face does not seem particularly in the biblical end-time information so as to have a scenario unusual or important. The Camping episode is, however, very calling for a thousand-year golden age between the Second different from all the other cases where an end-time prophecy Coming of Christ and the fiery end of the world. Premil- was uttered and failed. I find the episode uniquely helpful lennialists typically preached resignation regarding all that is in understanding other developments in conservative wrong in the world, and counseled patient, passive waiting Christianity, and it has bearing on some issues of special for Christ to return and correct it.2 From the end of World interest to secular humanists and skeptics. War II until the collapse of the Soviet empire, American Once respected and well-accepted in Christian funda- fundamentalists generally identified themselves as premillen- mentalist circles, Camping has been ostracized to a much nialists. But the seeming correspondence of an all-too-possible greater degree than other failed date-setters before him. nuclear war with a biblical end-time scenario brought on an Somehow, he embarrasses his peers more than he would have escalation of eschatological speculation, and a frenetic a few years earlier. The fundamentalists have good reason reshuffling of scenarios. for wanting Camping to be forgotten without the implications In 1970, Hal Lindsey set forth what became the generic, of his case being understood. It falls to secular humanists not to let that happen. born-again end-of-the-world scenario in his best-seller, The Late Great Planet Earth.3 It furnished a common frame of arold Camping, now seventy-three years old, is president reference for discussing the confrontation between capitalist and general manager of Family Stations, Inc., operating and communist societies as a cosmic drama wherein heavenly H a chain of thirty-nine listener-supported Christian radio and hellish forces were locked in a final struggle with a stations scattered through the most populous areas of the predetermined cataclysmic outcome. The presence of an actual United States. These stations relay uniform programming fed nation of Israel as a player in the drama—converting to to them by satellite from the headquarters in Oakland, Christianity en masse at the last moment in some renditions California. The programming is also broadcast on shortwave8 and being massacred in the final Battle of Armageddon in from Okeechobee, Florida. Atmospherics permitting, the others—helped lend an air of reality to such Armageddon Family Radio network nominally fulfills the "Great scenarios.4 Commission": "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be From time to time, some prominent figure in fundamentalist preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and Christianity will come forward to commit himself to a specific then shall the end come."9 All of the programming on Family prediction of the impending end of the world. There were Radio is designed to keep the self-indoctrination of the Christian ongoing. The teaching is strictly Calvinist-Reformed, Edmund D. Cohen is the author of The Mind of the Bible- and the music, while often bathetic, is never vulgar or totally Believer (Prometheus). tasteless. The success of Family Radio seems partly due to the relief it affords from the angry right-wifig polemics and

Winter 1994/95 35 jangling "Christian rock" music now normal in Christian radio. Bible, and even that particular verse provided for opening Camping began Family Radio in 1959, after having made up and unsealing at the actual time of the end. Camping's enough money from his building contracting business to be steady and unsensational demeanor over the air became a a full-time volunteer. Although trained as a civil engineer rather false façade, concealing his brooding over his felt obligation than a pastor, he became a uniquely accomplished self-taught to join the disreputable ranks of the date-setters. From time Bible scholar, deepening his knowledge while conducting his to time, callers would ask him when the end might come. one-and-a-half-hour Monday through Friday call-in show, With words more artfully chosen than they appeared to be "Open Forum"10 at 10:00 P.M. E.S.T. Using the same method on the surface, Camping would say that he would be very as John Calvin—taking "the Bible alone and in its entirety" surprised if the turn of the century came before Christ's return. as his sole authority—he would meticulously take into Camping finally went public as a date-setter in 1992, by consideration every verse that applied, as well as recurring releasing his book, 1994?12 Its long, technical argument defies themes and symbolism, to arrive at his formulations of what concise presentation, and it would be easy to get so absorbed the Bible teaches, and what is demanded of believers. Such in the theological details as to neglect the more important a method inevitably produces different doctrines than the ones psychological significance of the episode. We can cover a few most popular in present-day fundamentalist Christianity. highlights to get an idea. Doctrines such as predestination, God's unilateral election of The one historical event that fundamentalist Christian who will become a genuine believer, infant baptism performed eschatologists—Camping as well as the premillennialists13— by sprinkling, etc., place Camping at odds with most of the agree to be biblically significant is the founding of the State Christian fundamentalist establishment. Much of the call-in of Israel. The parable of the fig tree,14 a tree in leaf but not show amounts to biblical counseling, and affords a rare close in fruit (i.e., prospering temporally but not becoming converted look at that baleful practice taking place." The result has to Christianity) and ultimately cursed by Jesus, is generally generally been austere, devoid of gimmickry, and often understood to apply to the return of the Jewish people to downright harsh. Israel, and their resumption of national life there. The Camping also developed a keen interest in Bible chronology. An inordinate amount of Bible text is devoted to genealogies, to the number of years a certain person lived or a certain "Camping has been ostracized to a much king reigned, and to other apparently irrelevant asides that greater degree than other failed date-setters state definite periods of years. Camping reasoned that God before him The fundamentalists have would not have put so many time-markers in the Bible without a reason. By arranging all the time-markers in chronological good reason for wanting Camping to be sequence, and using some known historical events and forgotten without the implications of his case astronomical phenomena to confirm the correct conversion being understood. It falls to secular human- of these into our current Gregorian calendar dates, Camping was able to assemble an unbroken chain of stated periods ists not to let that happen." of years from the alleged six-day creation to known historical events, and fix 11,033 B.C.E. as the year of creation. In similar occurrence is identified with the last days, and its date reference fashion, Camping was able to place the birth of Jesus at 7 is the one piece of extra-biblical date information to be given B.C.E., and his crucifixion at 33 C.E., according to the time- equal dignity to the ones in the Bible. markers embedded in the Bible. Because much of what is written about jubilee years—the For their own sake, these are prodigious intellectual Old Testament custom of forgiving debts, releasing slaves, accomplishments. Camping has gone beyond John Calvin in and restoring property every fiftieth year—is identified with distilling concise doctrinal statements from the Bible, and the end, Camping reasoned that the end should occur in a successfully done what James Ussher—best remembered for jubilee year. So, because the first year that would have been a faulty Bible chronology placing creation in 4,004 B.C.E.- a jubilee year under Old Testament customs subsequent to attempted unsuccessfully. There is nothing nearly so well done 1948 is 1994, that year became a candidate. in contemporary fundamentalist establishment seminary An array of intriguing number-of-years relations falls into academia. If Camping had stopped at these, he would have place around that year. Nineteen ninety-four makes exactly remained an almost endearing, anachronistic senior sage on two thousand years between Christ's first and second comings, the margins of fundamentalist Christianity. three thousand years since the anointing of David, and four Camping tells how twenty-two years ago he began noticing thousand years since the birth of Jacob, to name a few. biblical information pointing to 1994 as the final year. He Nineteen ninety-four would be the fiftieth jubilee year since knew very well that all previous date-setters had been proved the custom's inception in 457 B.C.E.-a jubilee of jubilees. wrong in the end, and had ended up badly. For a while, Still more number relations pop out if we take into account he focused on Daniel 12:8, 9, hoping to get off considering the final tribulation period described in Matthew 24. Because his new-found knowledge as "words ... closed up and sealed much of what is written about the fast of trumpets—occurring till the time of the end." But many other scriptures require on the first day of the seventh Old Testament month, or the believer to share and to teach what he discovers in the September 6 in 199415—also Rosh Hashanah—is identified

36 FREE INQUIRY with the coming of Christ, Camping reasoned that that date reference—excusing failure to deal with the issue of knowing should be the end of the final tribulation period. On that and announcing the end when the conditions for its occurrence day, he concluded, some impressive supernatural event should have been fulfilled—turns out, on closer reading, really to signal the beginning of the end. Also reasoning that the final be saying something completely different.16 For all their tribulation should be 2,300 days—shortened from twenty-three training in Hebrew and Greek, seminary academicians rarely years—the beginning of the final tribulation period falls on study Bible texts critically enough to pick up such details. May 21, 1988. With that date in place, the additional relation And if they really took their Bible "inerrancy" and "infallibility" of exactly 13,000 years from creation to the beginning of the as seriously as they pretend, could they really have dismissed final tribulation period pops out. The foregoing is a tiny Camping's stupendous conclusions as cavalierly as all of them fraction of the dauntingly complex web of calendar relations did? set forth in 1994? Studying them is a bit like studying unicorn Another feature that held constant during the 1992-1994 anatomy or Klingon grammar. One can take it much farther period was the curious mixed message Camping conveyed than there is any use in going. as to acting on the expectation that the end of the world As for the date when Christ would actually return, Camping would come so soon. The calm, slightly cheerful but otherwise was not quite sure. But he regarded the day of atonement— unemotional tone of Camping on the air clashed with the September 14, 1994, or the feast of tabernacles—September sensational import of his words. His voice conveyed neither 27, as likely candidates. Camping repeatedly declared himself glee nor dread. He took great care to counsel the listeners "99.9 percent sure" that the end would not tarry beyond not to behave differently than they would if they thought September 1994. the end would not come for a hundred years. After all, an So, the stage was set for some very interesting radio listening individual could die any time, making the timing of the world's during August and September 1994, as the fatal dates end irrelevant for him. Camping offered no reasons, biblical approached. or otherwise, for that incongruous advice. He would also always qualify the prediction, saying it depended upon whether rom the introduction of 1994? in 1992, through September or not he had done all of his calculations correctly. Since F1994, there was hardly an evening on "Open Forum" his argument involved the convergence of many lines of without some rude, stupid person who had never before evidence, and not just one linear deductive sequence, the bothered to qualification listen to the was some- program cal- what dis- ling in ex- ingenuous. pecting to I did not catch Camp- get the im- ing by sur- pression that prise with Camping Mark 13:32: believed in "But of that his gut what day and .. he so obvi- Apocalypse hour know- iiomor row ously be- eth no man, lieved intel- no not the lectually. To angels . . . understand neither the how that can Son, but the be, one must Father" [my remember italics]. that, for the What would Calvinist follow is typ- more than ical of what for other happens Christians,. when un- feelings are thinking crit- to be dis- ics—lay- trusted. people as well as seminary academicians—come up against Having one's actions be based totally on intellectualized Camping's careful attention to detail. The preposition of obedience to scripture, suppressing and denigrating anything refers to the character of that "hour," not to its timing: i.e., spontaneous or natural, is the goal of the Calvinist Bible- of could have been correctly translated "about" but not "when." believer's devotional efforts. Having one's "sinful nature" balk What all Christendom has always assumed was a time at the truth is to be expected. That muting of the message—

Winter 1994/95 37 the tacit suggestion that believers should not expect to be As the other key dates in September approached, Camping able to assimilate the prophecy on an emotional level—surely was able to repeat the easing of the let-down by deferring helped keep the fear the callers were expressing from the expectation to the next key date. Probably without mushrooming into hysteria. realizing it consciously, Camping had hit on a brilliant and There were a procession of callers in the days leading up psychologically sound strategy of desensitization. By having to September 6 who expressed anxiety that they might not the expectations be built up and let down several times in yet be saved. Camping would counsel them to get on their such a controlled manner, being let down became part of knees and beg God for salvation. (Why that could help when his followers' normal routine, and it no longer perturbed them. God supposedly had already decided, before the creation of After the third build-up and let-down sequence was the world, which persons would become saved is a question completed on September 29, and what should have been the Calvinists are never able to answer convincingly.) A few called time for admitting error was at hand, Camping seemed to in to ask if they should lay in candles, emergency rations, sense that one more build-up/let-down cycle would be or special items for infants. One man called in to confess desirable. The previous night, a lady who called in suggested his unsatisfactory attitude: he had a young wife and a small that the anniversary of the birth of Jesus might be the elusive child whom he loved very much the way they were, and he date. Camping was not immediately receptive to that idea. was not able to work up the requisite enthusiasm for their But on September 29, he warmed up to it, and opined that transformation into another form of life. Camping counseled October 2 was the most likely date for Christ's birthday. When the man to get down on his knees and beg God for forgiveness that date also went by, he adopted the view that the time for the sin of loving his family more than he trusted God. of the end was not relevant for believers after all, and that The tension was further diffused one night in, a comic being ready for the end regardless when it may come is the moment when Camping took a few minutes from the calls important thing for Christians. Except for patient listening to retract and to express embarrassment about a mission tour as a few dissatisfied callers dressed Camping down about the offer that he had scheduled for October and thoughtlessly failed prophecy, the topic of the timing of the end of the announced the previous night. What I had thought would world quietly vanished from the agenda of "Open Forum." develop into dire personal crises for Camping and his more involved followers was playing out more like a protracted Throuhroughoutghout Camping's career, the usual motives of the practical joke. During August, it all reminded me of Orson religious broadcaster—greed, lust for Welles's "War of the Worlds" broadcast. political power, procurement of compliant people to gratify The only departure from this relatively harmless, farcical tone during August was the caller who identified himself as a penitentiary inmate serving a long sentence. Exuding "I cannot imagine how [Camping] might have malicious glee, he gushed about how a power higher than arrived at anything remotely like the date- any governor or president would now commute his sentence setting episode without the Bible. Rather, I indirectly, since he had become saved. That made me think of people in especially wretched life situations who might be imagine that he would have made some listening and feel cruelly let down when the false hope of significant, constructive contribution to deliverance was dashed. An outpouring of anguish and some society, but for his having gotten himself suicides could have resulted. mired in religion." As the summer continued, Camping's own demeanor became lighthearted, as if he were happily anticipating the adventure of the last day. That was the only time I ever heard vices or concealed perversions—clearly were not his motives. him crack jokes. He became more spontaneous, and his on- Even during the date-setting episode, the lack of serious harm air technique improved to the point that he sounded like a resulting to anyone except Camping himself points to professional broadcaster. As the fateful September 6 date enigmatic motivations, strikingly different from those of any neared, Camping evinced some giddiness and confusion, other high-profile cult leader. What obscures Camping's probably due to his coming on the air after spending all day motives is that they do not rise directly from his psycho- responding to reporters' phone calls and doing radio talk- pathology, as they do in cult leaders whose motives are more show interviews. transparent. September 7 passed without the predicted display of With practically any dynamic religious cult leader other supernatural signs. Under that pressure, Camping proved than Camping, the religion furnishes little more than a brilliantly resourceful. In his effort to save the rest of his vocabulary for strivings that, if they had never found religion theory despite the non-occurrence of the signs, he focused as the vehicle for their expression, would have found some on the word "immediately" in Matthew 24:29. The underlying other. It is not difficult to imagine any of the leaders of the Greek word eutheos could also be translated "shortly" or well-known Bible-based murder-suicide cults—Jim Jones, "anon," allowing for the signs to come soon but not David Koresh, or Luc Jouret—without their Bible parlance. instantaneously. That permitted them to accompany the They would have been about like Charles Manson. Nor is Second Coming, later on in the month of September. it very difficult to imagine Pat Robertson without his religious

38 FREE INQUIRY vocabulary: he would be more or less like Lyndon LaRouche.t7 to understand how he could be as oblivious as he appeared But for all the time I have spent listening to Camping, I cannot to the scathing publicity he was receiving. When his prophecy imagine how he might have arrived at anything remotely like failed, he rationalized that getting the general media to cover the date-setting episode without the Bible. Rather, I imagine a little bit about hell, damnation, and the end of the world that he would have made some significant, constructive might at least have gotten people interested in those topics. contribution to society, but for his having gotten himself mired The consequence that he might have brought his beloved in religion. Gospel into disrepute seemed not to perturb him. Camping's psychopathology was totally Bible driven. His obtuseness on that topic showed most clearly when Others who become fixated on the Bible typically develop callers would bring up the topic of false prophets. The only depression or anxious generalized emotional distress as a offense that the Bible regards as more serious than others, result. Camping's ability to immerse himself in that content giving rise to stepped-up punishment in hell, is being a false and seemingly not suffer those detrimental effects always prophet. Since receiving divine revelation in a dream, vision, amazed me. But doing so eventually took its toll on him in voice, or tongue during the church age is the height of apostacy a different way. The Bible content grew into a personal delusion for Calvinists, Camping settled on that as the criterion for for him.18 He was less "creative" than other cult leaders, in false prophecy he safely did not meet. Yet, by his own that he did not invent the content of his delusions. Rather, standards, the danger that he might be one of those who he found it by studying the Bible. What makes his case truly "bear ... bad fruit"21 or who "lead the elect astray"22 should unique is that the Bible scholarship involved in it is genuine. have given him some pause. His ease with what should have His conclusions do arise from the Bible language he so carefully been a grave issue for him amounted to belle indifference. studied, and he undoubtedly did uncover things that were After a lifetime of harshly criticizing faith healing, divine in the minds of the men who concocted the Bible. He did relevation in dreams, visions, voices, and tongues, and every not have a choice about the content of the delusion, or its other sensational religion gimmick, he finally resorted to a timing. The preoccupation of someone else who lived long gimmick just as sensational. But he did not see it that way. ago, about the world ending two millennia after the first At some level, he must realize that the spectacle he put coming of Christ fixed how Camping's date-setting episode on is likely to have enabled many young people raised in would play out. strict fundamentalist churches to give themselves permission to see the absurdity of the beliefs in which they were raised. Perhaps Camping did by this round-about means a thing that "He must realize that the spectacle he put he could never have brought himself to do directly. Indirectly, on is likely to have enabled many young peo- he cut some followers whose minds were not totally dead ple raised in strict fundamentalist churches loose from conservative churches and told them—in deeds rather than words—"go forth and get a life." to give themselves permission to see the ab- The Camping date-setting episode has a genuine element surdity of the beliefs in which they were of tragedy lacking in the downfalls of various crass religious raised." hucksters. He was someone of real worth, who might have realized a very high potential, but was brought low by a tragic flaw. Although he took care to cover up the more grandiose Or maybe he did realize his potential after all. Down aspects of his idea about his own role, they did show through. through the years, skeptics and freethinkers seeking to resolve When he would talk about his own situation as like unto the supernatural truth claims of the Bible have either focused those of Noah or Jonah—and on one occasion even John on internal text inconsistencies that Bible-believers are able the Baptist—his real opinion of himself as someone of to explain away, or attacked the plausibility of miracles claimed comparable dignity to a major prophet in the Bible became to have occurred long in the past, long since beyond the reach evident.19 It was also clear that he regarded practically all of empirical investigation. But Camping used biblical methods of fundamentalist Christianity except for himself and his to derive an important prospective testable premise from the followers as apostate.20 He and his followers, like the little Bible. He put the premise to the test, and it failed. Camping party in Noah's Ark, were the only true believers of their labored for many years, and ended up doing what skeptics time and would be the only contemporaries to go to heaven. have long labored in vain to do: he produced affirmative The heady experience of operating a worldwide broadcasting evidence that the Bible in its most essential truth claims is empire plays into this delusion, since, from that lofty vantage false. That was not what he meant to do, but that is what point one can think that one has personally fulfilled the "Great he did. If the Bible were true, then the world ought to have Commission." Pat Robertson's date-setting episode was very ended in 1994. Q.E.D. similar in this respect. The entire Camping episode reflects personal motives that Notes were rather benign, and in peculiar way, admirable. All along, Camping was tellingly blind to some of the obvious 1. 1 Corinthians 15:42-55; 2 Peter 3:12, 13. 2. There have also been postmillennialists. Their scenarios called for implications of his actions. As a professional broadcaster with the thousand-year golden age to be ushered in by the believers unaided, years of experience being sensitive to contributors, it is difficult and to end with the Second Coming. Older postmillennialism forms part

