Download Secular Humanism

Secular Humanism:
Tolerance, Advocacy,
and even “Militancy”
Or… what “muscle” does Humanism have when
competing with the world’s major religions
and other traditional belief systems?
Types of Humanism*
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Christian Humanism: A philosophy based on Christian beliefs about the nature of God,
and which advocate people's fulfillment by personal effort.
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Cultural Humanism: A concept that knowledge can be obtained through rational thought
and experimentation. It has its roots in ancient Greece and Rome. It developed into the
scientific method and is the major underpinning of all sciences today.
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Literary Humanism: pursuit of the humanities (languages, literature, philosophy, history,
etc.)
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Modern Humanism: A generic term encompassing both Religious and Secular Humanism.
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Philosophical Humanism: A philosophy centered upon the needs and interests of people.
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Renaissance Humanism: A movement starting at the end of the Middle Ages which
renewed an interest in classical studies and promoted the concept that truth could be
discovered by human effort.
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Religious Humanism: similar to secular humanism, except that it is practiced in a religious
setting with fellowship and rituals, as in Ethical Culture Societies, congregations
associated with the Society for Humanistic Judaism, and some groups affiliated with the
Unitarian Universalist Association.
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Secular Humanism: A non-religious philosophy promoting humanity as the measure of all
things. It had its roots in the rationalism of the 18th Century and the free thought
movement of the 19th Century.
* Source: http://www.religioustolerance.org/humanism1.htm
Humanism*
• Knowledge of the world is derived by observation,
experimentation, and rational analysis.
• Humans are an integral part of nature, the result of unguided
evolutionary change.
• Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as
tested by experience.
• Life’s fulfillment emerges from individual participation in the
service of humane ideals.
• Humans are social by nature and find meaning in relationships.
• Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness.
* Source: http://americanhumanist.org/Humanism/Humanist_Manifesto_III
Humanist Perspectives*
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Humanists trace roots to ancient Greece and Socrates.
Knowledge is based on reason and evidence, not faith or revelation.
Humanists reject all things supernatural, including a deity or deities.
The preciousness and dignity of the individual is a core Humanist value.
Creationism is rejected in favor of natural selectionism.
Ethical and moral codes should be derived by reason from the human condition.
Full responsibility for the future of the world rests with humans.
Supernatural beliefs are not only illusory, but actually harmful to human welfare.
We favor democracy over theocracy & dictatorship as less dangerous to freedoms.
We value freedom of inquiry, expression and action, and tend towards liberalism.
Humans find meaning, purpose, and happiness in benevolent social relationships.
* Source: http://www.religioustolerance.org/humanism1.htm
The Competition
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Christianity – moral absolutes come from one supreme deity
Taoism – rigid social hierarchy defines one’s value & purpose
Islam – moral absolutes come from one supreme deity
Confucianism – this-worldly focus: family & social harmony
Buddhism – to end personal suffering via spiritual enlightenment
Hinduism – a fusion of ancient Indian traditions of divinelyinspired principles which offer a “right way of living”
• Jingoism – moral absolutes come from a supreme nation-state
All rely on moral sources above and beyond the individual
– the individual is secondary to a higher power
What attracts people to
Traditional Belief Systems (TBS)?
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Indoctrination from birth
Identity with “the Good” as virtuous and righteous
Reverence for a superior entity or principle (beauty)
Meaning and purpose comes from beyond the self
Promise of rewards, often far beyond the mundane
Assumed certainty of “the Truth”
Social acceptance – a sense of community
Social order and stability
(and, if all else fails…)
• Threats of rejection, ostracism, and even violence
How does Humanism stack up?
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Indoctrination
Identity
Reverence
Meaning & Purpose
Promise of Rewards
Certainty
Acceptance
Order & Stability
Threats
How does Humanism stack up?
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Indoctrination……………
Identity……………………
Reverence……………….
Meaning & Purpose…….
Promise of Rewards……
Certainty…………………
Acceptance………………
Order & Stability………...
Threats…………………...
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Rare
Vague
Optional
Relative
Mundane
Questionable
Nuanced
Dynamic
Trivial
Discussion:
What chance does Humanism have of
attracting large populations away from
their TBS’s and of becoming a dominant
cultural and political movement?
The Abrahamic Religions
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Judeo-Christian/Muslim faiths dominate half the globe.
70% of USA identifies as Christian.
Belief in a supernatural God: creator and law-giver.
Belief in the “Word of God” – followers of “The Book”.
Precepts can be inconsistent.
Precepts can overlap with Humanist values.
Officially absolute; pragmatically tolerant as necessary.
Political dominance whenever possible.
History of extreme violence.
Culturally entrenched.
Faith is prior to reason.
Discussion:
As a cultural minority, what can Humanists do?
- What should be the scope of Humanist advocacy?
- Should Humanists ever join religious endeavors?
- Are there limits to Humanist toleration?
- Should Humanists ever resort to violence?
- Is Humanism compromised through nuance, tolerance,
nonviolence, relativism, and lack of doctrine?
- In the USA, for what legal changes should we strive?
- Is the Humanist “life stance” solid enough to define
strategies and tactics?
Internet Links to References
Humanist flavors:
• http://www.religioustolerance.org/humanism1.htm
Humanist Manifesto III:
• http://americanhumanist.org/Humanism/Humanist_Manifesto_III
Other references:
• http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/
• https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment
Christian arguments:
• http://thinkingmatters.org.nz/2008/10/humanist-amsterdam-declaration-refuted-pointby-point/
• http://thinkingmatters.org.nz/2011/05/the-embarrassing-truth-about-richarddawkins/comment-page-1/#comment-40512
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpIiIaC4kRA (fine-tuning of universe)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxiAikEk2vU (the moral argument)
(“Christian rational critiques of Humanism” could be a discussion topic!)