We all reach a point sometimes when we've "had enough" of our existing state of affairs. We finally dislodge ourselves from passive acceptance-to action. We move from a static self-to a self that embraces a needed change.

This move away from passivity is prompted by an inner source of strength, usually gained in adolescence, but occurring at any age. Amazingly enough, the precise moment of change is vividly remembered and cherished.

Recently, we have seen the turning points of others reported in the news. One case is Janice Allred, the latest excommunicated member of the Mormon Church. She reached her "had enough" point when she bravely said to the media in a prepared speech, "I recognize the authority of church leaders to carry out their ecclesiastical duties. However I don't accept their authority over my own spiritual feelings and judgment in making my personal decisions." Allred's statement and decision not to defer to their command to "keep silent" reflects a belief that her personal autonomy is more important than their authority over her.

Another woman in the news, Janet Alcantura, reported after enduring an abusive marriage for 20 years, "I had to separate my (Catholic) religion from what I knew was good for me." Alcantura finally reached a point where she redefined the nature of authority by declaring herself as more important than her religion. She said she was still a spiritual person, but had evolved to a place where she couldn't allow her church to rule over her own personal life anymore.

A young Jewish woman, 16-year old Rachel Bauchman from Salt Lake City's West High School, filed a lawsuit this month alleging the choir director and school district were violating her civil rights by repeatedly "forcing me to sing Christian devotional music in class, which requires me to express Christian religious ideas." When Rachel first complained about singing too many religious songs last year, her concerns were minimized and dismissed by the school (an unwise thing to do to a woman), so she decided to file a lawsuit because she felt her freedom of conscience was more important than the opinions and practices of the choir teacher, the school district, and the majority of the students.

It is interesting to note that all three women had emotionally moved from a state of passive acceptance to a position of action. Each had acquired a sense of personal self and autonomy, which gave them the confidence to challenge established ecclesiastical authority.

What are the conditions and forces that prompted these women to claim the power of their own minds? What can we as humanists learn from their strength to help others become freer thinkers?

The book, Women's Ways of Knowing (1986, Belenky, et al) offers some answers to these questions. Interviews were conducted with a variety of 135 women who were asked profound questions like: What is truth? What is authority? To whom do I listen? What counts for me as evidence? How do I know what I know? After analyzing the answers, the authors described the best social conditions they felt will promote the development of self, voice and mind in both females and males. I paraphrase their conclusions:

1. People need to feel connected to a group where they are cared for, and can express themselves openly and freely without fear.
2. People need to hear a diversity of ideas and opinions.
3. People need to know they are inherently capable of intelligent thought and voice; the earlier they know it, the better.
4. People need to be regularly assured that they are trusted to learn and know things through a variety of ways.
5. People need opportunities for experiential learning at the same time they are taught theoretical knowledge. This is a switch from learning theory first, then applying it later.
6. People need to participate in formulating their own agendas for learning and living. They need to feel responsible for themselves and their future.

The above conditions require that there be an active support system where nurturing, non-authoritarian families and communities help each other trust in their own senses, while giving them opportunities to learn and discover what works and what doesn't. The conditions also require that people be respected as valuable members of a community. There need to be safety nets to help people through tough times.

If we understand the ways we best develop ourselves, our voices, and our minds, then we can design programs and build facilities that will help develop competent, capable, compassionate, free thinking individuals who will be oriented towards the great philosophy of humanism.

--Nancy Moore