This post was intended to be my first but, after writing and posting two other essays, I discovered that it had not been published.  I could accuse TownHall of dropping the ball somehow but it was more likely the result of my not selecting the “Publish” button.  I’m posting most of it now (the rest has become inappropriate and obsolete) because it still says some things I wanted to say, particularly on the matter of anonymity.

Most, if not all, blogs are narcissistic at best; some are downright exhibitionist.  Many blogs here on Town Hall are apparently intended to change other people’s minds although they seem to me to be preaching to the choir and therefore do more reinforcing than changing.  This blog will perhaps be narcissistic, it will definitely not be exhibitionist, and I don’t really care if anyone’s beliefs are changed by reading it.  My purpose in writing this blog is more cathartic than anything else; there are simply a number of things I want to get off my chest.  I expect that my views will be strengthened, clarified, and perhaps even changed by the act of committing them to print.

A secondary purpose is to demonstrate that there is at least one humanist with rather conservative views; we aren’t all far-left radicals bent on suppressing America’s Judeo-Christian heritage, traditions, and mores.  I say “at least one” and I suspect that there may be many others, some who might be afraid to admit or express their humanist views.  Others may only come to realize their humanism when they read this blog and compare our positions on various issues.  But as I said above, I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind; if I do, that’s OK but it really isn’t important to me and is not a purpose of this blog.

Note the title of this blog.  It was very carefully chosen to emphasize that only the views of one humanist are presented here.  I make no claim to represent the views of any other person and certainly not of any other humanist.  To paraphrase, any similarity between the views expressed here and the positions of any individual humanist or group of humanists is purely coincidental.  I expect to be castigated by some as not being a ‘real’ humanist, for not adhering to their particular brand of humanism, and for rejecting some of traditional humanism’s positions.  That sort reminds me of medieval clerics who argued endlessly about the number of angels who could dance on the head of a pin.

Now would be a good time to apologize for the anonymity of this blog.  I know that the majority of blogs are written anonymously but I still feel somewhat guilty about it.  I’ve always felt that an anonymous opinion carried a lot less weight than one with an attached signature.  The lengths to which I have gone to remain anonymous are a recognition of the times in which we live and consideration for my extended family.  I fully expect to be attacked from both the left and the right for the views I will be expressing here but there is no need for family members to be exposed to those attacks, particularly when they do not necessarily agree with those views.

As always, the views expressed here are those of one humanist….