Comments for The Humanist Community Project http://harvardhumanist.org From the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:41:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on The Need for Humanist Music: Can I Get an Amen? by Michael R http://harvardhumanist.org/2012/02/16/the-need-for-humanist-music-can-i-get-an-amen/#comment-508 Michael R Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:41:39 +0000 http://harvardhumanist.org/?p=1119#comment-508 Perhaps humanist music is lacking because the humanist movement, in general, is thin on the ground. I attribute this to the shortcomings of humanism i.e. individualistic, non-judgemental, global. But these qualities are no what the little-old tribal human brain is geared for. We are geared for small homogeneous local groups. This is the challenge for humanism. The shortage of music reflects the vague and uninspiring nature of humanist philosophy/culture in general. As Alain de Botton recently said "we have secularised badly". So we have more than just music to work on. Music is born out of strong culture and communities. The lack of music is a symptom of a bigger problem. Cart before horse. Perhaps humanist music is lacking because the humanist movement, in general, is thin on the ground. I attribute this to the shortcomings of humanism i.e. individualistic, non-judgemental, global. But these qualities are no what the little-old tribal human brain is geared for. We are geared for small homogeneous local groups. This is the challenge for humanism. The shortage of music reflects the vague and uninspiring nature of humanist philosophy/culture in general. As Alain de Botton recently said “we have secularised badly”. So we have more than just music to work on. Music is born out of strong culture and communities. The lack of music is a symptom of a bigger problem. Cart before horse.

]]> Comment on The Need for Humanist Music: Can I Get an Amen? by sami http://harvardhumanist.org/2012/02/16/the-need-for-humanist-music-can-i-get-an-amen/#comment-507 sami Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:29:44 +0000 http://harvardhumanist.org/?p=1119#comment-507 this is a much more powerful song by Immortal Technique - warning, the lyrics are very graphic (the story they tell that is), but they will make you think. definitely NSFW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8yKTuvRmPE this is a much more powerful song by Immortal Technique – warning, the lyrics are very graphic (the story they tell that is), but they will make you think. definitely NSFW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8yKTuvRmPE

]]> Comment on The Need for Humanist Music: Can I Get an Amen? by sami http://harvardhumanist.org/2012/02/16/the-need-for-humanist-music-can-i-get-an-amen/#comment-506 sami Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:17:24 +0000 http://harvardhumanist.org/?p=1119#comment-506 I'd say the issue is that our society as a whole doesn't value meaningful songs. There are plenty of meaningful songs that are made on a continual basis, but they are only known by the few fans of the artist that produced them. Of course from time to time you have wildly popular songs that I think fit your description (such as John Lennon's "Imagine" or maybe Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World"), but unfortunately the vast majority of them remain largely unknown to the general human population. I also think that you might want to expand your horizons and look in unexpected places. Perhaps there are some really meaningful hip-hop songs out there (not the variety that gets popular, of course). Immortal Technique is one such rapper that comes to my mind (here's a random song): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bURgTLHryrg I'm not sure if you'll feel the same spiritual power that you do from old religious music (especially seeing as how the music includes profanity and whatnot) but my point is that not all music nowadays is shallow. From my experience with music thus far, every genre that involves lyrics has artists that produce music that are very deep and will make you think. Unfortunately for our society as a whole, these artists all remain popular solely in the underground scene of that particular genre, while artists who sing "I've got a feeling, that tonight's gonna be a good night" on repeat become worldwide celebrities. If you want to find depth and real thought in today's music, you're going to have to really search, but it is there. my $0.02! I’d say the issue is that our society as a whole doesn’t value meaningful songs. There are plenty of meaningful songs that are made on a continual basis, but they are only known by the few fans of the artist that produced them. Of course from time to time you have wildly popular songs that I think fit your description (such as John Lennon’s “Imagine” or maybe Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”), but unfortunately the vast majority of them remain largely unknown to the general human population.

I also think that you might want to expand your horizons and look in unexpected places. Perhaps there are some really meaningful hip-hop songs out there (not the variety that gets popular, of course). Immortal Technique is one such rapper that comes to my mind (here’s a random song): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bURgTLHryrg I’m not sure if you’ll feel the same spiritual power that you do from old religious music (especially seeing as how the music includes profanity and whatnot) but my point is that not all music nowadays is shallow.

