The Accuser's Editorial Notes - Part 2

As you may know, The Accuser has been trying to figure out how we can reduce the influence of religion and aristocracy in the world. Clearly, the Soviet method didn't work, since so many of the people in the former Soviet republics, and Russia itself, and POURING back into Churches, Temples and Mosques.

So, what can we do? I first proposed, in an earlier post, that we no longer capitalize "god." Since meaning is not derived, it is ascribed, we can diminish the power of a word by ceasing to believe in its power.

Besides "god," what can we do?

1) Not refer to anyone by their honorific. No Sirs, Ladies, Dukes, Viscounts, Earls, Lords, etc.. Everyone is equal, regardless of what silly little name is given to them, by other people with silly little names.

2) If, you should ever have the opportunity to meet "royalty," do not, under any circumstances bow or show any respect, as they feel it should be done. That is not to say to be rude, but the idea of "showing respect" effectively means supplicating and subordinating yourself to them. Bow to no one. Stick out your hand. If they don't shake it, they are being rude, not you. The only reason they wouldn't, is because they feel they are superior to you. They're not.

3) None of this "Your Honor, Your Majesty or Your Holiness" nonsense. Mr or Ms is fine. If the Pope wants to go by some super-hero nickname, that is his business. His name is Joseph Ratzinger, not Benedict XVI. Likewise the president is Mr. Bush, not Mr. President.

4) Priests, Rabbis, Imams, Lamas, etc... should also be referred to by their real name. Not Father Jiminy, or Dalai Lama. Tell them the truth, if you don't think that they are the tools of god, let them know. Don't encourage or indulge them. One of the worst things a non-religious person can do is to pay respects to any religion. At the very least, it makes that person a hypocrite. At the worst, it contributes to the problem.

5) In fact, I would go so far to say, if you happen to meet someone who introduces themselves as a "baron" or "count", berate them. Mock them. Humiliate them. It's a joke that in the 21st century, people still give a damn about aristocracy. Chances are, those people did NOTHING to get their title. It is only a hangover from a dark period in human history.

These are only examples. However, a good rule of thumb is to examine how you are supposed to act. Is there something in "Tradition" that is really just a way to make you lower than the person, or situation, you are addressing? If there is, don't do it.

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