That Guy From China

I’ve been thinking about writing this post for awhile, and a discussion with a friend of mine, Dionne Chingkoe (you can check out her blog here), who is involved in an activity to raise money and awareness of homeless issues by living outside for five days, inspired me to write this post.

Humanism is about human rights, equality, personal liberty, and social responsibility.  In the U.S., the American Humanist Association is active in a lot of different areas, such as getting involved on university campuses, and in social issues.  The International Humanist and Ethical Union is politically active in highlighting human rights abuses around the world; and also actively involved in the United Nations.

But even though Canada has a Humanist association of its own, Humanism in Canada is virtually irrelevant.  Most people don’t even know what it is.  Humanist organizations on university campuses are invisible or non-existent.  They seem to have no voice in important political and social issues.

I was talking with some people a few weeks ago who were criticizing Christian efforts to deliberately target international students coming to Canada.  They know these students are isolated, and invite them to church by offering a variety of social activities.  The comments from others was that this was obviously exploitative behavior, taking advantage of people when they’re weak in order to indoctrinate them into their religion.

I disagreed.

I don’t see how one can be criticized for seeking to reach out to others.  It isn’t the fault of Christian organizations for doing this.  It is the fault of Humanists for not getting similarly involved, and offering those students an alternative.

Right now, Humanism in Canada seems to be commited primarly to navel-gazing…to discussing what Humanism is, and refining the core philosophy.  But all of that is pointless and useless if it isn’t translated into action.

I am in the process now of contacting various Humanist organizations and individuals in Canada, as well as the AHA and IHEU, to try to start an initiative to challenge Humanists to start getting more involved, and making themselves more relevant to society as a whole.

Hope to keep people updated on my progress.