Winter 1994/95 39 of the background of liberal Protestant social activism, seeking to make the same as the traditional Jewish calendar that makes the present year Christianity compatible with such American civic values as self-reliance 5755. and belief in progress. 0nly during the last thirty years or so has post- 16. Matthew 24:36, 37 is a companion verse. Another verse, Acts 1:7, millennialism become identified with the reactionary theocratic views of does refer to believers not being able to know when foreordained events the "Christian Reconstructionist" leader Rousas Rushdoony. His revisionist are to occur. In that verse, Jesus addresses his apostles. Since they lived postmillennialism heavily influenced Pat Robertson's "Dominion Theology" long before the end times when the mystery would be revealed, there is which seeks to overcome a long tradition of separation of church and no contradiction in their being unable to know while believers living in state. the 1990s can know. 3. With C. C. Carlson (New York: Bantam Books, 1970). It called In addressing the issue of Jesus being unable to know while the Father for the Israelis, after re-occupying East Jerusalem, to fight and win a war knows—even though they are both God—Camping repeatedly said with the Soviet Union. The European Common Market would unify, and something that I never heard him say in any other context. A number be ruled by a charismatic dictator who would turn out to be the Antichrist of times, he would spin out his own parable about a criminal who went in disguise. The dictator would conclude a peace treaty with Israel, which before a judge to be sentenced to flogging. The judge would not explain would then build the Third Temple and resume animal sacrifices there. the details of the sentence, but instead would remand the prisoner over The dictator would then enter the Temple, and proclaim himself God to the jailer, who knew exactly how many lashes to administer, what kind Incarnate. Then the Soviet Union would invade Israel, expecting the of whip to use, how hard to lash the prisoner, and other such details. dictator's ties to Arab countries to discourage him from joining in on Israel's Each time Camping would tell it, he would add a few more gruesome side. But he does join in, and together he and the Israelis rout the Russians. embellishments and the story would get a little more lurid. Camping The Russians then unleash their nuclear arsenal, and just as the world apparently derived muted sadomasochistic gratification from it. Previously, is being destroyed, Christ returns. he had always carefully refrained from picking up on the sadomasochistic Its various publishers claim 18 million sales of Lindsey's book. When content contained in the Bible itself. asked about such a scenario during the 1984 presidential campaign, 17. See John Taylor, "Pat Robertson's God, Inc.," Esquire, November President Ronald Reagan admitted he had been intrigued by it. Many 1994, p. 76. Christian leaders spouted variations of its Armageddon scenario. See 18. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Ed. generally Paul Boyer, When Time Shall Be No More (Cambridge, Mass.: (Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1994), p. 296 ff., Belknap Press, 1992). sets forth criteria for delusional disorder, no. 297.1. In particular, it specifies 4. The collapse of the Soviet Empire and the geopolitical changes in "Grandiose type: delusions of inflated worth, power, knowledge, identity, its wake strikingly failed to fit any of the then current eschatological or a special relationship to a deity or famous person" p. 301. 0nset in scenarios. Lindsey and other sensationalizers were thrown into confusion. middle or late life is typical of the disorder. Eschatological speculation fell out of fashion for a few years. The current 19. Camping averred that the period from the first time when Family furious political activism of the Religious Right, and the occurrence of Radio went on the air, February 4, 1959, to September 6, 1994, was exactly two cult mass murder-suicides in consecutive years, are undoubtedly 13,000 days, corresponding to the 13,000 years from creation to final connected with this upheaval in the lifelong eschatological expectations tribulation. He took that correspondence as evidence of his enterprise's of the persons involved. divine mandate. I checked the calendar calculation, and got only 12,998 5. One Christian book to that effect, Edgar C. Whisenant, 88 Reasons days. Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988: New Expanded Edition (Nashville: World 20. To make the period from May 21, 1988, to September 6, 1994, Bible Society, 1988) sold over 2 million copies. Hal Lindsey also favored correspond to the final tribulation period, Camping dismissed the usual 1988 as the likely final year. understanding of "tribulation" as figurative, and he identified the decline 6. Because recent achievements in the Middle East peace process do of teaching the true Gospel as the particular horror making that historical not meet with his eschatological expectations, Robertson vehemently period a "tribulation." With incongruously youthful overdramatization, he disapproves of Israeli Prime Minister Rabin's peace agreement with equated his own experience in a church that he had belonged to for many Palestine Liberation 0rganization Chairman Arafat. 0n January 7, 1994, years that forbade him to teach any more after he declared himself a date- Robertson's The 700 Club reported a trip to Israel by Ralph Reed, head setter with the killing of the two witnesses in Revelation 11. of Robertson's domestic political arm, the Christian Coalition. Reed's 21. Matthew 7:15-23. telephone report was carried over the air: he had met with conservative 22. Mark 13:21, 22. • members of Rabin's Knesset coalition. The Rabin government, Reed gleefully reported, was about to fall, and Likud would return to power Charitable Gift Annuities and quickly disavow the peace agreement. Roberston received this news with equal glee. The Rabin government did not fall. A meddlesome attempt In today's economic environment you may wish by Robertson's minion to intervene in Israeli politics would appear to be to consider the advantages of a Charitable Gift what was afoot. 7. An Associated Press story on Camping ran in many newspapers Annuity with the Council for Democratic and during late summer 1994. See the Los Angeles Times, July 30, 1994, p. Secular Humanism. B12. Benefits to you include: 8. 5985 and 9505 kHz. 9. Matthew 24:14. Family Radio also does considerable foreign • Guaranteed income for life language broadcasting over shortwave. • Partially tax-free income 10. Also broadcast in purchased time on an additional twenty-seven non-Family Radio stations, and on cable television in the San Francisco • Current charitable income tax deduction Bay area. Send in coupon for more information to: 11. For example, he does not shrink from counseling the wife of a spouse abuser or child abuser that she may not leave: she must obey and be submissive, even if that leads to the martyrdom of herself or her children. CODESH Likewise, he does not shrink from telling someone who becomes a parent Charitable Gift Annuities Information out of wedlock that he or she may not marry the child's other parent and create a family for that child if either has a living former spouse. P.O. Box 664 • Amherst, NY 14226-0664 12. (New York: Vantage Press). The following year, he published a sequel, Are You Ready? (New York: Vantage Press, 1993). Together, they comprise Name 955 concisely written pages. Address 13. Camping is an amillennialist as opposed to a pre- or postmillennialist, since his scenario does not include a literal thousand-year golden age. He City perceives the five mentions of thousand-year periods in Revelation 20 as referring to irreconcilably different periods of time that do not tie into State Zip any other Bible chronology. Date of Birth Daytime Phone 14. Matthew 21:18-22; 24:32, 33. 12/94 15. Note that the calendar presupposed in the 0ld Testament is not

40 FREE INQUIRY Remembering a Giant

Richard F. Stratton

Every freethinker knows that life Einstein's "new" theory of relativity. In without religion is fuller and deeper fact, a story goes that someone once than it is with it. asked Eddington if it were true that there —Chapman Cohen were only three men in the world who understood Einstein's theories. Perhaps orty years ago, on February 4, 1954, apochryphally, his reply was, "Yes, and Chapman Cohen died, thereby pre- I have forgotten who the third person F is!" But Eddington cipitating an avalanche of commemora- was no match for Cohen even in written debate. tive pieces in freethought journals If Cohen was convincing against around the world, and, most particu- Eddington, he was downright ruthless in larly, in the British freethought press. a written encounter with George Bernard Most people, even great ones, are for- Shaw. Perhaps this was because Cohen gotten within thirty years of their death, respected Eddington more than Shaw. but there are still people alive in England Although he was impressed with Shaw's who knew Cohen, and, without excep- plays, he considered the man arrogant tion, they express an inadequacy to and philosophically silly. (This was an describe his greatness. opinion only expressed to close friends Chapman Cohen had been a free- and, most certainly, never saw print.) If thought leader in Britain for over sixty Cohen's ruthlessness was demonstrated years. And what a leader! A deadly Chapman Cohen was very much a man of in his written debate with Shaw, his debater, a gifted orator, and a percep- his time and smoked a pipe and cigarettes. refinement and compassion are in evi- tive writer, he brought all the tools This photo, taken by a prominent photog- dence in a debate with the Reverend necessary to wage war upon superstition rapher of the time, depicts Cohen at age 70, 15 years before his death. Edward Lyttelton. This took place in the and its government-entrenched cruelty. pages of the Freethinker, and was later David Tribe, an authority on the free- a lot, for his writing explored every nook reprinted in a book called The Parson thought movement in England and and cranny of the freethought position and the Atheist. Cohen allowed him to author of several articles and books on and banished the shadows of religious include an additional appendage in the the subject, once said that he believed dogma. Not only were the writings book. Cohen's treatment of Lyttelton, that Cohen was the most philosophically extremely clear, but they were enlivened whom he obviously liked and respected, gifted of the "giants of the entire free- with a sense of humor. A compassionate is so kind and gentle that the points he thought movement." man, Cohen was not inclined to belittle makes against religion are nearly over- Certainly, philosophy was as natural the religious, but he didn't spare the whip looked. The truth is that Cohen may not as breathing to Cohen and, although when it came to their beliefs. "Ridicule have been at his best in that exchange, there were no videotape recorders to cap- is the one thing religion cannot abide," but his attitude was that the freethought ture his debating skills, we must marvel he often wrote. case was so strong that ground could when people who witnessed him in Perhaps we can get some inkling of be given. debate say that his writing and editing Cohen's debating skills from his writing. As a matter of fact, it was part of skills paled in comparison. That is saying For to challenge him in print seemed Cohen's modus operandi to give ground, nearly as fruitless as to challenge him to employ a sort of judo effect, so that Richard F. Stratton is a retired science on the open-air platform. One of the an opponent's own impetus was utilized teacher, the author of several books on most impressive written exchanges was against him. In one exchange, which was different types of animals, and an en- between him and Sir Arthur Eddington. given to me by a Cohen contemporary, thusiastic student of freethought history. Eddington was a brilliant physicist who a man at the back of one of Cohen's made one of the first tests to support lectures blurted out, "Mr. Cohen, I have

Winter 1994/95 41 attended all your lectures and read all blasphemy and served a year in jail, with on the open-air platform in debate or of your books, and I remain uncon- nothing to read but the Bible. Not only oratory. vinced, and I have learned absolutely did Foote defiantly resume his writings Unlike Bradlaugh and Foote, Cohen nothing!" Cohen looked at him sadly and in the Freethinker upon his release, but was not a giant in stature, although he replied, "No, you aren't a very good he later wrote the classic Bible Hand- was above average—especially for his example of my teaching, are you?" book, which carefully detailed contra- time—being five feet and nine inches in In a debate with a Christian Evidence dictions, atrocities, and mistranslations height and possessing a good build and Society opponent, he allowed that the in the Bible. excellent lifelong health. In those days, morals of freethinkers were not very Cohen, then, became the second speaking and debating on such topics high. But then he added, that, after all, editor of the Freethinker and third as freethought involved a certain amount they had only the example of religionists president of the National Secular of danger, as the faithful were not above to follow, so special allowances must be Society. He took over both positions physical assault. Although he had his made for them to overcome that handi- upon the death of Foote in 1915, and share of physical encounters, Cohen cap. Still, he replied that he thought he held them both until the early fifties. could usually disarm a potential as- atheists were making good progress in He kept the Freethinker coming out saulter with humor or by making him that direction, but that it was under- weekly through two world wars, during look like such a fool that he was unable standable if some "were no better than which paper was in short supply and free- to recruit followers in mayhem. Christians!" thinkers were looked upon with suspi- Fearless in debate, oratory, and Cohen was once scoring heavily in a cion. His was always the voice of reason. actions, Chapman Cohen was hesitant debate on the reality of the resurrection. He opposed the first war and supported when first asked to write for the Free- His beleaguered foe tried to change the the second, but opined that it had been thinker. He wasn't sure that he could subject, "Christians give soup to the set up by the conditions of the first. write, as he had never done it, and he poor. What do atheists do to help?" When dirigibles dropped bombs on the had to be pressed by G. W. Foote to Cohen smiled and queried, "How many civilian population of England in the first give it a try. The rest is history, as he gallons of soup would it take to prove war and public sentiment was to retal- wrote countless articles and numerous the resurrection?" iate, Cohen wrote that to duplicate the books. As an example of the clarity and barbarism would not affect the outcome effectiveness of his writings, I would offer orn on the first of September in 1868 of the war, and would merely brutalize as Exhibit A a pamphlet entitled "Did Bin Leicester, England, Cohen was the English. Not that Cohen accepted Jesus Christ Exist?" Having read numer- the son of English Jews, but he him- the notion that Germans were naturally ous books on the historicity of Jesus, self never could remember a time in barbarous, as he kept reminding through I would recommend that pamphlet as which he had a belief in the supernatural. both wars that Germany was still the the most concise argument for the myth For that reason, perhaps, he never felt land of Beethoven and Goethe. position. Simple and succinct but a hatred of religion. A contemporary effective would be a good description of described Cohen as one who examined T ike many brilliant men of the day, that pamphlet and for most of the religion much like an archeologist might 1 Jsuch as the well-known biologist writings of Cohen. visit a museum, curiously scrutinizing T. H. Huxley, Cohen was self-educated. Unfortunately, the Freethinker build- items of interest. Although Cohen He was a bibliophile and avidly collected ing received a direct hit during the eschewed Judaism and, in fact, opposed books all his life. His son, Raymond, Second World War (as did many Zionism, he refused to conceal his ethnic who became a physician and by no churches), but the paper came out on identity by changing his name, some- means had a dull mentality, told me that time. Nevertheless, the loss was sub- thing his son was later advised to do, he had always envied his father's speed stantial, as plates for many books, but he, too, refused. of reading. According to his son, Chap- including those of Cohen, were lost. The principal "giants" on the English man Cohen could merely glance at a page Even so, the books were available freethought scene who preceded Cohen and ingest the meaning of the contents around the world through the fifties. were Charles Bradlaugh, who won a seat completely. According to Raymond Only a few have been reprinted, but his in Parliament and started the National (now eighty-five years old), his father's writings have also been included in Secular Society, and G. W. Foote, who library was crammed with books and a anthologies. Hopefully, these will suffice began the publication of the Freethinker major problem was finding a place in for people to remember Cohen. and was its first editor. Religion had the already overcrowded library for yet Chapman Cohen is beyond knowing more power in those days and was more another item. In spite of the vast expanse the difference, but it would be free- able to show its teeth. Bradlaugh was of books, Chapman Cohen could go thought's loss if this great leader and prevented from taking his seat in Parlia- right to a volume he wanted and turn explainer should be forgotten. His time- ment for years and was unsuccessfully to the exact page for a quote or passage less philosophy enriches the literature prosecuted for distributing a pamphlet to show a friend. This unusual ability, even today, and a tip of the hat is in on birth control called "The Fruits of coupled with his great intellect, undoubt- order to his memory, as he set a standard Philosophy." Foote was prosecuted for edly enabled Cohen to function so well in all areas of life that few can emulate. • 42 FREE INQUIRY The Humanist Movement in Romania Humanism at the Crossroads

Eugen Dragut

omanian humanists believe that humanism is neither • support for a textbook on humanist morals and ethics an ideology nor a philosophical doctrine but the for high school pupils; Rnatural choice of individuals who take upon • support for the elaboration of a "Universal Declaration themselves the responsibility of living together in a human of Minorities' Rights." Facts and deeds are important and society. The responsibility thus assumed includes safeguarding create realistic conditions for the creation of a humanist of resources for the perpetuance of life on Earth. Humanism society. asserts that society should be the result of a democratic process Perhaps humanists for the first time are put face to face and that it should be based on justice and laws. It should with the idea of a humanist political party. Please do not be a society of free, responsible people. reject a priori our option. The realities of Romanian society We envision: are probably similar to those of other Eastern European • a human society based on justice and law; countries but slightly different from the realities of Western • an economic democracy that uses the mechanisms of society. Apolitical movements are restricted in their the market economy, and is based on private ownership educational and humanitarian operation and cannot influence guaranteed by the constitution; the decisions of the state administration. They have even less • a political democracy that combines citizen representation power in influencing political or legislative decisions. In the with participation at the level of the group or community; post-communist legislative vacuum all decisions have, for the • social and political consciousness that the individual time being, a political tint in all areas from education and cannot survive but as a part of the whole that we call nature; culture to ecology and social activities. Moreover, there still exists strong economic dependence of the individual upon • an educational system from which indoctrination has the state. In other words, the individual is not able to benefit been eliminated and which ensures personal options; from free democratic exercise, because of his economic • cultivation of humanist ethics based on the promotion dependence. of human dignity, on the right to free and unrestricted develop- Under these circumstances, many Romanian humanists ment of individual personality, compatible and responsible have expressed a desire for a political solution able to support as far as the rights of the other members of the society are and promote humanist values. • concerned. For us, humanism also represents the critical human spirit. Using the resources and solutions of science, men and women can find suitable solutions for themselves and society. There are two expressions of humanism in Romania: the Romanian Humanist Movement is comprised of people of various Indian Secular Society political affiliations who act to promote the idea of a state • The Indian Secular Society is a non-political organisation of men based on law, to maintain the separation between state and and women committed to secular human values and their promotion in Indian society. church, and to keep humanist ethics free from the spectre • It seeks to combat obscurantism in all its forms, in all spheres of of Marxist ideology. The Humanist Movement also supports life, and to educate public opinion, particularly where public sentiment social, educational, and cultural responsibility in relations runs counter to public interest. between humans, society, and nature. • It believes that the most serious threat to the development of India The humanist movement of Romania has its first objectives: as a secular democratic state guaranteeing individual freedom and social • actions in favor of citizens' economic independence from justice to its citizens comes from religious obscurantism and intolerance. the state and from financial groups, by using the economic • The bimonthly journal of the Society The Secularist is sent free techniques of franchising and/ or leasing; to all its members. Annual Membership U.S.$ 10; Life U.S.$ 100. Write to: Eugen Dragut is vice president of the newly formed Romanian The Indian Secular Society Humanist Movement. 850/8A, Shivajinagar, Pune 411 004, India.

