Thinking Deeper than Cultural Memes
What does it mean to be Human?
‘Wo, that’s a bit deep!’
Maybe it is on some levels . . . but then we as humans aren’t shallow.
In fact, contra the meme ‘that’s a bit deep’, we are persons of multiple depths - commonly wanting to think that much deeper than the meme implies or allows. Whilst bringing some smiles and some nods, the commonly used stock-phrase or meme often diverts from a topic of interest, curtailing the chance for engagement with those questions of depth and significance.
Ignoring the attempted boundary, this blog is designed to explore the meaning of being human and the questions that we ask at a variety of levels - reflecting our nature as persons of a multitude of depths. Some of what you’ll find on here will be light-hearted in nature, some you’ll find a bit fuller, and some, exploring quite deeply the issues core to the human person; some will appeal to the emotions, some to our rationality, some to our spirituality, others to our our social nature. But throughout the blog you’ll find a wanting to explore beyond the standard; whilst memes are imbibed from the culture and rehearsed as popular soundbites, as humans we’re also authentic with a depth that’s beyond just the soundbites. So though the memes can be fun and appeal a bit on the surface, the blog wants to go that bit deeper - thinking deeper than just cultural memes.
Me and my reason for writing
The past 20 or so years have brought me a rather eclectic work life. From being a conference facilitator at a hotel, through to working with students with disabilities, through to working at Sainsbury’s cafe, to teaching children music and sport, I’ve had the joy of working alongside and serving a range of differing people whilst also doing study in between those roles. My doctorate was on an aspect of what it means to be human, partly motivated, I’m sure, by intellectual stimuli, but my thinking about being human I think is probably particularly fueled by the diverse kinds of encounters I’ve had with people through the pastoral work I’ve been involved with during the course of those 20 or so years.
Having been based for 3 and a half years in the centre of Birmingham, as a curate in the Church in the Bullring, I continued the pastoral work, there, which I’ve been involved with in different locations. There in the heart of the city I found what I’ve continually found in multiple countries and cultures: that people of all kinds of background want to hear, talk and think, about life and our living as humans. Whether Bolivian or Scottish, young or old, Ethiopian or Scandinavian, addicted or free, secular or Muslim, wealthy or poor - regardless of their background and origin, and the condition they’re currently in, people have the desire to think about humans and our place in the world that we live. And now as I continue such work but based more in the south of the city, what I found - both in the city and beyond - is repeatedly brought home to me in my present situation as I help those who want to to develop their spiritual and holistic well-being.
It seems that reflecting on self, other people and culture(s) generally come naturally to human beings, and is part of our nature as persons, part of our essence as humans. It’s something that everyone does because we sense what lies underneath such questions. Indeed, knowing our selves in the world and knowing our purpose as people are answers we all want and seek, for if you can answer these kinds of questions, and with clarity, sureness and warmth, then you’re living a life well-examined, and so probably living life well.
Humanity, Logos and Purpose
And so the name of this blog: Humanity, Logos and Purpose. Logos is the ancient Greek word which, in its simplest sense, just means ‘word’, but which the ancient Greek’s used to articulate the rationality that underpins the world (/ its underlying principle of organisation). Seeking to approach the world rationally - in the widest sense of the word - and engage with the world using words, leads to the title of the blog you are reading: humanity, logos and purpose. A blog that reflects on humanity, seeking purpose for living life well, in a way that is thoughtful and rational is what this blog is about.
If you want to engage with such thinking, then there are different ways you can do so. Signing up to the blog through ‘subscribe’ would mean that any posts that I write from that point will come direct from my site to your e-mail. But if you’d rather not add to your inbox, you can always just visit the page with its ‘substack’ of articles at mattchurchouse.substack.com
A couple of things when engaging: the issues I write on are live, and my thoughts at the time on the issue, but thoughts can develop and change through additional knowledge and insight - so do add your thoughts to that end in the comments part of the page. I may not be able to respond by comment to what you add in that section, but I’d be keen at least to read and reflect on what is posted in that part of the page. And on that particular subject, please be wholesome in those comments - to all engaged in the discussion. I value the scrutinising of ideas - of my own and the views of others - for the purposes of honing such thought, but of course ideas all come from human persons who have emotions as well as ideas, so please be thoughtful, warm (and of course, relevant) in what you post in the comments part of each page.
Thank you for taking a look and wanting to engage with the content. What does it mean to be human? I hope the blog is of interest, and adds fuel to the fire of your seeking.
