Letter: Discussion of faith should consider humanist view

Editor,

I agree with many of Bhavana Upadhyaya's sentiments in the letter from Tuesday's Daily Lobo, "Civilized forum needed to discuss religion at UNM." However, the author seems to focus on discussions between people of different faiths, implying that the differences between religions are the main issue.

I believe people should be encouraged to consider alternate viewpoints and to constantly reassess what they believe. An open, civilized discussion forum would be an excellent opportunity to do this. In questioning one's beliefs, though, it does not suffice to be tolerant of other viewpoints. People who have faith or are religious should also have the opportunity to consider what it is they believe in and why. To do this properly, any forum on the discussion of religion should include viewpoints that question the existence of a higher power.

Because questioning and finding alternate options to religion are so important, we need an advocate of non-faith alternatives. On campus, we have the UNM Humanist Society. Humanists believe that the greatest good can be done in the name of humanity and for the sake of humanity, because it is the right thing to do as humans. The Humanist Society holds weekly events to facilitate questioning and promote deeper thought into the causes of religion and the reasons society develops faith. This week, on Friday at 4 p.m. in the Sandia Room of the SUB, the society is proud to host author Harry Willson, who will be delivering a lecture titled "Freedom from God."

I encourage anyone who would go to an interfaith conference or the mentioned "civilized forum" to attend Willson's lecture. You will be invited to challenge your beliefs, and through a logical process, you can either reaffirm them or redefine them appropriately. Either way, I believe you will leave with a better understanding of views that are not necessarily your own.

Constantly questioning our beliefs is the most beneficial thing we can do to create a strong community and society, for in questioning our own beliefs we not only gain a better understanding of ourselves, we prepare our minds to be more open to others.

Nathaniel Schneider

UNM student