Winter 1994/95 43 Religion and Secular Humanism in the Slovak Republic

Jaroslav Célko

n the 1991 census of population in Slovakia 72 percent percent in favor of atheists. A third group labeled as of adults declared a religious belief and 10 percent said "undecided" appeared as 23 percent of the results. In they were atheists. No religious affiliation was declared accordance with our previous experience one can presume by 18 percent. A non-religious spiritual platform was thus that some of these are atheists, especially ones who in 1989 adopted by 28 percent of people counted in the census. claimed to "keep their views for themselves." Further, this The results were to some extent a surprise. Some religious group may consist partly of people who, despite the proclaimed dignitaries had been proclaiming since the overturn of the anonymity of the poll, didn't want to disclose their stance. former regime that Slovakia was a "Christian country," Finally, it may include people who were simply in a stage because more than 90 percent of the inhabitants had allegedly of searching and refining their own spiritual platform. embraced religion. The results of the 1991 census didn't In general, the latter are not citizens who can be claimed confirm such views. unequivocally by clergy as "theirs." It is a potential pool of Secular humanists, in contrast to this, have noticed a candidates for secular humanism and about whom we have substantial difference between the results of this census and to care. data acquired by a poll made before the regime's demise in It appears that data acquired in the 1991 census will be 1989. At that time 24 percent said that they were willing to used with a continuing stress put on "declared" numbers but publicly declare their atheism while another 15 percent wished not on real religious belief. The efforts of religious to keep their atheistic convictions private. Between 1991 and organizations to ground all social activities in religion are 1986 there was an 11 percent decrease in the number of citizens finding substantial support not only with politicians, but also professing no religion. with certain public and state officials. First, we maintain that some decline must have occurred In this context the circumstances of the formation of the in the numbers of people who before the government changed new Slovak Republic are interesting. In the Constitution of in 1989 had been adherents of a scientific life stance. Second, Slovakia, in its first article there is a statement reading as one must take into account the overall political atmosphere, follows: "The Slovak Republic is a sovereign, democratic, law- varied kinds of pressure against people without religious faith, abiding State. It is not linked to any ideology or religion." absence of anonymity, the ideologic and political profile of Yet, there is official support for religion. An opposite tendency census-takers performing the census all exercised a great correlates, namely a negation of everything that is non- influence, especially in rural localities. Certain distortions religious. This applies also to humanism when its atheistic occurred when some citizens didn't fill in the space about aspect is emphasized. Amorality, consumerism, pornography, religion in the questionnaire. When census-takers asked others a high crime rate—all this is ascribed to atheism. whether they had been baptized, they were registered as Atheism is being identified as the basis for all evil that religious if their answer was affirmative. socialism represents, as well as the source of many present- In July 1993 an opinion poll conducted by the Slovak day difficulties. Furthermore, atheism is being connected with Institute of Statistics found that 57 percent of Slovakia's the Communist Party and its activities. But before November citizens considered themselves believers (15 percent less than 1989 in Slovakia nearly one-third of all party members in the 1991 year's census) and 20 percent considered themselves consisted of people professing some religion. At that time non-believers, if we combine the two groups of "atheists" and those who were functionaries didn't declare religious creeds. "non-believers." One can state an increase of more than 11 After a change in the society they often take the stand of devoted believers, and from their ranks are recruited the most Jaroslav Célko founded the Prometheus Society in January active adversaries of atheism, or at least what is considered 1990. He has had a long career in education, holding several to be atheism. university posts and delivering lectures on the history of The preference given to religion and religious institutions religion and atheism, cultural policy, and Marxist philosophy. has had a considerable economic impact on Slovakia. Slovakia was formerly part of Czechoslovakia. Churches and religious societies are supported by government funds. In this respect the new Slovak Republic sticks to the

44 FREE INQUIRY model of the former socialist state. Churches and religious societies get about 400 million Slovak crowns. They also "These days in Slovakia there is no equality receive other funds, such as subsidies for editing youth literature, cultural magazines, etc. Spending for education and between religious citizens and those with dif- culture have been cut by about 40 percent compared with ferent life stances. Secular humanists are ig- 1992. But these cuts don't apply to churches and religious nored or even subject to discrimination." societies financed by the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The bias against non-denominational citizens and atheists is reflected also in the economic situation of the radio broadcasters for more attention to issues concerning Prometheus Society. It doesn't receive any support from the non-denominational citizens have not been met with positive state administration. acceptance. Today in the Slovak Republic there are obstacles for In the field of education, two religious initiatives are humanists also in education and publishing. During the former underway: first, a complete renewal of the church school socialist system religious institutions published newspapers and system, and second, efforts to introduce religious indoctri- magazines (altogether ten periodicals). The print run was about nation into state schools. These efforts have received support 120,000 issues; these days the volume is many times higher. in government circles and, due to this, to a great extent also Issues of religion are dealt with also in periodicals not in the state administration. The occasional open expressions connected with any church. In Slovak television and radio, of discontent by teachers and parents are disregarded, even which are publicly owned, a special editorial board for religious in such cases when the majority disagrees. broadcasting has been created. Special religious programs are These days in Slovakia there is no equality between religious produced and room is given for religious broadcasting in daily citizens and those with different life stances. Secular humanists news reports and several other programs. On the other hand, are ignored or even subject to discrimination. Therefore, many as concerns humanist news, before November 1989 a people don't dare to express their stance in public. This has bimonthly periodical called Atheism was published in a definite bearing on the difficulties in expanding the Slovakia, which dealt with theoretical problems. It stopped Prometheus Society. at the beginning of 1990. Later on another periodical about Slovakia is in the process of transforming principles of civic ceremonies, the "New Way," was stopped as well. human rights and liberty into legislation. We hope that the For secular humanism there is no periodical. The government will make a commitment to tolerance and real Prometheus Society tries to publish a newsletter for its equality for humanists in Slovakia. Our Prometheus Society members and supporters. Demands to Slovak television and is prepared to support such efforts as much as we can. • TOWARD A NEW ENLIGHTENMENT Paul Kurtz THE PHILOSOPHY OF PAUL KURTZ Paul Kurtz Edited and with an introduction by Vern L. Bullough and Timothy J. Madigan This compilation of Kurtz's work focuses on the central issues that have concerned the philosopher throughout his career: ethics, politics, education, religion, science, and Toward pseudoscience. The chapters are linked by a common theme: the need for a new A New enlightenment, one committed to the use of rationality and skepticism, but also devoted to realizing the highest values of humanist culture. Enlightenment Many writings included here were first published in magazines and journals long THE PHILOSOPHY OF unavailable. Some of the essays have never before been published. They now appear PAUL KURTZ ■ as a coherent whole for the first time. Also included is an extensive bibliography of Kurtz's writings. Edited with a new introduction by Vern L. Bullough ISBN: 1-56000-118-6 (cloth) 376 pp. $39.95 and Timothy J. Madigan Order from your bookstore or direct from the publisher. Major credit cards accepted. Call (908) 932-2280. transaction publishers Department 93PAPK Rutgers—The State University transaction New Brunswick, NJ 08903 transaction publishers (U.K.) Ltd. Plymbridge Distributors Ltd. Estover, Plymouth PL6 7PZ transaction United Kingdom Winter 1994/95 45 Concern for Human Rights in Europe: The Balkanic Context

Jean-Claude Peckers Member of the Secretariat of the Academy of Humanism

In late September 1994, 155 partic- of Croatian Anti-Nazi Fighters (June are currently not respected. ipants from 22 countries met in 1944), and of the Dubrovnik-Phila- European scientists, in particular, Opatija (Croatia) to discuss "Peace, delphia Statement (1974), which de- feel very strongly that statesmen, Human Rights, and the Responsibil- fended the humanistic point of view, in general, should encourage world ity of Intellectuals." They were wri- under the signatures of Noel Baker, solidarity, and that they should, ters, artists, scientists (including Linus Pauling, A. Peccei, amongst each in their own country, or in Nobel laureates), political experts, many others. their own field, work as hard as and also some representatives of the It is natural that this declaration feasible to better monitor conditions victims in Bosnia. At the end of the addresses conditions now existing in and listen to objective evaluations meeting a group of seven represen- the territories of the former Yugo- whenever and wherever human rights tative members of the group wrote slavia, most notably in Bosnia. Of are violated and whenever and wher- the following declaration. course, circumstances in Rwanda, ever peace is menaced, the two The Opatija Declaration is the Somalia, and Cambodia are also problems being obviously quite inter- follow-up of the Topusko Congress critical cases, in which human rights dependent. The Opatija Declaration on Peace, Human Rights, and the Responsibility of Intellectuals

n line with the Dubrovnik-Philadelphia diversity and multicultural pluralism. Dubrovnik, Sarajevo, Mostar, and IStatement, we assert that the preven- The best way to resist and prevent Gorazde will never happen again. Intel- tion of war and violence calls for deter- aggression and genocide is by the affirma- lectual integrity and responsibility require mined actions, particularly against the tion of human rights in all its aspects. that we promote the strengthening or the establishment of ethnically cleansed Human rights are an essential guarantee creation of institutions to ensure universal states, which is one of the central dangers against totalitarianism. Their promotion accounting for crimes against peace, for to our civilization. Ethnic homogeneity is strengthens democracy in all countries. war crimes, crimes against humanity, currently being accomplished by aggres- The full respect for and the implemen- genocide, and gross and persistent viola- sive wars and terror in many parts of the tation of human rights offers the prospect tions of human rights. world. We condemn this dangerous aber- of just settlement of most conflicts, in par- We note with satisfaction that an ad ration and strongly denounce it as con- ticular minority issues, without the change hoc international tribunal has been trary to the basic and natural values of of borders or removal of population; it created for the prosecution of persons humanity. We call upon all intellectuals also mandates the return of refugees and responsible for war crimes, genocide, and to stand up against perpetrators of aggres- displaced persons to their homes with crimes against humanity in ex-Yugoslavia sion, genocide, and what has come to be proper compensations. since 1991. We call for the transformation called "ethnic cleansing." The intellectuals Women have been the victims of par- of this ad hoc tribunal into a permanent must promote the protection of all human ticularly ugly human rights violations in international court with expanded juris- and national rights and resist the pressure many recent conflagrations. Rape is used diction to include crimes against peace. of the planners of ethnic cleansing. as an instrument of war in total denial We recognize the interdependence of We advocate a new democratic, multi- of civilization. It is a war crime and crime peace and fundamental human rights national, and multicultural Europe based against humanity. Every effort should be protection. on respect of human rights, economic made to punish all those responsible. The The eradication of war and the real- cooperation, and bridge-building. intimidation of witnesses and suppression ization of human rights are not unattain- We reiterate the fundamental concept of evidence is a crime in itself. able goals. of human solidarity which transcends all We emphasize the imperative legal divisions based on color, religion, gender, obligation of the world community to take Alexandre Blokh Helmut Moritz nationhood, class, and language. Human all adequate measures to repel acts of Joseph Bombelles Winston Nagan solidarity makes possible the culture and aggression and gross violations of human Francesco Calogero No Slaus practice of democracy, which thrives on rights, so that tragedies of Vukovar, Jorri Duurama

46 FREE INQUIRY Reason and Rationality: The Core Doctrines of Secular Humanism

S. Matthew D'Agostino

ne of the central tenets of secular humanism—perhaps The gods of Ancient Greece, led by Zeus and Hera, were the central tenet—is the conviction that the unaided not represented in Greek thought as being all-knowing and Ohuman intellect, the "reason," as it has often been powerful. They spent a fair amount of time quarreling amongst called, is the most capable guide that we can follow through- themselves. Nor was their moral stature completely above out life. It has been the vehicle driving the Western scien- reproach. Perhaps, in the Greek mind, the relative incapacity tific endeavor to understand and to control nature and, as of the gods left room for human action. In any event, it was such, is the principal source of our considerable technological distinctly human acts—and their inherent splendor—that most power. Many thinkers, some famous, some not, have also fascinated Greek artists, poets, and thinkers. developed rationalistic approaches for the diverse ethical and The Greeks before Troy certainly needed no help from political problems that arise from our living within societies. their gods; they took the city by their own efforts and by Humanists tend to favor the intellect and rationality over and a meticulous, remarkably cunning plan. After years of failing against all the other established candidates that clamor for to take Troy by direct assault, the Greek army feigned a attention—faith, divine revelation, authority, intuition, and dispirited retreat from the city, but left behind an enormous emotion. It should prove helpful to briefly study how the wooden horse as an offering to their gods to ensure their concept of reason originally developed, and how it has come safe return home from Asia Minor. They also thoughtfully down to us today. left behind a few "deserters" to explain it all to the Trojans. The elated Trojans then dragged the horse within the city It Started with the Greeks walls as the centerpiece for their own victory celebrations and as a tribute to their city's gods. Sometime later, after the he concept of reason was developed by the Greek merry making, a team of Greek commandos, who had been Tphilosophers, especially Plato and Aristotle. But well concealed within the horse, silently slipped out and opened before their philosophers ever set pen to parchment, the ancient the city gates to the Greek army, which had returned by secret Greeks had long celebrated tough-mindedness and an forced marches. The contrast with Joshua and his rams' horn- energetic, enterprising intelligence. Their favorite epics, which blowing Israelites is striking: rather than rely on their gods, recounted the long war against Troy and how it was fought the Greek captains, completely self-reliant and with a rather and won, are indicative. cynical perspective on their enemy's religious devotion, had Please understand at the outset that the taking of a forti- used their heads to craft a clever subterfuge to win their war. And all that at least a thousand years before the birth of fied, walled city was a nearly insurmountable problem for Christ. It is of no matter that the epics might not have been an ancient army. It required siege machines, catapults, and, literally true. The Greeks believed that they were true and ultimately, artillery to breach the walls—none of which had educated their children accordingly. yet been invented. And as a contrast to the Greek victory The Iliad also shows an early and quite remarkable Greek at Troy, recall the Old Testament's "report" of the fall of commitment to open discussion and debate in public Jericho to Joshua's Israelites. Joshua followed God's assemblies. Indeed, the poem opens with an assembly in which instructions to the letter. And after his priests, bearing the a common soldier bests a king and several nobles in giving Ark of the Covenant and carrying rams' horns, closely followed a correct explanation. Respect for the persuasive power of by the Israelite army, marched around the city seven times, objective evidence was the basis of such assemblies. And that and blew their horns and shouted, then God, we are told, was quite a different approach than the oracular announce- miraculously knocked down the walls of Jericho for them. ments and damnations so often hurled by the ancient Hebrew prophets. S. Matthew D'Agostino is a filmmaker. He wrote Thinking At the hands of philosophers, the traditional Greek Things Through, an educational film series on critical thinking. championing of practical intelligence was to undergo a He is also Executive Director of the Capital District Humanist dramatic, near-incredible expansion—one that went far Society of Albany, New York. beyond any value reason might have in warfare--to a view of human beings as possessing an intellect powerful enough

