5.3.2 |
FORMULAS OF SYMBOLIZATION AND SOCIALIZATION |
It is clear that those who make of a
denominational form of
symbolism an organized event or a tradition should not forget that the
acceptance of symbolic matters, and therefore also of such a
denominational activity, always has to remain voluntary.
In the
DNI denominational, symbolic
acting must not degenerate into ritualism for the sake of ritualism.
The (sub)principle that there is neither an
extrinsic nor an
intrinsic duty to participate
in any sort of nonfundamental denominational
practise or
symbolism, is expressed in a formula of voluntary symbolization
(f.v.s.).
Such a formula unequivocally tells people that a particular
symbolistic act or occupation
can very well be combined with adherence to
fundamental neutralism-inclusivism,
but that it is not imposed by the doctrine and that imposing it would be
incompatible with the spirit of inclusivistic anti-authoritarianism.
At the same time such a formula should, if desirable, state explicitly
that no-one shall be allowed to forbid or restrict such a symbolic
expression, or treat it on unequal terms.
A standard example of a formula of voluntary symbolization is:
"There is no obligation to use symbols or symbolism,
but those who want to
shall be free to do so".
Not all forms of symbolism can be combined with adherence to
fundamental neutral-inclusivism: many (pre)historical or traditional
symbol systems are not compatible with the DNI at all.
Voluntary symbolism is therefore,
doctrinally speaking, only the
use of symbols which can be approved of from the standpoint of the DNI.
Metadoctrinally speaking,
people may accept any kind of symbol or symbolism, but doctrinally
speaking, they must reject those forms of symbolism which represent and
idealize the unneutral, exclusive, supernatural or something else of that
ilk.
Hence, for every f.v.s there is a supplementary formula of
mandatory nonsymbolization (f.m.ns.). This nonsymbolization
does then not refer to nonsymbolization in general but to
nonsymbolization with respect to symbol systems violating the
principles of the
Ananorm.
Moreover, the mandatory in a f.m.ns. is only intrinsic, whereas
the voluntary in a f.v.s. is both extrinsic and intrinsic.
A standard example of a formula of mandatory nonsymbolization is:
"While using
'er freedom to symbolize and not
to symbolize,
no adherent shall create or perpetuate forms of symbolism
incompatible with the Ananorm(ative principles)".
In addition to the formulas of voluntary symbolization and
mandatory nonsymbolization,
the norm of nanhonore should be
applied to every practising individual or group adopting a
certain symbol system, and to every nonpractising individual or
group not adopting such a symbol system. So, for every
nonfundamental denominational action or form of symbolism there is
a specific, intrinsic duty not to honor and not to dishonor.
This is expressed by a formula of nanhonorable symbolization
(f.nh.s.). Such a formula reads, for instance:
"We shall not honor or dishonor those who symbolize, and
we shall not dishonor or honor those who do not symbolize".
Parts of this formula may be deleted, dependent on the circumstances.
Variations in subject are also possible, like i instead
of we, or the third person with no-one instead of the
first person: "No-one shall honor (or dishonor) those who ...",
and so on.
While rites generally tend to lead to the degeneration of a
denominational doctrine, such need not be the case if emphasis
is being put in a ceremonial way on the spirit of neutral and
inclusive thought as expressed in the formulas of symbolization
(and nonsymbolization). A ritual statement can be an appropriate
part of a symbolic practise or activity which is or has been
made into an organized event or an institution. Yet, since it is
precisely the function of such a statement to stress the
formulas of symbolization and nonsymbolization, it may be
abstained from, if reference to what these formulas have to say
is made in another suitable way. Also reading the formulas aloud
in a social setting is a voluntary form of symbolism in itself.
Reading the formulas of symbolization in such a way that
other people hear it, or get to hear it, combines the symbolic
and the social in one activity. It is even possible to make the
act of organization or socialization itself the subject of such
formulas. This is illustratively shown in the following ceremonial
text:
There is no obligation to organize or to socialize
under the denomination of the Ananorm,
but those who wish it shall be free to do so,
and they shall not yield
to religious or political exclusionism.
No adherent shall use 'er freedom
to socialize or not to socialize
by participating in a form of socialization or
by being a member of an organization
violating the principles of the neutral-inclusive
Norm.
No-one shall honor or dishonor
those who do organize or socialize
under the same denomination, and
no-one shall dishonor or honor
those who do not organize or socialize
under the same denomination. |
.
The first paragraph of this ritual statement is a variant of
the formula of voluntary symbolization, that is, a formula of
voluntary socialization. The second paragraph is then a variant
of the f.m.ns., and the third one a variant of the f.nh.s.. The
above statement is an example of how in different kinds of
situation different variants of, and small additions to, the
three standard formulas may be employed. Yet, more verbal
ritualism than as expressed in these three formulas and their
variants or additions should not be called for since this might
eventually become detrimental to the conveyance of the substance of the
Ananormative message.
