Download What is Ethical Humanism Sept. 2015

How is Ethical Humanism
religious?
What is Ethical
Humanism?
Ethical Humanism, also called Ethical Culture, is
an evolving body of ideas that inspires Ethical
Societies. Humanism is a progressive philosophy
For those who view religion as a set of values to
which they find a faith to live by, Ethical Culture is
understanding of the world evolves, and we
considered a religion. Ethical Societies serve as
realize the full capacity of our human spirit.
religious congregations in which members can
purpose, provide moral education for their
we bring out the best in ourselves.
Culture Leaders fill the roles of religious clergy,
including meeting the pastoral needs of members,
should we treat each other?”
Ethical Humanism is clear about the essential role
Eliciting the Best: It is by acting in a way that
encourages the finest characteristics in others that
personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good
create meaningfulness in this life?” and “How

build a community of friends, find inspiration and
ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of
gods or an afterlife, but rather, “How can we
Freedom of Belief: When we stimulate our
thinking with new insights and inspirations, our
children, celebrate seasons and life events, and
clarify their world views. Professional Ethical
religious questions are not about the existence of

which people are committed and in terms of
of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our
of humanity. For Ethical Humanists, the ultimate
What beliefs do Ethical
Societies teach?

Respect for Human Worth: We treat all people
as having an inherent capacity for fairness,
kindness, and living ethically.

Ethical Living: When we put into practice
performing ceremonies, and serving as
ethical principles such as love, justice, honesty,
spokespeople for the congregation
and forgiveness, we experience harmony within
ourselves and in our relationships.
Does Ethical Humanism
have a creed?

dimension in life by experiencing our
interdependent connections to humanity, nature,
that ethical principles play in human
relationships. Despite how uncertain we might
No. We are not bound by any community creed or
feel about our personal standards—or how best to
dogma. Rather, Ethical Societies emphasize the
apply them—for an Ethical Humanist, there are
importance of developing a clear personal
unquestionably acts that are good and evil, right
philosophy that makes your life understandable
and wrong. In order for human beings to have
and meaningful. Learning to benefit from a
good lives, love must prevail, truth must be
diversity of viewpoints is one of our challenges.
respected, honesty esteemed, justice secured, and
Members encourage each other to think freely and
freedom protected. Learning how to realize these
to disagree without being disagreeable. We do
ideals in personal and political relationships is the
agree on “Deed before creed,” sometimes
purpose of Ethical Societies.
expressed as “Diversity in the creed, unanimity in
the deed.”
Reverence for Life: We cultivate the spiritual
and our inner values.

Is there a God? Ethical Culture is nontheistic
and humanist in emphasis and members are not
committed to any theology. We leave belief in a
deity up to the individual.

Is Ethical Culture a religion to everyone?
Some members associate the word "religion” with
creeds and sectarianism. For them, Ethical
Culture is a fellowship based upon a philosophy
of life, emphasizing education, growth, and social
service with the purpose of helping people live
better lives.
2.
What does ethics mean?
Ethics defines the elements essential to human
3.
well-being and proposes guiding principles to
generate an ethical culture. Ethics also refers to
lives. Ethics, most broadly, is the study of human
4.
quest, the mystery of life itself, and the need
To enable us to be whole in a fragmented world,
human religious response.
and being honest, open, caring and responsive.
5.
We are Committed to Educate
Ourselves: Personal progress is possible, both in
wisdom and social life. Learning how to build
merely social conventions, like table manners.
ethical relationships and cultivate a humane
Rather, ethics define the social conditions
community is a life-long endeavor.
6.
Self Reflection and Our Social Nature Require
Us to Shape a More Humane World: Growth of
the human spirit is rooted in self-reflection, but
What are some principles
of an Ethical Society?
can only come to full flower in community. This
The Eight Commitments of Ethical Culture were
requires that we reach beyond ourselves to
written in collaboration with Leaders and
decrease suffering and increase creativity in the
members of the American Ethical Union,
world.
coordinated by Lois Kathleen Kellerman, Leader
Emeritus of the Brooklyn Society for Ethical
Culture.
is because people are social, needing both
primary relationships and larger supportive
groups to become fully human. Our social nature
7.
Democratic Process is Essential to Our
Task: The democratic process is essential to a
humane social order because respect for the worth
of persons requires democratic process, which
1.
Ethics is Central: The most central human issue
in our lives is creating a more humane
environment.
to belong,are the primary factors motivating
We Seek to Act with Integrity: Treating one
integrity. This includes keeping commitments,
were used as universal standards. Ethics are not
necessary for human beings to thrive.
We Choose to Treat Each Other as Ends, not
Means:
another as ends requires that we learn to act with
is ideally possible. For example, ethicists might
what effect they would have on humankind if they
impending death intensifies the human
individuals having intrinsic worth.
behavior and its consequences in the light of what
study a society’s mores or morals to determine
need to make significant choices in our lives.
8.
we choose to treat each other as unique
the specific values, standards, rules, and
agreements that people adopt for conducting their
humane environment begins by affirming the
Life Itself Inspires a Natural “Religious”
Response: Although awareness of
Ethics Begins with Choice: Creating a more
elicits and allows a greater expression of human
capacities.
How can I learn more?
The web site of the national organization, the
American Ethical Union, “aeu.org” contains links
to many resources including articles, blogposts
and videos as well as the web sites of individual
Ethical Societies around the country. Additionally
Ethical Societies have platform talks and articles
on Ethical Humanism on their individual web sites
that are available for download. Featured
Platforms can be viewed at:
http://aeu.org/what-we-do/sunday-platformtalks/
© 2015
The American Ethical Union
2 West 64th St., New York, N.Y. 10023
(212) 873-6500
www.aeu.org