Winter 1994/95 47 to grasp or understand virtually the entire universe. And our interesting when he traces the precise lines of the Greek capacity to reason was at the very root of their concept of development, and in his psychological and social analysis of the intellect. the cultural preconditions that led to their flourishing scientific enterprise. Grasping Logically Necessary Connections Over the long haul of the history of philosophy, reason has been associated with the notion of innate ideas and the or the Greek philosophers, reason was the capacity for possibility of our coming to understand the world without Fgrasping logically necessary connections. It is the human actually experiencing it (Plato, Plotinus, Hegel, et al.) and faculty or capability—it may or may not be shared by other with more experience-based approaches (Aristotle, Locke, et animals—of being able to see "with the mind's eye" that certain al.). In the modern era, the experience-based approaches have statements are logically entailed by others. Geometry and its won out. We are all empiricists now, and, when trying to theorems were the areas of research where this intellectual understand nature, are only inclined to accept factual evidence. capacity was first noticed—as when we grasp that two lines And we have broadened reason's meaning beyond appre- cannot fully enclose a space, or follow the demonstration that hending strictly necessary connections to include inductive the base angles of an isosceles triangle must be equal. Reason logic and probabilistic results as well. seemed to the Greeks to lay hold of things that were objectively and universally true, and was the best way around the diffi- The Modern Concept of Reason culties caused by subjective interpretations and the influence of cultural biases. Plato thought that this intellectual skill cogent statement of what we might call "reason's range," was so crucial that individuals should not begin the more Awas developed by the British philosopher G. J. Warnock serious part of their education until and unless they had first for the much respected Encyclopedia of Philosophy: mastered geometry. A sign above the entrance to his school, the Academy, the Western world's first university, read: "Let ... it embraces the entire field of knowledge and inquiry no man enter here who does not know geometry." in which, with varying degrees of skill and success, we produce or seek reasons for our views, proofs of or evidence for our conclusions, and grounds for our opinions. "Well before their philosophers ever set pen [Encyclopedia of Philosophy, vol. 7, p. 84, Macmillan to parchment, the ancient Greeks had long Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1967] celebrated tough-mindedness and an ener- The logician Professor Lionel Ruby nicely stated the funda- getic, enterprising intelligence." mental law of reason and rationality in his basic text:

Every person who is interested in logical thinking accepts Building on the earlier achievements of Greek science and what we call the "law of rationality," which may be stated mathematics, their philosophers, especially Aristotle, believed as follows: We ought to justify our conclusions by adequate that the world was a vast nexus of things that were causally evidence.... Let it suffice here to say that by "adequate related to each other, a. necessary system in which one thing evidence" we mean evidence which is good and sufficient in terms of the kind of proof which is required. There are or process affected others, and was in turn affected by them. occasions when it is sufficient to establish the probability of The reasoning part of our minds could come to understand a given conclusion, as in weather prediction. But in all cases and articulate this web of connections. When our thoughts the evidence must be adequate to its purpose. [Logic, 2nd move along the path from premises to a conclusion, from Ed., p. 131, J. B. Lippincott Co., New York, 1960] factual evidence to the truth or probability of a specific hypothesis—i.e., when we reason correctly—we are tracing Professor Ruby added an interesting remark, "Though few, out the actual links that bind the universe together. This human if any, will have the temerity or foolishness to challenge the attempt to understand the various connections between things law of rationality, it is often evaded." I certainly agree. Let's and to try to describe them correctly was called episteme by consider some of the principal evasions that clamor for the Greeks, usually translated as "knowing." The Romans attention. translated episteme into Latin as scire, and that is the origin of the familiar contemporary English word science. Evading the Law of Rationality—Faith In a recent book, the noted physicist and science-educator Dr. Alan Cromer has argued convincingly that the ancient ost of the major religions, and a great many smaller Greeks' creation of science was an extraordinary, unique Msects as well, claim that the fundamental doctrines achievement (Uncommon Sense, Oxford University Press, underlying their organizations and rites of worship should New York, 1993). In the absence of Greek or later Western be accepted on faith. In most cases, they would admit that influences, no other cultures have ever managed to construct there is either no factual evidence or insufficient evidence to objective sciences—though in India, the Middle East, and prove their doctrines beyond a reasonable doubt. Faith, then, especially in China the technical arts and crafts were often as Webster's tells us, is a person's unquestioning belief in one developed to a high degree. Cromer's treatment is most or more propositions that do not have proof or evidence,

48 FREE INQUIRY or are not thought to need proof or evidence. What should we make of this? Believing a proposition to be true on faith—say, that God "At the hands of philosophers, the traditional exists, or is divided into three divine persons, or that He loves Greek championing of practical intelligence and cares for us, etc.—constitutes a fairly direct violation of was to undergo a dramatic, near-incredible the law of rationality. No intelligent person should ever accept expansion—one that went far beyond any a proposition on faith. Why exactly? Because to do so leaves far too much room for wishful thinking to enter the picture. value reason might have in warfare—to a Many of the everyday errors we commit are a result of our view of human beings as possessing an letting our desires and interests influence the way we perceive intellect powerful enough to grasp or under- reality. Once we permit ourselves to float free of the anchor of evidence, we are most likely to "find" realities that please stand virtually the entire universe." us dearly, that answer to our heart's content. But the problem with such "floating" is that, all too often, what is pleasing then accepted or rejected on the basis of the relevant factual and what actually turns out to be true can be very different. evidence. But they merit no special consideration whatsoever. It is precisely the ongoing search for and respect for solid factual evidence that ensures our enduring link to the real Evading the Law of Rationality— world. Intuition and Emotion Faith is a highly inadequate intellectual method, as it can provide the same warrant for both a proposition and its ost people do not seem to get very involved with intricate contraries, and even in some cases its self-contradiction. If theological issues or abstruse arguments between the I cut myself off from evidence, I could just as easily believe church fathers, or have highly personal, nearly inexpressible, that there is one and only one God, that there are three divine mystical visions of the inner nature of the deity. But we persons in one God, that there are thirty-seven divine persons, certainly do have our hunches about this or that individual two divine doves, and one brand new, divine vacuum cleaner or event in everyday life. Intuitions and hunches are virtually within one God, etc. I would have no way to decide between the main stuff of our mental lives. We tend to put a very these propositions. (One of the principal reasons that religious great deal of stock in our own intuitions, and this is especially conflicts have been so ferocious is because the adherents, so when our developing view on some matter is accompanied having very little factual evidence to use against each other, by strong feelings or emotions. Nonetheless, and regardless must resort to persuasion by intimidation and violence.) of the emotional force with which they strike us, accepting Religious faith involves flagrant irresponsibility. It is odd one's own or a respected other's intuitive judgments is not that this has not been widely noticed. Consider, it might make rational. Only objective, factual evidence can warrant a some sense to accept relatively trivial propositions on faith, proposition, and it is to the quantity and quality of the evidence i.e., where one doesn't feel the need to gather evidence. For that exists or can be found for a proposition that we must example, I might accept on faith someone's claim that, each look. How strongly we feel about some proposition's being morning, it is better to put on the right shoe before the left true or false is more a statement about us, our makeup and shoe. I cannot imagine that it makes much difference one our personal history and tastes than it is about the world way or the other which shoe goes on first, so if my devout that the proposition describes. Again, evidence from that world Aunt Tilly insists that it should be the right shoe, well .. . is what is needed. O.K. The major religions, however, do not concern them- Rationalism, when it strikes close to home like this, is most selves with trivial questions. Their doctrines cover the meaning unappealing. But it remains the correct approach nonethe- and purpose of existence and how human life should be lived. less, even when our most cherished notions and postures might There are no more central or important issues than these. be called into question. Who among us can say that they They deserve the most careful, painstaking thought and evi- have never been mistaken in anything they felt deeply about, dential analysis that we are capable of—our very best that events never proved them wrong? I cannot say that. I, intellectual methods, not the shoddiest. and presumably the reader, have been wrong numerous times. But then, we cannot take our feeling deeply about something Evading the Law of Rationality— as an indication that that something is true or false. Revelation and Authority Intuitions should certainly be treated with respect. And they should be welcomed when they come. But we should f there is no God, and never was, what He might have try as best we can to view one of our own intuitions as an Iwhispered to prophets and biblical authors some thousands hypothesis, as a proposition still requiring proof. Intuitions of years ago, or what His august, miter-wearing representatives and hunches are a marvelous, rich source of hypotheses. The on Earth insist on instructing us about today, cannot have fact that at times we might be too busy, too lazy, or simply much clout. However, as some of these individuals were unable for one reason or another to find and articulate the thoughtful men and women, they may be correct nonethe- facts and evidence that would give credence to our intuitions, less. And their views on any issue should be considered, and should never lead us to think that the intuitions, in and of

Winter 1994/95 49 themselves, were known to be true. One of the more pernicious attacks made against rationalists If the situation we find ourselves in requires that we is the counterclaim that our belief in reason is itself nothing take some practical action before a hypothesis can be more than a leap of faith, and that, at base, we are really thoroughly checked, then, by all means, take the actions no more rational than the most superstitious individuals. If needed. But as plans built on falsehoods tend to go awry, that were true, it would prove quite embarrassing. But it is do so with rather more caution than one might use ordinarily, not true—not in the least. and be prepared if and when the affair should begin to We are the first species on Earth to discover who and miscarry. what we are, and how we came to be that way. And that has been known for only little more than a hundred years Reaching for the Sky now. Reason and science won us that! Further, we are convinced that reason is the best, most practical guide for living rr he role of reason in ethical and political theory is a vast because we have seen, over and over again, that it gets superb subject, and very much beyond the scope of this article. results. Nonetheless, there is something of an ethical sense that can When it comes to moving mountains, reason is far the and should be said. A rationalist, as I understand that term, better tool than faith. When and where necessary, our engineers is a person who sincerely tries to base his or her ideas on have knocked down mountains galore, blasted rail and road factual evidence, as much as possible. Now, ideas and vague tunnels through solid rock, and spanned terrible gorges with theories are often fairly easy to come by—solid, reliable slender steel bridges held in place by mathematical equations. evidence much less so. So we can expect that practicing People dreamed of being able to fly for thousands of years— rationalists will develop a spirit of tolerance and what has recall the ancient myth of Daedalus—but it took disciplined often been called, "a" reasonable temperament. For they must intelligence to actually get us off the ground. Within the time be curious, and be always and everywhere open to new evidence span of a single human life (from December 17, 1903, at Kitty and fresh experiences—from whatever quarter these might Hawk to July 20, 1969, at Tranquility Base), we turned that come. There is no room for arrogant chest-beating and the age-old dream into the reality of flight. Using reason, we have like. Loud thumping noises could easily drown out a precious quite literally been able to hurl ourselves into the sky, and whisper of new evidence. toward the heavens beyond. • THE INSTITUTE FOR INQUIRY presents "Looking for a Miracle: A Skeptical Inquiry" A 1WO-DAY WORKSHOP — Friday, January 14, 1995, 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. Saturday, January 15, 1995, 9:00 A.M.-NOON HOLIDAY INN—(North Central) 4321 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona Workshop Leaders: Joe Nickell teaches at the University of Kentucky. He has extensive experience in paranormal investigating and has written several books, including Looking for a Miracle (see the review on p. 62.). Randel Helms is Professor of English, Arizona State University, and author of Gospel Fictions. He wrote the article "On Miracles" for the Spring 1984 issue of FREE INQUIRY. Hans Sebald is Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Arizona State University, and an international expert on the history of witchcraft in Europe. He wrote the article "State and Church in Modern Germany" for the Winter 1993/94 issue of FREE INQUIRY. Timothy J. Madigan is Executive Editor of FREE INQUIRY and co-editor of the Secular Humanist Bulletin Topics to be explored include: Biblical Miracles; The Shroud of Turin; Weeping Statues; Witchcraft Claims; and Why Do People Believe in Miracles?

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Use Visa or MasterCard and call toll-free 1-800-458-1366. For further information, call Tim Madigan at 716-636-7571. 12/94 50 FREE INQUIRY would have hoped that your author would be aware that John Ridpath and Leonard Peikoff debated two Canadian Readers' Forum socialists at York University in 1984. This debate was attended by 1,700 people. One would think he would also know about Dr. Ridpath's debate with Bob Rae, now the Premier of Ontario, in More on Ayn Rand 1990. The Ayn Rand Institute maintains a speakers bureau which, among other In the Summer 1994 FREE INQUIRY we published "Was Ayn Rand a Humanist?" things, makes speakers available for by Jeffrey Walker. Some readers responded strongly to the author's criticism of debates at colleges all over North Rand, and we print their reactions below. Jeffrey Walker then responds.—EDS. America. 3. In referring to Atlas Shrugged he As I understand it, your publication is My eye was first caught by Walker's says, "The book is read mainly by senior associated with the valiant efforts of concluding sentence, "Every sensible high school students." There is abso- some scholars to debunk pseudoscience man, every honorable man, must hold lutely no data upon which such an and to raise the alarm as to the dangers the Randian sect in horror." I must absurd statement could be based. Well of the methods and conclusions of pseu- confess, that sounded a bit shrill. It did over 100,000 copies of this novel are sold doscientists. If a "scholar" approached reflect the tone of the entire article, which in the United States each year. In a 1991 you with a paper on a topic for which is remarkable considering what he survey of readers conducted by the he clearly had a strongly held emotional accused Objectivists of being like. Book-of-the-Month Club with the mind-set, sufficient to allow him to evade Reading the article was like having Library of Congress, more readers cited and misrepresent facts, let alone indulge someone scream in your face for thirty Atlas Shrugged as the book having the in blatant sarcasm and ad hominem minutes that you should be more tolerant most influence on their lives than any attacks, I would expect you to reject such of other ideas. Some of the wording was other book except the Bible (which had a paper immediately. virtually the same as attacks on Ayn a head start). To respond to every error, sarcasm, Rand in the 1950s from the religious and ad hominem sneer would require a right, which one would not expect to Richard E. Ralston paper much longer than you would read see in your publication. Director of Development and or I care to write. I will, however, offer When Walker first approached us Academic Programs my speculation on what the root is of about his radio program he presented The Ayn Rand Institute Mr. Walker's hatred for and misrepres- himself as wanting to produce a "tribute" Marina Del Rey, Calif. entation of Ayn Rand. In this article he to Ayn Rand upon the thirty-fifth repeatedly praises tolerance, pragma- anniversary of Atlas Shrugged, a book Yes, there are people who regard Objec- tism, and the concrete, while condemn- that he now describes in your magazine tivism as a closed system of ideas. But ing absolutes, the philosophically uni- as "a gusher of hatred and contempt." many of us hold that Rand's work is versal, certainty as dangerous authori- We did not discover until his program a foundation for further inquiry to tarianism—making at one point the was broadcast that he was a passionate extend her ideas and, where the evidence incredibly silly and self-contradictory hater of Ayn Rand and her writings. He requires it, to modify them; and that a statement that philosophical opposition presented his program as journalism, i.e., process of open discussion and debate, to communism has to be based on "a as being about Ayn Rand, when it would especially with critics, is a necessary proven falsehood." Outside the domain have been more accurately titled "Why condition for such inquiry. of absolutes, of truth, this means nothing I Hate Ayn Rand." Walker knows about this other wing at all. If one considers the threat that Walker has no regard for facts. Here of the Objectivist movement, having absolutism and Ayn Rand represent to are just three examples: interviewed me and other scholars mushy, approximate, compromising 1. The first words of the article are associated with the Institute in connec- pseudointellectuality, it is easy to a simple mistake: "1994 is the fiftieth tion with a radio program he prepared understand the hatred this article reeks anniversary of the publication of Ayn some years ago, but we do not fit his of and the errors it contains. Rand's novel The Fountainhead." That preconceptions. novel was published in 1943 and we cele- As for his vitriolic remarks on Atlas John B. Ridpath brated the fiftieth anniversary last year. Shrugged, the book is its own best de- Assoc. Professor Sorry he missed it. fense. I urge readers to judge for them- Economics and Intellectual 2. "Neither Rand nor her spokesmen selves whether Rand's moral idealism is History have ever chosen to debate Objectivism's "a gusher of contempt for the 99.9 York University critics." This is a very broad and unquali- percent of humanity who fall short of Ontario, Canada fied statement. Being from Toronto, one the Randian ideal man," or whether it Winter 1994/95 51 is, as Rand herself said, a testament "to proceeds to take that form of "argument" versary of The Fountainhead. Delayed the glory of Man." Walker's attitude to new lows, flinging accusations of by six months, the mistake somehow reminds me of humanitarianism voiced emotionalism, dishonesty, misrepresen- escaped everyone's notice, mine as well. by the villain Ellsworth Toohey in The tation, and Rand hatred. Sorry, he does I have heard three Objectivist- Fountainhead: "Which is kinder—to not present one piece of evidence. sponsored debates on capitalism versus believe the best of people and burden Presumably, the very choicest bit is my socialism, and others on animal rights them with a nobility beyond their "incredibly silly and self-contradictory and psychotherapy. But they were not endurance—or to see them as they are, statement that philosophical opposition on Objectivist philosophy. As for Rand, and accept it because it makes them to communism has to be based on 'a as Barbara Branden told me, "She never comfortable? Kindness being more proven falsehood.' " This is a simple answered her critics, ever." important than justice, of course." misreading of the text, or a mishearing By "mainly" I did mean mainly, not if it was read to him over the phone. all. As for the Book-of-the-Month Club David Kelley, Exec. Director, "Proven falsehood" is quite obviously survey, Ralston wisely omits mentioning Institute for Objectivist Studies referring to communism, not opposition that a mere 17 readers from all over Poughkeepsie, N.Y. to communism. America (1.7 percent of respondents) cited Atlas; 166 cited the Bible. I have been a student of Objectivism for * * * over thirty years and have found Ayn Rand's views very promising and fruitful My concluding paraphrase of Voltaire Kelley writes, "Yes, there are people who for purposes of approaching and even could hardly be said to reflect the tone regard Objectivism as a closed system solving philosophical problems. Jeff of the whole article. Naturally Richard of ideas." What Kelley is afraid to admit Walker's diatribe does neither Rand nor Ralston, alarmed at that dramatic is that these people make up the vast FREE INQUIRY any justice. I am sure summing-up, prefers to read its tone into majority of that movement. Kelley's east- that the bulk of those who take Rand every preceding paragraph so as to justify coast contingent is a dove wing greatly seriously—as distinct from simply an effortless dismissal of the whole. I overpowered by Leonard Peikoffs west idolizing her—will not see themselves in also regard his attempt to characterize coast pterodactyl wing. what Walker claims of them (e.g., as my critique as a religious-styled one— So impoverished is the Randian ap- being "abject sycophants"). without offering any instance of this— preciation of the real world or even of It is too bad you chose Walker as as a rather feeble attempt to appeal to fiction outside the Randworld that it's the person to discuss Rand—there are the secular instincts of Frs readership. a given for any critic that he or she many others who could have done a That I am a "passionate hater of Ayn eventually will be compared to a Ran- more objective, albeit non-adoring, job Rand and her writings" is allegedly dian villain. And even Leonard Peikoff, of it. proven by my CBC programs on Rand. in an answer to a question at one of Tibor R. Machan Yet many of Ayn Rand's admirers wrote his lectures, admits that Ellsworth Contributing Editor, FI letters to me expressing how much they Toohey is an impossible character Professor of Philosophy enjoyed the programs and how fair they outside of fiction. Also, note the false Auburn University were, including Rand biographer Bar- dichotomy between self-acceptance and Auburn, Alabama bara Branden, Rand intimate Joan self-actualization that Rand endorses in Blumenthal, inner circle member Kay the Toohey quote, one that even Rand's Nolte Smith, and Ron Merrill (author initial choice of heir, Nathaniel Branden, of The Ideas of Ayn Rand). Philosopher felt obliged to jettison in the wake of Jeff Walker Replies Antony Flew wrote that, if anything, the adverse reaction to his The Psychology programs were "too gentle rather than of Self-Esteem (1969). Naturally, Kelley John B. Ridpath gets everything wrong too harsh." Libertarian book distributor told me he regards that book as "sound from the outset, where he confuses FREE Laissez-Faire, with pages of Objectivist Objectivist doctrine." INQUIRY with the Skeptical Inquirer. merchandise including Rand's own * * * And in the light of Rand's proud claim works in its catalogue, wouldn't have that her Objectivist epistemology and been selling cassettes of the CBC pro- Re Tibor Machan's comments: first, a ethics constitute a science—she is not grams for the past two years if they mani- spirited critique is not a diatribe. Second, using the term in the weaker sense of fested a passionate hatred of Ayn Rand. just as chanting "Reason, reason, "culinary science" or the "science of As for how I characterized my CBC reason" is no guarantee of clear reason- theology"—to critique Rand's work is program, I always qualified "tribute." I ing, being an Objectivist, a former indeed "to debunk pseudoscience and to was only part way into my research when Objectivist, a neo-Objectivist, or simply raise the alarm as to the dangers of I visited ARI and couldn't know how a lifelong student of the philosophy pseudoscientists." critical the show would be. whose borrowed name includes the word It is difficult to take seriously charges The article was intended for publica- objectiv[e] confers no guarantee of or of ad hominem from someone who tion in 1993, to mark the fiftieth anni- monopolization on objectivity. •