From my experience with music thus far, every genre that involves lyrics has artists that produce music that are very deep and will make you think. Unfortunately for our society as a whole, these artists all remain popular solely in the underground scene of that particular genre, while artists who sing “I’ve got a feeling, that tonight’s gonna be a good night” on repeat become worldwide celebrities. If you want to find depth and real thought in today’s music, you’re going to have to really search, but it is there.

my $0.02!

]]> Comment on The Freethinkers’ Political Textbook – Steel, Velvet, and the Honorable Duelist by James Croft http://harvardhumanist.org/2012/02/16/the-freethinkers-political-textbook-steel-velvet-and-the-honorable-duelist/#comment-504 James Croft Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:34:33 +0000 http://harvardhumanist.org/?p=1028#comment-504 I have added an update with a link to the audio in question. I have added an update with a link to the audio in question.

]]> Comment on The Freethinkers’ Political Textbook – Steel, Velvet, and the Honorable Duelist by James Croft http://harvardhumanist.org/2012/02/16/the-freethinkers-political-textbook-steel-velvet-and-the-honorable-duelist/#comment-503 James Croft Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:21:47 +0000 http://harvardhumanist.org/?p=1028#comment-503 You should appeal. If your account is true, as I've said before, the judge acted entirely improperly. But none of this is relevant to the point of this post, which is about effective persuasive technique. I still hold that you would have been more persuasive - more persuasive to the JUDGE even - if you had taken a different tack and used some of the principles described here. If you have another court date, try these techniques out and see for yourself. I'll add a note at the top mentioning the context in which you spoke, in the interest of intellectual honesty and clarity. You should appeal. If your account is true, as I’ve said before, the judge acted entirely improperly. But none of this is relevant to the point of this post, which is about effective persuasive technique. I still hold that you would have been more persuasive – more persuasive to the JUDGE even – if you had taken a different tack and used some of the principles described here. If you have another court date, try these techniques out and see for yourself.

I’ll add a note at the top mentioning the context in which you spoke, in the interest of intellectual honesty and clarity.

]]> Comment on The Freethinkers’ Political Textbook – Steel, Velvet, and the Honorable Duelist by Ernest Perce V http://harvardhumanist.org/2012/02/16/the-freethinkers-political-textbook-steel-velvet-and-the-honorable-duelist/#comment-502 Ernest Perce V Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:04:56 +0000 http://harvardhumanist.org/?p=1028#comment-502 I was forced by a court/ judge into silence. Hence the clip that was used on the Facebook wall of AA during a debate on a radio show. A judge said, you may not share the audio with anyone or else you violate section 112 of the Rules of the Court. I will hold you in contempt of court under section 42 of the PA Authority of a Judge. To which I responded, " I will not allow you put fear in my mind or those whom I know ( the fear of me being arrested in contempt of court) ! I will not be silent ( following the rules of the court 112) with my disdain and disgust for your culture or your terroristic ways ( culture that the judge held so proud above christianity and American culture). I will still say to ISLAM the Qur'an and it's teachings, the Sharia Law and the words of Muhammed that Islam, “I do not respect your filthy, repugnant, and vile views of how Islam instructs believers to deal with Kafir. When it is all said and done, I'll go to jail or pay a whopping fine bc a pissed of Muslim Judge was upset that I blasphemed Muhammed of Islam here in America. I was forced by a court/ judge into silence. Hence the clip that was used on the Facebook wall of AA during a debate on a radio show. A judge said, you may not share the audio with anyone or else you violate section 112 of the Rules of the Court. I will hold you in contempt of court under section 42 of the PA Authority of a Judge.
To which I responded, ” I will not allow you put fear in my mind or those whom I know ( the fear of me being arrested in contempt of court) ! I will not be silent ( following the rules of the court 112) with my disdain and disgust for your culture or your terroristic ways ( culture that the judge held so proud above christianity and American culture).
I will still say to ISLAM the Qur’an and it’s teachings, the Sharia Law and the words of Muhammed that Islam, “I do not respect your filthy, repugnant, and vile views of how Islam instructs believers to deal with Kafir.
When it is all said and done, I’ll go to jail or pay a whopping fine bc a pissed of Muslim Judge was upset that I blasphemed Muhammed of Islam here in America.

