| |
| |
|
|
The Humanism Test
Read the statements below.
If you believe they are true,
you probably are
a Humanist. . .
and didn't know it!
|
1. All human beings possess dignity, worth and basic rights.
2. We should strive to remake this world into one that affords every human being the opportunity for a rich, rewarding life full of joy and creative fulfillment, and as free as possible from pain and suffering.
3. We stand a better chance of progressing toward this goal if we understand what really works to promote human flourishing.
4. To gain this understanding, reason, science and critical inquiry must be given free rein to discover the truth about the world, human nature, and what makes people happy.
5. Moral codes function to protect freedoms, promote mutual cooperation and advance collective well being; they should be designed (and occasionally redesigned) with that in mind.
6. Fear, dogma, superstition, blind faith, wishful thinking, supernatural “explanations,” and tribal or ideological loyalties should all be avoided, for they tend to close minds, block understanding, and de-motivate the critical inquiry necessary for scientific and moral progress.
Read all about the response people have had to this test at:
"I’m a What?" Eliciting Latent Humanism
By Andy Norman
|
_________________________________
|
What Is Humanism? |
Humanism has many definitions penned by numerous luminaries. A Google search will lead you to several, some of which attempt to divide Humanists
into several sub-categories. RBH has adopted perhaps the most ubiquitist definition, that offered by the American Humanist Association. We consider ourselves “Secular Humanists," although we invite Humanists of all stripes
to join us in our exploration of this worthy philosophy. |
| |
On our brochure we use the definition created by
The American Humanist Association:
WHAT IS HUMANISM
"Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without
theism and other supernatural beliefs, affirms our ability
and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment
that aspire to the greater good of humanity." |
|
For us, the Steven Schafersman definition below seems to capture
all the critical elements of the philosophy and also includes a short
list of several beliefs about which Humanists are often questioned,
and which we do not support. |
"Humanism is a philosophy,
world view, or lifestance based on naturalism—the
conviction that the universe or nature is all that exists
or is real. Humanism serves, for many humanists, some
of the psychological and social functions of a religion, but
without belief in deities, transcendental entities, miracles,
life after death, and the supernatural.
Humanists seek to understand
the universe by using science
and its methods of critical
inquiry—logical reasoning, empirical evidence, and
skeptical evaluation of conjectures and conclusions—to
obtain reliable knowledge. Humanists affirm
that humans
have the freedom to give meaning, value, an
purpose to
their lives by their own independent thought, free
inquiry,
and responsible, creative activity. Humanists stand for
the building of a more humane, just, compassionate, and
democratic society using a pragmatic ethics based on human
reason, experience, and reliable knowledge—an ethics
that
judges the consequences of human actions by the well-being
of all life on Earth."
- Steven
Schafersman |
|
|
An example of one of the many alternate definitions of
Humanism is offered by Fred Edwords, noted Humanist author.
We particularly like his first sentence.
|
“Humanism is a philosophy
for those in love with life. Humanists take responsibility
for their own lives and relish the adventure of being part
of new discoveries, seeking new knowledge, exploring new
options. Instead of finding solace
in prefabricated answers
to the great questions of life, Humanists enjoy the open-endedness
of a quest and the freedom of discovery that this entails.”
- Fred
Edwords |
|
|
Additional information about the definitions of Humanism can be
found on the New Jersey Humanists Network website at
http://www.njhn.org/humanism.html
The Affirmations of Humanism: A Statement
of Principles
See our "Links" Page
|
|