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Fall 1994, Vol. 14, no. 4 - Defending Pro- Fall 1991, Vol. 11, no. 4 - Medicide: The Sidney Hook on the Future of Marxism; The metheus: 0n Consciousness; Becoming Post- Goodness of Planned Death (An Interview Case of "Ivan the Terrible"; Humanism in the human; Albert Camus; Secularism in with Dr. Jack Kevorkian); The Critical Need Black Community; The Marriage of Church Australia; Religion as a Human Science. for Organ Donations; The Untold Story of and State in Ireland; Separation of Church Summer 1994, Vol. 14, no. 3 - Do Children the Persian Gulf War; Is Santa Claus and State in Western Europe; Abortion or Need Religion? Humanism in Ghana and Corrupting Our Children's Morals? The Adoption? Mexico; Was Ayn Rand a Humanist?; Biblical Continuing Abortion Battle in Canada; What Spring 1989, Vol. 9, no. 2 - Can We Achieve Contradictions on Salvation. Does the Bible Say About Abortion? New Immortality? 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Viruses of the Mind; "The Universalist Association; Upholding the Wall Spring 1988, Vol. 8, no. 2 - The First Easter; Incredible Discovery of Noah's Ark": An of Separation; Scientific Humanism and Reli- Is Religiosity Pathological? Israel's Orthodox Archaeological Quest? Islamic Intolerance. gion; Christianity: The Cultural Chameleon; Jews; The Alabama Textbook Case; The Spring 1993, Vol. 13, no. 2 - Does Humanism Tolerance of Homosexuality; Was Karl Marx Resurrection Debate. Encourage Human Chauvinism? On Bio- a Social Scientist? Why I Am Not a Mormon. Winter 1987/88, Vol. 8, no. 1 - Voices of diversity-An Exclusive Interview with E. O. Winter 1990/91, Vol.11, no.1- The Bertrand Dissent within the Catholic Church; Euprax- Wilson; Is the U.S.A. a Christian Nation? Russell Case; Europe '92: Secularization and ophy; The Humanist Identity; God and the Homosexuality: Right or Wrong? Who Was Religion in Conflict; The Irish Republic; The Holocaust; Psychic Astronomy. John the Baptist? 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Reflections on the Fall 1986, Vol. 6, no. 4 -- New Secular Watchtower Society; An Interview with Sir Democratic Revolutions of Our Time. Humanist Centers; The Case Against Rein- Hermann Bondi; The Jesus Phenomenon in Winter 1989/90, Vol. 10, no. 1-Interviews carnation (Part 1); Protestantism, Catholi- Korea; Humanism in Nigeria; Sexual Arche- with Steve Allen and Paul MacCready; Moral cism, and Unbelief in Present-Day France; types in Transition; Mary Wollstonecraft and Education; Eupraxophy: The Need to Build More on Faith-Healing. Women's Rights. Secular Humanist Centers; Religion in the Summer 1986, Vol. 6, no. 3 - The Shocking Winter 1991/92, Vol. 12, no. 1 - The Hospice Public Schools? Truth About Faith-Healing; Belief and Way of Dying; Crisis in the Southern Baptist Fall 1989, Vol. 9, no. 4 - In Defense of Unbelief Worldwide. Convention; FI Interview: Church and State Libertarianism; Humanism and Socialism; Spring 1986, Vol. 6, no. 2 - Faith-Healing- in Poland and Hungary; Reopening the Militant Atheism; The Pseudo-Problem of Miracle or Fraud? The Effect of Intelligence American Mind: Alternatives to Relativism Creation in Physical Cosmology. on U.S. Religious Faith. and Positivism. Summer 1989, Vol. 9, no. 3 - Interview with Winter 1985/86, Vol. 6, no. 1 - Is Secular

Humanism a Religion? An Interview with lyptic; Is the U.S. Humanist Movement in a Confronts Hume; Humanism and Politics. Adolf Grünbaum; Homer Duncan's Crusade State of Collapse? Summer 1982, Vol. 2, no. 3 - A Symposium Against Secular Humanism; Should a Human- Spring 1984, Vol. 4, no. 2 - Christian Science on Science, the Bible, and Darwin; Ethics and ist Celebrate Christmas? Practitioners and Legal Protection for Chil- Religion; Science and Religion. Fall 1985, Vol. 5, no. 4 - Two Forms of dren; Biblical Views of Sex; A Naturalistic Spring 1982, Vol. 2, no. 2 - Interview with Humanistic Psychology; Philosophy of Basis for Morality; Humanist Self-Portraits. Isaac Asimov on Science and the Bible; Science and Psychoanalysis; The Death Knell Winter 1983/84, Vol. 4, no. 1 - Interview Humanism as an American Heritage; The of Psychoanalysis; New Testament Scholar- with B. F. Skinner; Was George Orwell a Nativity Legends; Norman Podhoretz's Neo- ship and Christian Belief; The Winter Solstice Humanist? Population Control vs. Freedom Puritanism. and the Origins of Christmas. in China; Academic Freedom at Liberty Winter 1981/82, Vol. 2, no. 1 - The Impor- Summer 1985, Vol. 5, no. 3 - Finding Baptist College; Joseph Smith and the Book tance of Critical Discussion; Freedom and Common Ground Between Believers and of Mormon; Who Really Killed Goliath? Civilization; Humanism: The Conscience of Unbelievers; Interview with Sidney Hook on Humanism in Norway. Humanity; Secularism in Islam; Humanism in China, Marxism, and Human Freedom; Evan- Fall 1983, Vol. 3, no. 4 - The Future of the 1980s; The Effect of Education on Reli- gelical Agnosticism; The Legacy of Voltaire Humanism; Humanist Self-Portraits; Inter- gious Faith. (Part 2). view with Paul MacCready; A Personal F211 1981, Vol. 1, no. 4 - Secular Humanists- Spring 1985, Vol. 5, no. 2 - Update on the Humanist Manifesto; The Enduring Humanist Threat or Menace? Financing of the Repres- Shroud of Turin; The Vatican's View of Sex; Legacy of Greece; 0n the Sesquicentennial of sive Right; Communism and American An Interview with E. 0. Wilson; Parapsychol- Robert Ingersoll; The Historicity of Jesus. Intellectuals; The Future of Religion; Resur- ogy; The Legacy of Voltaire (Part 1); The Summer 1983, Vol. 3, no. 3 - Religion in rection Fictions. 0rigins of Christianity. American Politics; Bibliography for Biblical Summer 1981, Vol. 1, no. 3 - Sex Education; Winter 1984/85, Vol. 5, no. 1 - Are American Study. The New Book-Burners; New Evidence on the Educational Reforms Doomed? The Apoca- Spring 1983, Vol. 3, no. 2 - The Founding Shroud of Turin; Agnosticism; Science and lypticism of the Jehovah's Witnesses; Animal Fathers and Religious Liberty; The Murder Religion; Secular Humanism in Israel. Rights Re-evaluated; Elmina Slenker. of Hypatia of Alexandria; Hannah Arendt; Spring 1981, Vol. 1, no. 2 - The Secular Fall 1984, Vol. 4, no. 4 - Humanists vs. Was Karl Marx a Humanist? Humanist Declaration; New England Puritans Christians in Milledgeville; Suppression and Winter 1982/83, Vol. 3, no. 1 - Academic and the Moral Majority; 0n the Way to Censorship in the Seventh-Day Adventist Freedom Under Assault in California; Inter- Mecca; The Blasphemy Laws; Does God Church; Keeping the Secrets of the Dead Sea view with Corliss Lamont; Was Jesus a Exist? Prophets of the Procrustean Collective; Scrolls; Health Superstition; Humanism in Magician? Astronomy and the 'Star of Bethle- The Madrid Conference; Natural Aristocracy. Africa and Illusion. hem'; The Strange Case of Paul Feyerabend. Winter 1980/81, Vol. 1, no. 1 - Secular Summer 1984, Vol. 4, no. 3 - School Prayer; Fall 1982, Vol. 2, no. 4 - An Interview with Humanist Declaration; The Creation/ Evolu- Science vs. Religion in Future Constitutional Sidney Hook at Eighty; The Religion and tion Controversy; Moral Education; Morality Conflicts; Armageddon and Biblical Apoca- Biblical Criticism Research Project; Boswell Without Religion; The Road to Freedom. FREE INQUIRY Six-Year Index (Volumes 1-6, 1980-1986) 39 pp. $10.00 (includes postage).

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Smith associate professorship at the resolutely whether Joseph Smith might have (Buffalo, N.Y.: Prometheus Books), Salt secular University of Utah. borrowed just a handful of early Mor- Lake City, Utah: Signature Books) xxiii Salt Lake City-based Signature mon doctrines from Freemasonry. That + 162 pp., cloth $29.95. Books has been the third and perhaps inclination would be sadly misguided, as the sharpest point of focus for church George D. Smith's new anthology, or approximately two years the rebuke. No fewer than five scholars Religion, Feminism, and Freedom of AI Church of Jesus Christ of Latter published under its imprint have been Conscience: A Mormon! Humanist Day Saints has been engaged in what excommunicated. Lavina Fielding Dialogue, makes achingly clear. Smith might be called a "centrist purge." Ultra- Anderson, editor of The Journal of is founder and president of Signature conservative Mormon leaders based in Mormon History, published a 1993 Books. In September 1993 he joined with rural Utah, Idaho, and Colorado have study in Dialogue documenting more FREE INQUIRY to sponsor an unprece- been censured, disfellowshipped (barred than one hundred cases of ecclesiastical dented dialogue between liberal Mor- from participation in church activities), abuse in which Mormon leaders used mon and secular humanist scholars. and excommunicated in numbers incon- threats of church discipline to force Held at Salt Lake City, the "Human- ceivable five years earlier. This same scholars and others to toe an orthodox ist/ Mormon Dialogue" hosted Lavina voracious ax has fallen on Mormon line. Maxine Hanks edited Signature's Fielding Anderson and Maxine Hanks liberals. The death of longtime church Women and Authority: Re-Emerging just days after their excommunications. president Ezra Taft Benson has brought Mormon Feminism. Other casualties Also present was Cecelia Konchar Farr, no visible change. among Signature authors include D. a BYU professor who had been denied If LDS purges of the survivalist, Michael Quinn, Paul Toscano, and tenure because of her feminism. Allen clandestinely polygamous Mormon David P. Wright. For its part, Signature Dale Roberts and Martha Bradley spoke ultra-right seem to have been conducted has courageously released new titles by out, as did revisionist Mormon historian with regret, attacks on the Mormon left Quinn and Toscano since their Brent Lee Metcalfe and faculty and have been carried out with something excommunications. administrators from BYU, the Univer- closer to ardor. Mormon church Apostle Excommunication is a wrenching sity of Utah, and Utah State University. Boyd K. Packer recently condemned sanction for Mormons who still feel links Humanist speakers included Paul Kurtz, Mormon intellectuals, feminists, and to the church community—especially if Vern and Bonnie Bullough (both former homosexuals as the three greatest threats they live in predominantly Mormon Mormons), Gerald Larue, and Robert to the future of the church. Intellectuals areas where excommunication can Alley. Session topics included "Huma- and feminists most frequently expose almost amount to social banishment. But nist and Mormon Views on Freedom of their views in liberal Mormon forums excommunication is only the tip of the Conscience"; "Academic Freedom"; like the Sunstone symposia, Dialogue: iceberg. For every Mormon scholar "Secular vs. Religious Interpretations of A Journal of Mormon Thought, and the excommunicated, there suffer hundreds Scripture"; and "Humanist and Mormon publications of Signature Books. Dia- of thousands of Mormons, in and out Views on Feminism." The conference logue, the leading liberal Mormon of academe, who are forced in less became an object of controversy in Utah journal, is co-edited by Allen Dale dramatic ways to stifle their curiosity newspapers and attracted wide attention Roberts and Martha Sonntag Bradley. about the origins and meaning of their from the electronic media, including Bradley was a professor at the church- religion. The problem is particularly national coverage by the Cable News acute in church-run institutions. The best Network. Thomas W. Flynn is senior editor of known is Brigham Young University I was privileged to attend that FREE INQUIRY. (BYU), a sprawling establishment with conference and to chair one of its 30,000 students and some 1,500 faculty. sessions. The presentations were of high

