A Humanist contribution to an inter-faith Celebration of Human Rights hosted by the Ipswich & District Bah­ community at Ipswich Central Library, 10 December 2010. The theme was Article 26:2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Spiritual Education”: Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

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The Article we’re celebrating today refers to “Spiritual Education”. I have a problem with this, because I don’t know what “spiritual” means. I know what other people say it means, but there are several definitions, some of them religious, and I find them mostly too vague to agree with them. So, if you don’t mind, I’ll ignore that part of the Article and talk about the rest: about education, and about understanding and tolerance. These are things without which no civil society can function properly, and without which there is endless scope for disharmony and conflict.

I don’t think that understanding, tolerance and friendship can be achieved by osmosis, while reciting lovely, cuddly sentiments about loving everyone. They must be learned, partly through example. Human beings have a natural tendency towards altruism. We’re also inclined to favour the well-being of those closest to us, but we’re not unique in this. Our cousins the apes set an example that many humans would do well to follow. However, it can be more difficult to behave well towards those who are different from us. I’ve observed just how easy it is for people to adopt a “Them and Us” position. It may be politically motivated, or religiously motivated, or atheistically motivated, or tribally motivated. Whatever the reasons, it happens a lot. The main consequence of such postures is that they dehumanise those who fall into the “them” category, while confer