Once I have had the opportunity to read the poverty in Scotland 2022. I will write a blog on what poverty in Scotland means for the Human Rights (Scotland) Bill/Act.
I will up date the Human Rights page on this site so all blogs on Human Rights are in one place. Not too sure why I have not done this before now.
Also this is my first blog post/ snippet from my phone. Not sure how it will look on a desktop.
Hope is a strong emotion. Hope can guide you into the light, when on a dark path. Hope can provide strength when society demands weakness. Hope is your lighthouse. Hope, is what humans do when we can no longer dream. A dream is to believe. Hope is to believe in faith.
I support my legs, and, my legs support me.
nuknowing quote
the quote/saying above is my faith. No one is better than you to shape your future. In a past blog. I said something like:
Only you can self-manage your conditions, medical or not. I will reach out with open arms in the light but you must take the steps towards the light.
Light, hope, faith. What? For the Open University module A2222 Exploring Philosophy, I was required to write a paper on the philosophy of Religion.
God: the supreme personal being existing beyond the world, creator and ruler of the universe
Religion: a system of belief in and worship of a supernatural, power or god.
Timothy Chappell, 2011, p.8
What is the link between God, Religion, hope, light, and, faith, and contemporary living? A lot. And, nothing. For that same A222 Exploring philosophy module I also had to write a paper on Political Philosophy. As it is political, party conference month I thought I should reflect on our obligation to respect the laws of the state.
Socrates: Leave me then, Crito, to fulfil the will of God, and to follow whither he leads
Our Obligation to Respect the Laws of the State: Plato Crito, Western Philosophy an anthology, 2015, p.626
Am I recommending the state be followed in the same way Socrates would have followed god? No. No, am not. What am recommending is the State should be followed until the point is reached where citizens of the state can no longer dream. What I am recommending to the reader. Is, find your light. and do all you can to hold on to it. Your light. Your principles, values, and, vision are the groundwork for your political philosophy. Remember though the light is not fixed in place.
I become a member of the SNP on, 17 April 2007. To this date, I remain a member of the Glasgow Shettleston branch.
I do not, however, go to branch meetings. Or conferences.
Why? Because the “benefits of greater equality are very widespread” (Wilkinson and Pickett, 2009, p.177).
Am not saying there is, wealth inequality in membership income (most likely is). Am saying I liked the party when after a day of meetings you could have a drink with the cabinet minister in The Royal George Hotel bar.
I was asked not so long ago by a manager, of the charity Who Cares? Scotland. Is starting a social enterprise, something I really wish to do,
given my political/policy background. Am sure my answer was Yes am 100+10 per cent committed to A-LEAF (my social enterprise).
On reflection, I really should have said am want to start A-LEAF to push a political and policy agenda. A-LEAF is apolitical, it will always remain so. Ben Fredman & Craig Carey authors of 4Th Sector Entrepreneurship say a social enterprise’s principles, values, and, vision, are, shaped by the lived experience of their owners.
However, I take the view that the thinking and actions of the owner are shaped by the social enterprise. let me explain A-LEAF’s, vision is that every citizen in society should have dignity. My personal view and the view of the state on Assisted Dying. For the lack of a better word, is, it is wrong. However, dignity must also come in death. Therefore, I have no choice, I have to agree with Scottish Humanists, assisted Dying should be the choice of individual citizens.
As a member of a political party. Or a third-sector organisation I cannot change the parties/organisation’s policy as fast as I can change my mind or amend A-LEAF’s vision. A-LEAF’s vision, values, and, principles are our hopes for citizens and communities in Scotland. I wish to dream not only hope. By walking into the light with A-LEAF I can do just that.
As citizens of societies across the UK. We all need to have hope. Hope for a better tomorrow. We cannot only hope, we must dream. Political parties and political philosophy are not God. Have faith in yourself, in your ideas. Stand up, say and do what makes you happy. Join a community which has your vision, values, and, principles. When your values, and, principles change. Change your community(s).
For me, my vision, values, and, principles are in the fourth sector or social enterprise sector. If yours is in the third sector or political sector, fantastic. Do what makes you happy. please though, do not follow in blind faith.
David M Howie 