6 |
BUILDING ON THE ANABASIS |
6.1 |
THE PURPOSE OF JOINING |
There are two types of action or practise in the
denominational field of
the DNI:
- fundamental action directly aimed at the establishment and
maintenance of
neutral-inclusivity in the world, in
society and in individuals; this is
nanaic, or at least
anafactive, action
besides abstention and within the rights-theoretical
meta-frame;
- symbolic confirmation which enhances the appeal and popular
influence of the doctrine and which indirectly serves the
establishment and maintenance of neutral-inclusivity in the
world, in society and in individuals. (Confirmation is used
here in the sense of an act or process of strengthening and of
supporting what is held valuable.)
Fundamental action consists of everything that contributes
to the well-being of sentient beings, particularly of those
human beings who die of starvation or malnutrition, those who
suffer from disease or are handicapped and those who have no
shelter; and particularly of those animal beings of which the
natural environment is destroyed, and which are destroyed
themselves, by the carelessness of people believing in nothing,
or hardly anything, else than in the 'dominion of man'. It
consists of everything that puts an end to discrimination and
inequality among human beings, not only to those forms of
discrimination and inequality which are recognized by many
exclusivists as well (like racism and sexism to a convenient
extent) but also to forms which are not less serious (like
discrimination on the basis of denominational or ideological
convictions and on the basis of factors such as language, class,
age and sexual orientation). It consists of everything that
makes it harder for people to believe in natural or supernatural
falsehoods and in empty, natural or supernatural promises and
threats. And it consists of everything else that is right or
anafactive in terms of what is said in
the Book of Fundamentals.
This is not to say that it is solely action in some practical,
material sense that would count. Also discussions about what
should be, followed by what would be the best way to bring it
about, can be worthwhile, so long as they are conducive to forms
of action or nonaction which are nanaic, neutral or
truth-preserving in themselves.
Symbolic confirmation consists of the supportive use of
symbols and of the voluntary confrontation with such symbols as
described in
this book, or as otherwise representative of
Ananormative values. In the
immediate, short-term sense symbolic confirmation probably only serves the
well-being of
symbolists
themselves, probably only underlines the freedom from
discrimination for symbolists themselves, and probably only urges
symbolists themselves to distinguish tales or myths from true or
veridical stories. But in a less
immediate, longer-term sense repeated confirmation by means of symbols can
be at least as effective as fundamental action or nonaction. This should
first and foremost be the case if symbolists do together overtly show
each other and the outside world what they stand for, that is,
if they come into the open. When
fundamentalists act in concert to combat
exism, supernaturalism and
authoritarianism, symbolists should join hands in a ring and form a circle
in which there is a place for all, truly existing people and other
primary beings in the universe. The sole thing that may, then,
not be truly existing is the neutral being in the center of this
circle.
The purpose of joining other adherents or sympathizers of the DNI in
sociodenominational activities are, if not
the same as those of fundamental action and symbolic confirmation, derived
from those of fundamental action and symbolic confirmation. And
the ultimate purpose remains the ultimate purpose of
the immutable norms in general.
Yet, if we confine ourselves in this
context to activities which are not nanaic or neutral in a
strict sense, those who socialize or organize themselves under
the denomination of the Ananorm may do so, for example:
- to listen to what others have to tell, and to participate in
discussions with them;
- to make preparations for collective efforts to improve the
conditions of human and other sentient beings;
- to observe
the Days of Neutrality;
- to express joy or contentment and sorrow or indignation
together; and
- to communicate neutral-inclusive ideas and feelings thru
literature, drama, music, photography, sculpture, design or by
any other artistic means.
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