]]> Comment on The Freethinkers’ Political Textbook – Steel, Velvet, and the Honorable Duelist by James Croft http://harvardhumanist.org/2012/02/16/the-freethinkers-political-textbook-steel-velvet-and-the-honorable-duelist/#comment-499 James Croft Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:20:20 +0000 http://harvardhumanist.org/?p=1028#comment-499 Thank you for responding - I'm glad you found the piece. I am not convinced from your reply that you READ it, though, because there is nothing in there about being a "Little Miss goody two shoes". Indeed, I quite explicitly point out that powerful criticism is essential - or is Greta Christina also a "Little Miss goody two shoes"? The problems with your defence of yourself are numerous. First, the context was not provided on the AA Facebook page. And so no one there, seeing your quote, would be aware of it. Second, a "culture" - which is the word YOU used - is not the same as a "belief", and the term "Islam" is not the same sort of word, precisely, as "Christianity" - it does not simply denote a set of beliefs but also cultural practices, laws, etc. You would know this were you better informed about those you are criticizing. Third, you cannot refer to a belief or a belief-system as "you" or "your" - those words are used to talk about human beings. At BEST, you have personified "Islam" and are extending that metaphor - but this is a very unclear and misleading way to make your point (as evidenced by the response to the hundreds who expressed their shock and outrage about this statement). Fourth, the use of the words "filthy", "repugnant", "disdain" and "disgust", used in reference to a culture, are exactly the sort of words racists use to express their bigotry. Substitute "African American culture" or "gay culture" for "Islam" in your screed and I hope you'll see my point. Perhaps best to stay away from these words when addressing the entire culture of an oppressed minority in the States? It would really help if you became more informed about the cultures you are attacking, thought more carefully about how you expressed yourself, and read through what you write before firing it off. And it's "halfWIT". Thank you for responding – I’m glad you found the piece. I am not convinced from your reply that you READ it, though, because there is nothing in there about being a “Little Miss goody two shoes”. Indeed, I quite explicitly point out that powerful criticism is essential – or is Greta Christina also a “Little Miss goody two shoes”?

The problems with your defence of yourself are numerous. First, the context was not provided on the AA Facebook page. And so no one there, seeing your quote, would be aware of it.

Second, a “culture” – which is the word YOU used – is not the same as a “belief”, and the term “Islam” is not the same sort of word, precisely, as “Christianity” – it does not simply denote a set of beliefs but also cultural practices, laws, etc. You would know this were you better informed about those you are criticizing.

Third, you cannot refer to a belief or a belief-system as “you” or “your” – those words are used to talk about human beings. At BEST, you have personified “Islam” and are extending that metaphor – but this is a very unclear and misleading way to make your point (as evidenced by the response to the hundreds who expressed their shock and outrage about this statement).

Fourth, the use of the words “filthy”, “repugnant”, “disdain” and “disgust”, used in reference to a culture, are exactly the sort of words racists use to express their bigotry. Substitute “African American culture” or “gay culture” for “Islam” in your screed and I hope you’ll see my point. Perhaps best to stay away from these words when addressing the entire culture of an oppressed minority in the States?

It would really help if you became more informed about the cultures you are attacking, thought more carefully about how you expressed yourself, and read through what you write before firing it off.

And it’s “halfWIT”.

]]> Comment on The Freethinkers’ Political Textbook – Steel, Velvet, and the Honorable Duelist by James Croft http://harvardhumanist.org/2012/02/16/the-freethinkers-political-textbook-steel-velvet-and-the-honorable-duelist/#comment-498 James Croft Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:05:36 +0000 http://harvardhumanist.org/?p=1028#comment-498 Hi there. Thanks for adding clarification. The story you relate is harrowing and, as you say, the judge acted highly improperly. If your recounting of the tale is accurate, it is indeed outrageous, and the judge should be censured. That does not, however, make Perce's appeal any more persuasive, which is the topic of this post. Hi there. Thanks for adding clarification. The story you relate is harrowing and, as you say, the judge acted highly improperly. If your recounting of the tale is accurate, it is indeed outrageous, and the judge should be censured. That does not, however, make Perce’s appeal any more persuasive, which is the topic of this post.