Winter 1994/95 55 quality, and during the breaks a three- Smith sketches the development of was ever believed in the past, there is way dialogue bubbled between liberal freedom of conscience and free inquiry little evidence that it is believed today. Mormons, Utah humanists who live in as essential ideals of Western civilization A less lofty but more accurate contem- Mormonism's vast shadow, and out-of- and as special concerns for humanists. porary version is: "We teach them what state visitors filled with wonder and Briefly he discusses Socrates, Jesus, and to believe and punish them if they misgiving by it all. But that is not the Galileo as exemplars "who expressed question it." He introduces another truly unforgettable aspect of the Human- their freedom of conscience at great favorite Mormon saying: "When the ist/ Mormon Dialogue. I will always be personal cost." He traces the growth of prophet has spoken, the thinking is haunted by the fervent intensity of the the tradition of "speaking truth to done." And Roberts raises an obvious Mormon speakers who had felt the hand authority" among humanists from Pico problem with the image of Joseph Smith of ecclesiastical discipline. By and large, della Mirandola to writers in our own as a defender of free inquiry. they still considered themselves Mor- day. Then Smith traces the importance mons, if unorthodox, and passionately of freedom of conscience in the Mormon He established an unsettling precedent wanted to retain their anchor points in tradition. Make no mistake, freedom of by ordering the destruction of the the LDS community and traditions. Yet conscience was a pivotal issue for the Nauvoo Expositor, a publishing house which in its only issue exposed the to greater or lesser degrees they could earliest Mormons. Only by exercising prophet's polygamy. not, simply because they had dared to their own freedom of conscience could live out the ideal of free inquiry—an ideal they accept the new doctrines of Joseph Religion, Feminism, and Freedom of they had been taught that their church Smith in preference to the dogmas they Conscience is at its best in probing the upheld. had grown up with. And the willing- critical questions of Mormonism's stance ness—or more often, unwillingness—of on feminism and the unique predicament his conference was the first time surrounding residents to uphold the of BYU faculty. Mormon feminists Tmany of the victims had been able freedom of swelling Mormon commun- present a compelling historical case: to speak about their situations before a ities in New York, Ohio, and Illinois early Mormonism offered its women a cross-section of their colleagues. For dominated church history during Joseph more nearly equal role in the family and some, it was the first time they had Smith's lifetime. George Smith writes: society than most Christian denomina- discussed their predicaments in public at tions of the day, except perhaps for all. Time after time, voices broke as ... it is easy to forget that Mormon Quakers. The near-cult of the Mormon speakers expressed their continued leaders have consistently embraced "free agency" as an essential principle woman as submissive homemaker is a commitment to their church and their of Mormon doctrine. Founder Joseph twentieth-century development, one so sense of injustice. Struggling to deliver Smith said, "I teach the people correct zealously defended that a Mormon his paper, one presenter openly wept. principles and they govern them- scholar risks church discipline merely by Aside from a handful of conservative selves" [Journal of Discourses 10:57- publishing a survey finding that, in Utah, Christian colleges and universities, it 58]; also, "We are not disposed, had Mormon women are actually more likely we the power, to deprive anyone of may be only in Utah, and most piercingly exercising ... free independence of than non-Mormon women to work at BYU, that we can still observe the mind." [Teachings of the Prophet outside the home. medieval spectacle of thoughtful men Joseph Smith, 49] Yet, a fully developed feminism and women undergoing relentless and inevitably conflicts with deeply rooted open assault from unassailable guardians While one must agree with Smith that Mormon norms about authority within of entrenched orthodoxy. Face to face "[t]he mutual heritage of freedom of the family and the pre-eminence of with those wounded by LDS oppression, conscience among Mormons and hu- motherhood in the repertoire of female the very possibility of a snide "that's what manists provides common ground for roles. Church authorities respond to the they get for being religious" attitude dialogue," humanists might conclude feminist challenge with intransigence and evaporates. As ambassadors from a that he overreaches in arguing the even fear. Martha Sonntag Bradley larger culture in which overt ecclesias- centrality of freedom of conscience in, concludes her article with the exhorta- tical oppression is out of style, humanists as an old Marxist might term it, "actually tion, "we must hope that leaders will can feel only outrage, compassion, and existing Mormonism." eventually recognize in ... the Mormon a bitter fellowship. If Smith errs on the side of optimism, feminist something of value, that accep- Religion, Femininism, and Freedom there is no shortage of voices to express tance of the fear we seem to create offers of Conscience, published jointly by a contrary view. Lavina Fielding Ander- the hope of great power and strength Signature and Prometheus Books, is the son dryly observes that "our church has that will benefit us all." volume that grew out of the Humanist/ a long history of shooting the messenger BYU faculty face a unique dilemma, Mormon Dialogue. It offers most of the that brings unpleasant news." working within an institution that claims papers presented at that conference, Regarding Joseph Smith's nostrum to be a world-class university although along with new material that sharpens about teaching correct principles and its founding documents explicitly value the volume's focus. letting the people govern themselves, religious activities more highly than In his Editor's Introduction, George Allen Dale Roberts repostes that "if it education. Other denominational uni-

56 FREE INQUIRY versities have resolved this difficulty by to reflect her subsequent departure from welfare at risk by refusing to listen to secularizing thoroughly (who cares that BYU. Brent Lee Metcalfe and Maxine internal critics. Methodists founded Duke University?) Hanks, who spoke at the Dialogue, do Religion, Feminism, and Freedom of but BYU has not. "To declare an not appear in the text. Taking their place Conscience is an important book whose institution a university," declares Paul is a history of religion and academics significance far transcends the intra- Kurtz, "entails academic freedom at BYU by Signature Books director Mormon conflicts out of which it arose. untrammeled by the threats of a Grand Gary James Bergera. The book closes We may not care to attend Brigham Inquisitor." The difficulties of realizing with "The Indispensable Opposition," Young University, we may not plan to. that vision at BYU—and the avenues by commentator Walter Lippmann's 1939 move to Utah and fight for feminism. which reform may be pursued receive essay that remains the most vivid defense But the collision of freedom and ortho- thorough discussion. of the principle that troublesome minor- doxy so nakedly on view in this volume The book differs from the original ities must be heard—not out of respect exemplifies the battle that has been Dialogue in several places. Martha for democratic principles, but out of self- fought whenever faith and reason have Sonntag Bradley's paper has been revised interest, because the community puts its clashed. •

The New Wave: philosophy at New York University, it brings together some of the newer lights French Humanism in French thought. Virtually all of the authors are under fifty years of age; they suggest significant new directions that Paul Kurtz should be of special interest to humanists. They herald the resurgence of Mark Lilla, editor, New French Paradoxically, three German philos- humanism and liberalism, and they Thought: Political Philosophy (Prince- ophers have in the twentieth century decisively reject postmodernist Heideg- ton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, dominated French intellectual life— gerianism. 1994) 286 pp., cloth $45.00. Marx and Hegel on the one hand, and Lilla points out that, although con- Heidegger on the other, expressing the tinental French political thought has rench fashions have long reigned extremes of left and right. As recently generally defended republican ideals, 11supreme in the cultural world. For as 1968, Raymond Aron observed that particularly since the French Revolution, many connoiseurs Paris is not only the all French thought was permeated by the it has also attacked liberalism and has most beautiful city in the universe, but Marxist left. Since the student uprising tended to deride the Anglo-American the fountainhead of haute couture as of May 1968, with the unmasking of the defense of libertarian democracy. well. It has inspired a wide range of elite communist state, there has been a Although French writers have rejected trends, such as haute coutume in dress profound shift in French thought from the ancient monarchist-theocratic and perfume and haute cuisine in faith in socialist progress to profound regime, and have even defended the gourmet foods, wine, and fromage. disillusionment. France did not have, secular state and secular education, they French thought likewise has had a like Britain, a Karl Popper, whose The have also considered Anglo-American commanding influence, particularly Open Society and Its Enemies served as libertarianism as bourgeois (no doubt since the philosophes of the eighteenth a critique of totalitarianism and a defense because of the influence of Marxism). century. And Paris in the nineteenth and of democracy; or, like America, a Sidney The new trends in French political twentieth centuries has been mother to Hook who did the same. thought have done a dramatic about-face revolutions throughout the world, In the post-World War II world, and today seek a kind of union with the spawned in its cafés and salons. It is not Heidegger assumed a central place with Mill-Deweyan defense of individual surprising, therefore, that French philo- the emergence of existentialism, and liberty and human rights. sophical thought has also played an especially postmodernism. The latter In this new wave, I consider the influential role in the post-war world, offered a strong indictment of the ideals philosophical writings of Luc Ferry and especially with the dominance of exis- of the Enlightenment—reason, science, Alain Renaut to be most significant. tentialism the writings of Sartre and progress, democracy, human rights, and Although Ferry and Renaut appreciate Camus, and most recently the post- especially the humanist values of indi- Foucault's critique of repressive institu- modernism of Derrida, Lacan, Foucault, vidual freedom and autonomy. tions in regard to prisoners, mental and Lyotard, among others. New French Thought offers promis- patients, and homosexuals, they never- ing new vistas for French thought, theless deride him for not providing any Paul Kurtz is editor of FREE INQUIRY. particularly in political philosophy. juridical basis for human rights, which Compiled by Mark Lilla, a professor of must be central to a democratic society.

Winter 1994/95 57 They argue that neither Heideggerian of the previous generation, an approach tion is no longer relevant, for individuals nor Hegelian historicism are compatible that had likewise rejected humanism and are able to find their own meanings in with a theory of human rights, and they defended moral-cultural relativism. life, but they maintain that the roles of seek to return to Kant's (and Fichte's) Todorov defends the liberalism of de taste and value in a consumer society defense of universal human rights. Tocqueville and Benjamin Constant, is the central issue. They argue that the Moreover, they point out that "a which had been largely ignored by Promethean personality comes to frui- reference to human rights today clearly Continental writers. Marcel Gauchet's tion through pure action, expressing the entails what must be called `humanism' " views are especially insightful. He rejects power of individual autonomy. But the (p. 148). Of special interest is their the totalitarian society, but also any price of personal freedom all too often critique of the widespread view held in society based on religious foundations, is that we enter into a position of the social sciences that political philos- and he believes that the secular society voluntary servitude to our own creative ophy deals with "normative moral is the true basis of democracy. work, and we are thus overcome by our questions," whereas science requires I was also fascinated by the section all-consuming commitment to our own "factual neutrality." This is similar to the on "The New Individualism." Giles plans and projects. views of American pragmatists such as Lidovetsky observes that the student All in all, this is a stimulating and John Dewey who find continuity in revolt of May 1968 paved the way in hopeful book, especially in its defense methods of inquiry and seek to provide the contemporary world for modern of human freedom and individual auton- a rational basis for normative values. individualism and personal autonomy. omy, the efficacy of technology against Among other interesting selections in In two perceptive essays, Anne Godig- romantic Luddite ecologists, and the the volume are Tzvetan Todorov's cri- non and Jean-Louis Thiriet observe that importance of creative activity in achiev- tique of the structuralism of Levi-Strauss the central Marxist problem of aliena- ing the good life of eupraxophy. •

The Search for Mary Magdalen loved much." A similar incident occurs in Matthew, at the house of Simon the leper in Robert Gorham Davis Bethany. An unnamed woman, not identified as a sinner, pours an expensive Mary Magdalen: Myth and Metaphor, art form—painting, sculpture, drama, flask of ointment, this time on Jesus' by Susan Haskins (New York: Harcourt music, poetry, fiction, even a ballet. The head, not on his feet. Objectors speak Brace) 518 pp., cloth $27.95. false Magdalen turned up in paintings out, Judas Iscariot among them. They by Titian and Caravaggio, sculptures by think the money spent on ointment ound 591, Pope Gregory the Great Bernini and Rodin, in the opera Parsifal should have gone instead to the poor. R preached a homily that was highly by Wagner and the short story "The Man Jesus rejects the idea: "For ye have the popular and many times repeated. In it— Who Died" by D. H. Lawrence. poor always with you, but me ye have quite without scriptural warrant—he The dominant, most fully elaborated not always." The woman is not weeping, made three women characters of the New element in the composite—responsible nor does she use her hair to wipe his Testament into one. For this fictional for its popular success—is the unnamed head. composite he retained the name of its "sinner" of Luke 7. Learning that Jesus Luke 8 introduces Mary Magdalen least characteristic component, Mary was going to be a guest at the house by name as a quite different sort of Magdalen. of Simon the leper, she arrived weeping, person from the sinner of Luke 7. She The newly created being, made a saint carrying a jar of expensive ointment. is one of the women of social standing and prayed to by millions, lived a rich With her tears she bathed the feet of who accompanied Jesus on his travels cultic and artistic life for over 1,400 Jesus as he reclined eating, wiped them and from their private means paid the years. Haskins describes that life in vivid with her loosened hair, and then applied disciples' costs. Here Mary Magdalen is detail, country by country, art form by the unguent. identified as the woman from whom His Pharisee host rebuked Jesus for seven demons "had gone out." Com- Robert Gorham Davis is professor allowing a sinner to touch him, but Jesus mentators say that these do not neces- emeritus at Columbia University. He has replied in her favor. She had given him sarily indicate sins but rather psychic and written short stories for the New Yorker appropriate attention when the host had somatic ills that Jesus cured. They also and has been regularly published in the not. To the woman he said, "Your sins say there is no reason whatsoever to New York Times Sunday Book Review. are forgiven," and explained to the others identify Magdalen with the sinner of In recent years his writings have focused in a sentence that later gave occasion Luke 7. on biblical criticism. for much misinterpretation: "Her sins, In his homily, however, Gregory went which are many, are forgiven, for she further and merged the sinner and Mary

58 FREE INQUIRY Magdalen with a third distinct biblical who then announced the resurrection to Because relics gave status and power personality, Mary of Bethany, who disciples who did or did not believe her, to churches that enshrined them, and already appeared in the Bible in two depending on which gospel you read. because pilgrims brought wealth to the different guises. We first meet Mary and By choosing to reveal himself first to surrounding town, the drive to possess her sister Martha in an often-cited scene the Magdalen, the resurrected Jesus particularly awesome relics—bodies and in Luke. Jesus is received for dinner in showed his confidence, his love. Indeed, body parts—led to all sorts of chicanery, "Martha's house," with no mention of later interpretations, including some in including pious theft. a brother named Lazarus. Preparing the the twentieth century, drew heavily on Since the Virgin Mary was assumed dinner and offering it to their guest, the imagery of the Song of Songs and bodily into Heaven, she left no tomb or Martha is said to be "cumbered with went so far as to say he had been her corpse behind—only clothes, hair, and much serving." Instead of helping her physical lover or husband. a few drops of milk from her breasts. sister, Mary just sits and listens to Jesus. As an announcer of the resurrection Next after the Virgin in popularity as When Martha complains, Jesus says that Magdalen was described in some apoc- a female associated with Jesus, Mary Mary "has chosen the good portion, ryphal texts as the "apostle to the Magdalen more than made up for the which shall not be taken away from her." apostles," a term of exaltation, of pri- deficiency. "By the end of the thirteenth Whether Jesus comes off well in these macy in Christianity, which other century," Susan Haskins writes, "Mary scenes is an open question. women later naturally valued. The Magdalen had, it seemed, left behind at In John's Gospel, Mary of Bethany frontispiece of the Haskins's book, taken least five corpses, in addition to many and her sister Martha have become from a psalter commissioned by a whole arms and smaller pieces...." sisters of Lazarus, whom Jesus restored woman, shows Mary Magdalen According to the preferred French to life after Lazarus had been dead and announcing the resurrection to "a some- legend, Mary Magdalen, soon after the in his tomb four days. The excited what dumbfounded group of eleven male death of Jesus, was forced along with popular response to this miracle alarmed disciples." Martha and Lazarus into a rudderless the Jewish religious authorities and led "Yet," Haskins writes, "within only a boat and cast adrift. God guided them them, according to an anti-Jewish pro- few generations of Jesus' death, the to Aix en Provence in France where Roman Bible, to call for his crucifixion. orthodox church was emphasizing, Martha preached and Lazarus became Some time after being brought back following Luke's account of the resur- a bishop. He and Martha died there, but to life, Lazarus invites Jesus to dine at rection, that Christ had appeared first Mary, still the penitent sinner, spent his house. Only the Gospel of John to Simon Peter.... The pope to this thirty years of solitude high in the hills describes what occurred there. Mary day traces his succession to Peter himself, in a cave, not eating or drinking, but Magdalen is not present. Now it is Mary the `first apostle,' who was `first witness' lifted up at the canonical hours by angels. of Bethany, alleged sister of Lazarus, to the resurrection." Mary Magdalen's The history hereafter of her body or who annoints Jesus' feet with expensive primacy is deliberately forgotten. bodies is a tale of rival claims by Vezelay spikenard and wipes them with her hair. The whole story is hardly to be found in Burgundy, where the largest Roman- The house is filled with the nard's in the Bible, even in manipulated form. esque church in France is named for the fragrance. Once again Judas objects, Over the centuries legends multiplied Magdalen, and by various towns in though not because of the poor. As that were treated as seriously as the Provence, especially St. Maximin, treasurer of the group, whose money he sacred scriptures themselves. They gave named for one of Mary's companions regularly steals, he is angry at not having Mary Magdalen a long adventurous life in the flight from Jerusalem. The Abbey for himself the three hundred denarii after Jesus had ascended to sit at the at Vezelay supposedly had a body stolen spent for costly unguent. right hand of God. from St. Maximin centuries before to Following the resurrection, according save it from the Saracens, though the pparently John borrowed incidents to one set of legends, she went with Saint conflicting stories vary as the circum- Aand characters from Matthew and John and the Virgin Mary to Ephesus. stances seem to require. Luke and adapted them freely without There they lived in a house whose Behind all this storytelling were worrying about consistency. So the foundations were later discovered as a ineptly forged documents, holy thefts, triplicate components of Pope Gregory's result of a dream by the German mystic, minor miracles, and the distribution of fictional Mary Magdalen were already Anna Katherina Emmerich. From a bones, hair, and teeth among likely-to- partly or wholly fictional to begin with. tourist bus my wife and I saw a recon- be-helpful popes and rulers. A climax The four gospels agree that women, struction on that site of the house from came in 1280 when Louis IX's nephew, including two Marys, witnessed the which the Virgin Mary was supposed to Charles of Salerno, alerted by a dream, death of the crucified Jesus, whereas the have been lifted up in the Assumption. helped dig up a second supposed body male disciples had fled, fearing cruci- Though the Magdalen was reported to of the Magdalen at St. Maximin. No fixion themselves. Susan Haskins writes have died at Ephesus—her tomb was one seemed embarrassed. that "the gospels of Mark and John shown to pilgrims—the story of her stay Some of the body parts distributed describe how, after his resurrection, there lost favor as against the quite to win favor found their way into Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalen," different stories of her life in France. churches that were thereupon named for Winter 1994/ 95 59 the Magdalen, with her story painted on prostitution for economic reasons, often only to medieval Christians but to un- the walls for the instruction of the after being seduced by men who suffered orthodox geniuses of our own century, illiterate. Beginning in the early sixteenth no comparable disadvantage and whose who usually give it quite a different twist. century, paintings of her, especially those sex life outside marriage was socially Sometimes artists in different media to be seen in palaces or homes, had a condoned. stimulate each other. At the end of the striking characteristic that made them nineteenth century Rodin did two plaster often sensationally appealing. To this usan Haskins has set herself a studies of Mary Magdalen "as the human Haskins, especially in the beautifully Sseemingly impossible task and lar- and physical lover of Christ." Haskins reproduced illustrations to her book, gely achieved it. She has written a firmly quotes Rilke on these sculptures along does full justice. based feminist book on woman's sex- with a poem of his own on the Magdalen. The triplicate Magdalen, with whom uality and the Christian church, center- Rilke translated and had published a the "woman taken in adultery" had often ing it on Mary Magdalen as the "other newly discovered sermon on the Mag- also been merged, was quite early Eve." According to St. Augustine it was dalen, probably by the seventeenth- identified with still another Mary, non- Eve—herself always depicted as naked century theologian Bossuet, orthodox on biblical this time, the legendary Mary before the Fall—who brought sin into the surface, deeply ambiguous in its of Egypt. She was a "fifth-century the world, the original sin that all have implications. harlot," Haskins writes, "who, after inherited except the Virgin Mary, the Essentially, though, Haskins is fight- seventeen years of infamy in Alexandria counter-Eve, and from which only belief ing for the rights of women to equality ... spent the last forty-seven years of in her son can free us. generally and particularly to equality of her life repenting in the deserts of the The Virgin, however, as that strange office in a hitherto male-dominated Holy Land. Naked, clad only in her hair, title for a mother suggests, can hardly church, a church whether Anglican or she too had been fed by angels." Mary represent womankind, since she has Roman Catholic that dares speak in the Magdalen came by convention to be never known sexual excitement, which name of Jesus. To that end she wants imagined as having long flowing hair, simply as such is a sin. Titled Queen of the Mary Magdalen of the Bible restored which was biblical (at least for the Heaven, Mary differs radically from to her true self as a spirited, dignified, unnamed sinner), and exposed breasts Pagan goddesses, especially the god- independent woman whose character or a completely naked body, which was desses of rival religions in the Middle Jesus acknowledged by choosing her as not biblical at all. East on whose matings the fertility of the first to know of his resurrection. Her nakedness was a boon to painters the soil depends. A hieros gamos of a Haskins wishes to banish forever the and libidinous priests who identified sin different kind is depicted in various mythic identification of Mary Magdalen with sex and sex with women but who accounts of the love of Jesus and the with the penitent prostitute who cleansed liked to look at women's bodies, so long Magdalen whose imagery is borrowed the feet of Jesus with her tears and long as their owners were properly penitent from—or inspired by—that in the Song hair an identification that, though long and hence no threat. Paintings or sculp- of Solomon. accepted, was degrading to women. Like tures of Mary Magdalen at the deposi- These are profound and troubling the story of Jesus' conception and the tion of Jesus' body were mixed with matters that justify the attention they Augustinian notion of original sin, it per- scenes of her reading or meditating in continued to receive over so many cen- versely rejects the positive, even spiritual, her cave. In these latter—done by artists turies. It is the one major fault of role of sexual love, which orthodox of the rank of Titian, Bellini, Canova, Haskins's book that she feels she must Christianity has largely tolerated only in and Caravaggio—she was nearly always record every such manifestation when the heated metaphors of women mystics describing their ecstatic union with young and comely, with bare skin and the Magdalen is clearly involved, men- a thoughtful mien. It became fashion- tion every church in Europe named for Jesus. • able for unrepentant courtesans to be her, tell the plots of every play and novel, painted in her name. Four mistresses of however trivial and inferior, that uses MOVING? Make sure Charles the Second of England sat her story. FREE INQUIRY follows you! eagerly for court painters in the guise The ninety-one illustrations, beauti- of the Magdalen. So did some properly fully reproduced, provide one of the Name married society women. book's most valuable features. But Subscriber # The repentance played a more serious Haskins—mentioning artist and place of New address role in the institutions for prostitutes and exhibit—also lists and describes at least City "fallen" women that gradually developed another hundred publicly displayed State Zip all over Europe, often named for Mary paintings not reproduced. Her index Magdalen. Those whom they were contains over a thousand names. One's Old address intended to benefit were called "magdal- head whirls with them. City ens." Along with the spread of such Her thoroughness has its rewards, State Zip institutions was a growing realization however. She makes us realize the depth Mail to: Free Inquiry, Box 664, Amherst NY 14226 that young women were forced into of the appeal of the Magdalen story not

