Related Topics: Human Beings; Human Society
i'm going to talk about Exclusionism. And it's opposite, Inclusionism
Like all “isms” these are each a set of beliefs which many humans adopt.
-------- And a good, shorthand way of describing a particular point of view.
Whether or not they realize it, every person is more or less one or the other.
An Inclusionist.
Or an Exclusionist.
--- So what is the difference?
An inclusionist is a person who is very happy to live in a world with other kinds of people around.
An exclusionist wants to live in a world where everybody else thinks, believes, looks, acts like him or her.
For example an "islamic fundamentalist” taliban, would be an exclusionist.
But---- so would many of the folks who call themselves evangelical Christians.
And ----- a lot of American rich people are exclusionists.
Now they realize there are other kinds of people in the world.
But they don't want to have anything to do with them.
If you believe that anyone who does not look or act like you is subhuman in some way ,,,, or if you just want to make sure that in your life experience you don't encounter them, you are an exclusionist.
And it's not just the rich. A lot of American poor people are exclusionist too. They seem to be convinced that the world would be a better place if only they could get rid of all the people don't look, …........... or think, or behave, or talk like them.
{Laugh} Well, let me tell you something. It wouldn't.
Now I say that in part because I'm an inclusionist.
I love having other kinds of people around.
Now I don't think i'm better than them ...but I don't think i'm worse either.
I do think I'm wise, clever, good-looking, and an altogether wonderful human being.
But I sure wouldn't want everybody else to look, act, be like me.
It's the diversity of humanity that makes it fun.
It's also what makes it work.
Simple example: I can't have babies.
But I sure am glad that I live in a world where there are women as well as men.
'cause I think babies are a good thing.
Also I was never very good at mathematics.
But because I live in a world where there are people different from me who are good at mathematics, --------all this stuff--- these devices that we are using to communicate are made possible.
now I may not believe in the particular God that you believe in.
or I may not even believe in god at all
But I am happy to live in the world where there are a lot of different humans believing in a lot of different gods and moral systems.
It gives us the opportunity to learn from each other. And to grow in our understanding of what God ---------- or non-God; may be.
Inclusionism makes life richer and more interesting.
Exclusionism may make you feel a little more secure, but it is kind of barren and limiting.
Also .. there is a huge danger lurking in exclusionism.
If everyone I spoke to believed everything that I believe in, I would start thinking that I had all the right answers.
And life would hardly be worth living.
As a matter of fact, I know that I don't have all the right answers. And one of the fascinating things about life is learning from others the possible alternative answers, --- and, ------------- in the process, growing in my own understanding.
That is what it means to be an inclusionist.
I want to live in a world with a lot of different kinds of people, who've got a lot of different beliefs, talents, proclivities, ideas, etc.
I want to interact with other humans.
I want to learn from them.
Practically the only characteristic of other human beings with which I've got a problem – is exclusionism.
It's pretty simple. If we are all happy to be in the world inhabited by each other, then we will get along.
And if we are all willing to respect each other, listen to each other ------
we might even learn to love each other.
Hell, if we take this love stuff too far, we might start treating other animals, plants, all aspects of Earthlife as our cousins and neighbors.
Anyhow – I have found this little Exclusionism / Inclusionism paradigm helpful.
And if you do to, maybe you would want to check out some of my other videos.
There is even one in which I explore the puzzling (at least to me) question:
“If Inclusionism is such a wonderful thing, why are there so many Exclusionists?”