Previous blogs made two claims, that our existence does not persist outside the parameters of birth, life and death, and that as members of the same species Homo sapiens, we are all entitled to equal respect. If both are accepted, and it is difficult to imagine any valid scientific argument to the contrary, there are profound implications for most aspects of society, including laws, health, education, ethics, psychology, politics, international relations, finance and so on. I am not sufficiently arrogant to suggest how societies could change, or provide new answers to the problems of the world; I leave that to the clever people in the various areas which need to change. All I can do is draw attention to some of the inequities which need re-examining and make a personal response in the light of the two claims. Let’s look at a couple of issues.

Firstly, with attention to the second claim, what should be done about the large numbers of refugees presently incarcerated in various camps around the world. At present, any amelioration of their plight consists of providing food, clothing and temporary housing in tents. And even these are often subject to the vagaries of the host countries and their politics, as refugees are, by definition, not accepted as temporary citizens and often have foreign languages and beliefs. But if, as claimed, all members of our species are entitled to equal respect, the care and resettlement of refugees should have high priority in the governments of all host countries and this needs to be an essential part of the mandate of the United Nations. Countries without refugees have as much responsibility for their welfare as those with refugees within their borders.

As to the first claim – that there is nothing beyond birth, life and death, there would be many arguments to the contrary, as is evident when one looks at the plethora of religions and cults in human society. The question is whether belief is more important and useful than reality. Given that the beliefs are often contradictory and many are even destructive in their opposition to others, it seems more logical to base our values, attitudes and behaviours on facts rather than beliefs. The ability to think, the supreme characteristic of human animals, is more rational and reliable than a mindless and unchallenged belief. As I have commented ad nauseam to family and friends, if something ‘spiritual’ bit me on the nose I wouldn’t recognise it!