60 FREE INQUIRY "How Blind a Watchmaker?" When I say "the usual suspects," I have in mind such people as Paul Davies and John Polkinghorne, theologians who happen Why Scientists Should to also have a science degree. Some contributors acknowledge their theolog- Study Philosophy ical training. The so-called Anthropic Principle comes up a number of times. This idea Gordon Stein says that the conditions for life are so perfect on the Earth that it must have Evidence of Purpose, by John Marks the invoking of the supernatural as part been designed for life. Of course, this Templeton (New York: Continuum, of scientific explanation does not "principle" has things exactly backward. 1994) 212 pp., cloth $24.50. "explain" anything, and does not allow Life developed on Earth because the us to distinguish one type of result from conditions were right. The lunacy of Is God the Only Reality? by John Marks another by any analytical criterion. some of the contributors to this volume Templeton and Robert L. Herrmann In Evidence of Purpose and Is God can be seen from the fact that several (New York: Continuum, 1994) 190 pp., the Only Reality? (edited by John Marks say that critics of the Anthropic Principle cloth $22.95. Templeton, a financier, who can prob- stand the principle on its head! Inter- ably be partially excused for his ignor- estingly, the most famous contributor, 'havehave long advocated that all scientists ance 9f the limitations of science on that Sir John Eccles, doesn't mention God required to take a course in the ground), we have a prime example of until his last paragraph. In fact, his use philosophy of science as a part of their this failure to understand the limitations of the word purpose is non-religious. graduate training. I did, and it was a and scope of science. In the Evidence of For a scientist, reading this book is most important perspective. This subject Purpose, we have a number of scientists a profoundly depressing experience. The is the only place where the scientist will who need to study the philosophy of other volume, Is God the Only Reality? be able to examine the underlying science. The public can easily be confused is rather different. It is a summary of assumptions of science, which may result into thinking that these scientists ought recent knowledge in subatomic physics, in a whole new view of what he or she to be authorities on what they are saying. biochemistry, and related fields. It has does. The scientists (some notable, but most a slight theistic "spin," but the intrusions Many laymen (and some scientists) just "the usual suspects" when it comes are relatively few and are prominent only do not realize that science is the natural to theism) discuss such topics as "Dare in the concluding chapter. Although the explanation and examination of the a Scientist Believe in Design?"; "God's authors' sentiments are undoubtedly natural world. It is a given that any Purpose in and Beyond Time"; "Evi- sincere, they are thoroughly misplaced supernatural explanations for phenom- dence of Purpose in the Universe"; and inappropriate. Science can never ena are improper in science. Therefore, "Science and God the Creator"; and lead us to God. It can't even try. • the very idea that science can prove or document that there is a creator (i.e., God) is an improper assumption, since scientists, as scientists, cannot legiti- mately engage in doing this. If theolo- Books in Brief gians wish to engage in this activity, that is their privilege. Let's see why a supernatural expla- Porphyry's Against the Christians, by to be burned by the imperial church in nation in science will not work (besides R. Joseph Hoffmann (Buffalo: Prome- 448, survives only in fragments. This not being allowed). If my chemical theus Books, 1994)181 pp., cloth $32.95. new translation reveals a work of deft experiment produced a white precipitate, Throughout its first three centuries, the historical and literary criticism. Por- I could give as the "explanation" that growing Christian religion was sub- phyry's trenchant comments extend to "God caused it." On the other hand, if jected to the attacks of pagan intellec- key figures, beliefs, and doctrines of the same reaction did not produce any tuals, who looked upon the new sect Christianity. He dismisses the gospels precipitate at all, my "explanation" could as a band of fanatics bent on world as the work of charlatans and Jesus also be that "God caused it." In short, domination, even as they professed to himself as a criminal and failure. Critical despise the things of this world. Por- notes by Hoffmann provide a running Gordon Stein is director of the Center phyry of Tyre (ca. 232-305 c.E.), scholar, commentary to the text. This is a worthy for Inquiry Libraries and senior editor philosopher, and student of religion, addition to patristic studies. of FREE INQUIRY. was prominent among these critics. His book Against the Christians condemned —James Cox

Winter 1994/95 61 Towing Jehovah, by James Morrow Alternative Health Care, by Jack Raso that people who pay good money for (New York: Harcourt and Brace, 1994) (Buffalo: Prometheus Books, 1994) 278 the kind of treatments and consultations 371 pp., cloth $24.95. The naked, two- pp., cloth $26.95. The amount of waste described by Raso (ranging from mile long body of Jehovah is found in the trillion-dollar American health- "absent healers" to "zone therapists") floating dead in the Atlantic ocean. Oil care business is nearly beyond human need their heads examined! tanker captain Anthony Van Horne, comprehension. Waste ranges from whose ship caused the world's largest misuse of resources, dangerous and/or —Donald B. Ardell oil spill, is recruited by a dying angel worthless technologies, and mountain- and the Vatican to tow the "corpus dei" ous layers of extravagance, fraud, Uncommon Sense: The Heretical to a specially prepared tomb in the duplication, and incompetence. The Nature of Science, by Alan Cromer Arctic. Van Home is joined by Jesuit greatest misuse of all—ignorant and (New York: Oxford University Press, Thomas Ockham, atheist Cassie Fowler, reckless behavior patterns that produce 1993) xvi + 240 pp., cloth $23.00. Alan and a neat supporting cast in a story diseases, injuries, and premature Cromer, a professor of physics, exam- with wonderful philosophical and satir- deaths—accounts for the major portion ines the role of science as coherent ical points, as well as a very human- of our obscene spending on medical logical thought in our present world and ist conclusion. care. Astonishingly, the lion's share of through history. The development of medical costs would not occur at all if science in Greek antiquity and since the —Scott J. Lohman people could find a way to learn about, Enlightenment has "replaced the belief practice, and sustain wellness lifestyles. that we are the creation of a personal Looking for a Miracle: Weeping Icons, Other than not getting sick in the first god with the idea that we are the product Relics, Stigmata, Visions, and Healing place, the next best thing that could of natural forces" (p. 173). Yet, through- by Joe Nickell (Buffalo: Prometheus happen would be for people to learn out most of human history we have not Books, 1993) 253 pp., cloth $23.95. In when and how to use the medical system. been able to make the basic distinction this work, Joe Nickell's aim is to make This is the context, the nature of between thought, magic, and reality. "people more aware of how easy it is reality in the mid-nineties in this coun- The development of objective thinking, to be deceived—not only by pious frauds try, that explains in good measure the the insight that the natural world does but by their own wish-fulfilling natures." existence of a parallel universe of sorts not care what we wish or believe, is the Nickell, a former professional stage to the U.S. medical system, an unor- particular and unique achievement of magician and a respected historical, ganized but still vast network of health- science. And that reality, so Cromer paranormal and forensic investigator, care services that, for want of a better holds, does not support beliefs in the closely examines such miraculous claims term, is generally decribed as alternative supernatural, witchcraft, psychoanaly- as prophecy, the Shroud of Turin, the health care. It is not as costly as the sis, or any number of wishful spiritual Edessa Image, the Image of Guadalupe, established system, it is not controlled connections with a caring universe. Only "burning handprints," the liquefying by high priests called physicians, and because we are still culturally immature blood of St. Januarius, Marian appa- it is not high-tech, surgical, or drug- do we seek to convince ourselves that ritions, and supposedly "incorruptible" based. It is, however, very expensive somebody or something out there cares, corpses of saints. He also examines faith and, amazing to say, so marked by if not an almighty god or the tribal healing, glossolalia, exorcism, and other quackery and nonsensical silliness that ancestors, then futuristic creatures from religious claims. it makes the established system seem a far-off star. On the topic of prophecies, he notes desirable by comparison. Cromer insists on two points: the that the biblical prophet Ezekiel merely You can read all about it in Jack unity of sciences and the invention of delivered a "message of patent proba- Raso's revealing, almost encyclopedic object investigation in place of intuitive bility" and notes that alleged prophecies new book, Alternative Health Care. conjecture or religious vision as contrary are generally intentionally vague, ambi- Although less than 300 pages, it prob- to the normal human mind-set. valent, and thoroughly confusing. ably covers more than you want to know In today's America, with its multi- Moreover, he notes that the media do about the range of alternative modal- culturalism and insistence that all beliefs not focus on alleged psychic Jeanne ities, with a focus on some of its most and creeds are equal, this is not a PC Dixon's big misses, such as her predic- ridiculous variations, particularly chiro- book. Cromer insists that Christianity tion that "Russia will be the first nation practic. Alternative Health Care con- and science represent very different to put a man on the moon" in 1965, tains descriptions of hundreds of modes of thinking. One is centered on and her 1953 prediction that Russia treatment modes with commentaries the ego and the importance of the self, would move into Iran in the fall of that based on the author's personal ex- the other tries to look at reality year. Nickell shows that miraculous posure. objectively and without flinching. I claims are rooted in ignorance and The overwhelming impression that recommend the book to all secular superstition. many readers, particularly those who humanists. consider themselves skeptics, will derive —Norm R. Allen, Jr. from Alternative Health Care is a sense — Wolf Roder

62 FREE INQUIRY (Letters, continued from p. 3) reality depends on consciousness. Every- alternatives. Larger programs can non- thing we know about the brain is consciously "think" about particular verifying his model—he has contrived mediated through consciousness; there problems—that is engage in data- evidence. When I imagine myself in the can be no thoughts about anything processing activity that may, but may wrist-flexing experiment, I would, for without a thinker—a conscious agent. So not, lead to the solution to the problem. precision, pick an advanced time on the it is equally correct to say that the brain These things do not require or constitute. rapidly moving clock for making my is a product of consciousness as it is to consciousness or free will, as Prahm decision. Thus, as the time approached say that consciousness is the product of suggests, nor do Artificial Intelligence I'd be tense with anticipation. This the brain. scientists say they do, as others would tension could generate electrical activity suggest. prior to my decision. Carley overlooks Scott Elliot Mann With regard to the "missing milli- this obvious explanation of the exper- Wyncote, Pa. seconds" experiments, they were far imental observations. Anticipation, not better controlled than my cursory clairvoyance, can also explain the explanation would imply. I regret if I apparent movement of the periodically Adam L. Carley replies: misled Prahm in this regard. In the wrist- flashing lights. Finally, when Carley flex experiment, the brain signal mon- posits that the brain has a need to model Assuming Randy Gerl meant "oversim- itored was the "readiness potential," a itself, he has, at best, presented a plification, "not "generalization, "it must specific pre-motor signal with no relation hypothesis that is nonverifiable and, at be pointed out that our self-image (a to tension. Subjects did not pick the time worst, conjured up another blob that is conscious agent) is powerful and indiv- in advance as Prahm would have had an hallucination of his brain only. isible. It's either true or it isn't. There the subject do to be sure the clock isn't much meaning I can see to being position reported and the initiating act Richard L. Prahm half a conscious agent. "Big lie" may be of will were subjectively simultaneous or Reno, Nev. in-your-face terminology, but the future the trial was discarded. Likewise, my discovery of additional details can't flashing police cruiser lights belied the restore it if it isn't there. actual sophistication of those experi- Consciousness is a false memory or Also, I don't understand how Gerl is ments. Both the position and time of the hallucination, says Carley. But the so sure he can distinguish between being second light flash were random and problem with explaining consciousness conscious in the present and recalling could not be anticipated. this way is that memories are already being conscious 200 milliseconds ago. I regret the confusion over anthro- consciousness by definition (for what is Perhaps I missed something in the pomorphic metaphors like "the brain remembered is a past experience, and presidential debates. 'needs' a self-image." Stated differently: all experience is apprehension through Regarding Scott Mann's letter: with- the brain has a self-image and it is the mind, i.e., consciousness). out being overly semantic, I didn't say reasonable to conclude it is survival- Perhaps to escape this tautology, he consciousness was a false memory or friendly and difficult to imagine teaching adds that consciousness is a represen- hallucination, but rather that these a high intellectual level without one. tation. No one can deny that it's very things make our brain think (compute) I have received several comments useful for the brain to have a repres- that it is conscious. The non-conscious regarding unnecessarily blunt and abra- entation of itself for future reference. But word processor I sit before has both sive language such as "lie" and "halluc- nowhere does Carley explain why an memory and past experience: these ination." The use of such terminology unconscious representation couldn't do things per se neither preclude nor require was a conscious choice (oops!) on my the trick. All other neuronal "maps" consciousness as Mann contends. part. I felt that various books I refer- (e.g., of visual space) are unconscious The neuronal "maps" Mann refers to enced on the subject were so careful of (we were utterly unaware of them until are indeed unconscious representations the details, both neurological and recently). Why should referral to this one of visual information. They are not epistemological, that the thrusts of the map generate a unique dimension that representations of the brain itself nor are ideas were lost to the average reader. all the other neuronal maps fail to they stored in memory. Simpler animals generate? in fact "do the trick" without a self- But even more disturbing than the model, but we have one, like it or not. Writers on humanism and especially gaps in Carley's "explanation" of con- (And we do like it, or I wouldn't have those who emphasize secular humanism sciousness are his contradictions. He says gotten so many passionate letters.) The have neglected consideration of con- that when evolution originated con- question is whether it is essentially sciousness, which is in a sense, the key sciousness it took "a short cut ... grossly accurate or essentially inaccurate. to the validity of humanism. You have noncorrespondent to reality." Unfortu- As for Richard Prahm's comments: made an excellent beginning to correct- nately, he never defines reality. Well, I can write a very short computer ing this omission. that's easy—reality is what the mind program that stores into and recalls from Morton Hunt ("The `Soul' ') seems apprehends. Oops! Our definition of memory, and that makes choices among to be the most aware of the distance we