]]> Comment on Ask a what? Ask an Atheist! by Kevin Saldanha http://harvardhumanist.org/2012/02/09/ask-a-what-ask-an-atheist/#comment-497 Kevin Saldanha Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:36:47 +0000 http://harvardhumanist.org/?p=1032#comment-497 Great idea... even better is to "Ask a Humanist" then the "Ask a WHAT...????" is even more appropriate as many more people will be intrigued and not necessarily be put off by the a... word. Great idea… even better is to “Ask a Humanist” then the “Ask a WHAT…????” is even more appropriate as many more people will be intrigued and not necessarily be put off by the a… word.

]]> Comment on The Freethinkers’ Political Textbook – Steel, Velvet, and the Honorable Duelist by Ernest Perce V http://harvardhumanist.org/2012/02/16/the-freethinkers-political-textbook-steel-velvet-and-the-honorable-duelist/#comment-495 Ernest Perce V Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:33:14 +0000 http://harvardhumanist.org/?p=1028#comment-495 I saw this post about my Islam comment. I find myself amused that the majority of you "Little Miss goody two shoes" bloggers misinterpret my quote from a radio show where I debated a Imam. Host, "MR. Perce, you were recently attacked by a violent muslim in a parade. What is your opinion on female circumcision, beheadings, murders in the name of blasphemy, bombings in the name of mohammed and the over 400 death threats you have received up to this point for dressing up as the Prophet Mohammed in public parades?" To that I responded, I will say to you Islam, “I do not respect your filthy, repugnant, and vile views. I will not allow you put fear in my mind or those whom I know! I will not be silent with my disdain and disgust for your culture or your terroristic ways. I am an American Atheist, and I am not afraid to deal with you openly and in the same manner that I treat christianity. I am not afraid to publicly blaspheme your pedophile prophet Mohammed of Islam. I will do this on a corner, in a crowd or a parade! While so many others draw mohammed, I am Mohammed in open public! Am I worried about being attacked or death threats? I’m more worried that if I stay silent that the energy and emotion within me will be worse to me than being attacked or even death threats! So do your worst and I will do mine.” It would really help you keyboard commandos who hide in the safety of your houses or schools to apply the understanding of english and realize that beliefs are not people. ISLAM is not a human, it is a belief and a religion. You could have come directly to me instead of firing off a 1/2 whit post! Ernest Perce V I saw this post about my Islam comment. I find myself amused that the majority of you “Little Miss goody two shoes” bloggers misinterpret my quote from a radio show where I debated a Imam. Host, “MR. Perce, you were recently attacked by a violent muslim in a parade. What is your opinion on female circumcision, beheadings, murders in the name of blasphemy, bombings in the name of mohammed and the over 400 death threats you have received up to this point for dressing up as the Prophet Mohammed in public parades?” To that I responded, I will say to you Islam, “I do not respect your filthy, repugnant, and vile views. I will not allow you put fear in my mind or those whom I know! I will not be silent with my disdain and disgust for your culture or your terroristic ways. I am an American Atheist, and I am not afraid to deal with you openly and in the same manner that I treat christianity. I am not afraid to publicly blaspheme your pedophile prophet Mohammed of Islam. I will do this on a corner, in a crowd or a parade! While so many others draw mohammed, I am Mohammed in open public! Am I worried about being attacked or death threats? I’m more worried that if I stay silent that the energy and emotion within me will be worse to me than being attacked or even death threats! So do your worst and I will do mine.”
It would really help you keyboard commandos who hide in the safety of your houses or schools to apply the understanding of english and realize that beliefs are not people. ISLAM is not a human, it is a belief and a religion.
You could have come directly to me instead of firing off a 1/2 whit post!
Ernest Perce V

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