Winter 1994/95 63 are away from knowing the nature of case, I was in the 571st AAA AW The case is often made that it is only consciousness. Francis Crick ("The Battalion, which was self-described as older generations that read newspapers Workings of the Brain") seems to think a "Fightin' Bastard" unit. It was a half- and books. Walk into a Barnes & Noble he is at the beginning of some insight. track mobile anti-aircraft unit, used in store and you find predominantly young However, he and his colleague are frontline field combat. The Battalion and middle-aged people. I suspect that "keeping away from the more difficult first served with the Ninth Army in the the development and convenience of aspects of consciousness—self- "Campaigns Rhineland and Ardennes." these chains has induced more people consciousness" (p. 19). I think Carley is It was transferred at the height of the to do more reading. far too optimistic about the possibility war to Patton's Third Army, where it The two-thousand-odd independent of an early understanding of the phe- participated in the "Campaign Central publishers should be a force if they nomenon. That in no way diminishes the Europe" and fought its way to Czecho- commit to a strong course of action. high quality of his contribution. slovakia, which it helped liberate. National education bookstores would Patton was a brilliant tactician, but he be a bold move. Another would be to Herbert A. Tonne often had kooky ideas—not the least of convince one of the chains to put such Northvale, N.J. which was his belief in reincarnation. a section in all their stores, thereby I encountered him only once, when he offering something distinctly different hastily inspected our Battalion, called from the other chains. Then we would Memories and Memorials out especially for the occasion. What hope for a domino effect. The proposing I remember most was that he scared the of such moves tells me that the author Paul Kurtz wrote in "Milestones" (FI, living daylights out of us as we waited doesn't really expect books to become Fall 1994) that he "... rejoined General in formation for his arrival. anachronisms. It's the level of quality Patton's Fifth Army, which eventually that may be at stake. crossed the Rhine at Remagen. . . -" I'm sorry, but there was no "Fifth Army" The End of Books Bob Worsfold in Western Europe. And Patton's army Saddle River, N.J. didn't cross the Rhine at Remagen. My Regarding Paul Kurtz's Article "Are We source for this, and everything else not Approaching the End of Books?" (FI, otherwise identified, is historian Corne- Winter 1993/94): When I was on the STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION lius Ryan's The Last Battle. Johns Hopkins University library advis- Date of tiling: September 30, 1994 Troops from the First Army crossed ory council, electronic media were held Title: FREE INQUIRY the Rhine at Remagen on March 7, out as a partial solution to the library's Frequency of issue: Quarterly Complete mailing address of known office of 1945. Units of Patton's Third Army voracious appetite for space. But, elec- publication: P.O. Box 664, Amherst, NY made an uneventful and nearly unop- tronic publishing and storage have not 14226-0664 Complete mailing address of headquarters of posed crossing at the town of Oppen- moved along as easily as thought at first publisher: P.O. Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664 heim, about ten miles south of Mainz, blush. Meanwhile, universities have to Publisher: CODESH, Inc., P.O. Box 664, on March 22. keep going forward with the chemical Amherst, NY 14226-0664 Owner: CODESH, Inc., P.O. Box Box 664, Kurtz would have enjoyed Patton if baking of most of their volumes to Amherst, NY 14226-0664 Editor: Paul Kurtz, P.O. Box Box 664, their stations in the army had been a prevent total deterioration. Amherst, NY 14226-0664 little closer together. Patton believed in I find that life glued to a shimmering Managing Editor: Andrea Szalanski, P.O. Box 664 Amherst, NY 14226-0664 reincarnation and, according to the screen grows wearisome to the eyes and Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other stories one hears, thought himself to be the psyche. I spend several hours each security holders: None. the reincarnation of one of Hannibal's day at my computer and my eyes grow Aver. no. Actual no. copies copies Carthaginian generals. so tired that my television viewing is each issue single issue during published limited. That's a common experience. preceding nearest David J. Simmons The newspapers and courts are replete 12 months filing date Ridgecrest, Calif. with cases of occupational hazards Total no. copies printed (Net Press Run) 20,794 21,420 stemming from the use of terminal Paid circulation screens in the office. 1. Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors and Paul Kurtz replies: No moment of the day is more counter sales 2,392 2,195 delicious than in the evening when I sit 2. Mail subscription 17,065 18,253 Total paid circulation 19,457 20,448 I am grateful for the many letters of down in my easy chair in my study to Free distribution 514 460 correction received from World War II read the New York Times, the Wall Total distribution (Sum of C 8 O) 19,971 20,908 Copies not distributed veterans. This demonstrates that Street Journal, and other periodicals. 1. Office use, left-over, unaccounted, memory—after fifty years—often errs. Then, in bed, I read a chapter of the spoiled after printing 823 512 TOTAL (Sum of E, F 1 end 2) 20,794 21,420 During the battle, combat troops often book I'm currently trying to get through. Percent paid and/or requested did not know where they were exactly; Is this a personal idiosyncracy? I don't circulation 97.5% 97.8% so I appreciate the clarification. In any think so.

64 FREE INQUIRY In the Name of God

I Yam What I Am to stye the first outbreak of plague in encountered a few years ago with its twenty-eight years takes a back seat to man-in-the-moon logo. Some workers Kuwait City—The cartoon sailor Popeye an old Hindu practice—rat worship. think it closely resembles a satanic sets a bad example for children by his "This nonsense has to stop," said symbol and are refusing to take the courtship of Olive Oyl and his brawling Kolomesh Chandra Dev, a retired manual, which spells out A PS's rules with rival Brutus, according to a Kuwaiti government official in New Dehli. "The against everything from conflicts of interest to harming the environment. columnist. "Popeye propagates the time has come for people to realize it Rather than scrap the whole project, concept of abnormal friendships is either us or the rat." In the Rajastan A PS is verbally describing its policies between men and women since two men rat temple, when rats are occasionally to those who won't read them. The (Popeye and Brutus) fight during the trampled to death by accident, the errant search is on for a new logo. (Business whole episode for the love of a woman," worshiper is required to offer a life-size Week) Abdullah al-Ateeqi wrote in the Islamist rat made of gold at the shrine. (AP) al-Mujtama weekly. Ateeqi also took a doll, subject to an swipe at the Barbie Fast in the Sun attack in August by religious leader A Devil of a Logo Khaled al- Mat hkour, who said her Jerusalem—More than 2,200 Israelis feminine curves were a bad influence. Phoenix—When Arizona Public Service required medical treatment after re- (San Francisco Chronicle) recently brought out a 2! page booklet fraining from food and drink for twenty- on ethical standards for its 7,000 five hours—despite stifling heat—to employees, the $2 billion utility chose mark the Yom Kippur fast. Israel had Schools Censured a snappy logo for it: the figures of two been buckling under a heat wave, with If They Deny God people pointing at a star. Turns out, temperatures soaring to the mid-90°s. Of though, that Phoenix-based A PS has the the 2,200 people who required treatment, London—Education inspectors have same problem that Procter & Gamble 1,200 were taken to hospitals. (AP) been instructed to censure schools in which supposedly religious assemblies fail to recognize the existence of God. The Office for Standards in Education issued new guidance to inspectors on how they should monitor implementa- tion of the law requiring schools to provide daily collective worship, with most assemblies "wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character." Head teacher unions maintain that many schools are unable to hold daily religious assemblies for organizational reasons, or because they do not have sufficient Christian staff to run them. (London Weekly Telegraph)

A Plague on Rat Worship

Rajastan, India—It's a health official's nightmare; tens of thousands of rats racing across the floor, feasting on fruit and candy. At the Karma Mata temple in the desert state of Rajastan, the effort TOLES 01994. The Buffalo News. Reprinted with the permission of UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE. All rights reserved. 65 Winter 1994/95 The Academy of Humanism The Academy of Humanism was established to recognize distinguished humanists and to disseminate humanistic ideals and beliefs. The members of the academy, listed below, (1) are devoted to free inquiry in all fields of human endeavor, (2) are committed to a scientific outlook and the use of the scientific method in acquiring knowledge, and (3) uphold humanist ethical values and principles. The academy's goals include furthering respect for human rights, freedom, and the dignity of the individual; tolerance of various viewpoints and willingness to compromise; commitment to social justice; a universalistic perspective that transcends national, ethnic, religious, sexual, and racial barriers; and belief in a free and open pluralistic and democratic society. Humanist Laureates: Pieter Admiraal, medical doctor, The Netherlands; Steve Allen, author, humorist; Ruben Ardila, professor of psychology, Universidad de Colombia; Kurt Baier, professor of philosophy, Univ. of Pittsburgh; R. Nita Barrow, ambassador to the United Nations from Barbados; Sir Isaiah Berlin, professor of philosophy, Oxford Univ.; Sir Hermann Bondi, Fellow of the Royal Society, Past Master of Churchill College, London; Bonnie Bullough, professor of nursing, Univ. of Southern California; Yelena Bonner, human rights defender, Commonwealth of Independent States; Mario Bunge, professor of philosophy of science, McGill Univ.; Jean-Pierre Changeux, Collège de France and Institut Pasteur; Patricia Smith Churchland, professor of philosophy, Univ. of California at San Diego; Bernard Crick, professor of politics, Univ. of London; Francis Crick, Nobel Laureate in Physiology, Salk Inst.; Richard Dawkins, New College Fellow, 0xford University; José Delgado, chairperson of the Dept. of Neuropsychiatry, Univ. of Madrid; Milovan Djilas, author, former vice-president of Yugoslavia; Paul Edwards, professor of philosophy, Brooklyn College; Luc Ferry, professor of philosophy, Sorbonne and Univ. of Caen; Sir Raymond Firth, professor emeritus of anthropology, Univ. of London; Betty Friedan, author and founder of the National 0rganization for Women (N0W); Yves Galifret, professor of physiology at the Sorbonne and director of l'Union Rationaliste; John Galtung, professor of sociology, Univ. of 0slo; Stephen Jay Gould, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard; Adolf Grünbaum, professor of philosophy, Univ. of Pittsburgh; Murray Gell-Mann, Nobel Laureate in physics, California Institute of Technology; Herbert Hauptman, Nobel Laureate and professor of biophysical science, SUNY at Buffalo; Donald Johanson, Inst. of Human 0rigins; Sergei Kapitza, physicist, Insitute of Physics and Technology; George Klein, cancer researcher, Sweden; Gyorgy Konrad, novelist, Hungary; Thelma Lavine, Clarence J. Robinson Professor of Philosophy, George Mason Univ.; Jolé Lombardi, organizer of the New Univ. for the Third Age; Jose Leite Lopes, director, Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Fisicas; Paul MacCready, Chairman, AeroVironment, Inc.; Mihailo Markovié, professor of philosophy, Univ. of Belgrade; Adam Michnik, historian and writer, Poland; Indumati Parikh, president, Radical Humanist Association of India; John Passmore, professor of philosophy, Australian National Univ.; Octavio Paz, Nobel Laureate in Literature, Mexico; Wardell Baxter Pomeroy, psychotherapist and author; W. V. Quine, professor of philosophy, Harvard; Marcel Roche, permanent delegate to UNESC0 from Venezuela; Max Rood, professor of law and former Minister of Justice in Holland; 'behind Rorty, professor of philosophy, University of Virginia; Carl Sagan, astronomer, Cornell; Leopold Sedar Senghor, former president, Senegal; Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate in Literature, Nigeria; Svetozar Stojanovic, professor of philosophy, Univ. of Belgrade; Thomas Szasz, professor of psychiatry, SUNY Medical School; V. M. Tarkunde, chairman, Indian Radical Humanist Association; Richard Taylor, professor of philosophy, Union College; Rob Tielman, copresident, International Humanist and Ethical Union; Alberto Hidalgo Tuñón, president of the Sociedad Asturiana de Filosofía, 0viedo, Spain; Peter Ustinov, actor and director; Simone Veil, former president, European Parliament, France; Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., novelist; Mourad Wahba, professor of education, University of Ain Shams, Cairo; G. A. Wells, professor of German, Univ. of London; Edward O. Wilson, professor of entomology, Harvard. Deceased: George O. Abell, Isaac Asimov, Sir Alfred J. Ayer, Brand Blanshard, Joseph Fletcher, Sidney Hook, Lawrence Kohlberg, Franco Lombardi, André Lwoff, Ernest Nagel, George Olincy, Chaim Perelman, Sir Karl Popper, Andrei Sakharov, Lady Barbara Wooton. Secretariat: Vern Bullough, professor of history, California State Univ., Northridge; Antony Flew, professor emeritus of philosophy, Reading Univ.; Paul Kurtz, professor emeritus of philosophy, SUNY at Buffalo, editor of FREE INQUIRY; Gerald Larue, professor emeritus of archaeology and biblical studies, Univ. of Southern California at Los Angeles; Jean-Claude Pecker, professor of astrophysics, Collège de France, Académie des Sciences. Executive Director: Timothy J. Madigan. 12/94

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Or call toll-free 800-458-1366. FAX charges to: 716-636-1733. 12/94 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 Paul Kurtz, Chairman Produces radio and television programs presenting skeptical and secular humanist viewpoints on a variety of topics. The Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism (C0DES H) is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt educational organization Institute for Inquiry dedicated to fostering the growth of the traditions of democracy Vern Bullough, Dean and secular humanism, and the principles of free inquiry in 0ffers courses in humanism and skepticism; sponsors an annual contemporary society. In addition to publishing FREE INQUIRY summer session and periodic workshops. magazine, C0DESH sponsors many organizations and activities. It is also open to Associate Membership. Members receive International Development Committee the Secular Humanist Bulletin. Paul Kurtz, Chairman Works closely with individuals and groups in various parts of the world, especially in developing countries and assists them The Academy of Humanism in spreading the humanist point of view. Timothy J. Madigan, Executive Director The Academy of Humanism was established to recognize Robert G. Ingersoll Memorial Committee distinguished humanists and to disseminate humanistic ideals Roger Greeley, Honorary Chairman and beliefs. Dedicated to running the Robert G. Ingersoll birthplace museum in Dresden, N.Y., and to keeping his memory alive. African Americans for Humanism James Madison Memorial Committee Norm Allen, Jr., Executive Director Robert Alley, Chairman Brings the ideals of humanism to the African-American com- Keeps alive James Madison's commitment to the First munity. Amendment and to liberty of thought and conscience. Committee for the Scientific Examination Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) of Religion (CSER) James Christopher, Executive Director Gerald A. Larue, President A secular alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous with more than Examines the claims of Eastern and Western religions and of 1,000 local groups throughout North America. Publishes a well-established and newer sects and denominations in the light newsletter available by subscription. of scientific inquiry. The committee is interdisciplinary, including specialists in biblical scholarship, archaeology, linguistics, Society of Humanist Philosophers anthropology, the social sciences, and philosophy who represent Timothy J. Madigan, Executive Director differing secular and 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 P0 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, P0 Box 5313, Berkeley, CA 94705 (415) 486-0553; Secular Humanists of Los Angeles, P0 Box 661496, Los Angeles, CA 90066 (213) 310-3354; Atheists and other Freethinkers, P0 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, P0 Box 31172, San Francisco, CA 94131 (415) 342-3999; Secular Humanists of Marin County, P0 Box 6022, San Rafael, CA 94903 (415) 892-5243; Siskiyou Humanists, PO Box 223, Weed, CA 96094 (916) 938-2938 / CONNECTICUT: Northeast Atheist Association, PO Box 63, Simsbury, CT 06070 / FLORIDA: Secular Humanists of South Florida, 5009 Arthur St., Hollywood, FL 33021 (305) 966-7505; Atheists of Florida, Inc., P0 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., P0 Box 724, Winter Park, FL 32790 (407) 628-2729 / Hawaii Secular Humanists, 508 Pepekeo Pl., Honolulu, HI 96825 (808) 395-5581 / ILLINOIS: Peoria Secular Humanists, P0 Box 994, Normal, IL 61761 (309) 452-8907; Free Inquiry Network, P0 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 0rleans Secular Humanists, 180 Willow Dr., Gretna, LA 70053 (504) 366-7498; New Orleans, LA 70122 (504) 283-2830; Shreveport Humanists, PO Box 9476, Shreveport, LA 71118-4003 (318) 688-7983 / MARYLAND: Baltimore Secular Humanists, P0 Box 24115, Baltimore, MD 21227 (410) 467-3225 / MICHIGAN: Secular Humanists of Detroit, 220 Bagley, Room 908, Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 962-1777 / MINNESOTA: Minnesota Atheists, P0 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, 3501 E. 9th, Kansas City, MO 64124 (816) 241-9162; Rationalist Society of St. Louis, P0 Box 2931, St. Louis, M0 63130 (314) 772-5131 / NEW HAMPSHIRE: Secular Humanists of Merrimack Valley, P0 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, P0 Box 2148, Scotia, NY 12302 (518) 381-6239; Secular Humanist Society of New York, P0 Box 7661, New York, NY 10150 (212) 421-2641 / 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 0hio, P0 Box 2367, Akron, 0H 44309-2137 (216) 869-2025; Free Inquiry Group, Inc., PO Box 8128, Cincinnati, 0H 45208 (606) 581-4602 / OREGON: Corvallis Secular Society, 126 N.W. 21st St., Corvallis, 0R 97330 / 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 / WASHINGTON, D.C: Washington Area Secular Humanists, P0 Box 15319, Washington, DC 20003 (202) 696-8537. 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 themselves. • 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 compassion. • 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 personal significance and genuine satisfaction in the service 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, compassion 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.

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